Virtual Peer Group for Early Career Association Professionals (Wednesday, April 01, 2026)

Wed, 01 Apr 2026 16:00:00 GMT

MASAE is pleased to offer a new version of our popular Virtual Peer Groups. Our upcoming series will focus on early career association professionals.

This virtual peer group is designed specifically for early career association staff. Each session focuses on practical skills, confidence building, and peer learning to help participants succeed in their first five years and grow their careers within associations.

This is an excellent opportunity to ask questions and share ideas with your peers, who have similar experiences. You will walk away from each session with new ideas and connections!

The one-hour peer groups will be held every two weeks on Wednesdays featuring five moderated discussions on different topics.

Wednesday, April 1 at 12 p.m.
Getting Grounded: How Associations Actually Work (and Where You Fit)
Moderated by Pete Pomilio, CEO, American Society of PeriAnesthesia Nurses

Association business models (dues, events, sponsorships, vendors)
How departments connect behind the scenes
Understanding member expectations
Translating big-picture strategy into daily work
Outcome: Builds context, clarity, and confidence

Wednesday, April 15 at 12 p.m.
Member Engagement 101: Skills That Make You Indispensable
Moderated by Michelle Shea, Vice President, MISBO

Writing emails people open and respond to
Running effective meetings and webinars
Handling member requests professionally
Building strong relationships with volunteers
Outcome: Practical tools participants can use immediately

Wednesday, April 29 at 12 p.m.
Working With Volunteers, Committees, and Boards Without Feeling Intimidated
Moderated by Aggie Malter, Ed.D., President and CEO at PAISBOA

Setting expectations and boundaries
Communicating with experienced leaders and volunteers
Managing scope creep politely
Knowing when to escalate vs. solve independently
Outcome: Increased confidence and professionalism

Wednesday, May 13 at 12 p.m.
Smart Tools & Shortcuts: AI, Automation, and Workflow Hacks
Moderated by Kelsea Watson, CAE, Senior Director of Membership & Marketing, Association of Technology Leaders in Independent Schools

Simple AI uses for drafting, summarizing, and brainstorming
Templates and systems that save time
Managing projects without complex software
Personal productivity and organization tips
Outcome: Work smarter, not harder

Wednesday, May 27 at 12 p.m.
Building Your Career in Associations (Without Burning Out)
Moderated by Trudie Bruner, CAE, Founder & Consultant, True Association Management Consulting, LLC

Common career paths within associations
Skill-building for advancement
Networking internally and externally
Setting boundaries and preventing burnout
Advocating for growth and development
Outcome: Clear direction and long-term confidence

Please note, these sessions are intended for individuals working for an association or association management company - not associate members/vendors.

MASAE is a CAE-Approved Provider. This educational program provides content related to the CAE exam content outline. Each program may be applied for 1 credit toward your CAE application or renewal professional development requirements. For more information about the CAE credential or Approved Provider program, please visit www.asaecenter.org/cae.

2026 Mid-Year Meeting (Tuesday, June 09, 2026)

Tue, 09 Jun 2026 13:30:00 GMT

Designed specifically for association executives, MASAE's Mid-Year Meeting delivers practical strategies and forward-thinking ideas to help organizations thrive in an evolving engagement landscape. Participants will explore innovative approaches to attracting and retaining the next generation of members, strengthening communications across an increasingly fragmented media environment, and building meaningful year-round connections that extend beyond traditional programs. Through expert-led discussions, a guided networking experience, and peer-led roundtables, attendees will gain actionable insights, share real-world challenges, and leave with fresh perspectives and connections to support their organization’s success in the year ahead.

AGENDA

9:30 a.m. - 10:00 a.m.
Registration

10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.
"One Shot to Get It Right: Why Your Annual Meeting Must Win Over Younger Attendees"

Your future members and event loyalists aren’t just “young professionals”—they’re your next revenue stream, association advocates, and future leaders. Yet too many associations treat them as an afterthought. This candid panel brings together membership, marketing, and event leaders to tackle the real reasons younger professionals skip your annual meeting, conference, or trade show—or don’t even know it exists. From outdated programming and tone‑deaf messaging to neglecting career‑stage needs, we’ll unpack what’s broken and how to rebuild with purpose. Hear how forward‑thinking associations are reshaping networking, events, and content to deliver relevance and belonging. Your next generation isn’t coming unless you meet them where they are—and give them a reason to stay.

Rich Vallaster, CEM, QAS, AAiP, is the Senior Director of Industry Relations and Community Engagement at Momentive Software (formerly Personify). With decades of experience in the events and association industry, Rich has partnered with leading associations, AMCs, trade shows, and events. He has held key leadership positions, including Chair of the CEIR Research Council and board member of the International Association of Exhibitions & Events (IAEE).

