We are just back from a from another wonderful, but admittedly very different CMC and WCBP in Washington, DC. As a hybrid, it was our largest CMC/WCBP ever, with about 25% of the attendees in-person and the rest attending virtually. It was great to catch up with those that were there. And the topics and discussions were good, as usual – but with the majority of people attending virtually, we clearly couldn’t recreate all of the networking that takes place at a face-to-face meeting. It was … different.
This was our first face-to-face CASSS conference since CMC/WCBP in 2020. If the past two years have taught us anything, it is that there is no predicting the future. Nonetheless, we must look ahead and do our best to predict what will happen or will be needed in the future.
The board of directors are engaged in a process to develop foresight. It is a deliberate approach to anticipating, analyzing and then acting on the basis of potential futures. Although the future is not predetermined, nor predictable, the board understands that future outcomes can be influenced by our choices in the present.
Foresight is a shared responsibility. Beyond board members and staff, other volunteers, the members and especially our technology vendor partners, each have insights and perspectives about key trends and issues that will affect the organization in the years to come. Your voice is important in this process.
Research conducted by the American Society of Association Executives (ASAE) identified 41 "Drivers of Change" that will impact associations in the coming years. From this research, CASSS has selected several issues that that will have significant import to our field:
- Demographic Trends: Including new forms of work (freelance, gig, contract, temp) to aging populations to changes in education. Are there trends and changes that will impact our members? How will that impact CASSS and the way associations work?
- Technological Trends: From hybrid meetings (including augmented and virtual reality and telepresence that create new modes of interacting and networking) to technologies transforming the way biologically derived medicines are produced and regulated, how will changing technologies affect the way members’ work – as well as how associations operate.
- Changing Science and Regulations: With well-funded research centers developing in new regions, along with automation and differing standards and ethics the way CASSS members work?
- A World Reshaped by COVID and other uncertainties: Work will not return to its previous state, frictions in travel may linger, people have reassessed their priorities in their lives. What ere the possible implications for our members and for the organization?
Between now and their Spring strategic planning retreat, the board will be gathering information to identify opportunities and challenges facing our stakeholders and the organization in order to make strategic decisions and update our strategic plan. If you are interested in contributing to this process, please share your thoughts in this survey. Be sure to include your contact information if you are willing to be contacted in case we’d like to follow up with you or discuss further.