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<hr /> If you don’t have a membership card in your wallet or purse, you probably have a letter in your mailbox from an organization or association you belong to.  Example: I've supported the <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.sierraclub.org/">Sierra Club</a> for years. I'm still fighting off the <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.aarp.org/">AARP</a>, but I sense it coming. I’ve heard they offer some pretty great discounts.There are thousands of these bodies across the globe, composed of millions of people from all walks of life. This includes trade and professional associations, labor organizations, social enterprises – the list goes on.As such, these communities of interest are big. So big, in fact, that there’s an organization dedicated to supporting, connecting, and providing the category “glue” for membership-based entities. It’s called <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://memberwise.org.uk/">MemberWise</a>, an independent network for international membership and association professionals. It’s free to become a member of MemberWise (making the whole thing a little meta), and it currently represents over 8,000 individuals working from more than 2,500 UK membership organizations and associations. This includes the British Medical Association, the Royal College of Nursing, and the IET. From a mission perspective, MemberWise enriches its community with access to best-practice guidance, expert knowledge, resources (like webinars), and networking events designed to help professionals improve member engagement, retention, and growth. It also features a <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://memberwise.org.uk/how-to-become-a-memberwise-recognised-supplier/">Recognized Supplier Directory</a> with over 170 technology and service providers.Every few years, the MemberWise Network conducts its <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://memberwise.org.uk/dx/">Digital Excellence Research Project,</a> a survey-based initiative that offers relevant perspectives on the digital tools, activities, and strategies being employed within the membership and association sector. The research, which is independently written by the network and contains statistically significant findings, is published in its Digital Excellence Report – delivering a clear view of new and emerging trends that can help drive organizational goals. The facts and figures are often used to bolster business cases and increase internal support when facilitating operational or strategic changes. <img style="width:70.51%" src="https://cmscritic.com/ms-content/uploads/2026/02/image-1772055247658.jpeg" alt="A close-up of a logo

AI-generated content may be incorrect." />Source: MemberWise website <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://memberwise.org.uk/dx/">The 2026 edition was just released</a>, and it reveals some interesting data points about content management systems for membership bodies and associations. For robust entities, having a secure, scalable, and reliable CMS is vital to powering communication and engagement through various channels – specifically an association’s website.For the fifth consecutive year, <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="http://www.umbraco.com/">Umbraco</a> was cited as the number one web content management system platform cited by medium and large membership organizations for developing websites and digital experiences, specifically to support their efforts in retaining and attracting new members and growing revenue. That last piece is critical, and the 2026 report doubles down on the compelling need for the sector to engage, retain, and grow memberships. It also highlights the challenge of rising costs and the mandate to counter it, so membership bodies can continue delivering services both online and offline. <figure class="image image_resized" style="width:43.7%"><img src="https://cmscritic.com/ms-content/uploads/2026/02/image-1772055247861.png" alt="A person with short hair wearing a blue shirt

AI-generated content may be incorrect." /></figure>Jacob Howell. Source: LinkedIn “We’re delighted to see that the majority of medium and large membership organizations continue to choose the Umbraco CMS platform to support their member acquisition, engagement, and revenue growth,” said <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/howelljacob/">Jacob Howell,</a> Umbraco’s UK Partner Manager.According to the report’s author and MemberWise Network Founder and Chair <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/memberwise/">Richard Gott,</a> growth is now a requirement for all membership bodies – and it’s increasingly dependent on delivering engaging and value-driven digital journeys and experiences. <img style="width:43.21%" src="https://cmscritic.com/ms-content/uploads/2026/02/image-1772055247878.png" alt="A close-up of a person smiling

