AuSAE upcoming events

AuSAE Webinar - AI in your association: opportunity or overwhelm? (15 May 2026)

Fri, 15 May 2026 00:00:00 GMT

AI in your association: opportunity or overwhelm?
Artificial intelligence is reshaping how associations operate, from automating administrative tasks to personalising member communications and generating content at scale. But for many association professionals, the pace of change feels more overwhelming than exciting. This session cuts through the noise with a grounded, honest conversation about where AI is actually being used in the sector right now, what's working, and what associations need to think about before they invest time and money.

What members can expect

An overview of the current AI landscape for associations
Facilitated open discussion drawing on member experience and questions
Real examples of AI use cases already operating in the sector
An honest conversation about risks, ethics, and what a responsible AI approach looks like

Attendees receive 1 CAE credits.

Meet our Presenter

Erica Salm Rench
Chief Marketing Officer

With a career rooted in strategic marketing, digital transformation, and AI-driven innovation, Erica Salm Rench has spent over a decade helping organizations stand out in a crowded digital world, and now, she is helping them navigate the AI revolution. Erica began her journey in enrollment management, specializing in strategic recruitment and marketing, before leading operations at the largest digital marketing company in the Gulf South. There, she played a pivotal role in enhancing organizations' web presence, SEO, online advertising, and content marketing strategies, helping them cut through the digital noise and make a lasting impact. Her passion for AI-powered solutions took center stage when she joined rasa.io as COO, where she spent seven years scaling the company from 1 to hundreds of customers and revolutionizing personalized content delivery. Now, as CMO of sidecar.ai, she is dedicated to educating the world on AI, helping associations and business leaders understand and implement AI-driven strategies to future-proof their organizations. Erica is a recognized thought leader and speaker, having presented at many industry-leading events and other AI-focused summits.

Register today!
The AKP: In Practice webinar series is exclusively available to AuSAE members and digital subscribers.

Not a member? Join AuSAE or Become a Digital Subscriber today.

AuSAE Open Access Webinar: The Overlooked Risks of Being ‘In Charge’: Governance decisions and personal exposure (19 May 2026)

Tue, 19 May 2026 01:00:00 GMT

Leadership in an association comes with responsibility AND personal exposure. This practical webinar explores how board, committee and executive decisions can create personal risk for directors, officers and volunteers, often in ways leaders don’t expect. Learn where governance exposure typically arises, why timing matters when issues surface, and the simple governance habits that help reduce risk.

Key learnings:

Understand how everyday board, committee and executive decisions can create personal exposure, even without wrongdoing
Identify the most common governance blind spots for associations, including volunteers and employment matters
Learn why timing and escalation matter when issues, complaints or investigations arise
Gain practical, governance-focused habits that help reduce risk and strengthen decision making
Leave with a clearer view of where responsibility sits for association leaders and office holders

Meet Our Presenter

Danial Mullin
Client Partnership Executive, Guild Insurance

Danial Mullin is a Client Partnership Executive at Guild Insurance with more than 25 years’ experience across claims, underwriting, broking, risk, compliance and strategic partnerships. He has held senior leadership roles across major insurers and brokers and works closely with associations, boards and executive teams to strengthen governance, risk awareness and decision making. Danial is known for his practical, commercially grounded approach to managing complex leadership and liability risks.

About Guild Insurance

Guild was born out of an Association, so it makes sense that Associations are at the core of nearly everything we do. For over 60 years we’ve partnered with over 140 associations to build an intimate understanding of their professions, resulting in competitive and industry-specific solutions that meet the changing needs of their members, executives and staff.

For more information, visit Associations Business Insurance and Public Liability Insurance

AuSAE Webinar: How we turned our advocacy from invisible to influential (05 Jun 2026)

Fri, 05 Jun 2026 00:00:00 GMT

How we turned our advocacy from invisible to influential

Many associations know they should be doing more advocacy but struggle to translate good intentions into consistent, credible influence. Building a government relations strategy from scratch — identifying priorities, establishing relationships, developing a policy voice, and mobilising members — takes time, resources, and organisational courage. In this session, Graham Catt from Independent Schools Australia walks through exactly how they did it: the starting point, the missteps, the moments that worked, and what they would do differently.

What you'll gain from the session
This session unpacks what effective advocacy really looks like in practice.

A detailed 25–30 walkthrough of a real advocacy journey
Practical insights into government engagement: who was approached, how the message was framed, and what made it resonate
A candid reflection on what didn’t work, and the lessons associations can take from it
A 30 minute interactive Q&A, giving you the chance to test how these approaches could translate to your own sector and priorities

Attendees receive 1 CAE credits.

Meet our Presenter:

Graham Catt
Chief Executive Officer, Independent Schools Australia

Graham Catt is the Chief Executive Officer of Independent Schools Australia and has 20 years’ experience leading member-based organisations in sectors including education, business, health, animal health, and agriculture.

