The 461 associations based in

1. Economic Impact of
St. Louis-based
Associations
Executive Summary of
2012 Market Research Project
© 2013 STIAL

2. About STIAL
The St. Louis Institute for Association
Leadership connects association leaders
through ideas, collaboration and education
that makes them, and their association,
stronger.

3. Our Mission
• Stronger associations through
stronger association leadership
– Tip of the Week (700+ professionals)
– Monthly meetings (30-40 leaders)
– Brown bag sessions (key topics)
– Special events (networking, education)

4. Purpose of Study
• Determine the economic impact of trade
associations and professional societies
located in the greater St. Louis region

5. Highlights
St. Louis based trade associations and
professional societies are very diverse:
• Very small: < $100,000 budgets &
volunteer led
• Very large: $20+ million budgets with
80+ paid staff
• Local focus to global focus
• Concentration of agricultural and medical
organizations

6. Summary
St. Louis based trade associations and
professional societies provide substantial
economic activity in St. Louis:
• Payrolls exceed $200 million
• Employ more than 2,800 people
• Engage nearly 1 million members
worldwide

7. Methodology
• The economic impact study analyzed data
from 74 St. Louis-based trade associations
and professional societies
• The data weighted and projected to reflect
the 461 organizations based in the St.
Louis area
• It does NOT reflect not-for-profit charities,
foundations or educational institutions

8. Associations
By Staff Size
90.0%
80.0%
80.0%
70.0%
60.0%
50.0%
40.0%
30.0%
20.0%
10.0%
10.0%
5.0% 5.0%
0.0%
Very Large Large Mid Small
40+ staff 10-39 5-9 0-4

9. Associations
By Total Revenue
$450
(in millions)
$401
$400
$350
$300
$250
$200
$150 $134
$109
$100
$59
$50
$-
Very Large Large Mid Small
40+ staff 10-39 5-9 0-4

10. Association
Membership
500,000
473,482
450,000
400,000
350,000
300,000
250,000
238,615
200,000
150,000
100,000
86,067
50,000 32,114
0
Very Large Large Mid Small
40+ staff 10-39 5-9 0-4

11. Association
Employees
1,600
1,450
1,400
1,200
1,000
800
600
460 502
419
400
200
0
Very Large Large Mid Small
40+ staff 10-39 5-9 0-4

12. Association
Payrolls
$120.0 $115.9
$100.0
$80.0
$60.0
$40.0 $30.3 $33.1
$21.4
$20.0
$-
Very Large Large Mid Small
40+ staff 10-39 5-9 0-4

13. Association
Meetings

14. Association
Exhibit Booths
Number of Exhibit Booths

15. Association
Meeting Attendance
Number of Attendees

16. Summary
St. Louis based trade associations and
professional societies provide substantial
economic activity in St. Louis:
• Payrolls exceed $200 million
• Employ more than 2,800 people
• Engage nearly 1 million members
worldwide
• Two-thirds of their meetings NOT in STL