WASHINGTON— ASAE announced today that 13-time GRAMMY® Award-winning recording artist, songwriter, and producer Babyface will headline the Opening Celebration of the 2026 ASAE Annual Meeting & Exposition on August 15 in Indianapolis. The exclusive performance for ASAE attendees will take place at White River State Park, one of Indianapolis’ most iconic destinations, helping launch the association community’s premier annual gathering.

An Indianapolis native, Babyface has become one of the most influential and celebrated creative forces in music history. The only producer to earn the title of “Producer of the Year” four times, he has written and produced countless chart-topping hits and helped shape generations of popular music. As co-founder of the legendary LaFace Records, Babyface helped launch the careers of artists including Usher, Toni Braxton, TLC, Outkast, and Pink.

Throughout his remarkable career, Babyface has achieved three consecutive multi-platinum albums and written or produced hits for some of the world’s most recognizable artists, including Bobby Brown, Boyz II Men, Eric Clapton, Madonna, Beyoncé, Bruno Mars, Ariana Grande, Mary J. Blige, Celine Dion, Aretha Franklin, George Michael, Michael Jackson, Justin Bieber, Phil Collins, Janet Jackson, NSYNC, Chaka Khan, Faith Evans, Jay-Z, Stevie Wonder, John Mayer, Lionel Richie, Michael Bolton, Kenny G, Lil Wayne, Luther Vandross, and Barbra Streisand.

“Bringing Babyface home to Indianapolis for our Opening Celebration is a tremendous opportunity to create a memorable experience for attendees while showcasing the incredible talent and cultural legacy of our host city,” said ASAE President and CEO Michelle Mason, FASAE, CAE, AAiP. “His extraordinary career, creativity, and impact across generations of artists make him the perfect choice to help us kick off an Annual Meeting focused on purpose, leadership, and shaping the future.”

"We couldn't be more excited to welcome Babyface home to Indy as the headliner for ASAE's Opening Celebration,” said Leonard Hoops, president and CEO, Visit Indy. “As one of Indiana's most accomplished and influential artists, Babyface has left an indelible mark on music and culture, recently earning recognition from The New York Times as one of the 30 greatest American songwriters of all time. His extraordinary career, global impact, and Hoosier roots make him the perfect artist to help us showcase Indy on one of the association industry's biggest stages. This announcement reflects the caliber of experiences attendees can expect when they gather in our city, and we're proud to partner with ASAE to create a memorable kickoff to what will be an exceptional Annual Meeting."

The ASAE Annual Meeting & Exposition is the largest annual gathering of association professionals in the world. Taking place August 15–18, 2026, the event will convene association leaders from across the country to move beyond imagining what the future holds and instead focus on how to actively shape it.

The 2026 theme, Driven by Purpose, reflects both the challenges and opportunities facing associations today as well as the spirit of the host city. From the legendary Indianapolis Motor Speedway to a civic culture grounded in momentum, precision, and bold leadership, Indianapolis provides a fitting backdrop for conversations about how associations can lead with clarity, stay anchored in mission, and accelerate their impact.

In collaboration with Visit Indy and partners across the city, ASAE has designed an Annual Meeting experience that blends strategic insight, practical learning, and meaningful connection. Attendees will have access to more than 100 education sessions covering every facet of association leadership, an expansive Expo featuring the latest products and services, and countless opportunities to connect with peers, thought leaders, and industry partners.

The 2026 keynote lineup includes Emmy Award-winning mentalist and bestselling author Oz Pearlman; Amy Edmondson, Novartis Professor of Leadership and Management at Harvard Business School and one of the world’s leading management thinkers; and CNN host and Emmy Award-winning producer Van Jones.

Catalyst speakers include Justin Patton, founder of The Trust Architect Group and award-winning author known for helping leaders operationalize trust; Sheri Jacobs, FASAE, CAE, CEO of Avenue M Group and bestselling author who has advised hundreds of associations on strategy and growth; and Anthony McClean, screenwriter and speaker focused on building mentally healthier workplaces and helping professionals thrive personally and professionally.

In addition to the Opening Celebration, ASAE and its partners at Visit Indy are planning a vibrant lineup of evening events throughout the meeting, including the ASAE Research Foundation’s The Classic on August 17 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and the Closing Celebration on August 18 at Lucas Oil Stadium, home of the Indianapolis Colts.

Registration is open for the 2026 ASAE Annual Meeting & Exposition. Association professionals are encouraged to explore the full schedule and secure their place at the industry’s premier gathering for leadership, learning, innovation, and connection.

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 Kansas City
• Visit Lauderdale
• Louisville Tourism
• Greater Miami CVB
• Visit Milwaukee
• Visit Omaha
• Visit Orlando
• Visit Greater Palm Springs
• Visit Pittsburgh

Event Alliance Partners

• Visit Austin
• Bostrom
• D2L
• designDATA
• Forj
• Glue Up
• Hilton
• IHG Hotels & Resorts
• Infuse
• Insight Guide
• Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority
• MGM Resorts
• Meet Minneapolis
• New Orleans
• The Palm Beaches
• Pantheon
• Personify
• Visit Phoenix
• Travel Portland
• Visit Reno Tahoe
• Visit Richmond
• Visit Salt Lake
• Visit Savannah
• Virginia Beach CVB

Global Alliance Partners

• Singapore

Ally Partners

• Association Briefings
• Blue Cypress
• CNTV
• eShow
• Feathr
• Gather Voices
• Matchbox
• Swapcard

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 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)