AI-generated content may be incorrect." />Richard Gott. Source: LinkedIn “This is why the report focuses on the performance of websites, digital publications, apps, and the technologies that membership organizations and their digital agencies are selecting to create those experiences,” he said. “Over the past five years, we have observed membership organizations and associations adopting more sophisticated content management systems to optimize – and increasingly personalize – online member journeys, engagement, experiences, and purchases.”<h3 id="key-findings">Key findings</h3>The 2026 MemberWise Digital Excellence Report was based on survey responses from 480 individuals across the UK membership and association sector. Segments were defined around subscription revenue, from small to medium to large. The figures are available in the report.There were some notable findings in this year’s research. For example, new member acquisition, engagement, and growth continue to be key priorities for membership organizations, along with increasing revenue from non-subscription activities such as conferences and continuous professional development.Additionally, the <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://memberwise.org.uk/influence100/">largest 100 membership bodies in the UK</a> are now spending almost $340 million (£250 million) per year on digital technologies and web-based solutions – a massive investment that gives this market vertical real buying power. As stated, Umbraco is the CMS most commonly used by medium and large membership bodies. But here’s the kicker: more organizations than ever stated that they are satisfied with their CMS (+18%) and are now spending between 2% and 5% of total annual budgets on related technologies.Other layers of the stack are feeling the lift. For example, association management systems and focused industry CRMs are continuing to see increased website integration (+5%), and the path to integration is accelerating. Additionally, a greater number of membership bodies are measuring engagement via website and member portal activity, suggesting that analytics and insights are becoming a central imperative.59% of respondents also said that they’re using their CMS to personalize digital experiences for online members. In tandem, more organizations are personalizing content based on qualifying data such as areas of interest or geographic location. Finally, AI is becoming a more visible mandate. According to the research, adoption of AI-powered website functionality has increased by 21% over the past two years, suggesting that more associations are trusting AI in their digital workflows and operations – and that trend is likely to grow.<h3 id="umbraco’s-agency-partners-activate-growth-and-success">Umbraco’s agency partners activate growth and success</h3>One of the key pillars of Umbraco’s success is its hard-earned, highly-engaged community of more than 250,000 developers and users – buoyed by its well-established global partner network of digital agencies. These diverse shops offer both vertical and horizontal specializations, and several have implemented solutions for membership organizations and associations. According to Jacob Howell, Umbraco’s performance in the 2026 Digital Excellence Report is a testament to the company’s digital agency partners, including <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.cantarus.com/">Cantarus</a>, <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.wearewattle.com/clients/clients/">Wattle</a>, <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.teambluelight.com/case-studies/?page=1">Bluelight</a>, and <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.msqdx.co.uk/en/about">MSQ DX</a>.As he said, these teams have turned ambitious digital strategies into exceptional digital experiences, powered by Umbraco. “We’re proud to provide them with an open-source platform that gives them flexibility to integrate additional technologies, whenever required, while offering an intuitive interface for content editors at membership organizations.” <figure class="image image_resized" style="width:83.5%"><img src="https://cmscritic.com/ms-content/uploads/2026/02/screenshot-2026-02-25-at-4.png" /></figure>Source: Cantarus website's membership section Cantarus, Umbraco’s first transatlantic Platinum partner, has been an official part of the MemberWise Network for over a decade. The agency often shares thought leadership, success stories, and best practices for building websites and digital solutions that help organizations to engage and retain members. Boasting more than seventy membership organizations as clients, Cantarus is considered a market leader in the sector, having built websites and digital experiences for The Royal College of Physicians, British Computer Society, and The Law Society of England and Wales.“We’ve been heavily invested in the membership sector for over a decade, and it’s now our most important individual sector,” said Cantarus CEO <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/leeadams/">Lee Adams.</a> “When you’re responsible for the performance, stability, and security of a membership organization’s site, it’s important to have full confidence in the technologies selected to build it.” <figure class="image image_resized" style="width:42.83%"><img src="https://cmscritic.com/ms-content/uploads/2026/02/image-1772055247926.png" alt="A person in a suit

