In an email announcement last Friday afternoon the NSSTA board of directors informed membership that they have decided not to renew their contract with Trade Association and Society Consultants (TASC). Instead, they have chosen to retain the services of The Smith Bucklin Company to provide the association management services going forward. Smith Bucklin is, according to the email, the largest trade association company in the US and probably brings a greater amount of resources to the table as a result of it.

What this means to long time TASC President Randy Dyer, who has been the face of NSSTA pretty much from the beginning of the organization, is yet to be determined. From a reading of the announcement it would seem the door is open for Randy to stay on in some capacity while the actual day to day operations of the association are being shifted to The Smith Bucklin Company. Whether or not an arrangement is worked out obviously remains to be seen.

While there is never a good time for change, clearly the industry is facing some challenges and opportunities, and the board felt that there needed to be more resources brought to bear. At least that's my take on it, as no one in the decision circle is talking about this other then to refer to the email statement. I'm sure over time the thought process and rationale will come out, but for now the industry's largest trade association will be in transition to new operational leadership.