Innovations, Disruptions & Opportunities at ASAE Tech Conference

December 15, 2017

More than 1,000 association and industry professionals participated in the 2017 Technology Conference & Expo, December 11–13, and took part in 25 high-level education sessions and a sold-out exhibit hall. The event was held at the Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center in National Harbor, Maryland.

The final attendance was 1,060: execs (association executives, consultants, speakers) 516, exhibitors (industry partners, exhibiting booth staff) 414, and other (press, staff, and vendors) 130. Additionally, there were 132 companies representing 176 booths that exhibited in the expo hall this year.

“The conference content strategy was focused on key elements of effective tech initiatives. Our pathways (dream, conceive, test, launch, and measure) highlighted the importance of these areas and provided attendees with insights on the latest trends and how they will impact our community. Technology is driving change and influencing how our members interact with associations, industry partners, and globally,” said ASAE President & CEO John H. Graham IV, FASAE, CAE.

NASA rocket scientist and author Adam Steltzner kicked off the conference discussing how participants could harness their curiosity and spur innovation in their associations. The keys are to separate the ideas from the people, create a culture of innovation and collaboration, hold onto doubt, stay agile and always be curious.

On Wednesday, December 13, ASAE hosted two general sessions. During the Community Town Hall, attendees openly confronted the issues and opportunities of mergers and consolidations, including the infusion of venture capital, with leaders from Community Brands, Higher Logic, and DelCor. To close out the conference, ASAE hosted the Fail Fest. It was an interactive session that explored how mistakes play a critical role. The stories highlighted how failures led to improved systems and changes within organizations.

Prior to the 2017 Technology Conference, ASAE hosted three preconference events.

  • Digital Convergence summit: The full-day program, hosted by Community Brands and Visit San Jose, focused on data analytics, data privacy and data strategy, as well as how associations are dealing with any related data challenges and opportunities.
  • Women Executives Forum: Unleash Human Potential: The Impact and Opportunity of Artificial Intelligence, hosted by Choose Chicago, focused on the challenges and opportunities facing women leaders and how AI has influenced the future of families, work, and society.
  • Keep it Clean: Harness the Power of Gold Standard Data Hygiene—This session delved into the term “Data Governance,” and participants developed a strategic framework for data management and Key Performance Indicators, which they will take back to their office.

Next year’s conference will be December 4-5 at the Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center in National Harbor, Maryland.

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