Together in 2012: Why we need an association merger in Outdoor/Experiential Education

I wrote last year about my hopes for a mega-conference that would combine AEE (Assoc. for Experiential Education), AORE (Association of Outdoors Recreation and Education), and WRM (Wilderness Risk Managers Conference). Each conference is held at approximately the same time (Fall) and, for many industry professionals, it becomes a very difficult issue to choose between competing conferences when there are elements to like about all three. See my post "Can't We All Just Get Along?" for more on this topic.

Well, this year I want to take it one step further, especially given the current economic context. We need a merger. Mergers often happen in tough economic times because the benefits of reducing redundancies, resource sharing, and creating stronger brand/market positioning are very appealing in resource and revenue constrained environments. As a field, we are simply much too small to justify three different organizations and conference models. Only one of the conferences/organizations listed above has significant office/administrative staff (AEE). The economic model is barely sustainable. Now, throw in a significant economic downturn and things look a lot worse. As colleges, universities, and other non-profits look to cut costs, maintaining multiple organizational memberships may be one of the things to cut. Individuals and organizations will likely reduce travel costs and membership expenses. This may significantly affect conference revenues-- something each of these organizations depends on to cover operating costs. 

In times like this, we can either stick our heads in the sand or, conversely, keep our heads up and look for new opportunities and creative solutions. Mine? A merged organization that combines AEE, AORE, WRM, and WEA (perhaps even ACCT and other peripherals) into one, "big tent" style organization and conference model. By pooling resources, the advantges are many including better conference attendence, range of workshops/sessions, reduced administrative overhead costs, more effective lobbying and advocacy, clearer industry standards, etc. We would also be a stronger and more viable organization/industry that would be able to weather economic downturns. At the annual conference, we might have different tracks such as risk management, schools and colleges, adventure programming, challenge education, wilderness therapy, etc. Imagine a conference like that! It would draw greater diversity, more vendors, more international attendees, and more conference site bargaining power. In fact, it is the way most successful conferences are run.

How can we get there? I know what I am going to do. At AEE this year, I will work my colleagues, members of the board who I know, and anyone else who will listen. I am more convinced then ever that we must stop this madness of a splintered field. Are there differences? Sure! But we can keep those differences while still holding on to a larger whole... e pluribus unum. We tell our participants that "diversity equals strength," that "many hands make light work," that "cooperation is better than competition"... why can't we model it ourselves?