New this year Associations@Work- a unique 2-day virtual program designed to help association professionals increase financial wellness, streamline operations, address workforce trends, adopt new technology, and drive non-dues revenue for their associations. Associations@Work offers two half days of leading-edge presentations by experts in their fields.

Begin the journey with keynote speaker Alex Salkever, co-author of the The Driver in the Driverless Car: How our Technology Choices Will Create the Future. Alex has extensive experience covering cutting-edge advancements in fields of AI (and ChatGPT).

Explore the tracks:  Finance & Risk Management, Workforce Development, Governance & Operations, and Technology. With two keynote presentations and multiple concurrent sessions, Associations@Work provides a learning experience covering a combination of thought leadership and the day-to-day operations of managing an association.  

Check out the exciting AGENDA below the speaker section!

Associations@Work will be hosted on ASAE’s new learning platform, ASAE Academy, debuting in the fall. Registrants will receive instructions on how to log into ASAE Academy in mid-September for this program, as well as a reminder email the day before the program.

Meet the Speakers

• Agenda

  • Please note: Agenda may change.

    Tuesday, October 1, 2024

    11:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. EST
    Opening Keynote
    Alex Salkever, AI expert. and co-author of the The Driver in the Driverless Car: How our Technology Choices Will Create the Future.

    Alex Salkever will engage with the association audience on over-the-horizon ideas that will shape the future, such as AI and ChatGPT, green energy, genetic engineering, cloud computing, self-driving cars, and more.  

    12:00-1:00 p.m. EST
    Concurrent Tracks & Sessions

    Finance & Risk Management: Investments: You haven't seen anything yet

    • Shelly Howard-Horwitz, World Investment Advisors
    • Jayme Colosimo, Capital Group
    • Matthew Gray, Brown Advisory

    You will hear from Jayme Colosimo, Economist and Director at Capital Strategy Research, a division of American Funds who will provide an overview and state of the markets and economy.  Setting the stage as the election looms she will discuss key data and insights into how the political landscape and what economic data can influence election results or voter behavior.  Jayme’s unique experience as a former economist at the Central Intelligence Agency, she will review outcomes of the last 74 years of election results compared to the state of the market and economy during each election cycle.  With markets generally not responding favorably to uncertainty, who and what party will win the Presidential General Election, the majority in the House or the Senate.  We’ll discuss how historical data and various outcomes and scenarios have proved more favorable for markets short and long-term.    
    
    Matt Gray of Brown Advisory will discuss how they are managing institutional assets with portfolio positioning during this election cycle and expectations post-election.  Matt will include viewpoints of Brown Advisory’s short- and long-term portfolio strategies that do well when markets experience turbulence and insights into their macroeconomic viewpoint.  He will discuss investment strategies to utilize based on both short-term and long-term goals in both election years and beyond.  Specific strategies Brown utilizes to weather volatility will help inform your conversations with your Board and your investment committees. 
    
    Shelly Horwitz of World Investment Advisors will discuss how they have approached retirement plan management and personal planning discussions with employees during this election year.  Shared concerns by employees and sponsors alike about the election outcome and the impact on investment decisions is a common conversation.  Shelly will present ways to help assuage short-term concerns and discuss retirement plan menu construction and asset classes that can help manage through market volatility. 

    Workforce Development: The Authentic Leader: Using People Data to Lead
    Carole Nuttall, Wipfli

    We are at an unprecedented tipping point. The majority of the world’s workforce is quiet quitting. Our stress is at a record high, resulting in rising burnout and lower productivity. More than half of global employees are actively seeking a new job. And we have an alarming decline in high-quality leaders, representing the steepest downturn in leadership quality in a decade.

    The stakes have never been higher to better understand and lead our workforce to protect our greatest asset—our people—and re-energize the future of our associations.

    The problem is that we are operating blind. The complexity of human beings often leaves us spinning our wheels at a superficial level. Traditional hiring practices, reliant on resumes and interviews, offer no better odds than a coin toss. Leadership styles, typically uniform and leader-centric, fail to tap into the unique drivers of individual success. If only we could dive deeper beneath the surface.

    In this empowering session, author and Wipfli Organizational Performance Consultant Caroline Nuttall will unveil the transformative potential of embracing people data. This session will not only provide you with individualized insights into your own motivational drivers, needs, and behavioral styles through The Predictive Index but also equip you with the knowledge to combat the four drivers of disengagement. Discover how objective people data can be a strategic advantage in refining your recruiting and retention strategies, leading to a more engaged and productive workforce.

