The National Business Education Association (NBEA) is continuously evolving, and we are thrilled to share various enriching developments with you. Our recent accomplishments include launching new events, unveiling a state-of-the-art library, fostering an online community, and organizing highly-rated conventions. These initiatives are designed to enhance our organization and provide direct benefits to you, our valued members. We pride ourselves on celebrating these advancements; however, we also understand the importance of transparency in maintaining your trust and confidence.

To further our commitment to openness, we are excited to invite you to the "Behind the Scenes at NBEA - A Networking Event." This gathering will offer a unique opportunity to connect with peers, engage in meaningful dialogue with fellow business educators, and gain an in-depth understanding of our financial operations, membership statistics, and more.

The landscape of education associations is notably challenging. Over the years, NBEA, like many other associations, has experienced fluctuations in membership. From a peak of nearly 15,000 members three decades ago to a current membership of 2,230 full members, the shift has been significant. Moreover, we have over 16,500 guests who maintain a connection with our association. This trend of decline is not unique to business educators but is evident across numerous educational groups.

After extensive research over four years, I've identified several factors contributing to this change. These include a broader societal shift away from altruism, the overwhelming availability of alternative educational resources online, and a general lack of coordinated effort among some state organizations to align with national strategies and provide a unique, non-competing value proposition. In response, NBEA has substantially progressed in restructuring our regions to foster a more unified and effective business education ecosystem. All but one NBEA region has restructured its governance to serve its educators better. This is an exciting and positive change.

NBEA is indeed charting a path toward a more collaborative and impactful future. However, there is still work to be done, and we need your involvement to continue making strides. How can you strengthen NBEA and set a standard for other educational associations?

1. Join us and support your association through your membership dues.
2. Actively participate in our events and initiatives.
3. Utilize the association as a platform to refine your leadership skills.
4. Patronize our sponsors. This newsletter includes ads from vendors who want to inform you about their products. Even if you aren't in a market to buy, take a few moments to click and learn. This tells our vendors that NBEA is a valued resource for exposing their products and services. They, in turn, invest back in you with their financial support.
5. Provide feedback on how NBEA can offer you and your fellow educators unique value.

In summary, while NBEA is proud of our achievements and the steps we've taken toward enhancing our organization, we acknowledge the challenges ahead and our members' critical role in our success. We can build a stronger, more effective NBEA together through your active participation and continued support.