Registration Open

ALA Breakfast and Networking (Incoming)

Opening Keynote
The Cost of Culture - Level Up Your Leadership

Nora Burns | Founder & Chief Curiosity Officer | Workplace Researcher & Keynote Speaker
Wednesday, November 18, 2026 | 8:50 am - 9:50 am

Double-digit turnover isn't inevitable; it's a culture challenge hiding in plain sight. Drawing on her proprietary research, The Undercover Project™, Nora Burns guides association leaders on a path to humanizing hiring, and the employee experience. Attendees leave with at least six no-cost or low-cost strategies they can implement within 30 days to build a more engaging culture and reduce costly turnover. 

9:50 am - 10:00 am 

Breakout #1 
Politics 101: Why Your Association Should Be Politically Aware

Bill Elliott, CAE | President & CEO | Wisconsin Hotels & Lodging Association
Wednesday, November 18, 2026 | 10:00 am - 11:00 am 

Strong advocacy starts with understanding the landscape. Join Bill Elliott, CAE, and a panel of experienced government affairs professionals as they explore why political awareness is essential for associations of every size. Attendees will gain practical insights into monitoring legislative activity, building relationships with policymakers, and leveling up their organization's ability to anticipate and respond to issues that impact members.

Breakout #2
Level Up Your Career: How to Pursue Your CAE 

Monica Goeke, CAE | Vice President| Wisconsin Hotels & Lodging Association
Wednesday, November 18, 2026 | 10:00 am - 11:00 am

Join Monica Goeke, CAE as she demystifies the CAE process and share practical guidance for navigating eligibility, exam preparation, and long-term career growth. Attendees will leave with actionable strategies, insider tips, and a clear roadmap for leveling up their association management expertise through the CAE credential.

Industry Partner Showcase & Lunch
Networking Opportunity 

Closed Session:
Association Leadership Academy (ALA Outgoing)

General Session Keynote
The Trust Imperative: Leading Ethically in an AI-Powered World 

Tom Beckman | Adjunct Instructor | Owner, 28 Power Communications
Wednesday, November 18, 2026 | 12:30 pm - 1:30 pm 

Artificial intelligence is rewriting the rules of business, but is your organization ready for the leadership challenges it creates? Explore why trust, transparency, and accountability have become the defining competitive advantages in the age of AI. Learn how forward-thinking leaders are building confidence with employees, customers, and stakeholders while navigating unprecedented change. If trust is your organization's greatest asset, this is a session you can't afford to miss.

Breakout #3 

Industry Partner Insights Panel

Bill Elliott, CAE | President & CEO | Wisconsin Hotels & Lodging Association
Wednesday, November 18, 2026 | 10:00 am - 11:00 am 

Strong advocacy starts with understanding the landscape. Join Bill Elliott, CAE, and a panel of experienced government affairs professionals as they explore why political awareness is essential for associations of every size. Attendees will gain practical insights into monitoring legislative activity, building relationships with policymakers, and leveling up their organization's ability to anticipate and respond to issues that impact members.

Breakout #4
Strategic Planning: Tips, Tricks and Lessons Learned 

Monica Goeke, CAE | Vice President| Wisconsin Hotels & Lodging Association
Wednesday, November 18, 2026 | 10:00 am - 11:00 am

Join Monica Goeke, CAE as she demystifies the CAE process and share practical guidance for navigating eligibility, exam preparation, and long-term career growth. Attendees will leave with actionable strategies, insider tips, and a clear roadmap for leveling up their association management expertise through the CAE credential.

Bonus Breakout for Industry Partners
Level Up with WSAE’s Star Sponsorship Program

*Not Eligible for CAE Credit
Co-presenters: David Schade | Vice President - Treasury Management | First Business Bank; Marin Medema, CMP | Senior Sales Executive | The Osthoff Resort; Jennifer Rzepka, CAE | Executive Director | Wisconsin Society of Association Executives (WSAE)
Wednesday, November 18, 2026 | 1:40 pm - 2:40 pm  

Ready to level up your company's visibility and engagement with WSAE? Join David Schade and Marin Medema, CMP, Co-Chairs of WSAE's Industry Partner Committee, along with WSAE's Executive Director, Jennifer Rzepka, CAE, for an interactive discussion on the Star Sponsorship Program. Details will be shared about how the packages are structured, the benefits they provide, and strategies for maximizing your return on investment by upgrading your membership to a sponsorship!

ALA Panel
Work Smarter: Level Up with AI

Moderator: Beth McVeigh | Senior Coordinator | Association Resource Center, Inc (ARC)
Panelists: Tom Beckman, 28 Power Communications; Additional Panelists TBD
Wednesday, November 18, 2026 | 2:50 pm - 3:50 pm 

Artificial intelligence is transforming the way association professionals work, and its potential goes far beyond drafting emails! Explore practical, real-world examples of how AI can help troubleshoot technology challenges, support strategic planning, accelerate research, expand expertise, and improve day-to-day efficiency. Through case studies and demonstrations, attendees will discover actionable ways to level up their productivity and make AI a valuable member of their professional toolkit.

Opening Keynote
The Self as Asset: You are the Most Valuable Resource

Cecelia Sepp, CAE, ACNP, LPEC | Principal & Founder | Rogue Tulips Consulting
Thursday, November 19, 2026 | 9:00 am - 10:00 am

To have a successful organization, we need successful teams which means an investment in our people. Instilling a commitment to personal evolution through increased knowledge, skills building, and new experiences increases the value of our most precious asset: our team. By supporting ongoing personal development in our teams, we make our organizations stronger by building a self-renewing human infrastructure. Associations that invest in their people have better outcomes and are more likely to innovate and take risks. A culture of innovation and managed risks creates an inquiry mindset that leads to better understanding of our members, their needs, and what we need to let go of to embrace what’s next.  In an era of constant evolution and metamorphosis, we need to think differently so our actions support the needs of our members. Individuals that are better prepared to accept the current status quo – which is no status quo – will find success for their organizations and build a stronger association management profession. 

General Session
Pain Point Solutions

Andrew Heidtke | Membership Coordinator | ACEC-WI
Thursday, November 18, 2026 | 10:10 am - 11:10 am 

Peggy Williams-Smith | CEO | Visit Milwaukee
Thursday, November 18, 2026 | 11:15 am - 12:10 pm 

Session description coming soon!