• Register today!
  
• Prices: $295 association executive; $350 corporate supplier member; special pricing for additional staff is $195.
• $169 room rate, run of house at the Francis Marion Hotel. Book your room today!
• Overflow hotel options - Book by April 26 (Tuesday check-in - Friday checkout available):
  • Courtyard by Marriott Charleston Historic District - $179 + taxes and fees; book online or call (843) 805-7900.
  • Hampton Inn Charleston - Historic District - $179 + taxes and fees; book online or call (843) 723-4000 and reference GSAE
  • Kings Courtyard Inn - $149 + taxes and fees; call (800_ 845-6119 and mention GSAE
• Golf at Osprey Point Course, Wednesday morning, 8:00 am - $85 per golfer
• 3 pre-conference workshops on Wednesday, 2-4 pm
• Keynotes by Shelly Alcorn, CAE, Reggie Henry, CAE, and Sarah Levitt, Executive Coach.
• Breakout sessions feature CEO, specialist and senior staff education and a special technology track.
• View the schedule and session details here.
• 3K charity run/walk Friday morning benefiting MUSC Children's Hospital, 7:00 am - $20 per participant
• Silent Auction & Sponsor Lounge.
• Ends by noon on Friday.
  
  

 

In this age of disruption, associations that don’t effectively engage their members and ensure their satisfaction risk losing them for good. In this episode of GSAEtv, Sharon Kneebone, CAE, provides advice on how to know what your members want, how to help them get what they need and how to deliver solutions that satisfy.

 

Register online today!

How can you ensure your education programs foster true learning in the minds and in the workplaces of your attendees? Due to advances in neuroscience, brain research now reveals evidence-based strategies to guide effective learning experiences. While there’s still a lot we don’t know, implementing a handful of simple techniques when combined with quality meeting management can enhance the intentionality of your association’s professional development offerings. In small group exercises apply brain-based strategies to support your speakers and to enhance the quality and sophistication of your programming.

Michigan native Aaron Wolowiec is a talented and passionate learning strategist and meetings coach whose diverse achievements guide and propel association goals and initiatives, especially as they relate to education and learning. Aaron has more than a decade of experience in the meetings industry, and has taught for three years at a Michigan college.

Aaron is a certified association executive, a certified meeting professional and a certified tourism ambassador, and he earned a master’s degree in administration (with a concentration in leadership) from Central Michigan University. An active member of ASAE, Aaron is both a past chairman of the Young Association Executives Committee and a 2009-2011 Diversity Executive Leadership Program scholar.

Additionally, Aaron contributes to a variety of industry publications and mentors a number of emerging professionals. In 2012, Aaron was featured by Michigan Meetings + Events magazine as a "very important professional you need to know."

Schedule
10:30 -11:30 a.m. - New Member Orientation (open to all new and prospective members)
11:30 a.m. - 12 p.m. - Networking Reception
12 - 1:30 p.m. - Luncheon & Keynote featuring Aaron Wolowiec
1:45 - 3:15 p.m. - Deep Dive Workshop - 1.5 hours credit

Cost
GSAE Member: $30 Early Bird; $45 Late
GSAE Guest: $45 Early Bird; $60 Late
Workshop - $49

Thank you to our sponsor:	Thank you to our host property:	Thank you to our AV Sponsor:
Richmond Region Tourism	Sonesta Gwinnett Place Atlanta Hotel	PRG
Nancy Bass, Sales Manager	Jessica Podratsky, Sales Manager	Jeff Sabourin, National Account Executive

GSAE is a CAE Approved Provider. This program meets the requirements for fulfilling the professional development requirements to earn or maintain the Certified Association Executive credential. Every program that we offer which qualifies for CAE credit will clearly identify the number of CAE credits granted for full participation, and we will maintain records of your participation in accord with CAE policies. For more information about the CAE credential or Approved Provider program, please visit www.whatiscae.org.

As a CAE Approved Provider educational program related to the CAE exam content outline, this luncheon program may be applied for 1 credit and the workshop may be applied for 1.5 credits, for a total of 2.5 credits toward your CAE application or renewal professional development requirements if you attend both.

Note: This program is not endorsed, accredited, or affiliated with ASAE or the CAE program. Applicants may use any program that meets eligibility requirements in the specific timeframe towards the exam application or renewal. There are no specific individual courses required as part of the applications – selection of eligible education is up to the applicant based on his/her needs.

 

GSAE past president Clare Reagan, CAE, IOM passed away on Friday, March 27. Clare's contributions to GSAE are innumerable. As GSAE president, she paved the way for our young professionals to have a voice and vote on the Board of Directors and on committees and work groups.

