10 Reasons to Attend CEX

CEX isn’t your typical association conference. And it isn’t for everyone. It’s a one-day deep dive into all things “geographic components.” It’s for association exec who have or are thinking of building geographic components. The deep dive isn’t a series of break-out sessions with sages on the stage. It’s about conversations and problem-solving.

From the mouths of last year’s attendees, here’s why CEX is special.

And here are 10 reasons you don’t want to miss the 2019 gathering on October 18 in Washington, DC.

#1 Learn from the real-life experience of component relations professionals (CRPs).

CEX is by CRPs for CRPs. Throughout the day you’ll hear success stories and lessons learned from component relations professionals like you. We know good ideas don’t only come from the front of the room—that’s why we’re designing a learning event that doesn’t follow the usual rules. You’ll have the opportunity to gain insight and inspiration from CRPs sitting around you during one of our:

  • Discussions
  • Roundtables
  • Interactive activities
  • Happy hour
2018 journey mapping

#2 Discuss component models, structures, and trends … and volunteers.

You’ve told us about issues at the forefront of any CRP conversation: component models, structures, and trends. And woven in all of them is the issue of volunteering. At CEX, we tackle those. You’ll benefit from the collective wisdom found only within your CRP community.

#3 Swap ideas and advice with your component relations peers.

We’ve built opportunities into the CEX program for you to network with your peers. You’ll have time to work out problems, share ideas, and build relationships with other CRPs. You’ll finally have the chance to bust out of your lonely cone of silence and find people who want to talk shop with you.

2018 campfire
2018 roundtable

#4 Discover how technology can empower your components.

Think of all the technology that can help you deliver value to members, for example, an online community, marketing automation, AMS, LMS, CMS… SOS! How are you supposed to know what’s worth considering? How can you even keep up? Find out how other CRPs are leveraging technology to improve their relationship with chapters. Hear what’s making life easier for them and for chapter staff and volunteer leaders.

#5 Get a roadmap for solving chapter/national alignment and quality control challenges.

Quality control and Chapter/National alignment are the twin challenges for component-based associations, according to the 2019 Chapter Benchmarking report (to be released at CEX!)   At CEX, you’ll get practical ideas on how you can turn your relationship with chapters into a true partnership.

2018 Improv

#6 Tackle chapter ROI and other challenges with your peers.

Ignorance isn’t bliss when it comes to chapters, yet only 4 percent of component-based associations report calculating the ROI of their chapters. At CEX, we’ll tackle challenges like this together.

#7 Connect with a community of CRPs.

Come for the content, go home with a community. At CEX, you’ll meet a community of professionals who confront the same challenges and daily pressures and possess similar aspirations and drive to succeed as you. The purpose of CEX is to:

  • band together as a community
  • close the gap in CRP education
  • empower associations and their chapters
  • make a bigger difference in members’ lives
2018 Improv

#8 Earn up to 8 CAE credits.

Did we mention you’ll receive up to eight CAE credits for attending? We’re big fans of the CAE credential. Studying for the CAE is a great way to broaden and deepen your association management knowledge. And if you plan to follow the example of other CRPs who have ended up in the C-suite, having the CAE credential behind your name certainly doesn’t hurt.

#9 Save on travel expenses.

CEX will be held at the Grand Hyatt in Washington, D.C., the national hub for associations. If you’re from the DC metropolitan area, you won’t have to spend any of your professional development budget on travel and hotel expenses.

If you’re from outside the DC area, compared to other industry conferences, CEX is a much more affordable option for your budget—only $249.

#10 Experience the only conference designed exclusively for CRPs.

Where and when can you walk into a meeting room where everyone does the same thing as you? Who deal with the same issues? Who have the same goals? Up until now, nowhere and never! At other association management conferences the people sitting next to you come from all kinds of association departments. And less than 20% of the sessions are dedicated to components. Not at CEX! CEX is 100% dedicated to components. You’ll be surrounded by people who get what you do and why you do it.

Mariner and Billhighway have been thrilled to host this conference since 2017! Call and talk to any of us about the conference, our webinars, our commitment.