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February 2013 In This Issue
Featured Stories
Member News
GSAE Membership Directory & Buyers' Guide
GSAE News & Events
News Briefs
AMA Executive Conference Centers
Naylor, LLC
Naylor, LLC
Featured Stories

The Meetings Report: Five Game-changing Tactics Redefining Education Strategy & Success
In December 2012, Event Garde released The Meetings Report, in collaboration with the Michigan Society of Association Executives (MSAE).  This 16-page research report represents the first-ever Michigan association meetings industry survey and key recommendations examining the characteristics of senior education/professional development staff, characteristics of association meetings, professional speaker hiring practices, industry speaker preparation and compensation, and meeting evaluation practices.  While respondents primarily represented statewide trade associations (meaning the resultant benchmarking data is largely Michigan-specific), the five key recommendations precipitating from this 65-question survey and follow-on analysis are not only instructive and actionable, but remarkably universal.  In fact, when applied to any association’s annual education strategy, these simple, but effective tactics can substantively redefine how success is measured.  Join learning strategist Aaron Wolowiec as he reveals each of these game-changing recommendations guaranteed to transform your organization’s programs and events into dynamic (and profitable) professional development experiences your members will value.

Register today!
GSAE Member - $20 Early Bird; $35 after Feb. 15
Guest - $35 Early Bird; $50 after Feb. 15

Schedule
10:30 - 11:30 am - New Member Orientation (open to all new and prospective members)
11:00 am - 12:00 pm - Participation Fair: learn more about GSAE Committees and Shared Interest Groups and get connected today!
11:30 - 12:00 - Networking Reception
12:00 - 1:30 pm - Luncheon featuring Aaron Wolowiec
1:45 - 3:30 pm - Workshop - From Theory to Practice: Applying Game-changing Tactics to Your Association’s Education Strategy (member price is $75, please register here.)

Workshop - From Theory to Practice: Applying Game-changing Tactics to Your Association’s Education Strategy
Simply scan the environment and its clear the professional development landscape is changing. We are more technologically advanced and we move at a faster pace.  Similarly, member expectations and industry best practices are increasingly more sophisticated.  Therefore, Michigan native Aaron Wolowiec developed and launched a comprehensive survey examining the state’s association meetings industry to more clearly and precisely understand the effect of these trends.  In addition to valuable benchmarking data, five key recommendations (introduced during the luncheon keynote) resulted from this study.  And when applied to an association’s annual education strategy, these game-changing tactics can substantially redefine how success is measured. In this highly interactive, 90-minute follow-on session, evaluate your organization’s current education strategies and develop actionable next steps to operationalize this report's key recommendations.  Focus on ways your association can elevate the quality and sophistication of its events, build the reputation of its meetings department and improve the association’s bottom line.

Thank you to our host property: Georgia World Congress Center



Interested in sponsoring this luncheon?  Contact GSAE!



As a CAE Approved Provider educational program related to the CAE exam content outline, this luncheon may be applied for 1 credit toward your CAE application or renewal professional development requirements.  You earn an additional 1.5 hours if you attend the workshop following the luncheon, for a total of 2.5 CAE hours.
 
By Aaron Wolowiec

I've said it before and I'll say it again: People are busy these days. They're also moving at a faster pace and have limited dollars to spend on professional development. Period. Combine this competition for time and resources with the endless access to information and content available online and you have a long list of continuing education providers competing for market share. (Not to mention the countless organizations now offering education opportunities at competitive rates -- even free!)

That's why we -- the collective association community -- need to up our game when it comes to the instructional strategies we employ at each of our signature education programs. The number one question I'm asked by association staff, subject matter experts and the media has to do with innovative, engaging and creative instructional strategies. So, here are 25 I've collected and curated (and, in some cases, facilitated) within the last year.
 
Member News
After 32 years in association management, Mary Lynn Miller, CAE is pleased to announce her retirement effective Feb. 28. On behalf of Meeting Expectations management company, Mary Lynn served as Executive Director/COO of SHRM-Atlanta since 2006. In that time SHRM-Atlanta’s membership grew 40 percent and the chapter won three prestigious Pinnacle Awards from SHRM. Mary Lynn plans to spend more time with family and friends, travel, and enjoy weekends on Lake Chatuge in Hiawassee, GA. She hopes her GSAE friends will stay in touch through LinkedIn.  
 