After an early career in communications, including as co-founder and director of an agency, Graham joined the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) as a General Manager, and subsequently held CEO roles with the Australian Veterinary Association, Pharmaceutical Society of Australia, and the Canberra Business Chamber.

Graham was President of the Australasian Society of Association Executives (AuSAE) from 2016 – 2019 and currently serves on the Board of St John Ambulance ACT and Education Services Australia (ESA). His qualifications include a master’s degree in literature, MBA from Macquarie Graduate School of Management, and executive leadership programs with the University of Melbourne and London Business School.

Register today!
The AKP: In Practice webinar series is exclusively available to AuSAE members and digital subscribers.

Not a member? Join AuSAE or Become a Digital Subscriber today.

AuSAE Webinar: Governance in practice: what I wish I'd known (03 Jul 2026)

Fri, 03 Jul 2026 00:00:00 GMT

Governance in practice: what I wish I'd known

Governance is one of the most consistently challenging areas for association professionals at every career stage. New practitioners are often thrown into board support roles without adequate preparation. Experienced managers find themselves navigating board dynamics, conflict, and constitutional complexity with limited peer support. And CEOs regularly manage the tension between board oversight and operational autonomy. This open Q&A session puts members directly in front of an experienced CEO who has seen it all, and is willing to talk about it honestly.

What members can expect
This session is designed to surface the realities; the challenges, grey areas, and lessons that come with experience.

No slides or presentation, just direct access to hard-earned governance experience
You can submit questions in advance that will be covered in the session.
A safe space to explore real issues, from the fundamentals to the more complex or sensitive challenges.
All questions welcome, no topic is too basic or too sensitive

Attendees receive 1 CAE credits.

Meet our Presenter:

Vicki Mayo Chief Executive Officer, Local Government Professionals Australia, NSW & Board of Director, AuSAE

Vicki is an association specialist with over a decade of experience in senior management roles. She is the Chief Executive Officer at Local Government Professionals Australia NSW, where she specialises in working with the Association’s members to develop meaningful connections, experiences, and opportunities.

A Certified Meeting Manager, Vicki has expertise in stakeholder engagement, marketing, communications and event management. With a passion for creating unique experiences, coupled with her commercial acumen, Vicki is focused on developing an extraordinary member community alongside the growth and future development of the association. Vicki thrives on putting plans into action, of testing the untested and being able to deliver exceptional quality in all areas of the Association.

Vicki is also currently a Director on the AuSAE Board.

Register today!
The AKP: In Practice webinar series is exclusively available to AuSAE members and digital subscribers.

Not a member? Join AuSAE or Become a Digital Subscriber today.

AuSAE Webinar: Building your financial resilience: three approaches (07 Aug 2026)

Fri, 07 Aug 2026 00:00:00 GMT

Building your financial resilience: three approaches

Financial sustainability is a strategic priority for almost every association — and the approaches being taken vary widely. Some organisations are diversifying revenue streams, others are cutting costs, and others are renegotiating their partnerships and event models. This fast-paced panel session brings together three members who have each taken a different approach to building financial resilience, giving the audience three distinct perspectives in one hour.

What members can expect
Financial resilience looks different for every association, but learning what others have actually implemented can spark practical ideas you can act on.

Hear from three association leaders, each sharing insight on one initiative they’ve implemented
Clear, practical perspectives — what they did, why they chose that approach, and what changed as a result
A facilitated discussion to unpack the ideas, compare approaches, and explore real-world application
Practical and honest — this is about practical learning, not perfect case studies

Attendees receive 1 CAE credits.

AuSAE is proud to be a CAE Approved Provider. As a CAE Approved Provider educational program related to the CAE exam content outline, this event may be applied for 1 credit toward your CAE application or renewal professional development requirements. For more information about the CAE credential or Approved Provider program, please visit www.asaecenter.org/cae.

Register today!
The AKP: In Practice webinar series is exclusively available to AuSAE members and digital subscribers.

Not a member? Join AuSAE or Become a Digital Subscriber today.

AuSAE Webinar: What I took away from ACE26 — member reflections (04 Sep 2026)

Fri, 04 Sep 2026 00:00:00 GMT

What I took away from ACE26 — member reflections

ACE26 brought together association professionals from across Australia and New Zealand for three days of learning, connection, and conversation around the theme of Driving Impact. This session is the bridge between the conference and the broader member community, bringing the best of what was discussed at ACE back to members who couldn't attend, and giving those who did a space to consolidate and share what landed most. Three to four members will each share their biggest takeaway and, importantly, what they are actually doing with it.

What members can expect
The real impact of a conference often happens after the event — when ideas are tested, applied, and shared. This session brings those insights to life.

Hear from 3–4 association professionals who attended ACE26, each sharing one key insight and one action they’re taking as a result
Short, focused contributions to share practical takeaways
Members who didn't attend ACE get the highlights and relevant ideas
A facilitated discussion that creates space for shared reflection, connection, and collective learning across the community

Attendees receive 1 CAE credits.

