If you’ve ever thought, “Are we doing this right?” — you’re not alone.
Many people working in marketing for higher education associations are asking the same question right now.
The work feels more complicated than ever. There are more platforms to manage, more content to create, and more pressure to show results. At the same time, many teams are small and don’t have extra time or resources.
So it’s fair to ask: Are we falling behind?
Or is everyone just trying to figure it out as they go?
What’s Really Happening Right Now
Across higher ed, professional organizations share similar concerns:
- “We’re trying new ideas, but we’re not sure what’s working.”
- “We don’t have time to build a full strategy.”
- “We’re being asked to do more with fewer people.”
- “We don’t know what other associations are doing.”
These are not signs that something is wrong with your team. They are signs that the field itself is still changing.
There isn’t one clear way to do association marketing “right.” That makes it hard to know if you’re on track.
Why It Feels Like Everyone Else Is Ahead
It’s easy to look at other organizations — especially online — and think they have it all figured out. You may see polished social media posts and strong branding. Conference presenters showcase big campaigns and successful new member engagement initiatives.
But you don’t see what’s happening behind the scenes.
The truth is, most association marketing teams are:
- Working through limited time and staff
- Trying to keep up with platform changes
- Testing new ideas when they can
- Identifying a tech stack that works for them
- Balancing member engagement, event promotion, organizational brand awareness, fundraising, operations, and more.
In other words, many teams are figuring things out as they go. Even if it looks from the outside like they have it all together.
Why This Moment Matters
Higher education is going through a lot of change. That affects professional associations too.
Marketing teams are now expected to show clear results, while supporting membership and maintaining strong brands. They have to navigate new technologies and explore AI — all while finding ways to keep their workload manageable and their staff motivated.
That’s a big job.
And it’s even harder without knowing how other teams in peer organizations are handling the same challenges.
What If You Didn’t Have to Guess?
What if you could see what other higher ed association marketing teams are actually doing?
What if you could answer questions like:
- Are we understaffed, or is this normal?
- Are other teams struggling with content creation too?
- How are others using AI?
- What platforms are working best for associations right now?
Having this kind of information can make a big difference in supporting better decisions, gaining leadership buy-in, and focusing your time on what matters most.
The 2026 State of Higher Education Association Marketing Survey
That’s why we created the 2026 State of Higher Education Association Marketing Survey.
This survey is designed to give a clear picture of what’s happening across the field. We’re asking about team structures, staff responsibilities, content and platforms, operational processes, priority outcomes, barriers to success, and more.
The goal is simple: to understand what’s really going on in association marketing today.
This Is About Perspective, Not Perfection
This survey seeks to clarify the real experience of marketing professionals in higher ed associations.
Once we see the full picture, we’ll be better equipped to:
- Set more realistic expectations
- Learn from each other
- Build better strategies
- Support our teams in healthier ways
Most importantly, we can stop feeling like we’re the only ones struggling.
A Small Step That Helps Everyone
Taking the survey only takes a few minutes — but your input helps create something valuable for the whole community.
You’ll also get access to the results, so you can see how your work compares and where you might want to adjust.
So… Are You Behind?
Probably not.
You’re likely doing what many others are doing: working hard, trying new ideas, and adapting to change.
The real question is: do you have the information you need to move forward?
Add Your Voice
If you want to better understand your work, and help others do the same, we invite you to take part.
👉 Take the 2026 State of Higher Education Association Marketing Survey
Because when we share what we’re learning, we all get better together.
