CAE Exam between 1 - 14 May 2026 This course is for the May 2026 examination *Please note that the exam registration through ASAE is separate and is the delegates responsibility. AuSAE is here to help

Course cost - AuSAE Member $750 

Non member / Business partner  $950 includes  

• Course material ( Professional Practices in Association Management, 4th Edition)

• Cliff notes with practice exam questions for each domain

• Study group learnings and exam questions

• Practice exam exam

The Certified Association Executive (CAE) credential is an International marker of a committed association professional who has demonstrated the wide range of knowledge essential to manage an association in today’s challenging environment.

Have you got what it takes to go to the next level, AuSAE is here to help you!!
Applications close with ASAE 20 February 2026 for the exam

Program Starting Friday 20 February 2026

Week 1 20 February : CAE Orientation session and Systems thinking

Week’s 2 - 9: Covering the eight domains 1 hour each week (Friday)

• 27 February: Domain 1 Governance
• 6 March: Domain 2 Executive Leadership
• 13 March: Domain 3 Organisational Strategy
• 20 March: Domain 4 Operations
• 27 March: Domain 5 Business development
• 2 April: Domain 6 Member and Stakeholder Engagement and Management
• 10 April: Domain 7 Advocacy
• 17 April: Domain 8 Marketing and Communications

Week 10: Wednesday 22 April Practice exam in exam conditions (100 questions) 2 hours
Friday 24 April Open forum (1hour 30 mins)

• CAE Exam fee is separate and paid through ASAE when applying for the exam. Member cost $500 USD

Association Management Systems

Are you considering a new Association Management System (AMS), upgrading your current one, or looking to maximise its potential? Join us for this complimentary online event where Association Management Solutions (AMS) providers will showcase their latest innovations designed to streamline operations, enhance member engagement, and drive efficiency.

Get a firsthand look at cutting-edge AMS solutions through live demos, with time to ask questions. Each session features a 20-minute presentation, giving you a quick and insightful overview of the membership management platform and best tools to support your association.

Date: Thursday, 30 April 2026
Time: 10:00am - 2:00pm (AEST) / 12:00pm - 4:00pm (NZST)
Location: Virtual

Event Program

• 10:00 am - Welcome - Toni Brearley, AuSAE
• 10:15 am - Presentation
• 10:30 am - iMIS
• 11:00 am - Causeis
• 11:30 am - Membes
• 12:00 pm - Glue Up
• 12:30 pm - Wave CRM
• 1:00 pm - Higher Logic
• 1:30 pm - Zentso

Demo days are not open to suppliers of the sector in their respective fields

Don't miss this chance to discover the right solution for your needs.

An Immersive Retreat for Women
in Association Leadership

5 - 8 May | Christchurch, New Zealand

Join us for an exclusive 3.5-day retreat set in Canterbury's breathtaking high country at Fable Terrace Downs Resort.

Over the 3.5 days you will experience a transformational leadership retreat facilitated by Lauren Parsons, CSP.

The WIAL Retreat includes:

• 3 nights accommodation in beautiful, tranquil surroundings (2 bedroom, 2 bathroom suites. Single supplement available at additional cost).
• Facilitated leadership & personal growth program;
• Nutritious, locally inspired daily meals;
• Return Christchurch transfers.

What you'll gain:

• Strategic clarity to lead with sharper focus, purpose and impact;
• Stronger executive presence and communication to influence and inspire;
• Tools to prevent burnout and sustain high performance through busy seasons;
• Emotional intelligence and decision-making skills for complex environments;
• Brave boundary-setting to protect your time, energy and attention; and
• Proven culture-building frameworks to lift wellbeing and results.

Why This Retreat Stands Out

This is not a conference. It is an intimate, high-trust environment where learning goes deeper and breakthroughs happen faster.

You will work closely with Lauren Parsons – award-winning leadership expert, TEDx speaker and author of Thriving Leaders, Thriving Teams. Each participant will receive a personal copy of the book to reinforce long-term change.

Located at Terrace Downs – “a place that reinvigorates the mind and soothes the soul” – you’ll reset, recharge and realign with what matters most.

The Results

You will leave:

• Re-energised, centered and future-focused
• Equipped with a clear leadership roadmap and practical tools
• Ready to lead with greater energy, empathy, confidence and influence

Spaces are strictly limited and will be allocated on a first-in, first-served basis.

* Open to women currently working in an association or not-for-profit organisation.

Earn CAE Credits

All education sessions at the Retreat are CAE-eligible and attendees may earn up to 10 CAE credits for attending the event. 

Click here for a draft program and timings.

Payment by installments is available - please email elaine@ausae.org.au and we can assist.

Proudly sponsored by:

Membership expectations are evolving rapidly, and associations are under increasing pressure to grow, retain members, and demonstrate ongoing value. At the same time, emerging technologies like AI are reshaping how organisations understand and engage their communities.

AI success in associations is not about technology. It is about designing better member journeys and building the data foundations to support them.

In this interactive workshop, association professionals will explore how designing an AI-ready member journey can become a strategic foundation for sustainable growth and future-ready member experiences.

Participants will learn a practical framework for mapping the full member lifecycle from awareness and acquisition through to engagement, renewal, and advocacy while identifying the key moments that shape member value and loyalty.

Attendees will leave with a clear Member Journey Blueprint, practical insights on AI readiness, and actionable ideas to strengthen member engagement, retention, and long-term growth.

Key learnings:

• Map and assess their end-to-end member journey to identify opportunities for growth, engagement, and retention
• Identify the critical moments that influence member value, renewal, and long-term loyalty
• Evaluate their association’s AI readiness, including the data, processes, and journey design required to support AI-enabled engagement
• Recognise practical opportunities to use AI and connected data to personalise member experiences and identify retention risks earlier
• Apply a practical Member Journey Blueprint to guide future-ready membership strategy and sustainable association growth

Meet our Host & Facilitator: