WASHINGTON— Registration is now open for the 2026 ASAE Annual Meeting & Exposition, taking place August 15–18, 2026, in Indianapolis. This year’s gathering 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 moment facing associations and 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 is designing an Annual Meeting experience that blends strategic insight, practical learning, and meaningful connection. The four-day event will feature more than 100 education sessions spanning the full spectrum of association leadership, along with an Expo highlighting the innovation and partners shaping the future of the sector.

“This is a moment when association professionals aren’t just responding to change – they have the chance to shape what comes next,” said ASAE President and CEO Michelle Mason, FASAE, CAE. “The 2026 ASAE Annual Meeting is built to help them do just that, equipping them with the ideas, relationships, and momentum to steer the future of their organizations, and with our outstanding partners at Visit Indy, we’re committed to delivering an experience that truly moves the needle.”

Confirmed Main Stage speakers to date include:

• Keynote Speaker:
• Amy Edmondson, Novartis Professor of Leadership and Management at Harvard Business School and a globally recognized management thinker whose work explores how organizations foster innovation, teaming, and learning in uncertain environments.
• Catalyst Speakers:
• Justin Patton, founder of The Trust Architect Group and award-winning author known for helping leaders operationalize trust through practical, observable behaviors that strengthen culture.
• Sheri Jacobs, FASAE, CAE, CEO of Avenue M Group and best-selling author who has advised hundreds of associations on strategy, growth, and member relevance.
• Anthony McClean, screenwriter and speaker who helps organizations build mentally healthier workplaces while equipping professionals with tools to thrive both personally and professionally.

Additional speakers, new learning formats, and special experiences in Indianapolis will be announced in the weeks ahead. Together, they will shape a program designed not only to inform, but to energize and connect the association community in ways that extend well beyond the meeting itself.

“Indy is proud to host ASAE in 2026 at a defining moment for our city,” said Leonard Hoops, president and CEO, Visit Indy. “We are nearing the completion of $3 billion in new tourism and convention infrastructure, from luxury hotel developments and expanded event spaces to a reimagined entertainment district and urban green spaces. ASAE attendees will see a destination on the rise. And like association executives, we have a collective commitment to purpose-driven collaboration. Our hospitality community, civic leaders, and industry partners are excited to deliver an experience that reflects ASAE’s values and impact.”

For association professionals seeking both perspective and momentum, the 2026 ASAE Annual Meeting & Exposition offers a singular opportunity to engage with peers, partners, and ideas that are shaping the future of the field. Continue to check our ASAE Annual Meeting website for announcements.

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
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
Dubai Association Centre
Singapore

Ally Partners
Association Briefings
Blue Cypress
CNTV
eShow
Gather Voices
Matchbox

 

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)