Summer Vibes Activated: Join Us at the 2026 Summer Summit!

July 8-10, London, ON
In-person

Planning to join us in London, ON, this July? Momentum is building for an incredible lineup of sessions, including a hands-on LEGO® SERIOUS PLAY® keynote on innovation with Leo Chan and practical government relations ROI strategies with Loretta Ryan, CAE.

Act Fast: Hotel block cut-off dates are next week! Special rates and room availability are no longer guaranteed after they pass. Book now!

Fall CAE® Term Registration is Now Open!

Fall Term Starts September 14th

As Canada’s gold standard in association leadership, this fully online, flexible CAE® program is designed to fit your busy schedule. Whether you want to earn the full designation or take a single course for a micro-credential, now is the time to build the strategic skills, confidence, and network needed to lead mission-driven organizations.

Nominate for Awards of Excellence

Closing Date – July 5

The 2026 Centre of Excellence Awards is now open! CSAE’s Awards and Recognition Program recognizes the best and brightest in association leadership, from outstanding teams to individual luminaries. Nominate a colleague, peer, or your association today.

Shape the Future: Join the CSAE Board or a Committee!

Closing Date – July 3

Applications are officially open for positions on CSAE’s 2026-2027 Board of Directors (5 vacancies) and several standing Board Committees (Nominating, Finance & Audit, and Governance). CSAE deeply values diversity and strongly encourages applications from all backgrounds and equity-deserving groups.

Want to learn more? Join the live Board Application Info Session on June 11, from 12:00 – 1:00 p.m. ET for a short presentation and Q&A. 

Webinar - Executive Insights: Strategic Planning in Uncertainty

June 17, 12-1 PM ET 

In a world of constant change, traditional five-year strategic plans don't hold up like they used to. Join association leaders and directors on June 17, 2026, from 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM ET for an insightful webinar hosted by Watson Board Advisors.

The Mighty Ones Networking Session

June 23, 2-3pm ET
Virtual

The Mighty Ones online sessions bring together Executive Members who manage their associations on their own or with the help of one or two others. This will be an Open Forum session; we welcome all questions and discussion topics.

Elevate Your Board’s Strategic Impact

Governance Forum
Septeber 17, 1.00 - 4.00 PM ET
Virtual

Join Dr. David Weiss on Sept. 17 for a refreshed Governance Forum. This session is all about empowering your leadership team with the tools to de-risk big ideas and move strategy forward with confidence. Bring your entire Board (up to 10 people) for one flat group rate to ensure everyone starts the fall season on the same page.

Coming Next Week: The 2026 CSAE Benchmarking Survey!

How do your practices stack up against other Canadian associations? Next week, we launch the CSAE Benchmarking Survey 2026 to find out. Your confidential input helps build an invaluable report so you can compare your operations directly with your peers. Watch out for your invitation next week.

What keeps members committed to your association? In her latest blog post, The ROI of Belonging: Beyond the Member Portal, CSAE President & CEO Tracy Folkes Hanson explains why the true value of membership isn't found in a resource library, but in human connection.

Discover how shifting from "consumption" to "connection" creates a purpose-driven community that drives long-term advocacy and impact.

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

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: General Secretary
Organization: LHH Knightsbridge
Location: Toronto (Region), Ontario
Get more details

Title: Chief Executive Officer
Organization: Airports Council International - North America
Location: Washington D.C. (US)
Get more details

Title: Association Manager
Organization: Podium Conference and Association Specialists Ltd
Location: Canada
Get more details

A Treatment for Toxic Boards
New research indicates that 82 percent of mission-driven professionals believe disconnected software systems contribute significantly to burnout. Among staff experiencing technology-driven frustration, 63 percent are actively seeking new job opportunities. Beyond operational efficiency, integrated technology serves as a critical retention tool by reclaiming staff time and making individual contributions more visible to management. Association leaders should evaluate technology investments through a talent lens, measuring the workforce cost of the status quo against the price of modernization. 
Associations Now 

The Bigger Risk Is What Associations Won’t Stop
Associations spend a lot of time thinking about risk, but most of that attention is aimed outward. Leaders worry about economic uncertainty, cybersecurity, shifting member expectations, and competitive pressure. Those concerns are real. But for many associations, the greater risk is not the next external threat or the next bold move. It is everything the organization has been unwilling to stop.
ASAE Center

7 Ways to Next Gen-Proof Your Events
With Gen Z and millennials expected to comprise 75 percent of the workforce by 2030, association event planners must adapt to shifting expectations regarding authenticity and community. Research shows 59 percent of Gen Z will avoid an event if they do not know other attendees, suggesting that standard cocktail receptions are less effective than structured networking and micro-communities. To engage younger professionals, organizers should prioritize personalized itineraries, demonstrate a clear return on investment for travel time, and ensure diversity is woven into the event's fabric rather than treated as an elective addition. 
Skift Meetings

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.

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.

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