ASAE15: Where do we GO from here?

ASAE 15 was a different experience for me than in years past. It was my first annual as an Executive Director. I missed the annual DELP reunion so it was my only opportunity to see most of my DELP family. It was our first annual meeting in Detroit. I could focus on the good, the bad and the unusual, but I’ve decided to go with what’s next. What are going to do with the content knowledge we’ve gained? How will we use those hallway conversations? Here are some suggestions.

1. Remember those people you met and said, “I’d like to connect with you”? Actually do it. Even if it’s a short email, follow-up immediately. We all get busy and soon becomes six months later becomes never.
2. Get out of your comfort zone. If you’re curious about presenting, consider submitting an RFP to ASAE16. Inspired by Ignite? Consider submitting one. If ASAE annual has taught me anything, it’s that we are a supportive group who want to learn from each other. Every person you met at an ASAE annual meeting has content expertise worth sharing with others.
3. Go for it. Get that CAE. Apply to DELP. Follow up on that job lead you heard about at lunch. It was ASAE annual in Toronto that inspired me to get the CAE.
4. Lowell Aplebaum, Association Professional Extraordinaire did a series of Periscope interviews during ASAE15. During those interviews, he asked “What would we like to learn by the next ASAE annual meeting?” I have a number of goals including exploring new areas for non-dues revenue and developing a good relationship with my Board.
5. Express gratitude. It takes a village to make an ASAE annual happen. Literally, hundreds of people made sure that we can find our shuttles, serve us meals and set up our laptops for presentations. Sometime in the next week or so, send a note to someone who made your ASAE annual experience memorable.

So where do I go from here? I started Association Advocacy Chick five years ago after ASAE in Los Angeles. I was in a place in my life where I wanted my voice heard and saw blogging as an opportunity to do that. As a result, I made a ton of new friends, took my association government relations career to new heights, and found that person that everyone else saw but me. I want to thank every person who has subscribed to the blog, read it, or received it from someone else. Without you, there will be no Association Advocacy Chick. With my association career going in a new and exciting direction, I’ve decided to put the blog on an indefinite hiatus. I still love to blog and hope to do more in other areas of association management. So I’m not saying goodbye forever. Just farewell….for now.