VSAE Highlights Value of Virginia's Associations
Letter sent 12/5/2022 to the Honorable Todd Gilbert, Speaker, Virginia House of Delegates:
On behalf of the members of the Virginia Society of Association Executives (VSAE), I’m writing to highlight the wide-ranging benefits that trade and professional associations provide to the Commonwealth of Virginia and its citizens. VSAE’s 400-plus members consist of association executives and those who serve Virginia’s association industry with products and services.
Virginia is home to more than 1,200 associations that directly employ more than 16,000 Virginians. These associations support every aspect of our state’s economy, providing specialized education and training, research, technical guidance, best-practices, standard-setting, and advocacy – all of which bolster jobs and cultivate robust economic activity. Virginia’s associations are also economic drivers of the Commonwealth’s hospitality and tourism industry, hosting hundreds of meetings and events across all regions of the state.
Virginia’s associations are also workforce development partners with the Commonwealth and our community colleges. These partnerships fill a vital niche in our education system as an alternative to a traditional four-year collegiate path. On a national level, associations are America’s leading certification providers, and, as a community, constitute the largest source of post-college education and skills training.
I have enclosed information on the economic impact of associations to our Commonwealth. Please know that VSAE stands ready to share The Power of Associations with your team and be a reliable source of information as you consider important public policies. Do not hesitate to reach out if we can be of assistance.
Thank you for your service to our Commonwealth.
Steven Williams, CAE
President