A strategic relationship with Microsoft.

It's no accident that ASAE's once-distinct Management Conference and Technology Conference are now linked as the "M&T" - a single event dedicated to both management and technology issues. In large part, this is because in today's "knowledge age," technology and association management are inseparable.

For association executives, understanding, using, and benefiting from technology remain complex challenges that have become core to our business. Computer hardware and software investments bring with them new capital expenditures each year that require prioritization in ever-tight association capital budgets. But beyond the fiscal challenges, greater issues are at stake: How can we better use technology to add value to our members? How can we help members benefit from emerging technologies? How can we improve our own operations? And, most importantly, how do we stay competitive in a changing environment in which for-profit companies are using the Internet and other technologies to create "communities" that challenge the role associations traditionally play?

To address these issues ASAE has built a strategic relationship with Microsoft Corporation designed to enhance technology leadership in the association community. By helping build ASAE as a model of association technology use, and by developing resources, programs, and information services for ASAE members, together Microsoft and ASAE hope to enable associations to take greater advantage of information technology to solidify their association communities. And, of course, as ASAE's ability to harness technology is strengthened, we should be better able to serve members in every way.

Why is Microsoft investing in the association community's technology needs? Just as your members look to their association for leadership in public policy, education, and information management, they also need to be able to look to you to help them explore the possibilities technology affords - and navigate the waters of change more effectively. As the world's largest software company, Microsoft is uniquely positioned to help you build this leadership capacity - and thereby raise the visibility and understanding of the benefits of technology among businesses of all sizes.

The Microsoft/ASAE program will be officially launched at the Management and Technology Conferences 1997, December 7-9, in Baltimore. We hope you will join us to learn more about the powerful link between association management and technology, and how our organizations will work together to help associations and your members thrive in the knowledge age.