Published On: September 25, 2015By
Association LMS Case Studies - by independent learning systems analysts at Talented Learning

When this decade began, only large, rich associations could afford the substantial investment required to purchase and deploy a learning platform and online content.  With the advent of the cloud and software-as-a-service business model, association LMS solutions are no longer cost prohibitive or complex.

As a result, associations of all sizes are adopting learning technology at a rapid rate and some of the most exciting LMS advancements are happening in the association LMS space.  In my review of almost a hundred LMS solutions in the last couple of years, I’ve found 20 LMS vendors who focus on association solutions.

An association LMS is special kind of LMS.  Association LMS systems are similar to employee LMSs but have richer features sets to attract voluntary learners and members, build a community, integrate with an AMS and sell complex continuing education.  Many employee LMS vendors think and say that they are also good for associations but they are wrong.

World’s Best Association LMS Case Studies

Below are links to 12 diverse association LMS case studies from 12 different LMS vendors.  If you read through these studies, you will find that these associations are enjoying the following measurable benefits from using an association LMS:

  • Increased revenue generation from sale of content and professional development
  • Global expansion of organization into areas impossible to reach previously
  • Increased perceived value for the membership
  • Economies of scale of creating great content and getting to use over and over
  • Manage continuing education for the members’ entire career

 In alphabetical order…

Air Conditioning Contractors of America (ACCA)

LMS Vendor:  Digitec Interactive

Air Conditioning Contractors of America (ACCA) has been making life more comfortable for contractors and their customers through the professional growth and success of its members.  Using Digital Interactive Knowledge Direct LMS, the ACCA supports eCommerce, blended learning and annual meetings to educate and certify a target audience of 300,000 workers nationally.

American Cancer Society (ACS)

LMS Vendor:  Totara and Kineo US

For more than 100 years American Cancer Society (ACS) has worked to save lives and create a world with less cancer. At the core of achieving ACS’s mission are more than 3 million volunteers.  Via Totara and Kineo they provide consistent, easy to use, effective blended learning to volunteers who range from high schoolers to retirees.

American College of Chest Physicians (CHEST)

LMS Vendor:  Blue Sky eLearn

American College of Chest Physicians (CHEST) is a global clinical organization dedicated to helping chest medicine professionals optimize every clinical decision they make.   CHEST has an annual 5-day event every year with over 900 presentations.  They decided to record each presentation and make available to professionals worldwide who can not attend the live event.  Within two weeks of the event, they rolled out the content to 3200 professionals.

Association of Clinical Research Professionals (ACRP)

LMS Vendor:  WebCourseworks

The Association of Clinical Research Professionals (ACRP), a global association with more than 18,000 members in over 70 countries.  ACRP provides comprehensive professional development and content services to its members on key clinical research competency areas via their CourseStage LMS.  In an effort to attract more learners, ACRP created a program of gamified mobile content to complement their traditional catalog.

Big Brothers Big Sisters of America (BBBSA)

LMS Vendor:  Expertus

As the nation’s largest donor and volunteer supported mentoring network, the mission of Big Brothers Big Sisters is to provide children facing adversity with strong enduring, professionally supported one-to-one mentoring that changes their lives for the better.  Big Brothers Big Sisters uses ExpertusONE LMS to connect disparate learning audiences and link hundreds of thousands of users.  As a result, they have improved training readiness by 84%.

International Parking Institute (IPI)

LMS Vendor:  Docebo

Founded in 1962, IPI’s purpose is to advance the parking profession through leadership, education, professional development and connections.  International Parking Institute uses Docebo LMS to train, certify, measure and report on learning for parking professionals from member organizations in every industry globally.

National Association of College and University Business Officers (NACUBO)

LMS Vendor:  Abila Freestone/Peach New Media

NACUBO, like many associations, is no stranger to challenges that come with fluctuations in the economy and the impact that can have on their members.  NACUBO recognized a shift in their members’ needs and budgets and pivoted to Abila Freestone LMS for online learning that is tightly integrated with their NetForum AMS.

National Education Association (NEA)

LMS Vendor:  WBT Systems

The National Education Association (NEA) represents some 3 million public school educators, at all levels, across the United States. The National Education Association (NEA) launched the NEA Academy on WBT Systems TopClass LMS and offers approximately 500 online courses, the greater majority of which are provided by third party training suppliers.

New Jersey State Bar Association

LMS Vendor:  Classroom 24/7

The New Jersey State Bar Association’s division, the New Jersey Institute for Continuing Legal Education, is a premier provider of the Continuing Legal Education (CLE) programs to attorneys licensed to practice in New Jersey. In 2010, New Jersey became a mandatory CLE state requiring all New Jersey attorneys to complete 24 hours of CLE education every two years. The New Jersey State Bar Association uses Classroom 24/7 to market and sell the CLE content to a broad audience statewide.

The Institute of Food Technologist (IFT)

LMS Vendor:  Naylor

The Institute of Food Technologists (IFT) exists to advance the science of food. Composed of more than 18,000 members from virtually every discipline related to food science and technology, and from more than 100 countries around the world.  With Naylor, IFT increased revenue by 130% by providing online synchronous and asynchronous courses, web meetings, webinars, and interactive eLearning solutions for its members around the world.

UNISON

LMS Vendor:  Brightwave/tessello

UNISON is the 2nd largest trade union in the UK with almost 1.3 million members and 1200 dispersed staff and volunteers. UNISON created an online organizing to connect their staff and activists, all powered by the tessello LMS. Using the cutting-edge xAPI (Tin Can) in tessello, UNISON allows staff and activists to share content, experiences, and knowledge, while also providing a place to find support from within the community.

Thanks for reading!

 


Want more insights? Replay our on-demand webinar!

How to Drive Association Success With Continuing Education

According to recent research, 60% of members say associations are their “go-to” source for continuing education.  But a closer look at membership trends reveals a sobering fact – associations can no longer afford to rest on their laurels. Digital innovation has given rise to highly affordable, accessible content and community resources from independent sources.

In this disruptive environment, how can your organization leverage learning to retain existing members, win new members and support them throughout their careers?

Join me, and Tamer Ali, SVP and General Manager of Education Solutions at Community Brands, as we explore this topic in depth.  You’ll discover how modern learning technology can help you:

  • Strengthen your position as a relevant, trusted source of continuing education
  • Add value by helping members stay ahead of accreditation requirements
  • Develop and deliver useful content at member’s convenience
  • Offer pricing that appeals to diverse audiences, while optimizing your revenue streams
  • Apply marketing techniques that differentiate you and increase response from members and non-members, alike

We’ll also illustrate how innovative associations are leading the way in professional development best practices.

Replay this on-demand webinar now!


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About the Author: John Leh

John Leh is Founder, CEO and Lead Analyst at Talented Learning and the Talented Learning Center. John is a fiercely independent consultant, blogger, podcaster, speaker and educator who helps organizations select and implement learning technology strategies, primarily for extended enterprise applications. His advice is based upon more than 25+years of learning-tech industry experience, serving as a trusted LMS selection and sales adviser to hundreds of learning organizations with a total technology spend of more than $100+ million and growing. John would love to connect with you on Twitter or on LinkedIn.

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