    This is about harnessing the power of people data to lead self, others, and teams to new heights. It’s time to embrace people data as your superpower

    1:00-1:20 p.m. EST
    BREAK

    1:20-2:20 p.m. EST
    Concurrent Tracks & Sessions

    Finance & Risk Management: Insource or Outsource HR, IT and Accounting
    Nate McCarthy, Wipfli 

    Workforce Development: Personal Financial Planning
    Karen Schaeffer, Schaeffer Financial LLC

    This session will focus on making sure your personal financial plan is on track to meet your personal goals with an emphasis on making the most of your Association’s Benefits.  Karen Schaeffer, CFP® brings decades of experience helping people make smart money decisions.  Topics to be addressed include:  

    • 401(k) contribution and allocations decisions made simple.  
    • When to consider an Individual Retirement Account.  
    • Roth versus Traditional, what’s right for you?  
    • 529 Plans and the recent improvements.  
    • Health Savings Account basics and strategies  
    • How to prioritize all these investment choices. 

    2:20-3:20 p.m. EST
    Concurrent Tracks & Sessions

    Finance & Risk Management: Risky Business: What types of insurance do associations really need?

    • Jason Tharpe, Aon Affinity Nonprofits
    • Seth Fleischer, Aon Affinity Nonprofits
    • Michelle Leigh-Evans, Aon Affinity Nonprofits

    Are your directors and officers protected from a member's claim of abuse of power? Is sexual harassment something you need to insure your association against? What if there is a fire in your offices? Have you had an employee fall and break an arm at work? Are your certifications protected against a claim of negligence for not following your procedures in granting the certification? These and many more examples will help you decide how much insurance you need and for what.

    Workforce Development: Nurturing Your Career While Maintaining Your Identity or First, Lead Yourself
    Pamela Green, Pamela J. Green Solutions

    In the fast-paced world of associations, it's easy to get caught up in just doing the work and neglecting your own professional growth and development. This inspirational session will provide strategies for proactively managing your career trajectory while staying true to your core values and identity. Through real-world examples, you'll learn how to leverage your organization's resources for your advancement and make yourself more marketable for future opportunities.

    Learning Objectives:

    • Identify ways to utilize your association's offerings for personal career development
    • Learn techniques for building your personal brand within your organization
    • Gain insights into maintaining work-life balance and integrating your career with your life's purpose

    The session draws from Pam's diverse experience coaching both association professionals and those in the for-profit sector, providing a well-rounded perspective for strategies useful to anyone in management and leadership goals.

    3:20-3:30 p.m. EST
    Wrap Up
    Jeff Koziatek, Core Authenticity

    Wednesday, October 2, 2024

    11:00-12:00 p.m. EST
    Concurrent Tracks & Sessions

    Governance & Operations: Learn How to Implement Your Operational Strategy
    Avi Olitzky, Olitzky Consulting Group

    Join us for an engaging and practical session designed for association executives, where we'll explore the critical steps to effectively operationalize your strategy. Association expert Avi Olitzky will guide you through aligning your strategy with organizational goals, creating actionable plans, and establishing measurable metrics to ensure success. Attendees will gain insights into resource allocation, stakeholder engagement, and continuous improvement, all while learning how to overcome common challenges in moving from strategy to execution. Don't miss this opportunity to transform your strategic vision into tangible results!

    Technology: How Data is Like a Field of Dreams

    • Dan Hickey, DelCor
    • Mark Lowry, Higher Logic
    • Greg Pollack, Higher Logic

    Too often associations get stuck working with their data. There are many excuses: Bad data, our AMS, we don’t know where to start, we don’t have time. During this session we’ll provide the foundation for establishing your organization’s data strategy. Think of your data strategy as the part of your overall association strategy that articulates how your organization will use data to achieve the business objectives and drive revenue.   

    12:00-1:00 p.m. EST
    Concurrent Tracks & Sessions

    Governance & Operations: Everybody Hates Board Meetings, But We Have a Fix!

    • Christina Lewellen, Association of Technology Leaders in Independent Schools
    • Evonne Jackson, Academy of Managed Care Pharmacy
    • Todd Thibodeaux, CompTIA
    • Paul Pomerantz (moderator)

    While the title is irreverent, our goal is a serious one.  We want to help attendees find more productive and meaningful ways to run board meetings for better outcomes for directors and their associations.  This will be a panel discussion among experts, like yourself, who are steeped—and committed to—good governance.

