Opening Keynote: Digital Trends Shaping the Future of Associations

Sherry Whitaker Budziak, Founder & CEO, .orgSource

Explore the latest digital trends that are reshaping the future of associations and understand where your organization stands in the journey toward digital transformation. In this session, she’ll discuss essential insights from .orgSource’s recent survey, highlighting why digital strategy is critical, the challenges of integrating advanced technologies like AI, and the importance of becoming a data-driven decision-maker.

Sherry Whitaker Budziak stands at the forefront of technology strategy for associations, offering a fresh perspective on staying ahead of rapid change. As the founder of .orgSource, Sherry has dedicated over 30 years to guiding associations through digital transformation, managing over $5 billion in operational revenue across 250 organizations. Her Future-Ready Technology Framework empowers associations to adapt, innovate, and thrive in an era of constant disruption.

In this keynote on digital trends, Sherry will deliver actionable insights from the latest industry survey, exploring how associations can harness emerging technologies to stay competitive and drive meaningful engagement. Known for her practical and visionary approach, Sherry combines high-level expertise with real-world solutions that equip leaders to make strategic, future-ready decisions. She’s passionate about helping associations leverage technology to achieve their goals and build a sustainable path forward in today’s digital world.

General Keynote: Public Speaking 101: Tips and Tricks to becoming a powerful presenter

Gina Glover, Speaker | Coach | Connector, Gina Connects LLC

It doesn’t matter which leading publication you turn to – all of them agree; public speaking is critical to your success in today’s business worlds. And as new technology promises more connections with more people, the need for improved IRL face-to-face communication skills grows exponentially. It starts with intentional small steps forward. In this keynote session, Gina Glover will lead attendees through some of the most important aspects of delivering a powerful and polished presentation. Derived from content in her ½ day public speaking workshop, attendees will learn:

• Winning ways to open a presentation
• Polishing presence with panache
• Strategies to slow the stress and nix the nerves before stepping into the spotlight.

Breakout #1: Ask the Attorney: Your Legal Lifeline

Jessica Harrison, Scholz Nonprofit Law LLC

Need a refresher on the duties of Directors? Looking for a reminder about compliance, annual obligations and good governance? Wondering about pitfalls of event contracts? Jessica Harrison of Scholz Nonprofit Law will present on these topics and leave time for Q&A.

Breakout #2: PR Power for Introverted Business Leaders

Alexson Calahan, APR President of Small Adventures Communications

In this 60-minute workshop, participants will discuss ways introverted business leaders can shine through public relations. This will include a discussion of the importance of messaging, tools for building strong message libraries, a review of what types of media opportunities are best suited to introverts, and how to leverage one media win into more.

Breakout #3: CEO Spotlight: Strategy and Execution at the Board Level

Eric Lanke, CAE and Caley Mutrie, CAE, IOM

This session will explore how to do that in one’s organization, offering examples and inviting participants to share stories about how this can be done from their experience. The focus would be strategic governance, deciding what the organization will focus on and do, how we frame the conversation we want the board to have, and the care we need to employ when doing this. 

Breakout Session #4: Navigating Unrealistic Expectations: A Guide to Managing Managers and Clients with Clarity and Confidence

Jodi Fisher, Chief Executive Officer, Impact AMC
Jackie Trevorrow, SHRM-CP, The Employer Group, Inc.

General Session Keynote: Not-So-Everyday AI - 7 Practical AI Tools Every Association Professional Should Know

Dan Streeter, CEP, Mission Fuel

If you’re reading this, you’re likely a bit curious about AI—and that’s a great start! While AI has been making waves, it may not have impacted your daily work yet, but that's about to change. Partnering with organizations across the country, we’ve delivered keynotes and workshops with practical AI tools that can transform your work and the work of your colleagues. Expect hands-on solutions that will streamline your operations, saving time and money - allowing you to focus on what matters most - your members.