She epitomized GSAE's commitment to our members to be welcomed, connected and informed. Although GSAE honored her with the Clifford M. Clarke Award in 2005-06, Clare never rested on those laurels. She co-chaired the Leadership Academy development task force and served as a facilitator for every class. A born teacher, she was generous with her time and her knowledge of association management.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests a contribution in Clare's memory to The Clare B. and John A. Reagan Scholarship Endowment Fund c/o The Georgia Tech Foundation, Inc., 760 Spring St., Ste. 400, Atlanta, GA 30308 or call 404-894-5544 . You may read more about Clare's positive influence in the community here.

 

The American Society of Association Executives (ASAE) announced that Charles W. L. ("Chip") Deale, executive director of the National Press Photographers Association, has been selected as an ASAE Fellow. He becomes one of fewer than 250 individuals to be chosen since the program was inaugurated in 1986.

Deale became NPPA's executive director in January 2014 and has since launched the critical and on-going process of transforming and revitalizing the 69-year-old association. Last month he began operations at NPPA's new headquarters at the Henry W. Grady College of Journalism and Mass Communication at the University of Georgia in Athens.

 

Erin Hall has joined Nardone Consulting Group, Inc. as Association Manager.

Jim Tudor is retiring soon and what a welcome portrait online of his long and productive career. Congrats and best wishes, Jim 

Lava Post Production and the Voice of GSAE Tom Branch changed business numbers recently. The new number is (404) 808-6911. They also have a fancy new website. Check it out today.

Destination South Meetings & Events is pleased to announce that Andy Williams, TMP has joined their team as Director of Sales. Prior to joining DSME, Andy was Director of Sales at the Convention & Visitors Bureau of Dunwoody in Georgia and currently serves as Vice President of Finance for the Georgia Chapter of Meeting Professionals International's board of directors.

 

Any organization in Georgia that employs at least one GSAE member may apply. The applications will be judged on the quality of the internship experience described in the application rather than on the qualifications of the student who will fill the internship. In many cases, the organization may apply for the internship without knowing which student will fill the position. It is the responsibility of the organization to recruit a qualified student to fill the internship, but this may be done after the GSAE Foundation announces which applications will be funded. If an organization that is awarded an internship fails to find an intern, then no funds will be distributed to that organization.

The amount of the grant to the organization will vary depending upon the number and quality of applications and on the ability of the organization to participate financially. Organizations applying for grants must be willing to share the cost of the intern, but the Foundation recognizes that some organizations may only be able to pay a small amount, while others could fund a significant portion of the internship. Total funds granted by the Foundation will not exceed $3,000.

The deadline for 2015 internship grant applications is Friday, April 24, 2015. Visit the Foundation online to access the application.

 

Thursday, April 9, 2015, 2:00-3:00 p.m.
Webinar: STICK IT! To Leadership

Sponsored by Midwest Society of Association Executives and Georgia Society of Association Executives

STICK IT! to Leadership helps you identify simple yet powerful behaviors that you can easily put into action for leading yourself... and leading others. STICK IT! provides you tools to face life’s daily obstacles with new perspectives, so that you can become a more authentic, self-aware, and inspiring leader.

$45 for members ($75 for non-members) - Register here

Wednesday, April 22, 5:30-7:00 p.m.
Emerging Professionals SIG Spring Social

An after work get together for GSAE members who are new to the association profession and are interested in connecting with peers and leaders to grow professionally.

Appetizers on us! Drinks and dinner are Dutch treat.

Ormsby's, 1170 Howell Mill Rd., Atlanta, GA, 30318

Access the pretty flier here.

Tuesday, April 28, 11:15 a.m. -1:00 p.m.
T.E.A. (Tax Exempt Association) Group Luncheon "If You Want to be Successful, Attention to Detail Matters" (Lessons Learned from a Navy Seal)
Colin Blalock, Jones and Kolb

The cost per person is $25.

Maggiano's Buckhead, 3368 Peachtree Rd, Atlanta, GA, 30326

Please contact Molly Amos at mca@joneskolb.comor (404) 262-7920 to make your reservation by noon the Thursday (April 23) before the luncheon.

Tuesday, April 28, 2015, 2:00-3:00 p.m.
Webinar: Implementing a Strategic Relationship Plan
Sponsored by Ohio Society of Association Executives and Georgia Society of Association Executives

This webinar will discuss how to bring strategy to your association’s outreach. Will focus on the importance of developing a Strategic Relationship Plan at your association and take participants through a step-by-step process in how to do so. Includes discussion of relations with individual groups as well as participation in coalitions. Will also include information on prioritizing your relations so as to appropriately utilize the limited resources of your association. Participants will walk away from the webinar with information and an approach that will allow them to immediately implement a Strategic Relationship Plan at their organization.

