Under the theme “Imagine the Possibilities,” the ASAE Annual Meeting convened 5,090 participants — including 2,732 association professionals, 1,972 exhibitors, and 386 guests, vendors, volunteers and media. The four-day event featured more than 100 education sessions spanning every facet of association management, as well as a sold-out Expo that achieved a 62% buyer-to-38% seller ratio, underscoring the event’s strong business value.

“The ASAE community once again came together to imagine what’s possible for our profession and the industries, professions and communities we serve,” said ASAE President and CEO Michelle Mason, FASAE, CAE. “From big-stage inspiration to hallway conversations, this meeting demonstrated how associations harness the power of community to innovate, collaborate, and shape the future.”

The ASAE Annual Meeting is the largest annual gathering of association executives and decision-makers in the country. While the immediate economic impact of hosting the meeting typically ranges between $15–18 million over four days, the long-term benefits are even greater. Historically, about 20% of attendees book a future meeting in the host city within five years. When ASAE last met in Los Angeles in 2010, the city saw a strong pipeline of new group business as a result.

 

Main Stage speakers energized and inspired attendees, including:

• Earvin “Magic” Johnson – NBA legend, entrepreneur, philanthropist, and global icon for his work supporting urban communities and advancing HIV/AIDS awareness and prevention.
• Susan Cain – Bestselling author and leading voice on introversion, leadership, and the emotional complexity of work and life.
• Andrew Yang – Entrepreneur, author, and advocate for political innovation and civic renewal.

 

Beyond the classroom, attendees enjoyed iconic Los Angeles experiences curated by ASAE and Los Angeles Tourism, including:

• Opening Celebration – August 9 at the legendary Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum
• The Classic (ASAE Research Foundation’s signature fundraiser) – August 11 at The Novo and The GRAMMY Museum
• Closing Celebration – August 12 at Peacock Place in downtown’s vibrant L.A. Live district

 

ASAE extends its gratitude to Los Angeles Tourism, sponsors, partners, and the volunteer leaders who made the 2025 Annual Meeting a success.

“We are deeply grateful to the team at Los Angeles Tourism and to the entire Los Angeles community for their extraordinary partnership in making this year’s ASAE Annual Meeting such a success,” Mason said. “From world-class venues to the warm hospitality shown to our attendees, Los Angeles provided the perfect stage for our community to imagine the possibilities together.”

“We're grateful to Michelle Mason and ASAE for the privilege of hosting this year's Annual Meeting & Exposition in our City of Angels," said Adam Burke, President & CEO, Los Angeles Tourism. “This year's event theme - 'Imagine the Possibilities' - couldn't have been more fitting, since LA's spirit of creativity and innovation enables planners to unleash their imagination to create truly unforgettable events. In addition to providing an immediate economic boost to our community, we know that nearly 20% of attendees have historically booked an event in the host city within the following five years - making ASAE's Annual Meeting a vital driver of LA's long-term success as a premier destination for meetings and conventions."

ASAE thanks its Alliance Partners for their ongoing support. ASAE’s Alliance Partners include:

 

Strategic Alliance Partners

Aplusify

Advanced Solutions International

Atlanta CVB

Destination Canada Business Events

Experience Columbus

Visit Detroit

Momentive Software

Naylor Association Solutions

Discover Puerto Rico

Visit Tampa Bay

 

Corporate Alliance Partners

Visit Baltimore

Charlotte

Choose Chicago

Destination Cleveland

DelCor Technology Solutions

Fonteva

Higher Logic

Visit Indy

Visit Lauderdale

Louisville Tourism

Greater Miami CVB

Visit Milwaukee

Visit Omaha

Visit Orlando

Visit Greater Palm Springs

Visit Phoenix

Visit Pittsburgh

 

Event Alliance Partners

Visit Anchorage

Visit Austin

Bostrom

Credivera

D2L

Forj

Glue Up

Hilton

IHG Hotels & Resorts

Insight Guide

Los Angeles Tourism & Convention Board

MGM Resorts

Meet Minneapolis

New Orleans

The Palm Beaches

Personify

Travel Portland

Visit Reno Tahoe

Visit Richmond

Visit Salt Lake

Visit San Antonio

Visit Savannah

Virginia Beach CVB

 

Global Alliance Partners

Dubai Association Centre

Singapore

 

Ally Partners

Association Briefings

CNTV

Gather Voices

eShow

 

MEDIA CONTACT: Chris Vest, CAE, 202-626-2798, cvest@asaecenter.org

 

About ASAE

ASAE is a membership organization of more than 50,000 association executives and industry partners. Since it was established 105 years ago, its members have and continue to lead, manage, and work in or partner with organizations in more than a dozen association management disciplines, from executive management to finance to technology. With the support of the ASAE Research Foundation, a separate nonprofit entity, ASAE is the premier source of learning, knowledge, and future-oriented research for the association and nonprofit profession and provides resources, education, ideas, and advocacy to enhance the power and performance of the association and nonprofit community. Visit ASAE at Welcome to ASAE — American Society of Association Executives (asaecenter.org)