    During this session, we will explore how association leaders can take steps to plan meetings for positive outcomes, navigate difficult issues, provide board members a favorable experience, and to communicate, and act on, the board's actions.

    Technology: Money Makers: Top Strategies for Increasing Non-Dues Income
    Benjamin Hopper, Naylor Association Solutions

    Attendees will understand the importance of non-dues revenue (NDR) in achieving financial sustainability for associations and nonprofits. They will explore innovative strategies to diversify income streams beyond membership dues, enabling their organizations to thrive and better serve their members. By the end of the presentation, attendees will be equipped with actionable strategies, tactics, and products to enhance NDR and ensure long-term organizational success. 

    1:00-1:20 p.m. EST
    BREAK

    1:20-2:20 p.m. EST
    Concurrent Tracks & Sessions

    Governance & Operations: 10 Starbucks Pricing Hacks for Associations
    Michael Tatonetti, Pricing for Associations

    Starbucks invests more resources than we can imagine into value and pricing, consumer behavior and psychology, and customer loyalty. Why not hack lessons from them for our non-profit world? 

    Join us as we discuss ten pricing and value hacks that your association can use for membership, sponsorship, events, and education. Don't forget your coffee! 

    Technology: Cybersecurity for Non-Profits:  Controls and Tools for a Better Nights’ Sleep 
    Daniel Gibson, AXIS

    Non-profits and similar organizations are not immune from being targets of threat actors. This presentation will review why they are attractive targets, risks they face from cyber attacks and what tools and controls are available to assist in securing environments and organizations.

    2:20-3:20 p.m. EST
    Closing Keynote: Turning on Your Business Innovation
    Michael Dominguez, President & CEO, Associated Luxury Hotels International

    Innovation is the key to keeping your association competitive and financially sound, and ensuring your workforce is energized and excited. You start to grow your company with new innovations and new deliverables. When we talk about innovation in the traditional sense, it’s always been about new technology.  But, innovation should be centered around our process, our architecture and behaviors, not technology.
    
    We will learn about behavioral trends being seen in the business world by shifting your communication and narratives to be more successful. 
    
    This session will examine how events and marketplace changes will affect the association industry.  It will cover how we can embrace significant changes and apply them as a benefit. You’ll learn how to avoid the risk of becoming insular in thought and with ideas, and instead become innovative. 
    
    Topics covered will include: 

    • Current trends that affect decision making
    • Where we are going from an innovation (truly an innovation) standpoint
    • How does sustainability objectives affect innovation
    • Where are we going from a diversity standpoint and what does that look like in our process

    You’ll learn how innovation should be focused around your organizations objectives, engagement, and interactions to create an environment where people are inspired about their work, and they love to participate in their roles.

    3:20-3:30 p.m. EST
    Wrap Up
    Jeff Koziatek, Core Authenticity

• Policies

  • Our Guarantee

    Our goal is to provide truly exceptional offerings and service, and we won't be happy until you are. If any programs, products or services of ASAE do not fulfill our promise, we will make the situation right.

    Cancellation, Refund & Substitution Policy

    ASAE will fully refund program registrations fees in full with notifications submitted to ASAE Registration via e-mail at ASAEservice@asaecenter.org. All registration cancellations and refund requests must be made in writing by 10 business days before the program. Requests made in writing less than 10 business days prior to the first day of the program starting will receive a refund of registration fees minus a $75 cancellation fee. Refunds cannot be approved for no-shows. Substitutions are gladly accepted at any time. Badge sharing, splitting, and reprints are strictly prohibited..

    Event Cancellation or Postponement

    ASAE reserves exclusive right to modify, postpone/reschedule or cancel programs for any reason, including but not limited to emergency, inclement weather or other 'acts of God'. If there is an event cancellation, every attempt will be made to reschedule, and registration fees will be applied to the rescheduled event date. Any travel, lodging, or incidental expenses incurred related to a cancelled event cannot be refunded under any circumstances. If a cancelled event cannot be rescheduled, ASAE will determine an equitable basis for the refund of a portion or all of the registration fees, after due consideration of circumstances and expenditures..

    Disclaimer

    Registration and attendance at, or participation in, ASAE meetings and other activities constitutes an agreement by the registrant to the use and distribution of the registrant or attendees' image or voice in recordings (both live and on-demand), photographs, videotapes, electronic reproductions and audiotapes of such events and activities by ASAE and other third parties, including but not limited to the vendors, the host city, and the host CVB. Your registration may include technology that monitors your activities throughout the meeting, such as session attendance and kiosk visited.

    Review ASAE's Meeting & Events Entry Policy