$45 for members ($75 for non-members) - Register here

Tuesday, April 28, 6:00-7:30 p.m.
GSAE Spring Networking Event

Celebrate spring and beautiful weather by coming to visit with GSAE members and prospective members at the wonderfully cool {three} sheets in Sandy Springs near Perimeter Mall. Catch up with colleagues and friends and help us welcome our newest members. No program, just connecting with your peers.

Complimentary mini-bites courtesy of {three} sheets	One complimentary drink ticket per person courtesy of Visit Savannah

Cash Bar: $5 Happy Hour Cocktail Specials will be available

{three} sheets, 6017 Sandy Springs Circle, Atlanta, GA 30328 (Directions)

Registration is required, but no charge to attend thanks to our generous sponsors! Please RSVP to Amy Hokkanen at amy@nardoneconsulting.com.

 

Cultural Competency and Embracing Diversity 
April 22, 2015
UGA Gwinnett campus

 

The ASAE Board of Directors recently created a task force to assess how the organization is addressing the learning and experiential needs of those who aspire to the CEO position. Among a number of efforts to collect and synthesize the right insight, this task force has created a survey intended for those who aspire to the CEO position but have not yet served as a CEO. It should take about 10-15 minutes to complete, and must be done in one sitting. The results will help guide the final recommendations the task force presents back to the ASAE Board in August - paving the path for programs and classes that will better prepare tomorrow's association leaders. If you fit into the cohort of those who aspire to the CEO position without having served as one, please take a few minutes of your time to fill out this survey by April 10.

Thank you in advance for your time and reflections - they are key components of a stronger future for our industry.

 

April 16 is North American Meetings Day. This celebratory day is intended to shine a light on the real impact meetings and events have on businesses, economies and communities. Meetings and event industry association chapters, corporations, destinations, partners or anyone in the industry are being encouraged to hold events in destinations all across the three countries to support this North America-wide day of advocacy. April 16th will spotlight the substantial value derived from business meetings, conferences, conventions, incentive travel, trade shows and exhibitions. Local hosts will be available 6:00-8:00 p.m.

 Two convenient locations:

Courtyard Atlanta Decatur Downtown/Emory
130 Clairemont Ave, Decatur, GA 30030

5 Seasons Prado
5600 Roswell Road
Sandy Springs, GA 30342

 

Eventeract is coming back to Atlanta, May 12 - 13, 2015, and it's going to be BIGGER and BETTER than ever with intense master classes, interactive hands-on sessions, dedicated exhibitor time and an improved floor plan and schedule that will create a NEW and unique environment for learning and networking.

This revolutionary event, which evolved from the Meetings Exploration Conference (MEC), is building on the huge success of 2014’s program by adding:

• Enhanced education sessions, followed by dedicated exhibit floor hours featuring one­‐on-­one appointments
• Streamlined exhibit pricing and enhanced appointment software
• Hands-­on, interactive workshops for continuing education, including master classes with industry leading experts

Learn more and register at www.eventeract.org. As a partnering organization, GSAE members qualify for the member registration rate.

 

The Georgia Society of Association Executives is proud to partner with Institute for Organization Management, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation’s professional development program for non-profit executives, and offer two $500 partial tuition scholarships to one of Institute’s 2015 sites. The two scholarships, available to our members, will be awarded to students attending Institute for the first time to assist with enrollment fees and cannot be combined with any other Institute scholarships.

For over 90 years, Institute has educated association, chamber, and other nonprofit leaders across the country through its national program, highly rated curriculum and high caliber instructors. Thousands of executives have attended Institute sites across the country to strengthen their management skills, learn industry best practices, and gain a broad national perspective from peers. Institute has helped them build stronger organizations, become stronger business advocates and better serve their members. In addition, you will earn points towards your CCE or CAE certification as Institute’s curriculum is directly tied to the bodies of knowledge of both the American Society of Association Executives and the Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives.

Upon completion of the Institute program, graduates receive the IOM recognition which allows them to use the letters "IOM" in public mention and professional correspondence. The IOM recognition signifies the completion of 96 hours of course instruction in nonprofit management and commitment to the industry.

If you are interested in this scholarship opportunity, contact Wendy at (404) 577-7850 or wendy@gsae.org by April 20th.

Early registration deadline for Midwest and Southeast Institute is April 24th.
Early registration deadline for West and Northeast Institute is May 29th.

For more information about Institute’s curriculum, sites, and dates, visit the Institute Web site and Prospective Student Toolkit to help you gain insight into the program.

 

Association Laboratory released a white paper, "Engaging Young Association Professionals." Thirty-five younger association executives — working in in membership, education, meetings and a variety of other association domains — participated in this research. The white paper identifies key challenges they’ve identified, solutions to engaging young professionals and potential barriers to implementation.