CSAE Association Agenda
CSAE News

CSAE + Sidecar Launch AI Learning for Associations

We’re excited to launch our new partnership with Sidecar - giving CSAE members access to the Sidecar AI Learning Hub. Learn AI on demand with courses built for association professionals and earn your Association AI Professional (AAiP) certification. As a CSAE member, you also receive a 10% discount on subscriptions. Start learning today!



The Western Summit 2026 Program is Here!

Join association professionals April 22–24 for three days of bold conversations, practical insights, and leadership strategies you can apply immediately. You’ll hear from sector leaders about building resilient organizations, designing engaging events, strengthening operational foundations, and leading with impact. Explore the program and register today!



Executive Insights: Risk Governance for Resilient Associations

March 18 | 12–1 pm ET | Online

Traditional risk management isn’t enough in today’s complex environment. Join Ming Pilz and Cameron Wilson of Watson Board Advisors for this Executive Insights webinar exploring how association boards can shift from risk management to risk governance—building resilience while supporting adaptability and long-term success. A must-attend session for CEOs, senior leaders, and directors looking to strengthen governance for what comes next.

 
CEO & ED Network: Open Forum

March 12, 1.00 PM ET

This virtual CEO & Executive Director Network meetup is intentionally unstructured. No formal presentations. No slides. Just a confidential space for honest dialogue with peers who understand the unique realities of association leadership, facilitated by our Advisory Group Co-Chairs, Cecilia Bloxom, CAE and Mike Roberts, CAE.



Stay Compliant — and Competitive

Ontario’s new pay transparency rules are now in force, requiring employers with 25+ employees to include compensation or salary ranges in job postings, plus other disclosure requirements for hiring practices.

The newly released 2026 CSAE Benefits & Compensation Report provides Canadian association leaders with the benchmarking insights needed to align compensation strategy with evolving expectations and compliance needs.

 
Calling All Speakers! CSAE Summer Summit 2026

Are you ready to inspire Canada’s association and nonprofit leaders? CSAE is seeking dynamic presenters for our Summer Summit, where executives and business partners gather to discover practical strategies, fresh ideas, and actionable tools. Submit your proposal by March 15.



Grow Your Impact This Spring

On April 20, the Spring Term begins for both the CAE® designation and CSAE’s individual courses — and registration is now open. Whether you’re working toward your CAE® or building targeted expertise through a micro-credentialed course, this is your opportunity to strengthen your leadership, governance, and strategic impact in the association sector.




Be Part of the CSAE Community

Being part of a like-minded community has never been more important, as we stand stronger together. CSAE membership has many benefits, including access to exclusive member-only content, discounts on in-person events and the ability to work towards the professionally recognized CAE designation.

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CSAE Events
12
Mar 2026
 
March 12, 1.00 PM ET
Online
18
Mar 2026
 
March 18, 12.00 - 1.00 PM ET
Online
24
Mar 2026
 
March 24
Online
22
Apr 2026
 
April 22-24, 2026
In-person – Winnipeg, MB
8
Jul 2026
 
July 8-9, 2026
In-person, London, ON
27
Oct 2026
 
October 27-30
In-person, St John’s, NL
Ottawa Conference and Event Centre
Quebec City Convention Centre
CSAE Blog

A 20-year career journey shaped by CSAE – highlighting community, learning, leadership, development and the powerful impact of belonging to a supportive association network.

Don’t Miss These Curated Perspectives on a Variety of Association-Focused Issues

Explore content on the key competencies of governance, organizational direction, leading people, operations and value to membership:

Association Jobs

Employers...
Leverage CSAE’s relationship with over 15,000 association executives to fill your next position. Post your job to AssociationJobs.ca now! CSAE members save 40%.

