FORJ - What Your Members Wish You Knew: Rethinking Tech to Build Trust, Spark Belonging, and Drive Growth

In this provocative session, Andy Hicken, VP of Data and Analytics at Forj, will reveal key findings from Forj’s State of Association Member Experience report—paired with behavioral data across thousands of member interactions—to uncover what your tech stack might be costing you in connection, loyalty, and growth. You’ll learn how leading associations are shifting from a tools-first approach to an experience-first ecosystem—and walk away with criteria and a modern framework for designing tech that builds trust, sparks belonging, and drives outcomes.

Key Takeaways

• Identify hidden friction points in their member experience using real-world data

• Understand how learning and community platforms are converging—and why it matters

• Develop criteria for aligning technology decisions with trust, connection, and growth

• Apply a new framework for evaluating tech investments through a member-first lens