Microsoft Word 2007 ichrie conference Proceedings Final-Final 06-06-07. doc

Key Words: 
Associations, M.I.C.E., distributive technology, online education, webinars, teleconferences.

INTRODUCTION 
Continuing professional education is an important businesses strategy for employers and professionals. To 
remain competitive, businesses expect employees to keep abreast of trends and developments within their 
professional domains. Professional associations have for some time filled this need by conducting training and 
educational seminars for the benefit of its membership. Generally, associations have accommodated the market for 
professional development through meetings, seminars, conferences and certification programs. As the need for the 
professional development of employees continues to grow, businesses have found the costs of conducting their own 
training in central locations or the cost of sending large numbers of employees to conferences to be equally 
prohibitive. With a demand for more corporate efficiency, high costs associated with sending employees to 
conferences, such as costs of transportation, housing, meals, and time away from the office have had a negative 
effect on conference attendance. Professionals associations, where membership education is often a major focus, are 
facing pressure to continually increase attendance at their meetings and conferences. The purpose of the current 
research is to understand the extent that professional associations are using the Internet to provide educational 
content to their members and to identify what delivery methods are being employed.