Job Seekers...
Interested in finding the latest career opportunities in the association sector? Click here to find the most recent postings, such as:

Title: Executive Director | CEO
Organization: The Portage Group
Location: Toronto (Region), Ontario
Get more details

Title: Project & Events Coordinator
Organization: Ontario Trial Lawyers Association
Location: Burlington, Ontario
Get more details

Title: Executive Director
Organization: CSLA | AAPC
Location:Working from home
Get more details

Meet PEI
The Niagara Parks Commission
PARTNER OFFERINGS

Webinar: The State of Employee Health: Trends, Costs, and Smarter Spending
March 24, 2026 | 12PM EST 
Online - Free

The employee benefits landscape is evolving rapidly, with rising costs, shifting workforce expectations, and new approaches to health and wellbeing. This session provides a clear, current view of key health and benefits trends, what they mean for employers, and where dollars are best spent. Attendees will learn how to optimize their benefits investment, avoid common pitfalls, and ensure their programs remain competitive, relevant, and valued by employees.

Brought to you by:



Webinar: Beyond Benefits: Using Coverage to Deepen Engagement and Amplify Impact 
April 30, 2026 | 12PM EST  
Online - Free

Benefits can be a powerful differentiator—not just a necessity. This session looks beyond traditional coverage to explore how employee benefits can strengthen member engagement, reinforce organizational value, and support broader association goals. Learn how a strategic benefits offering can deepen relationships, drive participation, and enhance the overall impact of your organization. 

Brought to you by:



Resources: Discover the Member Engagement Guide

Keeping members engaged is essential for your association’s long-term growth, but it’s getting harder with shifting demographics and rising competition. In this guide, uncover strategies on building effective learning programs for members with real-world examples from the International Municipal Signal Association, (ISC)2, Canadian Marketing Association and the Irish Deaf Society.

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Will AI Recommend Your Association?

As members and prospects shift toward AI-driven search, associations risk becoming invisible. The Ways and Means has launched The AI SEO for Associations Initiative to help organizations protect their authority.

Download the free AI SEO Checklist for Associations to take the first step to ensure AI models like Gemini and ChatGPT recognize, verify, and cite your organization as the industry’s source of truth. You can also view the Blog here.

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Sector News

How to Put a Strategy Into Action
No association leader wants a strategic plan that just sits on the proverbial shelf. But a strategic plan must do more than collect dust. What does it mean to actually put it to use?  Success involves trust, attention, and accountability.
ASAE

How to Make Event Data Matter in the Boardroom
Event teams don’t lose budget because leaders hate events. They lose budget because “success” gets framed as vanity metrics that can’t survive a CFO’s follow-up question.
Skift Meetings

Personalization vs. Generic Messaging: What Associations Must Do to Connect
Messages delivered under an association’s auspices — magazines, websites, social media, videos, webinars, podcasts, and in-person conferences — gain attention by speaking within their shared community. Using what you know about members’ habits, career stages, and demographics allows the replacement of generic messages with personalized, targeted ones.
Association Adviser

Fairmont Banff Springs
Tourism Vaughan
Featured Publications
    
   

The 2026 CSAE Benefits & Compensation Report, developed in partnership with The Portage Group, is now available. This trusted resource offers Canadian association leaders high-level insights into compensation, benefits, and total rewards trends—designed to support informed planning and governance discussions. Explore the full report to see how your organization compares.

 

 
   

Even if you’re not using AI – or aren’t sure it’s right for your organization – your peers likely are. The CSAE–Bramm Research Generative AI Survey Report reveals how Canadian associations are experimenting with AI, the benefits they’re seeing, and the risks they’re managing. See real adoption rates, common use cases, and policy approaches so you can make informed decisions about your next steps.

 

 

River  
   

This interactive guide introduces associations, their role in society, and common types. It also covers the structure of Canadian associations, detailing the roles and duties of the Board of Directors, staff, and volunteers. With detailed explanations, case studies, and examples, “Intro to Associations” is an essential resource for professionals and volunteers new to the association world.

Thank You to Our Corporate Partners

CSAE's partners are best-in-class companies that deliver quality products and/or services to the association sector.