Saturday, June 6, 2026
The International Platform Association in Search of the Ideal Membership and Event Management Platform
Historic 195-Year-Old Speaking Organization Evaluates Leading Digital Association Systems
GREENSBORO, N.C., June 6, 2026 — The International Platform Association (IPA), founded in 1831, is evaluating a new generation of online membership management, event registration, and speaker directory systems to support its future growth.
The Association is seeking a comprehensive platform that can manage multiple membership levels, annual dues, searchable speaker profiles, convention registration, sponsor packages, committee administration, online payments, email communications, and member networking.
Systems Under Review
| Platform | Best For | Annual Cost | Setup Cost | Rating |
| WildApricot | Overall association management | $750–$4,000 | $0–$2,500 | ????? |
| Brilliant Directories | Public speaker/member directory | $950/year or $145/month | $2,000–$8,000 | ????? |
| Glue Up | Enterprise events and sponsorships | $2,500–$8,000+ | $2,000–$10,000 | ????? |
| MemberClicks | Professional associations | Starts around $4,500/year | $2,000–$7,000 | ????? |
| Raklet | Modern community platform | $1,500–$5,000 | $500–$3,000 | ????? |
| Custom WordPress | Long-term ownership and flexibility | About $1,000/year | $5,000–$10,000 | ????? |
What the IPA Needs
- Multiple membership levels
- Recurring dues and online payments
- Searchable member and speaker directory
- Public speaker profiles
- Convention and seminar registration
- Member, non-member, VIP, speaker, exhibitor, and sponsor ticket levels
- Sponsor and exhibitor management
- Committee and chapter tools
- Email newsletters and announcements
- Mobile access
- Member networking
Platform Summaries
WildApricot
Best overall association management choice. WildApricot is strong for dues, renewals, event registration, directories, websites, and email communication. It is well suited for associations that want an all-in-one platform without heavy custom development.
Brilliant Directories
Best public-facing speaker directory choice. Brilliant Directories is especially attractive for IPA because it is built around searchable member profiles, SEO-friendly listings, lead forms, and public directories. Its event tools are useful, but not as advanced as dedicated association systems.
Glue Up
Best for larger events and sponsorships. Glue Up offers robust association management, event registration, CRM, mobile app access, sponsorship tools, and professional communications. It is likely one of the strongest choices for international growth.
MemberClicks
Best for established professional associations. MemberClicks is designed for membership organizations, chambers, and trade groups. It provides strong tools for dues, events, committees, websites, and member administration.
Raklet
Best modern community-style option. Raklet offers memberships, events, CRM, donations, mobile access, and community engagement tools. It may be a good fit for a younger, more networking-focused membership strategy.
Custom WordPress Solution
Best long-term ownership option. A custom WordPress system using MemberPress, GeoDirectory, The Events Calendar Pro, and related tools could give IPA maximum flexibility and control. Estimated software costs are about $1,000 per year, with one-time development costs of $5,000 to $10,000.
Preliminary Recommendation
For the International Platform Association, the strongest choices appear to be:
- WildApricot — best all-around association management system.
- Brilliant Directories — best public speaker and expert directory.
- Glue Up — best for a larger international convention and sponsor program.
- Custom WordPress — best if IPA wants complete control and long-term ownership.
A hybrid approach may also be attractive: using WildApricot or Glue Up for membership and event management, while using Brilliant Directories as the public-facing speaker directory.
About the International Platform Association
The International Platform Association traces its roots to the American Lyceum movement founded in 1831. For nearly two centuries, the Association has promoted excellence in public speaking, civic education, freedom of expression, and informed public discussion.
Media Contact:
International Platform Association
Website: Platform1831.org