by Heather Ireland

As the year draws to a close, it’s natural to feel the need to dive headfirst into planning for next year. However, at IMN Solutions we believe in the importance of pausing to reflect, checking our lists twice (or more!), and truly wrapping up the year with intention. Whether you’re a volunteer leader, an association, or working with an association management company (AMC) – like IMN, taking stock in the year gone by is a vital step in achieving long-term success.

Reflect on Best Practices

Reflecting on the year is a company-wide effort. From budget review to program analysis, we collaborate across all touchpoints to provide clients with a comprehensive view. This ensures no detail is overlooked and that every perspective is considered. Best practices are always considered as we reflect and evaluate where a client may have fallen short and where best practices should be applied.

Sarah Gillian, Vice President of IMN’s Association Solutions team puts it best, “Reflection isn’t just about looking back; it’s preparing for the road ahead. Our goal is to help clients not just close the chapter on this year but write an even better one for next year.”

Learn from What We Executed

Every event, campaign, and initiative we manage provides valuable insights. At year-end (as well as post-event throughout the year), our teams work closely with clients to ensure we don’t just move on but take the time to truly understand what happened. Together, we identify:

  • What went well: We celebrate successes and review the factors behind them.
  • Areas of opportunity: We pinpoint challenges or gaps that need attention and/or improvement. Even if things were amazing, we explore how to make them even better the next time!

This process isn’t only about finding flaws; it’s about growing and refining. We help clients see the bigger picture by providing detailed post-event (and/or post-project) and year-end reports that capture data, feedback, and lessons learned from every angle—marketing, event logistics, registration processes, onsite attendee experience, webinars, membership campaigns, strategic planning sessions, and more.

Plan for the New Year

As we reflect on the past year, we also look ahead. Goal setting is an integral piece of our year-end wrap-up process. Again, with our clients, we:

  • Define objectives for the coming year based on this year’s outcomes.
  • Build actionable plans that incorporate best practices and lessons learned.
  • Establish metrics for success to ensure clarity and accountability.

Gillian noted that, “A plan is essential in order to meet goals and be accountable to them. Our IMN teams initiate, lead discussions, and document feedback for these planning sessions.” For volunteer leaders and associations alike, this regular, thoughtful approach to planning can make all the difference. It allows you to prioritize what truly matters, align your team, and start the year with confidence.

Moving Forward with Purpose

The key to successful year-end wrap-ups lies in striking a balance: reflecting on the past while preparing for the future. At IMN we ensure our clients don’t simply rush into the new year (or next project) but move forward with purpose, clarity, and actionable insights.

So, as you prepare to close out this year, ask yourself: Are you truly learning from the last year? Let us help you reflect, plan, and make 2025 your most impactful year yet.