Members Answer the Question: How Do You Or Your Organization Best Use Data to Make More Impactful Decisions?
At Texas FFA, data plays a critical role in shaping the decisions that impact our members, programs, and long-term sustainability. We regularly analyze demographic data to assess whether we are equitably reaching all student populations across our state. This includes examining geographic, socioeconomic, and cultural representation in leadership programs, competitions, and professional development offerings. This helps ensure our programming is inclusive and reflective of the diverse communities we serve.
Attendance and participation data are also key indicators we use to evaluate program engagement and relevance. By identifying trends in who shows up and who doesn’t, we can adjust outreach strategies, refine content, and develop targeted initiatives to expand access and impact. We also closely monitor income and expense reports associated with each program to evaluate return on investment (ROI). This helps us determine whether a program meets its objectives cost-effectively and whether adjustments or discontinuation are necessary to maintain financial responsibility and maximize member benefits.
We use feedback from member and advisor surveys and performance metrics such as competition outcomes and service project implementation to refine curriculum, training, and resources. These insights help us stay aligned with student needs and industry expectations.
Ultimately, our data-driven approach ensures that every decision we make supports our mission to grow the next generation of leaders in agriculture and beyond, strategically, equitably, and sustainably.
– Jennifer Jackson, Executive Director, Texas FFA Association
At TCEA, we regularly analyze registration data from our annual convention and virtual events to understand member preferences and trends. For example, reviewing attendance patterns and feedback surveys helps us identify which session topics – such as AI integration in classrooms or digital accessibility tools – resonate most strongly with educators. This enables us to strategically design future programming that directly aligns with member needs, increasing engagement and satisfaction.
– Lori Gracey, CAE, Executive Director, Texas Computer Education Association
The CRM houses all our historical data for group sales allowing us to evaluate market trends, forecast future behavior, and streamline RFP distribution.
Visit Fort Worth uses a combination of secondary data sources, each with a unique lens into tourism marketing, to select our target markets, determine advertising and social media content, and understand the lives and wants of our visitors. We also use primary research to evaluate campaigns’ performance, including quantitative surveys and qualitative boards and focus groups, typically on a cadence matched to specific campaign activities. It’s a constantly changing data world and we are embracing new opportunities every day.
– Mary Wilson, Director of Sales, Visit Fort Worth – Central Texas Region
We rely on data to challenge assumptions. By using objective metrics to guide decisions, we avoid confirmation bias and stay focused on what truly drives value and organizational impact.
– Amanda Feil, CAE, Director of Operations, enSYNC Corporation
From identifying services that are most valued by members to predicting how various measures could affect housing affordability, Texas REALTORS® uses data to gain better insight. We also use data in our marketing efforts by segmenting audiences and serving tailored content based on preferences and behavior.
– Angela Brutsché, CAE, RCE, Vice President of Communications & Marketing, Texas REALTORS®
