More than 5,300 association professionals, exhibitors, speakers, partners and industry stakeholders gathered in Indianapolis, IN, August 15–18 for the 2026 ASAE Annual Meeting & Exposition – the event’s highest attendance since 2019.

Centered on the theme “Driven by Purpose,” the four-day gathering welcomed nearly 3,000 association professionals and decision-makers, also marking the largest turnout in that category since 2019.

“More than 5,300 attendees came together in Indianapolis, truly ‘Driven by Purpose,’ for an extraordinary week of learning, connection and community,” said ASAE President and CEO Michelle Mason, FASAE, CAE, AAiP. “We are deeply grateful for the ideas, energy and engagement that made this our largest ASAE Annual Meeting since before the pandemic – and to Visit Indy, the Indiana Society of Association Executives and the entire Indianapolis hospitality community for welcoming us so warmly. As we look ahead, we are excited to translate our new strategic framework into action and continue co-creating ASAE’s future alongside our community.”

Indianapolis hosted the ASAE Annual Meeting for the first time and welcomed the association community with exceptional warmth and hospitality. In a powerful show of support for ASAE and the broader association community, Visit Indy also presented the ASAE Research Foundation with a $100,000 donation to advance research, innovation and the future of the association and meetings industries.

“It’s often been said that the reward for hard work – is hard work,” said Leonard Hoops, president & CEO of Visit Indy. “But the reward for the hard work that a cast of thousands put into hosting the 2026 ASAE Annual Meeting and Expo has been so much more than that. We had the privilege of surprising and delighting a post-pandemic record of more than 5,300 attendees, the vast majority of whom were association decision-makers. We strengthened longtime relationships while making new friends – both with customers and competitors. And we had the pleasure of working with Michelle Mason and her talented and dedicated team at ASAE. We should do it again some time!”

The ASAE Annual Meeting & Exposition next heads to Charlotte, NC, August 7–10, 2027. Future host cities are scheduled through 2034. | AC&F |