VDWF awarded at the "Association of the Year 2018" competition

Only a micrometer was missing to reach the top spot on the winners' podium – and therefore President Professor Thomas Seul and Managing Director Ralf Dürwächter smiled proudly and contentedly as they received the award as second place in the "Association of the Year 2018" competition on March 12th in Berlin during the festive evening event as part of the 16th German Association Congress of the German Society for Association Management (DVGM).

"If an association manages to turn its members into fans, then it has the perfect breeding ground for successful association management and growth," says the jury's evaluation. And at VDWF, it's especially worth taking a close look: "Topics that often cause problems for other associations seem to succeed almost effortlessly at VDWF." According to DGVM, these include, for example, involving young emerging entrepreneurs in association work or the joint, highly successful establishment of study programs with the Schmalkalden University of Applied Sciences. DGVM Vice President Dr. Winfried Eggers expressed it in his laudation: "We are excited by the way you demonstrate solidarity, in an association that stimulates business activities through cohesion and exchange of experience."

Reason enough for Thomas Seul to classify the placement as constructive-positive: "We were shown a beautiful mirror image. This perspective from outside, which we gained through this nomination, can make our members very proud. I am pleased to accept this 'order,' which we all in the association can wear on our lapels."

The VDWF congratulates the 2018 winners

In the category "Reform and Management," the German Coffee Association emerged as the winner. In the category "Interest Representation and Communication," the Social Association Germany SoVD - State Association Lower Saxony and the Business Association of Industrial Companies Baden - the wvib Schwarzwald shared first place. In the category "Members and Added Value," the World Association of International Schools was able to secure the top spot.

The DGVM Innovation Award "Association of the Year"

The "Association of the Year" award has been given since 1997 to associations for outstanding achievements in association management. It highlights innovative and high-quality leadership in the interest of members, the respective industry, professional group, or societal group for politics, business, and society. The award stands for achievements that clearly stand out from the average and can serve as an example for associations to explore new paths.