Newsletter
Volume 28 | 2005 | Number 3
ABA Financial Update
By Maria E. Malott, Ph.D.
Figure 1: ABA membership growth (1996 – 2005).
ABA continues to grow successfully. Major sources in income are membership and the annual convention. As shown in Figure 1, ABA’s membership has increased an average of 5% annually since 1977. In 2005, membership reached a record high of 4,698 members, up from 4,570 in 2004.
Figure 2: ABA convention attendance (1996 – 2005).
Although membership continues to grow, registration at the annual convention has remained stable between 2004 and 2005. A total of 3,817 people registered for the 2005 convention in Chicago, compared with 3,815 the previous year in Boston, as shown in Figure 2.
Figure 3: ABA convention submissions (1997 – 2006).
ABA had another strong year financially in 2004. Gross income was $1,384,968 and expenses were $1,007,733. All seems to indicate that ABA will close 2005 with considerable financial success, and cash flow is estimated to be in the black for 2006 as well.
ABA has been developing new services to members, for instance, an enhanced continuing education program, job placement, conferences and workshops. Projects are underway to review core administrative processes to continue streamlining and benchmarking in organizational efficiency, and to explore new and innovated services to ABA members.