2026 Survey Highlights Membership Growth, Engagement Challenges, and Tech Trends for Associations and Chambers

NISSWA, MINNESOTA / ACCESS Newswire / February 10, 2026 / GrowthZone, a leading provider of association management software, has released the results of its highly anticipated 2026 Annual Association and Chamber Surveys. With input from over 1,000 industry professionals across the U.S. and Canada, the reports offer critical data on the current state of membership organizations, highlighting trends in growth, retention, and technology adoption.

The 2026 reports reveal a landscape of resilience and adaptation. Among associations, 41% of respondents reported membership growth, while chambers of commerce showed even stronger numbers, with 50% reporting an increase in new memberships. Despite these positive indicators, both sectors face significant hurdles. Association professionals cited member engagement as their top internal challenge, while chamber professionals pointed to a lack of time as their biggest obstacle.

Retention strategies remain a focal point for the year ahead. The surveys indicate that while retention rates have remained stable for most organizations, a lack of engagement is the primary driver for non-renewals. In response, organizations are prioritizing enhanced communication and structured onboarding processes, though the data shows that a sizable number of organizations still lack a formal written plan for increasing engagement.

Innovation and technology are also reshaping the industry. Nearly half of respondents in both surveys identified artificial intelligence (AI) as critical to their future success. However, adoption barriers persist, including budget constraints and limited staff capacity. The reports suggest a strong interest in expanding online learning tools, particularly among chambers, with 69% of respondents likely to explore these solutions in the coming months.

"These surveys provide an essential benchmark for industry professionals navigating a complex and competitive environment," said Paul Plaia III, CEO of GrowthZone.

For industry leaders looking to benchmark their performance and plan for the future, the full survey results provide a comprehensive look at the strategies working today. GrowthZone invites association and chamber professionals to download the complete reports to gain deeper insights into peer data and actionable trends.

The full 2026 Association Survey Results and 2026 Chamber Survey Results are available for download now on the GrowthZone website.