AFA National Convention | 2026 Motions

As part of AFA’s Membership Modernization initiative, the Tiger Team, Membership Committee, Staff, and Board have been evaluating how AFA’s membership, pricing, chapter incentive, and funding models should evolve to support the organization’s long-term strategic goals. The purpose of this FAQ is to provide context, rationale, and supporting information behind the proposed recommendations and to address common questions raised throughout the review process. It is intended to support informed discussion and decision-making as these recommendations continue through the Board and Delegate review process.

AFA’s current membership pricing structure was last updated in 2017, with the previous increase occurring in 2010. Since that time, member expectations, association engagement models, operating costs, and AFA’s membership strategy have evolved significantly. The introduction of Mission Membership creates an opportunity to modernize Premium Membership pricing to better support conversion, retention, and long-term engagement.

No.

The primary objective is to improve member lifetime value, retention, and long-term engagement rather than maximize revenue per transaction.

The proposed pricing framework is designed to:

• Create a clearer value staircase (i.e. savings)
• Encourage longer-term commitments
• Reduce renewal friction
• Improve revenue predictability
• Support the Mission → Premium → Life Membership pathway

Mission Membership now serves as AFA’s entry point.

Historically, annual membership was the first commitment decision. Under the Mission Membership model, the first decision becomes upgrading into Premium Membership.

Multi-year memberships are increasingly common across associations because they improve retention and reduce annual renewal dependency.

The proposed structure simplifies and creates distinct choices for members:

This framework responds directly to Board feedback that the previous pricing model lacked sufficient differentiation between terms.

The revised framework:

• Creates a clearer value staircase
• Makes the 3-Year option more compelling
• Provides visible savings for longer commitments
• Maintains positive contribution margins
• Improves revenue predictability
• Supports the Mission → Premium → Life pathway

Several factors were considered:

• Historical AFA pricing
• Cost-to-serve analysis
• Membership benchmarking
• Board feedback
• Membership Committee and Tiger Team recommendations
• Multi-year pricing best practices

The framework was designed to balance member value and organizational sustainability.

Current estimated annual cost-to-serve is approximately $22 per member annually. The proposed pricing model ensures all Premium term rates continue generating positive contributions above this amount.

It demonstrates that:

• Members receive increasing value as commitment length increases
• AFA maintains financial sustainability
• Longer-term commitments remain financially beneficial to the organization

The recommendation focuses on Premium Membership pricing, which is Phase II of the three-part membership re-design. Several Board members noted that Life Membership should remain distinct and aspirational.

Going forward, Life Membership differentiation will be the third and final phase and will be a value proposition discussion involving:

• Recognition
• Exclusivity
• Experiences
• Legacy
• Long-term mission commitment

This discussion will continue separately.

No. “Limited access” does not mean members are being excluded. It means some benefits will be available with defined parameters based on membership tier.

For example, eligible groups will continue to receive complimentary registration or access where appropriate, including DoW government/military, Academy and ROTC cadets, military spouses, and media.

For event recordings, Mission Members would still have access, but within a limited viewing window. Premium and Life Members would receive limitless extended access.

For scholarships, most scholarships should remain aligned with donor-established eligibility criteria. However, the Dustin Flight Works Pilot Training Scholarship requires Premium/Life membership. Any broader scholarship changes would need to consider donor intent and AEC approval.

Mission Members will continue to have access to Air & Space Forces Magazine through limited digital access, allowing them to stay connected to AFA’s news, advocacy, and mission. However, the full magazine experience — including the print edition and complete digital access — will be an exclusive benefit of Premium and Life Membership.

Not currently. This recommendation addresses pricing and membership structure only. However, staff anticipate future discussions regarding:

• Premium Member benefits
• Life Member benefits
• Recognition programs
• Value proposition enhancements

as part of AFA’s broader organizational value proposition effort.

Current Membership Options:

• Annual E-Membership ($35)
• Three-Year E-Membership ($85)
• Annual Membership with Print Subscription ($50)
• Three-Year Membership with Print Subscription ($125)

Proposed Premium Membership Options:

• 2-Year Premium Membership ($90)
• 3-Year Premium Membership ($120)
• 5-Year Premium Membership ($175)

As members approach renewal, AFA will communicate the new Premium Membership options and clearly explain the value of each term. The goal is to create a simple progression that rewards longer commitments while supporting member engagement and retention.

The Membership Committee and Benefits & Pricing Tiger Team have also recognized the importance of creating thoughtful transition and conversion strategies for existing members. As part of the implementation process, the team will explore incentives and engagement opportunities designed to encourage members to renew into the new Premium Membership structure.

Potential approaches to be evaluated include:

• Early renewal opportunities
• Limited-time transition pricing
• Bonus membership term extensions

Any transition incentives would be evaluated for their ability to:

• Support member retention
• Encourage longer-term commitments
• Reinforce member value
• Maintain financial sustainability

The objective is not simply to move members into a new pricing structure, but to help members understand the value of deeper engagement and longer-term commitment to AFA’s mission.

The Membership Pricing Modernization effort incorporated a combination of association benchmarking, governance best practices, membership strategy resources, and internal AFA analysis.

Organizations and resources reviewed included:

• Association of the United States Army (AUSA) — Membership structure, multi-year pricing approach, and membership value positioning.
• Military Officers Association of America (MOAA) — Membership pathways, premium offerings, and Life Membership positioning.
• American Society of Association Executives (ASAE) — Membership strategy, pricing practices, governance considerations, and association management best practices.
• Armed Forces Communications and Electronics Association (AFCEA) — Professional association membership model, member benefits, and engagement pathways.
• Society of American Military Engineers (SAME) — Multi-tier membership structure, chapter support model, and professional development offerings.
• BoardSource — Governance best practices related to Board oversight, financial sustainability, and periodic review processes.
• Marketing General Incorporated (MGI) — Membership Marketing Benchmarking Reports and association membership trend data, including retention, engagement, and multi-year membership practices.

Additional factors considered included:

• Historical AFA membership pricing and renewal performance
• AFA cost-to-serve analysis
• Board feedback from September 2025 discussions
• Membership Committee recommendations
• Benefits & Pricing Tiger Team recommendations
• Multi-year membership, retention, and lifetime value best practices

The objective was not to replicate any single organization’s model, but rather to identify proven practices that support member retention, lifetime value, financial sustainability, and a stronger Mission → Premium → Life Membership pathway aligned with AFA’s long-term strategic goals.