An active member of both IAEE and the American Society of Association Executives (ASAE), Rich is recognized as a forward-thinking leader shaping the industry's future. His expertise has been featured in major publications, including The New York Times, Associations Now, Trade Show Executive, Skift Meetings, and Convene.

Michelle Mobley is a veteran business events strategist with 25+ years driving growth at large-scale conferences through audience development, experiential design, and revenue innovation. In the past, she has helped associations win over Gen Z and Millennial attendees by translating preferences into measurable outcomes—developing content and activities that appeal to this audience segment. Her work spans end-to-end conference marketing, modern program formats (short-form, participatory, career-relevant), and partner activations that add value to this mission-driven attendee type.

Daniel Martin, Honorary ASLA, is the Managing Director of Development at the American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA), where he oversees non-dues revenue growth and marketing strategy. With 18 years of executive marketing leadership at a leading manufacturer in the landscape architecture industry, Daniel brings a practitioner’s perspective to his role, leveraging this experience to build durable, mutually beneficial partnerships between the Society and industry, expand sponsorship and revenue opportunities, and grow association membership.. Daniel is passionate about aligning ASLA’s mission with industry innovation to create long-term value for members and partners alike. Throughout his career, Daniel has been awarded with several high-fives.

11:10 a.m. - 12:10 p.m.
"Communications in the Age of Fragmentation: Building a Multi-Platform Engagement Strategy"
Presented by Sarah Black, MS, Vice President, Content & Communications, American Society of Plant Biologists

Association audiences, including members, prospects, volunteers, sponsors, and policymakers, consume information across multiple platforms from social media to email, webinars, podcasts, and in-person events. Yet many associations still approach communications as a series of disconnected posts, announcements, or campaigns. This session challenges association leaders to rethink communications as a coordinated, strategic ecosystem rather than a collection of channels.

Attendees will explore how to design a multi-platform engagement strategy that aligns with organizational goals, establishes or reinforces brand authority, and drives measurable outcomes. The session focuses on executive-level decision-making: audience segmentation, narrative architecture, platform differentiation, campaign cadence, and meaningful metrics. This session will cover how to:

Map audience segments to appropriate platforms
Align content themes with annual strategic priorities and budget cycles
Integrate publishing, meetings, advocacy, and fundraising messaging into cohesive campaigns
Measure success beyond vanity metrics to track conversion and long-term engagement

Attendees will leave with a practical framework for shifting from reactive communications to intentional narrative strategy ensuring that every channel reinforces mission, strengthens community trust, and advances measurable organizational goals.

12:15 p.m. - 12:45 p.m.
Guided Networking – The Fun, No-Stress Way to Connect!

Are you tired of awkward small talk and forced introductions? Say hello to Guided Networking, a fresh, engaging, and friendly way to meet new people without the cringe!

How It Works: We’ll use fun, interactive prompts to spark honest conversations. There will be no boring elevator pitches—just relaxed engagement that helps you connect naturally. Whether you're a social butterfly or more reserved, this session is designed to make networking effortless (and maybe even fun).

What Makes It Different?

No pressure – Structured prompts mean no awkward silences.
Meaningful connections – Go beyond "So, what organization are you from?" with creative questions.
Introvert-approved – Comfortable pacing, no forced participation.
Playful vibes – Think shared laughs. We won’t take ourselves too seriously.

This session is perfect for anyone who dreads traditional networking but wants to build authentic professional relationships. Come as you are and leave with new connections—and maybe even a smile!

12:45 p.m. - 1:45 p.m.
Luncheon

1:45 p.m. - 2:45 p.m.
Peer-Led Roundtables

Peer-Led Roundtables offer an opportunity for candid, small-group conversations focused on the question: What is your most pressing challenge or priority heading into the next 12 months? Guided by fellow attendees rather than formal presenters, these interactive discussions encourage idea-sharing, problem-solving, and peer learning. Participants will leave with fresh perspectives, practical insights, and new connections to support their goals in the year ahead.

3:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
"Engagement That Sticks: Moving Beyond Events and Emails"
Panel Discussion

This session will explore how organizations can create meaningful, year-round connections that go beyond traditional events and inbox communications. In this panel discussion, industry leaders will share strategies for building sustained engagement through personalized experiences, community-building, and innovative touchpoints that keep members and stakeholders actively involved. Attendees will gain practical ideas to strengthen relationships, increase participation, and create engagement that truly lasts.

Panelists:

Jessica Brill, Director of Membership & Engagement, Wound, Ostomy, and Continence Nurses Society
Abram Garcia, Vice President, Membership, Marketing & Strategic Partnerships, Kellen
Kristine Kiphorn, Executive Director, BOMA Philadelphia
Moderated by Sarah Black, MS, Vice President, Content & Communications, American Society of Plant Biologists

Mid-Atlantic Society of Association Executives upcoming events

Virtual Peer Group for Early Career Association Professionals (Wednesday, April 01, 2026)

2026 Mid-Year Meeting (Tuesday, June 09, 2026)