The Summit Awards celebrate innovative programs, strategic partnerships, and bold initiatives that demonstrate the unique ability of associations to solve complex challenges, strengthen professions and industries, and improve lives. The awards will be presented at the 2026 Summit Awards Dinner on September 22, 2026, at the iconic National Building Museum in Washington, DC.

“Associations are uniquely positioned to convene expertise, build trust, and unite diverse stakeholders around a common purpose,” said ASAE President and CEO Michelle Mason, FASAE, CAE, AAiP. “At a time when many of society's greatest challenges require collaboration and collective action, associations are leading industries and professions toward stronger, more resilient futures. This year's Summit Award recipients exemplify the extraordinary impact our community makes every day. Their work reminds us that when associations lead, communities thrive and progress accelerates.”

In addition to the Summit Award honorees, 22 organizations have been recognized with Power of Associations Gold Awards, and 31 associations earned Silver Awards for their outstanding contributions. The Power of Associations Awards are selected by the Power of Associations Awards Committee, chaired this year by Jim Potter, Executive Director, 4As Health.

For a full list of award-winning programs, visit the Power of Associations Awards.

2026 Summit Award Recipients:

• American College of Emergency Physicians – Irving, TX
  Program: The ACEP Geriatric Emergency Department Accreditation (GEDA) Program
• American Geophysical Union – Washington, DC
  Program: Standing Up for Science: AGU’s Year of Action for Scientists and Society
• Association for Financial Counseling and Planning Education – Westerville, OH
  Program: FINRA Investor Education Foundation Military Spouse Fellowship
• International Society for the Study of Xenobiotics (ISSX) – Indianapolis, IN
  Program: ISSX Africa: Transforming Science, Connecting Worlds
• National Cancer Registrars Association – Alexandria, VA
  Program: Safeguarding Cancer Surveillance: An Advocacy Response to FY26 Budget Threats
• Urban Land Institute – Washington, DC
  Program: A Roadmap to Recovery - Confronting Wildfires in LA and Beyond

The Summit Awards Dinner on September 22 will gather hundreds of association leaders, business partners, and civic influencers to spotlight the power and purpose of the association community. For tickets, sponsorship opportunities, or general inquiries, please contact summitdinner@asaecenter.org.

Join us in honoring these trailblazers and celebrating the transformative work associations are doing every day.

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 more than 100 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)