Volunteer Management Hybrid Conference (VMHC)

Celebrating 10 Years of Impact with SAVMA

The Volunteer Management Hybrid Conference (VMHC) brings together innovation, inspiration, and impact. Now, as it celebrates its 10th anniversary, VMHC is one of the top events for Volunteer Engagement Professionals (VEPs) worldwide.

Produced and sponsored by Better Impact, AL!VE (Association of Leaders in Volunteer Engagement) and VMPC (Volunteer Management Professionals of Canada) blend global learning with international sponsorship and locally hosted connections. The Southern Arizona Volunteer Management Association (SAVMA) is a proud regional host.

SAVMA believes volunteer engagement is both an art and a science. Because of this, VMHC pushes our mission to promote excellence in volunteer program management. We do this through professional development, peer networking, and data-driven learning. Whether you join virtually or attend in person at our Tucson host site, you will take part in meaningful conversations. Moreover, you will learn cutting-edge strategies and find a sense of community. This feeling will last long after the conference ends.

In short, this is more than just a conference. Instead, it is a movement.

A Decade of Learning, Connection, and Impact

For the past 10 years, the Volunteer Management Hybrid Conference has united volunteer engagement professionals across continents. What began as a collaborative idea among volunteer management associations has grown into an international network of innovation and inspiration.

The Last 10 Years of the VMHC

  • Format: The VMHC is a unique hybrid experience, combining the accessibility of virtual presentations with the engagement of local, in-person host sites where attendees gather to watch live-streamed sessions and participate in facilitated discussions and networking.

  • Organizers: Presented by a collaboration of organizations including Better Impact, AL!VE, and VMPC, with dozens of regional hosts such as SAVMA making local participation possible.

  • Reach: Nearly 50 remote locations across the U.S., Canada, and Australia now participate each year, drawing hundreds of attendees from every corner of the volunteer sector.

  • Annual Themes and Focus: Each conference centers on a relevant, forward-thinking theme in volunteer management:

    • Past Years: Explored topics like data-driven storytelling, leadership influence, and volunteer value.

    • 2024 (10th Anniversary): “Creating Influence in Your Organization: Thinking Beyond ‘A Seat at the Table’”—helping volunteer leaders move from participation to strategic influence.

    • 2025: “Show Them the Money”—empowering VEPs to demonstrate the tangible financial impact of their programs and volunteers.

  • Better Impact’s Role: Since 2001, Better Impact has provided volunteer management software to organizations worldwide. As a founding partner and organizer, they continue to lead the event’s platform and content strategy, elevating professional development opportunities for volunteer leaders everywhere.

Over a decade later, the VMHC stands as a cornerstone of professional learning for the volunteer engagement field—accessible, relevant, and globally connected.

Why Attend VMHC?

According to AmeriCorps, more than 75 million Americans volunteered in 2023, contributing 4.99 billion hours of service valued at $167 billion. Arizona volunteers continue to lead, contributing time worth over $32 an hour—above the national average.

The VMHC helps volunteer professionals stay ahead in this changing landscape, bridging the gap between passion and measurable impact.

At VMHC, you will:

  • Connect with peers through engaging workshops, local networking, and facilitated discussions.

  • Align your work with national standards such as AL!VE’s Competencies and the CCVA Scope of Practice.

  • Empower yourself and your organization with tools to measure, communicate, and celebrate volunteer impact.

Each session provides practical takeaways you can implement immediately—whether you lead a team of hundreds or manage a single volunteer program.

Conference Highlights

  • Hybrid Access – Participate from anywhere, in-person or online. Tucson’s SAVMA-hosted site adds a vibrant, interactive local experience.

  • Dynamic Speakers – Learn from international thought leaders and practitioners shaping the future of volunteerism.

  • Local Learning Labs – Explore Southern Arizona innovations in volunteer engagement.

  • CVA Credits – Earn continuing education units toward your Certified in Volunteer Administration credential.

  • Networking That Lasts – Build lasting connections through our Connect–Align–Empower peer activities and mixers.

A Tucson Tradition with Global Reach

Since 2016, SAVMA has proudly hosted the VMHC as part of its strategic focus on aligning learning and development with national standards and competencies. Each year, SAVMA’s regional cohort joins the global network of attendees, sharing local insight and celebrating the creativity, professionalism, and commitment of Volunteer Engagement Professionals.

Rooted in the values of Integrity, Professionalism, Respect, and Volunteerism, SAVMA’s VMHC site blends global expertise with local connection—making Tucson a hub for volunteer leadership excellence.

Join the Movement

Be part of a growing community that uplifts the leaders behind every volunteer effort.
Register for VMHC and discover tools, stories, and strategies that will transform your volunteer engagement practice and your organization’s impact.