I've never been a fan of New Year's resolutions. There's something about the holidays coming to an end, however, and eating too many sugar cookies, that's prompting me to think about the new year in new ways. For IHAF, that means a fresh calendar of content and events to address the needs of our members and the in-house agency community at large.

So, the IHAF team is resolving to deliver even more benefits to you and your in-house agency in 2018. In doing so, we'd like to ask you to make a resolution (or two) to enhance your participation as a member of our association. Here are a few ideas for you to consider--some of which may even align with resolutions you're making in other areas of your life.

Keep in touch. If you've ever been to an in-person IHAF event, you've experienced the warmth of our membership community. In fact, it's not unusual for people to hug when they reconnect at our events--alongside wide smiles in seeing familiar faces and enthusiastic introductions in meeting someone new. The energy in the room is palpable. When we get back to our offices however, it can be easy to lose track of those we've met. This year, resolve to keep in touch by engaging via IHAF's LinkedIn Group and Member Directory. You can even reach out to IHAF for matchmaking help. Let's keep in touch through live contact and virtual connections that last all year long.

Read all about it. As an IHAF member, you have 24/7 access to a robust library of content including field studies, org charts, job descriptions, satisfaction surveys, recorded presentations and more! Simply login to access the Research & Resources section of the IHAF website. And familiarize yourself with our library so you'll know where to go with questions or when you need insight on a particular topic. New content is added regularly so be sure to bookmark the sections you tend to use most.

Show off a little. There is no greater feeling than being recognized for your hard work. That's why IHAF offers multiple opportunities for in-house agencies to gain recognition for the contributions they make. The IHAF Awards recognizes creative excellence among in-house agencies across 30+ print and digital categories. In-House Agency of the Year honors internal advertising/corporate creative teams for notable achievements in areas such as business impact, client partnership, internal/external collaboration and more. The call for entries for both competitions is late spring/early summer. Mark your calendar now so you can show off a little in 2018.

Hit the gym. It's an analogy we use all the time: having a membership with IHAF is a lot like having a gym membership--the more you put into it, the more you get out of it. Joining alone isn't enough. Take advantage of the full suite of resources and member benefits IHAF has to offer. And if you can't find what you need, let us know. Twice a year, IHAF offers a "personal training" session on how to optimize your membership with us--the next is scheduled for Thursday, January 11. Register to attend from the comfort of your desktop. It's the best way to get to know all the parts and pieces of your membership and how to flex those muscles in the new year.

If you resolve to do just one of these things, you'll expand your ability to learn, share, network and grow alongside your in-house agency counterparts. Remember, the IHAF team is always here to support you, so don't hesitate to be in touch so we can do just that.

I look forward to another successful year with all of our members. I hope you are as eager to engage with IHAF and the in-house community in 2018 as we are with you. Cheers!

If you'd like to learn more about membership with IHAF, join us on January 11 at 1 pm ET for Optimizing Your Membership --a complimentary webinar explaining the benefits of our national association and programming.