OBCAI Executive Director Shares Association Vision

Published February 18th, 2010 by Jennifer LeClaire

Richard Meyers is settling into his new role as the executive director of the Office Business Center Association International (OBCAI). Meyers aims to usher in a new era at OBCAI; an era in which the association more effectively serves the needs of its members.

Meyers has 15 years of association management experience. In 2004, he founded Association Growth Management (AGM), an association management company. No stranger to the executive suites industry, he previously served as the executive director for the Alliance Business Centers Network.

aBetterOffice caught up with Meyers to discuss his vision for the organization, how he and the OBCAI board will work together to make that vision a reality, and how his previous association management experience will help him serve the serviced office space.

What’s your vision for the organization?
Well, I’ve watched this association for 12 years – 7 years while I was at Alliance Business Center Network and also during the five years I’ve been out in the industry. I don’t think the industry has realized its potential. I want the association to do what associations do – and to do it loud and proud without apology to anyone.

In the past, the association has shied away from providing services to members for fear of stepping on the toes of others who might provide a similar service. My feeling is that this association’s mission is to be the industry association, and anything we do should be the rising tide that lifts all boats. So, the first thing I want to do is make sure we establish and provide true value to our members to the point that they wouldn’t even consider operating without being a member of OBCAI because it’s such a valuable resource. That’s the big picture.

How will you accomplish this goal?
We need to make sure that we’re providing great resources and terrific information. The board is unified. We understand what we need to do and we’re excited to do it. I think if you go to the Web site, it serves as sort of a blueprint. For example, that Flash rotator at the beginning says, “Certification.” The certification program we have right now is very light, but we want to make it a little more substantial. There really should be an exam for people to become certified center managers, for example. There should be continuing education requirements.

I’m going to follow the blueprint of other large successful trade associations. We don’t want to just give lip service to the benefits we offer. When we say, “professional development,” in the Flash presentation on the home page, for example, I’m very serious about providing real training by real trainers and real substantive webinars.

What did you learn about association management before you came to OBCAI?
Five years ago I started my own association management company. My primary client for the last five years has been a foreclosure industry association. Five years ago, the foreclosure industry association paralleled where OBCAI is now. But they’ve grown. Obviously, the number one factor in an association’s health is the health of its industry. The foreclosure industry has gotten very healthy, sadly, over the last five years. But they’re also well-organized. This is not a healthy time in the cycle for the business center industry, but I think it’s going to get a lot better.  When I say a lot better, I mean the association is going to get a lot stronger over the next few years.  I’m excited. I’m really excited.

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