ASAE’s Springtime Expo Celebrated 40 Years

May 3, 2016

A total of 2,741 meeting and industry professionals celebrated 40 years of Springtime at two ASAE events: Springtime Expo, April 28, at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Washington, DC, and ASAE Foundation’s Annual Springtime DC Golf & Tennis Invitational, April 29, at Lansdowne Resort.

The Springtime Expo’s total number of participants included 1,403 attendees and 1,338 exhibiting personnel with 305 companies, occupying 421 booths on the show floor. The Buyer/Seller ratio is 51 percent buyers to 49 percent sellers.

During the opening keynote, ASAE’s President and CEO John H. Graham, IV, FASAE, CAE, announced ASAE is sun-setting Springtime, and he and Don Neal, Founder and CEO of 360 Live Media, announced a new event called Xperience Design Project (XDP).

“The meeting planning industry has changed dramatically since the launch of Springtime in 1977. Springtime has been a great event for the community, but the industry has evolved and how relationships are created and maintained has shifted. The community has asked for a new event, and we are creating XDP. We believe XDP will be a game changer for the association meeting industry,” said Graham.

On Wednesday, April 27, ASAE held a one-day pre-conference program called, “What? Me, a Salesperson?” led by Gary Hernbroth, chief motivating officer and founder of Training for Winners. Attendees learned the science of selling and buying, the important role your personal brand and relationships play in your success, and five key tools to succeed.

On Thursday morning, attendees participated in Learning Labs and a Game Changer Session led by New York Times bestselling author and founder of Pencils of Promise Adam Braun. He inspired attendees’ to escape their comfort zone and reframe how they describe nonprofits to demonstrate the impact we have on society.

During the Opening Keynote, Don Neal provided attendees with a new perspective about their role in meetings. It’s not just about planning meetings, but they need to become experience designers. It’s about creating an experience, allowing participants to co-create ideas, and inspiring and connecting people. He also encouraged audience members to create an event that will transform someone’s experience.

On Friday, the ASAE Foundation hosted its 35th Annual Springtime DC Golf & Tennis Invitational, an award-winning green event for Corporate Social Responsibility, at Lansdowne Resort. ASAE Foundation had 200 participants who took part in golfing, wine tasting, spa, and golf clinic events.