Greetings ASAE Community,

 

Please find a few important updates from ASAE in the past few weeks:

 

ASAE Celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month in September

ASAE proudly recognizes Hispanic Heritage Month this September as an opportunity to celebrate the rich histories, cultures, and contributions of the Hispanic and Latino communities that strengthen our society and our profession. We extend our sincere gratitude to our Hispanic Association Executives Community Group and to Association Latinos for their leadership in elevating Latino voices, fostering inclusive spaces, and advancing equity across the association community. ASAE is committed to amplifying perspectives and empowering leaders to make our profession more vibrant, resilient, and representative of the diverse world we serve.

 

Closing ASAE’s Fiscal Year 2025

As ASAE closes out Fiscal Year 2025 at the end of August, we reflect on a truly remarkable year of progress and impact for the association community. Together, we’ve achieved membership milestones, advanced advocacy initiatives, strengthened our financial position, and deepened our role as a thought leader in the sector.

 

This year, ASAE surpassed 52,000 members — representing 6% growth and reinforcing our standing as the leading global home for association professionals and industry partners. Our post-pandemic financial recovery continued with strong revenue growth fueled by innovative products, expanded partnerships and sponsorships, and a strategic focus on delivering member value.

 

ASAE is also poised to guide the profession through emerging challenges and opportunities, from artificial intelligence and governance to tax reform and workforce shifts. As we conclude our Destination 2026 strategic plan, we are well-positioned to chart the next chapter of growth, innovation, and impact.

 

Thank you for trusting ASAE with your professional and personal growth. We look forward to building on this momentum together in the year ahead.

 

Thank You, Attendees of ASAE2025 in L.A.

Nearly 5,100 association professionals, industry partners, and inspiring speakers came together in Los Angeles for the 2025 ASAE Annual Meeting & Exposition earlier this month to learn, connect, and imagine new possibilities for our profession. The energy, ideas, and commitment of our community made this gathering truly special — and we are so grateful to everyone who was part of it.

 

With over 100 education sessions, thought-provoking keynote presentations, and countless opportunities to collaborate, this year’s meeting was a powerful reminder of what our community can achieve when we come together.

 

When associations come together to Imagine the Possibilities, we unlock new potential to lead positive change — not just within our organizations, but across industries, communities, and the world. In times of rapid change, the association sector’s unique ability to convene, collaborate, and drive solutions has never been more essential.

 

A heartfelt thank-you to our partners at Los Angeles Tourism and the entire L.A. community for making us feel so welcome throughout the meeting. ASAE remains committed to supporting your success and advancing the association profession. Until we meet again, let’s keep imagining the possibilities!

 

The 2025 ASAE Annual Meeting & Exposition Conference Compendium is now available. In addition to key takeaways and insights from the sessions, this year’s edition includes macro-level analysis of the overarching themes and how they have shifted since 2024.

 

Meet the Newly Installed ASAE Board of Directors for FY26

New officers and directors for the ASAE and ASAE Research Foundation Boards of Directors were officially installed during ASAE’s 2025 Annual Meeting & Exposition in L.A. this month. Terms for these officers and directors will begin on September 1, 2025.  

 

The ASAE and ASAE Research Foundation Boards were selected by ASAE’s Leadership Committee in May.

 

ASAE’s officers for the coming year include Chair Jay Karen, CAE, Chief Executive Officer, National Golf Course Owners Association (NGCOA); Chair-Elect/Chair of the ASAE Research Foundation Sheri Sesay-Tuffour, PhD, FASAE, CAE, ICE-CCP, IOM, Chief Executive Officer, Pediatric Nursing Certification Board; Secretary-Treasurer Philip K. Bell, CAE, President, Steel Manufacturers Association; and Immediate Past Chair Heidi Brock, President and CEO, American Forest & Paper Association. 

 

Joining the ASAE Board for FY26, serving three-year terms are: Thomas Arend, Jr., JD, CAE, Chief Executive Officer, American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons; Marc Cadin, Chief Executive Officer, Finseca; John Dee, CPA, CGMA, Chief Executive Officer, Bostrom Corporation; Anne Forristall Luke, President and CEO, U.S. Tire Manufacturers Association; and Elliott Ferguson, President and CEO, Destination DC. Ferguson and Dee will also serve on the ASAE Research Foundation Board.

 

We look forward to collaborating with our dedicated volunteer leaders to strategically advance ASAE in ways that deliver meaningful value to our members, partners, and the broader association community.

 

ASAE Advocacy: Expanding 529 Plans to Cover CAE & Other Credentials

Thanks to the leadership of ASAE’s Tomorrow’s Workforce Coalition, Congress expanded 529 college savings plans to cover postsecondary training and credentialing, such as licenses and nongovernmental certifications. This expansion allows tax-advantaged 529 plans to pay for obtaining and maintaining the Certified Association Executive (CAE) credential. It provides association professionals with new tools to access the industry’s leading training and education in association management. 

 

This success would not have been possible without the association community’s advocacy in support of the expansion. The 900-member ASAE coalition held over 200 meetings with Congressional offices and grassroots advocates sent more than 1,200 messages in support of the expansion. Thanks to the power of associations, college savings plans have been transformed into career savings plans. 

 

Learn more about new uses for 529 Plans at the Power of Associations website here. 

 

Update: Next Gen Advisory Committee
We’re excited to share that the Young Professionals Advisory Committee will now be known as the Next Gen Advisory Committee. This new name reflects the group’s focus on supporting the next generation of association leaders through professional development, education, mentorship, and networking.

 

Thank you to past and current committee members for shaping this new vision. To our Next Gen Advisory members — your dedication and creativity show that the future of our profession is bright and full of possibilities!

 

ASAE Insight Update Explores AI’s Impact on Associations

Artificial Intelligence is already transforming the way associations work — boosting efficiency and creating new opportunities for member engagement. ASAE’s latest Insight Update report captures how association leaders are adopting AI while navigating challenges around strategy, ethics, and preparedness.

 

Survey findings show that while nearly 9 in 10 associations are leveraging AI tools for content creation and nearly half for data analysis, most leaders say their organizations are not yet fully prepared for AI’s broader impact. From skill development to new approaches to member service, the report offers critical insights into how associations can embrace AI responsibly and strategically. The full report is available for free to ASAE members.

 

ASAE Signs Tripartite Agreement to Strengthen Global Association Sector

During the 2025 ASAE Annual Meeting in Los Angeles earlier this month, ASAE, the Singapore Exhibition and Convention Bureau (SECB) and the Singapore Business Federation (SBF) signed a tripartite agreement to enhance the global association sector and reinforce Singapore as the Global-Asia node for association thought leadership and business events.

 

This expanded partnership creates a collaborative framework to advance leadership development, association education, cross-cultural knowledge sharing and expanded global engagement opportunities for association professionals. Building on last year’s launch of ASAE’s Associations Going Global toolkit, this collaboration provides ASAE members and the U.S. association community with an important connection to Asia through SBF’s strong regional networks at a critical time for navigating an increasingly complex geopolitical landscape.

 

Tools & Resources

·      Event Location: Questions for Consideration

·      Associations’ Guide to Risk and Crisis Management

·      Associations’ Guide to Going Global

 

Save the Date for Upcoming ASAE Programs

·      Summit Awards Dinner – September 25, 2025

·      2026 ASAE Legislative Fly-In – March 23-24, 2026

 

As always, thank you for your engagement with ASAE and please reach out with any questions.

 

Warm regards,

 

 

Michelle Mason, FASAE, CAE

President and CEO