Best Association Team
American Chamber of Commerce to the EU – AmCham EU team
The American Chamber of Commerce to the EU (AmCham EU)’s team is the pillar of and the energy that drives our organisation forward. Our team prides itself on its remarkable diversity, encompassing individuals from 16 different nationalities and cultural backgrounds. With team members hailing from across Europe, North America, and beyond, our diversity not only enriches our perspectives but also strengthens our ability to effectively advocate for American business interests in Europe. Although diversity can sometimes be challenging as we all have different ways of working and communicating, the team performs brilliantly when it comes to conciliating differences and working together as one. As our team’s hashtag says: we are #OneTeam. With expertise in a variety of sectors and an ability to manage major projects, we believe the AmCham EU team to be extremely deserving of this award.
Association of Event Organisers – AEO team
The Association of Event Organisers (AEO) showcased exceptional teamwork, strategic innovation, and consistent achievement from 2023 into 2024. Prioritising member involvement, AEO ensured their members felt valued and engaged. A partner, Lisa Tyson, praised the AEO team for their camaraderie and openness to new ideas and technology.
Key achievements include selling out all four flagship events, increasing event attendance by 28.7%, launching the successful AEO Marketing Social, and achieving a record number of entries for the AEO Excellence Awards 2024. AEO also transitioned to a new accounting system and completed Mental Health First Aid training for all team members.
Strategically, AEO focused on sustainability by completing a carbon measurement project and setting reduction targets. The AEO International CEO Summit and Forums exceeded expectations, reflecting strong planning and high attendee satisfaction. Membership grew by 9%, with increased engagement in working groups and successful sponsorships and renewals.
Advocacy efforts included introducing a member advocacy engagement plan and a new Business Events Report, increasing industry recognition at government levels. Internationally, AEO planned global engagement initiatives, broadening members’ horizons.
AEO’s dedication to member support, environmental goals, and diversity, equity, and inclusion has led to high satisfaction rates and positive financial outcomes, underscoring their commitment.
European Association of Research Managers & Administrators – Events & Member Engagement Team
Our team at the European Association of Research Managers & Administrators (EARMA) has faced incredible challenges and triumphed with unparalleled success. Despite starting as a one-person team during the height of COVID-19, we have grown into a formidable group of five dedicated members. Our journey included managing the largest EARMA conference ever, overcoming logistical hurdles, unexpected illnesses, and even a burst pipe on the first day of our event.
We successfully transitioned from relying on external organizers to handling all aspects of our events in-house, demonstrating remarkable innovation and resilience. Our 2024 conference in Odense, Denmark, saw over 1400 attendees, the highest in our history, and featured pioneering elements like an app, robots to greet guests, and 100% sustainable digital badges.
Despite significant personal and professional challenges, including my surgery for a tumor and limited communication support, our team’s unwavering dedication and extraordinary collaboration made it all possible. We embraced sustainability, with a 100% vegan gala dinner, and consistently adapted to unforeseen obstacles.
Our team’s commitment to excellence, innovation, and mutual support exemplifies the spirit of true teamwork. We believe our story of overcoming adversity and achieving remarkable success makes us the ideal candidates for the best association team award.
NAHT – The School Leaders’ Union – Membership and Operations
Over the last year, the work completed by the Membership and Operations Department has been instrumental in the growth and reputational positioning of NAHT. Our most recent engagement survey of members highlighted that 98% were satisfied with NAHT and 90% would recommend someone to join. As we pivoted our services to respond to members’ needs, we promoted NAHT Wellness and Protect – a staff absence protection insurance with complimentary whole school well-being and leadership support.
NAHT represents more than 50,000 school leaders and life members in every phase and sector of education including early years, primary, secondary, special schools and FE colleges, making it the largest association for school leaders in the UK. We represent, advise and train school leaders while using our influence at the highest levels of government. We speak for school leaders and our organisation is democratically shaped and directed by members. Key to our association’s success is our ability to share our voice and make a difference for our members.
Railway Industry Association
Darren Caplan, RIA Chief Executive, nominates the Railway Industry Association (RIA) team for “Team of the Year” due to their exceptional performance in 2023. The 22-member, diverse team, demonstrated remarkable dedication and flexibility, contributing to RIA’s significant achievements.
Highlights include:
- Transformation from a London-centric to a UK-wide presence, supporting decentralization efforts in Scotland, Wales, and English regions.
- Impressive membership growth.
- Increased political influence, with MPs’ familiarity with RIA rising from 38% to 57%.
- Successful lobbying for key sector objectives and leading campaigns on crucial issues.
- Record-breaking events, including the largest Innovation Conference and Annual Dinner.
RIA’s low staff turnover, attributed to comprehensive employee benefits, underscores its commitment to its team. Caplan highlights the team’s critical role in RIA’s continuous transformation and success as it approaches its 150th anniversary.
SolarPower Europe – Team Solar Shining Bright
SolarPower Europe unites over 300 organisations to champion solar power and shape the best possible framework for our technology to thrive. Our mission is as clear as a sunny day: to make solar the leading energy source in Europe by 2030.
When it comes to teamwork, our crew really knows how to shine. SolarPower Europe has delivered a record number of impactful political campaigns, events, and reports in 2023. Through a challenging year for the sector, the team has persevered. SolarPower Europe thrives on innovation and creativity – and we make sure to celebrate our successes with our very own Solar DJ!
If you ever visit the SolarPower Europe offices, you will find a united team, hear a lot of laughter, you will notice our trampoline and our new Solar Captain mascot – but most of all feel the sense of pride and drive that is ingrained in the SolarPower Europe team DNA.
