Project: National Alliance of Independent Crop Consultants (NAICC)
Role: Web Developer & AMS Integrator Focus: Membership Management (Wild Apricot), Event Registration, Educational Gating, Association Strategy
Project Overview The NAICC serves as the national voice for crop production and research consultants. They required a digital platform that could handle the heavy lifting of association management—dues, renewals, and conference logistics—while presenting a polished, authoritative face to the agricultural industry. The project involved seamlessly integrating a Wild Apricot membership database with a modern front-end, creating a unified experience that serves over 700 specialized members without feeling disjointed.
Key Deliverables & Features
- Deep Wild Apricot (AMS) Integration: To reduce administrative overhead, the site core is tightly coupled with the Wild Apricot platform.
- Single Sign-On (SSO): A seamless login experience allows members to access exclusive resources, update their certification credits, and pay dues without leaving the main branded environment.
- Dynamic Member Directory: A searchable, public-facing “Find a Consultant” tool pulls real-time data from the backend, allowing farmers to find local experts by crop specialty (e.g., “Cotton,” “Soybeans”) or service type (e.g., “Research,” “Quality Assurance”).
- Complex Event & Expo Management: The Annual Meeting and AG PRO EXPO is a massive logistical undertaking handled entirely through the site.
- Tiered Registration Logic: The system recognizes user roles (Member vs. Non-Member, Exhibitor vs. Attendee) to automatically apply correct pricing models and “Early Bird” discounts.
- Exhibitor Management: A streamlined digital workflow allows vendors to reserve booth space, creating an organized backend process for the massive trade show component.
- Educational Resource Hub (NAICC Academy): To support the professional development of its members, the site serves as a learning management center.
- Gated Content Library: Valuable webinars, white papers, and regulatory updates are protected behind member gates, adding tangible value to the membership subscription.
- Certification Tracking: The platform supports the rigorous needs of the “Certified Professional Crop Consultant” (CPCC) program, ensuring members can easily track and prove their continuing education credits.
- Advocacy & News Aggregation: As the lobbying voice for independent consultants, the site features a rapid-response “News” and “Washington Watch” section. This keeps members informed on critical regulatory changes (EPA, Farm Bill) with an easy-to-update CMS backend for staff.
The Outcome The NAICC website successfully bridges the gap between public advocacy and internal management. By automating renewals and registration through Wild Apricot, the association has drastically reduced manual data entry for staff, allowing them to focus on their core mission of supporting sustainable agriculture.