GSAE Membership Directory & Buyers' Guide
Learn more about GSAE Committees and Shared Interest Groups (SIG) and get connected at the February 20 Luncheon at Georgia World Congress Center!  The Participation Fair is your opportunity to meet with the new 2013 leaders, ask any questions you may have, and join any committees and/or SIGs that interest you!

We understand your time is valuable, and we strive to make service convenient and rewarding. From welcoming new members to helping experienced ones prepare for the CAE exam, planning the education programming to making recommendations to the Board of Directors, GSAE committee members truly do the work of the organization.
 
GSAE's Shared Interest Groups (SIGs) offer one of the best resources for association executives and professionals. These self-directed groups of GSAE members focus on a particular area and delve into various topics within that area.  In addition to learning from the "experts" in a particular area of interest, GSAE's SIGs offer members a place to discuss with peers issues of personal relevance.  Networking with fellow SIG members offers executives another perspective on how to handle various issues.  A secondary benefit of SIG involvement is Certified Association Executive credit (normally 1 hour per meeting).

In order to maintain relevancy, we've updated two of our SIGs to better fit your needs:

Emerging Professionals - Formerly the Young Professionals, this SIG is designed for GSAE members who are new to the association profession and are  interested in connecting with peers and leaders to grow professionally.  Join the discussion and learn about upcoming events by becoming a Facebook fan.

Atlanta-area YourMembership.com Users Group - Formerly the Affiniscape 360 Users Group, this SIG is for association professionals using YourMembership.com and will meet quarterly for peer-to-peer training on the merger and a variety of modules.  The first meeting we schedule this year will most likely cover the transition to new software and some of the major differences between the two products. 


 
GSAE News & Events
Friday, February 22
Application deadline for the May 3, 2013 CAE exam
Visit ASAE's website for all the details

Tuesday, February 26
GSAE Small Staff SIG Luncheon - Successful Sponsorships and Fundraising
12 - 1:15 pm
Georgia Tech Hotel & Conference Center - 800 Spring Street NW, Atlanta
RSVP to Gene or Amanda by February 22

Tuesday, February 26
Tax Exempt Association (T.E.A.) Group Luncheon: Thwarting Common Fraud Schemes
11:15 am - 1 pm
Maggiano's - 3368 Peachtree Road, Atlanta
The cost per person is $25
RSVP to Molly Amos by February 21


Wednesday, April 17
GSAE Quarterly Luncheon featuring Corey Perlman, eBoot Camp, Inc.
Sponsored by Richmond Metropolitan Convention & Visitors Bureau
Interested in hosting this luncheon?  Get the RFP or contact GSAE!


Friday, May 3
Certified Association Executive Exam
8 am - 2 pm
Building Owners and Managers Association of Georgia
5901-C Peachtree Dunwoody Road NE, Ste. 300, Atlanta
 
Thank you for your membership in GSAE in 2012!  We remain committed to building a sense of community within the association management profession and among our corporate suppliers.  By offering a wide array of member activities, we strengthen our connections with one another.  Renew your dues online or email Jane Anne if you have any questions.  If there are multiple members from your company/organization, contact Jane Anne for a group invoice.  Dues invoices were mailed in January, but if you'd like to pay your invoice with a credit card online, you can always use our secure payment form.  Non-renewals will be deactivated on Feb. 28, so renew today and don't miss a thing!
 
We're excited to move to a new tiered-dues structure for 2013 -- making it easier and more affordable than ever for multiple people from the same organization to take full advantage of GSAE membership!  If you have any questions, please let us know. 
 
GSAE programming is successful because of our fabulous corporate sponsors.  Meet our 2012 sponsors here.  We hope you will consider a GSAE sponsorship in 2013.  We would love for you to be involved at any level, so we are continuing to offer a wide range of sponsorships at a variety of price levels -- learn more here.

Please consider including some of these opportunities in your budget.  Some sponsorships are exclusive, so we encourage you to return your forms quickly.  If you wait to commit, you may find that your competitor has already purchased your perfect sponsorship.  When you're ready, simply return the Sponsorship Order Form indicating what you'd like to sponsor, or contact Jane Anne for more details.

Luncheon Sponsorships
Luncheons are the primary venue for networking in GSAE.  About 200 members generally attend each luncheon, which is preceded by a 30-minute networking reception.  During lunch, a speaker addresses a topic of interest to association executives.  Your exclusive sponsorship includes an exhibit table during the networking reception, 2-3 minutes of podium time, rights to leave a brochure or flyer on each seat, luncheon registration for five people, recognition in promotional materials and post-event attendee mailing labels.