AI-generated content may be incorrect." /></figure>Lee Adams. Source: LinkedIn Adams went on to explain how Umbraco allows digital agencies like Cantarus to build websites and digital experiences that are tailored to the immediate requirements of membership organizations – with the flexibility and scalability to extend the platform as they grow. In essence, it’s future-proofing for a shifting landscape.“Because Umbraco is a powerful open source platform, we can tap into that creative ecosystem to offer clients a lower-cost implementation with no risk of vendor lock-in,” he continued, “and without limiting their technology options as members’ digital preferences evolve.”Complementing the report is MemberWise’s signature event, the <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/digitalexcellence2026/posts/?feedView=all">2026 Digital Excellence Conference &amp; Exhibition</a>, which exclusively focuses on the membership and association sector.<h3 id="why-it-matters">Why it matters</h3>As “The Friendly CMS,” it’s no surprise that Umbraco is a go-to CMS for organizations that focus on building and engaging with vibrant communities. At a granular level, this is a testament to Umbraco’s flexibility, reliability, and ease of use – as well as its end-to-end features for enabling rich functionality across modern digital experiences. Memberships and associations might seem like a niche market, but it’s a much larger segment than you might have realized. Clearly, Umbraco has endeavored to unpack the member journey and elevate the experience in a way that’s endearing to both its partner agencies and end customers – allowing them to build greater retention and loyalty while powering marketing strategies to attract new members.My recommendation: If you’re a membership or association, take a look at this MemberWise research and use it as a point of validation. While this is a regionally specific study, the data regarding content management and digital experiences is extensible. There are many CMSes that could potentially meet diverse requirements, but Umbraco and its partners have invested deeply in the goals and outcomes for this segment, and continue to push forward in areas like AI and personalization. As an open source platform, Umbraco also brings its own community to the table as a resource for innovation and democratized thinking. In this way, it reflects the mission and values of open communities. When you book your demo, ask for adjacent examples of CMS modules and workflows being utilized by similar associations as your own. This also includes transactional features, such as commerce for membership dues, etc. If you’re based in the UK and EU, Umbraco is already meeting data privacy and other compliance requirements, and has a strong sustainability strategy – so it checks many of the big boxes. It would be wise to put them on your shortlist. <hr /><h3 id="upcoming-events">Upcoming Events</h3> <img style="width:34.15%" src="https://cmscritic.com/ms-content/uploads/2026/01/logo_jday_hor.png" /><h4 id="joomladay-usa-2026"><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.jdayusa.com/">JoomlaDay USA 2026</a></h4>April 29 - May 2, 2026 – Delray Beach, FloridaBe part of the Joomla community in one of the most iconic cities in the world! JoomlaDay USA 2026 is coming to Delray Beach, and you can join us for a dynamic event packed with insights, workshops, and networking opportunities. Learn from top Joomla experts and developers offering valuable insights and real-world solutions. Participate in interactive workshops and sessions and enhance your skills in Joomla management, development, design, and more. And connect with fellow Joomla enthusiasts, developers, and professionals from across the world.<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.jdayusa.com/"> Book your seats today.</a> <img style="width:30.06%" src="https://cmscritic.com/ms-content/uploads/2026/01/cms-summit-26-logo.jpg" alt="" /><h4 id="cms-summit-26"><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.boye-co.com/conferences/cmssummit26">CMS Summit 26</a></h4>May 12-13, 2026 – Frankfurt, GermanyThe best conferences create space for honest, experience-based conversations. Not sales pitches. Not hype. Just thoughtful exchanges between people who spend their days designing, building, running, and evolving digital experiences. CMS Summit brings together people who share real stories from their work and platforms and who are interested in learning from each other on how to make things better. Over two days in Frankfurt, you can expect practitioner-led talks grounded in experience, conversations about trade-offs, constraints, and decisions, and time to compare notes with peers facing similar challenges. Space is limited for this exclusive event, <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.boye-co.com/conferences/cmssummit26/tickets">so book your seats today.</a> <img style="width:30.13%" src="https://cmscritic.com/ms-content/uploads/2025/12/image-1765546475634.png" /><h4 id="umbraco-codegarden-2026"><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://codegarden.umbraco.com/">Umbraco Codegarden 2026</a></h4>June 10–11, 2026 – Copenhagen, DKJoin us in Copenhagen (or online) for the biggest Umbraco conference in the world – two full days of learning, genuine conversations, and the kind of inspiration that brings business leaders, developers, and digital creators together. Codegarden 2026 is packed with both business and tech content, from deep-dive workshops and advanced sessions to real-world case studies and strategy talks. You’ll leave with ideas, strategies, and knowledge you can put into practice immediately. <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://codegarden.umbraco.com/">Book your tickets today.</a> <img style="width:36.69%" src="https://cmscritic.com/ms-content/uploads/2026/01/open-source-cms-26.jpg" /><h4 id="open-source-cms-26"><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.boye-co.com/conferences/opensourcecms26">Open Source CMS 26</a></h4>October 20–21, 2026 – Utrecht, NetherlandsJoin us for the first annual edition of our prestigious international conference dedicated to making open source CMS better. This event is already being called the “missing gathering place” for the open source CMS community – an international conference with confirmed participants from Europe and North America. Be part of a friendly mix of digital leaders from notable open source CMS projects, agencies, even a few industry analysts who get together to learn, network, and talk about what really matters when it comes to creating better open source CMS projects right now and for the foreseeable future. <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.boye-co.com/conferences/opensourcecms26/tickets">Book your tickets today.</a>

Wise Choice: New Survey from MemberWise Puts Umbraco CMS on Top for Membership Organizations

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Wise Choice: New Survey from MemberWise Puts Umbraco CMS on Top for Membership Organizations