Pre-conference Labs

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Pre-conference Exploration Labs

Saturday, August 9

Kick off your Annual Meeting learning with one of five highly interactive and collaborative learning workshops. These timely sessions will help you put your organization and your professional development journey on the right path forward.
 

1:30 - 4:30 p.m.

2:00 - 4:00 p.m.

additional fee Separate registration fee applies



 

CEO Summit: Leading through Turbulence additional fee

Designed exclusively for association CEOs, this dynamic, three-hour summit at the ASAE Annual Meeting is your opportunity to step back, think big, and connect with peers facing similar challenges. Together, we’ll explore the most pressing issues shaping the future of associations — from governance transformation and non-dues revenue growth to talent strategy, digital innovation, and AI integration.

Through provocative panels, candid conversations, and collaborative exercises, you’ll gain fresh insights and practical frameworks to future-proof your organization. Leave with new ideas, trusted connections, and actionable strategies that strengthen leadership agility, maximize member value, and drive sustainable impact in an increasingly complex world.

This is your time to learn, challenge assumptions, and elevate your vision for what’s next.
Must be an association CEO/Executive Director to attend.

Simon T. Bailey
Founder, Brilliant Coaching, Keynote Speaker + Author

Additional Speakers
Susan Peirce, co-founder, Door Two, and Executive Coach
Debra S. BenAvram, FASAE, CAE, CEO, Association for the Advancement of Blood and Biotherapies (AABB)
Stephen J. Caldeira, President & CEO, Household & Commercial Products Association
Michelle Mills Clement, FASAE, CAE, RCE, CEO, Chicago Association of REALTORS
Gary LaBranche, FASAE, CAE, CEO, Risk and Insurance Management Society

Sponsored by Visit Salt Lake


This session may be eligible for up to 3 CAE hours.

 

Your Blueprint for Association Innovation: A Design Thinking Workshop additional fee

What can a Sour Patch Kids beer teach us about taking risks? Innovation’s key ingredients are time, space, and the permission to think creatively. Design thinking is a member-centric approach that uses empathy and data to ideate with teams and create tangible prototypes or solutions. Many for-profit businesses like Apple, AirBNB, IDEO, Nike, and Google have dedicated teams that incorporate design thinking to foster collaboration, innovation, and find new ways to tackle complex business problems (backed by data). Design thinking allows you to encourage wild ideas and defer judgment to build on the ideas of others. You will learn the principles of design thinking and be provided with the time and space to apply those principles to common association scenarios such as rethinking membership models and redesigning programs to fit the community’s needs. Create a prototype you can take back and modify for your association’s audience(s). With fun examples from the real world, you will have a chance to safely step out of your comfort zone and understand how to position risk as growth opportunity for your association.

Nikki Golden, CAE
Strategist, Association Laboratory Inc.

Nikki Shanks, MBA, CAE
Senior Manager, Component Relations, AHIMA

This session may be eligible for up to 3 CAE hours.

Sponsored by Willwork



 

Foundations of Ethical AI Governance in Associations Intensive Workshop additional fee

In 2025, association boards and CEOs must prioritize ethical AI governance. To safeguard their organizations, stakeholders, and successors, it is crucial for association decision-makers to view artificial intelligence as a disruptive sociotechnical force that demands robust governance. Operating in an environment of systemic upheaval, risks, and problems, associations must support close collaboration among boards, CEOs, and other contributors to ensure ethical, purposeful, and responsible AI adoption through strong board stewardship responsibility for AI governance and decision-making.

This intensive workshop will help association board directors/officers, CEOs, CXOs, and other association staff partners build capacity for ethical AI stewardship, create a supportive human infrastructure for the board’s stewardship work, and develop robust governance to anticipate and prepare for a non-linear and volatile AI future.

IMPORTANT REGISTRATION NOTE: To maximize the value of this workshop experience, ASAE25 attendees are strongly encouraged to register by Friday 6/13. Advance preparation for the workshop will begin on Tuesday 6/17, and registrations will be accepted throughout the summer.

PLEASE NOTE: This workshop runs 1:30 - 5:00 PM.

Jeff De Cagna, AIMP FRSA FASAE
Executive Advisor, Foresight First LLC

This session may be eligible for up to 3 CAE hours.

Sponsored by Windstar Tecchnologies


 

Culture By Design - Building Organizations That Thrive additional fee

The modern association workplace has shattered traditional norms. Remote teams collaborate across time zones, and hybrid offices blur the line between work and home. A new generation of talent seeks meaningful work and authentic purpose. Add economic uncertainty and evolving expectations around equity and inclusion, and it’s clear: workplace culture is no longer just about engagement — it’s a strategic advantage.

If you play a role in inspiring staff and driving organizational outcomes, this interactive workshop is for you. You’ll hear candid stories from C-suite leaders who have built strong cultures and learned from missteps. Gain practical tools and assessments to help define key cultural drivers and build systems that ensure consistency. Engage in open conversations about real workplace challenges and solutions.

Walk away with a clear action plan, strategies for measuring success, and memorable insights from leaders who have navigated the complexities of culture and are ready to help you do the same.

Moderator: Nancy Green, FASAE, CAE
Interim Executive Director, National Council on Problem Gambling

Geoffrey Brown, CAE
President and CEO, Illinois CPA Society

Chris Moodhe
CEO, PeriscopeIQ

Peter J. O'Neil, FASAE, CAE
Principal, Perspective Matters, LLC

Monika E. Schulz, CAE
Chief Executive Officer, National Society of Professional Engineers

This session may be eligible for up to 3 CAE hours.

Sponsored by Visit Flanders




Beyond the Hype: Making AI Work for Your Association with Better Data - FREE TO ATTEND!! (Add this to your registration by following these steps!)

Saturday, Aug 9, 2-4pm
In today's rapidly evolving landscape, data is no longer just a byproduct of operations; it is a strategic asset that will define the future of associations. Join us for an executive roundtable designed for association leaders seeking to understand the importance of data and AI as integral components of a robust membership engagement strategy.

Through open dialogue, we will explore best practices in data strategy with industry experts and association leaders, providing a practical playbook for your organization. You will learn how to identify, collect, manage, and leverage your unique data sets to drive member engagement, optimize operations, and create personalized experiences. We will unpack the critical steps of assessing data maturity, establishing data governance, and cultivating a data-driven culture, and present case studies that outline the value this work can bring to your organization.

Nicole Adair
Principal Solution Engineer, Salesforce

Mark Day
Chief Strategy & Growth Officer, National Association for the Education of Young Children

Adam Thocher, MBA, CAE
SVP of Global Programs and Insights, Global Cold Chain Alliance

Gayathri Kher
CEO, Fusionspan

Valerie Brown
Nonprofit Industry Advisor, Salesforce

Sponsored by Salesforce

 

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