Registration for the 2026 Western Summit is Now Open! 🎉
April 22-24, 2026
Hotel Fort Garry, Spa & Conference Centre, Winnipeg, MB

Following on from the successes of the first Western Summit this year, we’re pleased to announce that registration is open for the 2026 event! Secure your spot, take advantage of EARLY BIRD pricing and get ready to connect, learn, and grow alongside association leaders from across Western Canada!

Are you an Association Executive interested in helping build the Western Summit event program - for you, by you? Be a part of the Program Committee and create an unforgettable event! Email lexie@csae.com.
 

Calling all Ottawa Association Leaders!
Wednesday, November 12, 8:00 – 11:00 AM ET
In-person - Ottawa, ON

Join CSAE President & CEO, Tracy Folkes Hanson, Meredith Low and fellow association leaders and fellow association leaders at the CSAE Breakfast Club: Leading Through Uncertainty, for a candid discussion on navigating the impacts of shifting U.S. policies and global instability. Share insights, explore strategies, and connect in a supportive, peer-led environment.

Connect. Collaborate. Grow - CSAE Young Professionals Networking
Thursday, November 20
Virtual

Join the CSAE community of young professionals (40 and under) for networking and idea-sharing on November 20. Hear success stories, explore creative solutions, and connect with peers who are shaping the future of the association sector. Don’t miss this chance to grow your network and your career!

Kick Off the New Year with Purposeful Growth

Registration is now open for the Winter 2026 CAE® term (Jan 12 – Apr 6)! Whether you want to earn the full designation or take individual courses with micro-credentials, our flexible, fully online format lets you learn on your own schedule.

Canada’s CEO Symposium is Coming!
January 27-28, 2026 – in-person
Hilton Toronto Airport Hotel & Suites

This is a standout opportunity to deepen your leadership, connect with peers, and build a stronger partnership with your Board Chair. Using a proven two-day, facilitator-led structure, this Canada-based CEO Symposium is focused on governance strategy, CEO–Board collaboration, and dynamic interaction - tailored for Canadian association leaders. 

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.

By Lori Prospero, CAE

Strategic plans outline where an association wants to go—but the future rarely follows the script. Every objective faces uncertainty, and that uncertainty is risk. Recognizing and managing it is essential for real strategic success.

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: Executive Director
Organization: Association of Registered Interior Designers of Ontario (ARIDO)
Location: Toronto, ON
Get more details

Title: Specialist, Training & Events
Organization: Government Finance Officers Association of BC
Location: Victoria, BC
Get more details

Title: Programming & Education Manager
Organization: McNeill Nakamoto Recruitment Group
Location: Working from home
Get more details

Partner Webinar: OnBoard for Associations: Smarter Governance, Stronger Leadership

November 11, 1PM EST
Free Webinar

Looking for tools to enhance your board operations? Get an exclusive look at OnBoard, the board management platform CSAE uses for its own board meeting and governance needs, in an upcoming webinar designed for association leaders.

Brought to you by:

Association Governance Survey

Calling all Association Leaders! Participate in OnBoard’s 2025 Association Governance Survey to help uncover key trends and common challenges in the association boardroom.

Offered by:
 

The Power of Choice – Why Leader Discretion Shapes Modern Governance
No leader needs reminding that decisions rarely happen in isolation. Whether leading a multinational, an association, or an NGO, leaders are constantly faced with conflicting priorities, and must exercise their judgment to navigate their organisations through the unknown.
Boardroom

The Value Fog: Why Your Members Don’t Understand What They’re Paying For
When members struggle to articulate value, engagement plateaus ,retention suffers, and word-of-mouth weakens. The work is happening, the benefits exist, but somewhere between delivery and perception, clarity gets lost. 
Association Adviser

Social Capital Is the New Currency—Here’s What It Means for Associations
Relationships, trust, and social networks are increasingly valued as much as financial capital. For associations, this shift changes the game: Members now look to you as conveners, connectors, and trust brokers. Here’s how to embrace this new role.
ASAE

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.

Other publications:

Guide to Better Meetings for Directors of Non-Profit Organizations

Benchmarking and Best Practices for Associations

Guide to Positive Staff-Board Relations for Directors of Non-Profit Organizations - 4th Edition

Media Relations for Canadian Associations: How to Be the Voice of Your Members in the Media

Guide to Effective Committees for Directors of Not-For-Profit Organizations, Third Edition

Stuff Happens... But you can sleep at night by making your association reputation resilient

Succession Planning: Succeeding at Succession Planning

Government Relations for Canadian Associations: How to be the Voice of Your Members with Government

Road to Relevance: 5 Strategies for Competitive Associations

What Makes an Effective Association: Benchmarking for Performance

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