Learning Objectives:  

By the end of this session, participants will be able to:

1. Identify the key features of seven practical AI tools and their relevance to association marketing and operations. 

2. Describe how each AI tool can be used to streamline specific tasks such as video creation, presentations, and chatbot interactions within an association.

3. Summarize the potential benefits of integrating AI tools into association workflows to improve efficiency and client engagement.

Tools to be covered:

• InVideo: Quickly create professional-quality videos to boost your association marketing.

• Gamma: Design presentations and documents with ease.

• Mindsmith: Simplify course and content creation for training and onboarding.

• HeyGen: Generate AI-powered videos with avatars to personalize your client interactions.

• Fotor: Use AI to create high-quality headshots and enhance imagery.

• ChatGPT: Including the basics of prompting

• MyGPT: Create custom AI assistants for client support and internal tasks.

Bonus Tools:

• Chatbot Builder: Quickly build chatbots for your agency’s website to improve client interactions and automate tasks.

• Interactive Video-Based Chatbot: Engage clients with a fully interactive AI-powered video chatbot that responds in real-time, offering a human-like experience for your website and events. This tool provides a dynamic and responsive way to enhance customer engagement and support.

Breakout #5: Case Studies on Ethical Approaches to Solving Problems

Elizabeth Schlicht, MMgt, CAE
Executive Director, Association Acumen

Be part of the discussion! Submit your case studies or questions to address in this session. 

Breakout #6: On the Shoulders of Giants: Key learnings and insights from the Association Leadership Academy Faculty

Patrick Laws, Mary Dean, Jerry Deschane, Michael DiFrisco

The first WSAE Association Leadership Academy cohort just completed their year of education aimed at advancing their leadership and association management skills and they want to share some of their key takeaways. They have invited back four of the expert faculty members and mentors to expand on what they shared during the Academy so others can take advantage of the knowledge gained.

Breakout #7: Follow Up Workshop (Not-So-Everyday AI - 7 Practical AI Tools Every Association Professional Should Know)

Dan Streeter, CEP, Mission Fuel

If you’re reading this, you’re likely a bit curious about AI—and that’s a great start! While AI has been making waves, it may not have impacted your daily work yet, but that's about to change. Partnering with organizations across the country, we’ve delivered keynotes and workshops with practical AI tools that can transform your work and the work of your colleagues. Expect hands-on solutions that will streamline your operations, saving time and money - allowing you to focus on what matters most - your members.

Learning Objectives:  

By the end of this session, participants will be able to:

1. Identify the key features of seven practical AI tools and their relevance to association marketing and operations. 

2. Describe how each AI tool can be used to streamline specific tasks such as video creation, presentations, and chatbot interactions within an association.

3. Summarize the potential benefits of integrating AI tools into association workflows to improve efficiency and client engagement.

Tools to be covered:

• InVideo: Quickly create professional-quality videos to boost your association marketing.

• Gamma: Design presentations and documents with ease.

• Mindsmith: Simplify course and content creation for training and onboarding.

• HeyGen: Generate AI-powered videos with avatars to personalize your client interactions.

• Fotor: Use AI to create high-quality headshots and enhance imagery.

• ChatGPT: Including the basics of prompting

• MyGPT: Create custom AI assistants for client support and internal tasks.

Bonus Tools:

• Chatbot Builder: Quickly build chatbots for your agency’s website to improve client interactions and automate tasks.

• Interactive Video-Based Chatbot: Engage clients with a fully interactive AI-powered video chatbot that responds in real-time, offering a human-like experience for your website and events. This tool provides a dynamic and responsive way to enhance customer engagement and support.

Closing Keynote: Future State of the Industry

Tara Withington, EDI; Kristine Hillmer, Wisconsin Restaurant Association
Moderator: Bill Elliott

This panel discussion will highlight the trends and top initiatives that associations are focusing on, and where associations are heading. This session will include panelists from within an AMC, hotel industry, trade, and meetings.