Register today!
The AKP: In Practice webinar series is exclusively available to AuSAE members and digital subscribers.

Not a member? Join AuSAE or Become a Digital Subscriber today.

AuSAE Webinar: The future of association marketing: what's changing (25 Sep 2026)

Fri, 25 Sep 2026 00:00:00 GMT

The future of association marketing: what’s changing

Association marketing is in a period of genuine disruption. Email open rates are shifting, social platforms are changing their algorithms, content expectations are rising, and AI is beginning to reshape how organisations produce and distribute communications. At the same time, the fundamentals, knowing your audience, telling compelling stories, building trust, matter more than ever. This session is a live, facilitated conversation about what's actually changing in association marketing, what's working right now, and where members are placing their bets for the next 12–18 months.

What members can expect
This session focuses on what’s actually happening on the ground.

A short 10-minute provocation from the host to frame the key shifts underway in association marketing
Open, facilitated discussion drawing on experiences from associations of different sizes, sectors, and maturity levels
An honest conversation about what's not working as well as what is, and why
Practical, current insights designed to be applied immediately, not theory

Attendees receive 1 CAE credits.

AuSAE Webinar: How we rebuilt our membership model (09 Oct 2026)

Thu, 08 Oct 2026 23:00:00 GMT

Membership models that worked five years ago are under pressure across the sector. Flat renewal rates, changing member expectations, the rise of free alternatives, and post-pandemic behaviour shifts are forcing associations to rethink their value proposition from the ground up. In this session, a member association shares their experience of doing exactly that — what prompted the review, what they changed, what they tried that didn't work, and what has made a measurable difference.

What members can expect

Membership is at the heart of every association, but evolving your model can feel high-stakes and complex. This session offers a transparent look at what it really takes to make change stick.

A candid 25–30 minute presentation from an association CEO who has led a membership model transformation
Real metrics and outcomes, including renewal rates, acquisition performance, and member engagement trends
The full story including what didn't work, not just the wins
A 30 minute interactive Q&A allowing you to explore how these insights could be applied within your own organisation

Attendees receive 1 CAE credits.

AuSAE Webinar: Revenue beyond membership: what's actually working (23 Oct 2026)

Thu, 22 Oct 2026 23:00:00 GMT

Revenue beyond membership: what’s actually working

Non-dues revenue has moved from a nice-to-have to a strategic necessity for many associations. But the gap between identifying the opportunity and successfully implementing new revenue streams is significant — and littered with programs that consumed more resource than they generated. This Ask Me Anything session puts members in direct conversation with a CEO who has successfully diversified their association's revenue base, and is willing to talk through the detail of what worked, what failed, and what they would caution others against.

What members can expect

No slides — just an open Q&A with an experienced association CEO
A focus on real-world revenue approaches, what’s delivering results, and what’s proving harder than expected
Questions collected in advance and answered during session. All questions welcome.
Particularly useful for members actively exploring or reviewing their revenue model

Attendees receive 1 CAE credits.

AuSAE Webinar: How we approached strategic planning differently this year (13 Nov 2026)

Thu, 12 Nov 2026 23:00:00 GMT

How we approached strategic planning differently this year

Strategic planning in associations is often done out of obligation rather than genuine strategic intent, a board weekend away, a familiar SWOT analysis, and a document that gets filed until next year. But some associations are doing it very differently: shorter cycles, more member involvement, stronger links between strategy and operational decisions, and real accountability built into the process. In this session, a member CEO shares how they changed their approach to strategic planning and what difference it made, to the quality of the plan, to board engagement, and to execution.

What members can expect

A brief walkthrough of the shift from a traditional strategic planning process to a redesigned approach
Specific detail on process: who was involved, how long it took, what tools, frameworks, or methods were used
An honest reflection on what the board found challenging and how competing priorities and tensions were worked through
A 30 minute interactive Q&A to explore how this approach could be adapted to your own strategic planning cycle

Attendees receive 1 CAE credits.

AuSAE Webinar: Year in review: what the sector learned in 2026 (04 Dec 2026)

Thu, 03 Dec 2026 23:00:00 GMT

Year in review: what the sector learned in 2026

The final session of the year is both a celebration and a forward look. A panel of three to four members, drawn from across different association types, sizes, and career stages, reflects on the big themes that shaped the sector in 2026. What changed? What didn't change as much as expected? What's the one thing they'll carry into 2027? This session closes the year with a sense of community and shared experience, and plants the seeds for what's coming next.

What members can expect
This session brings together practical reflections from across the sector, highlighting what’s shifted, what’s stuck, and what’s emerging for associations.

Three to four association leaders share their biggest professional insight or shift from the year
Reflections drawn on themes emerging across the AKP: In Practice program throughout the year
A forward-looking close exploring what association professionals are watching as they move into 2027

Attendees receive 1 CAE credits.