Conversations That Matter: Post ASAE Annual Summary

In my life I have one association I belong to that continues to serve as my professional home - the American Society of Association Executives (ASAE). Every year when I leave ASAE's Annual Meeting, like I am today, I feel a combination of excitement and sadness. Excitement because I have new ideas and follow-up activities that will change my career for the better. Sadness because I have to leave all my good friends from all over the globe, whom I am not able to see very often face-to-face. It is like the end of summer camp, when we all go home from our friends to a world that seems a little different than it was before.

How I spent my summer at ASAE Camp:

1. I learned game changing tips from the sessions I attended that will change the way I present information and saw some dynamic presentations done in inspiring new and creative formats. I saw lessons presented as a fashion show, heard about brain science that increases learning for attendees, and listened to challenging discussions pushing the envelope on the way we look at association management.
2. I spent more time networking on the Expo Hall than I have in previous years and as a result I discussed potential new projects with people and forged new friendships. This used to be one of my least favorite parts of attending a conference and now I see it for the opportunities it presents. We are always learning!
3. In the bookstore I picked up the book I contributed a chapter to, The Component Relations Handbook, and a little later that day discussed co-hosting a new podcast in the near future with a good friend of mine.
4. I co-hosted the daily "Live From ASAE" show with Jay Daughtry and John Chen, courtesy of TMA Resources and had a complete blast. We're discussing doing a recap of the conference, so be on the watch for that.
5. I attended a dinner, hosted by a dear friend, that included a diverse and good-to-know crowd. I have several lunch dates lined up as follow-up to that dinner.
6. I co-presented with Sandra Giarde and Renato Songueco on being a "Mobile Warrior" and we knocked it out of the park!

Sandra Giarde and me at Dallas Cowboys Stadium on Opening Night

There are so many more wonderful parts of the ASAE Annual experience, I can't share them all, but look for more outcomes and musings in the following days as I report out on what I learned and what I'm changing in my practice for associations as a result.

Thank you to ASAE for another great conference and many thanks to all of my friends and supporters who made the experience special!

The ASAE Games: Goal Hunting at ASAE Annual

I'm excited! My hunting party is gathering in Dallas. I've come fortified with business cards, business suits, and an insatiable hunger for the games to begin. My fellow adventurers have their own goals for these next few days. As for me, I already know the three things I'm tracking while I am in Texas.

I will be spending the next few days attending the American Society for Association Executives (ASAE) Annual Conference, and my dance card is already full with so many things to do and people to talk to, that I am wondering how to do it all. But I have my mission - my list of goals I hope to achieve - and here they are in no particular order:

KiKi's ASAE Hunting List

1. Inspiration - What ideas will I hear discussed that will change the way I think or do business? What presenters will motivate me to be better, smarter, more creative? One of the things I love most about ASAE Annual is its ability to leave me with inspiration to grow on for months after the meeting has ended.

2. Community - Whom will I see from the Association Chat community? What kinds of conversations will I have with my longtime association friends? Where are the new faces from whom I'll get to know and learn?

3. The Big 3 - (I got this idea from Tom Morrison, a friend and fellow ASAE Member) Who are three people I'd like to develop stronger professional relationships with that I can continue working on after the meeting is over?

As a social media consultant, obviously finding business would be ideal, too, but at this point I believe that the business comes when I focus on the items on my hunting list first. How will things turn out? I'll post an update along the way, so you can share in my hunt! Please send me any tips or suggestions you have on ways to meet my goals.