Available 2013 Luncheon Sponsorship Opportunities:
February 20 Quarterly Luncheon Exclusive, $2,000
July 10 Summer Luncheon - Exclusive, $1,000

Annual Meeting Sponsorships
There is no better way to place your brand in front of the GSAE Membership during the Annual Meeting than to sponsor an event, break or breakout session.  These sponsorships are exclusive and offer you access to the key decision makers in the association industry.  The 2013 Annual Meeting will be held in Augusta, GA, May 29-31.  All sponsors will be given space in the Connections Lounge to display brochures, maps, materials, etc.

Available 2013 Annual Meeting Sponsorship Opportunities:
Thursday General Session - Exclusive, $2,500
Friday General Sessions - Exclusive, $2,500
Friday Breakfast - Exclusive, $1,500
Breaks - 3 total sponsorships, $1,000 each, exclusive
Breakout Sessions - 12 total sponsorships, $500 each, exclusive
 
 
GSAE is seeking proposals for serving as the host property for our 2013 luncheons.  The host property will receive a reserved table during registration, the opportunity to place material at each place setting, podium time, significant exposure and an attendee mailing list following the luncheon.  This is a great opportunity to showcase your property!  Available 2013 dates are April 17, Sept. 18, Nov. 13 (Tradeshow) and Dec. 11 -- all are Wednesdays.  Download the RFP, or contact GSAE at (404) 577-7850 for more information.
 
Did you know GSAE will offer over 25 hours of CAE programming this year?  Including up to 11 hours at the Annual Meeting, May 29-31, in fabulous Augusta, Ga.?

Did you know we track your hours earned with GSAE on your member profile?

Did you know we will offer a CAE study group worth up to 12 hours at Nardone Consulting starting in June?

Most importantly, did you know our professional development offerings link to the CAE Domains and we are a CAE Approved Provider?  Fancy.

CAE renewal rates have increased for 2013.  Exam application fees will remain the same.
New CAE renewal application
New CAE exam application
 
For more information about the CAE credential or Approved Provider program, please visit www.whatiscae.org

P.S. You knew there would be some language from ASAE and the Commission ... Here goes it:  GSAE programs are not endorsed, accredited, or affiliated with ASAE or the CAE program.  Applicants may use any program that meets eligibility requirements in the specific time frame 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.
 


 
• Keynotes featuring Carol Johnson, Tom Morrison and Gabriel Eckert, CAE
• 3 workshops on Wednesday
• 16 breakout choices on Thursday and Friday
• 5k Fun Run and a Shearing to benefit an Augusta area charity

Book your room with the Augusta Marriott at the Convention Center today!
1) Main Tower - Standard Deluxe Guest Rooms – one king bed or two double beds
2) Suites Tower - Standard One Bedroom Suites with small living room – mostly two queen beds –Wed. & Thurs. nights only
• If you'd rather call, dial (800) 868-5354 or (706) 722-8900 and ask for Reservations. Our group is listed under GSAE Annual Meeting. The reservation cutoff date is 5/8/2013.






 
News Briefs

Does your member of Congress know the value of associations to the economy and society when making decisions? They can if you attend American Associations Day 2013.


Visit the ASAE fly-in website today to learn more about this unique and free event, including:

Register and apply for a $300 travel scholarship here.
Events include: a reception with the ASAE Board, a briefing from a former Member of Congress, an education session for CAE credit, and state group get-togethers. View the schedule here.
Grab a special-rate hotel room at the event hotel

Join your colleagues from across the country in DC on March 18-19 to make a difference for the association community, as well as make lasting connections, learn more about the issues affecting associations, and pick up good management tips for your own association. Have questions? Contact Mary Kate Cunningham at (202) 626-2787 or mcunningham@asaecenter.org.

*Note from Wendy: We have several delegates already planning to attend from Georgia! I will make the congressional appointments for our Hill visits on Tuesday. We will go to dinner with our colleagues from North Carolina after the reception on Monday. Bonus number 1: Beverly Black, CAE will join us at dinner. Bonus number 2: We have an appointment Monday morning at 10:30 a.m. with our favorite Ambassador from the Principality of Liechtenstein, the Honorable Claudia Fritsche. Please let Wendy know if you can join us!
 
 

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