The relevancy of an organization is different at different points in time. A few years ago, TMA was struggling to grow its membership, as the elongated period of post-2008 prosperity continued. Yet we persevered because the professionals who comprise TMA Nation knew the value of membership, networking, and support of each other even when the restructuring world was not at its zenith and had not been for many years.
Last year, TMA laid the foundation for the future when we focused on illuminating the value of membership in different ways. We talked about our professional diversity as well as our international presence. We refocused messaging around building your personal brand and professional profile. And we highlighted the importance and power of the CTP designation. In essence, we refreshed our brand, created a more connected experience for our members, and strengthened our support of our worldwide membership. Even in the period of prosperity, TMA grew stronger.
Then, just like that, the decade of prosperity came to a screeching halt with the onslaught of the COVID-19 global pandemic, a seized worldwide economy, and the expectation of an elongated period of economic strife affecting almost all industry sectors. For TMA, that made us more relevant than ever before.
We have proven ourselves to be a leader on many fronts as this crisis has been unfolding. We have been a leader in creating resources and content to educate our members. We have become a leader in supporting each other through thought leadership. And we have pivoted, as an organization, to ensure that during this period of virtual life we support our chapters and members as we attract new members into the leading organization that will be the lighthouse of hope and guidance going forward, more so than ever before.
Today, TMA is no longer an option, it is a necessity for professionals in the turnaround and restructuring industry. None of us can afford to stand alone during the daily changes brought on by this fast-moving crisis. We are better together because of the collective power of the people of TMA. We are seizing on the opportunity to be impactful by bringing together restructuring professionals, both experienced and new, into the one place we can collectively create solutions that will see us through the challenges that lie ahead.
We need to remind our members and those who have yet to experience the power of TMA that volunteerism and engagement mean more now than at any other time in the history of our association. This is the time where a membership in TMA is the golden ticket to opportunity, resources, and support that will shape the future of the world economy.
While we will all be pulled in multiple directions in the coming months to support a world in distress, I urge each and every one of our members to stay connected and engaged. Help create solutions that aid each other and assure that we work to connect TMA members from around the world with teams of other TMA members to find solutions to problems that even the most seasoned of our professionals have never had to address.
TMA has always had purpose. Today, however, its purpose is more urgent and impactful than ever before. Today its purpose will provide those long committed to it a home of support and resources. Today, TMA needs to ensure that those who need a home that is the beacon of hope for so many continues to thrive.
With great pride, we will carry on and show the world how TMA is a place of strength. Our leaders are committed. Our members know its value. And we shall assure our new and young members and those who will soon be part of TMA Nation that this essential organization will serve them well, now and long into the future of their careers.
This is what makes a great organization, and with a collective group of powerful leadership and a Global staff that will ensure we lead the way, today is the day we will all look back on and be thankful for TMA.
Scott Y. Stuart, Esq.
TMA Global CEO
