"The Matrix." "2001: A Space Odyssey." "Weird Science." What do these brilliant works of art have in common? They are all about the intersection of people and technology. Here, we talk about this relationship. We demonstrate that technology is a means to an end, and not the solution itself. We discuss how to create value that starts with people first. We challenge each other to harness technology by fostering a culture of innovation and analysis, where leadership and staff are equipped and empowered to question, continuously improve and experiment. And finally, we explore how the tech can help us serve our members, support our organizations and create better experiences for both members and staff.

Dave Will, Heidi Weber, MBA, CAE, Melinda Starkweather, CMP, Tori Liu, CAE, MBA

Globalization should not come from a place of expansion, but rather from collaboration. There are organizations all around the world that are tackling similar challenges and have identified similar opportunities. Wherever there are opportunities for collaboration, how can our unique insights bring clarity to complex global challenges? In this session, you hear from leaders who are spearheading the association movements in their respective countries. They offer their perspective on global partnerships, and how we might consider “associating.”

Ioannis Pallas, Jeffers Miruka, Lowell Aplebaum, CAE, Octavio "Bobby" Peralta, Toni Brearley

The buzz is unmistakable. The next technological wave is beginning to crest and blockchain is leading the way. Advocates claim it will revolutionize trust on the internet and, counterintuitively, lead to more privacy for individuals. Detractors have concerns about misuse, security and what the overall socioeconomic impact may be of blockchain being deployed at scale. We talk about what blockchain is and how the technology works, discuss how it’s going to affect the association industry, and provide a roadmap for associations to use as they begin to help their members prepare for the impacts of this disruptive technology on their industries and professions.

Elizabeth Engel, MA, CAE, Feng Hou, Shelly Alcorn, CAE, Tim Haynes

Member satisfaction increases by 23% when members view your association as an early technology adopter. And personalization is essential to delivering better experiences, however, only 33% of members believe they receive personalized content. There is a growing expectation from members that organizations use their information to provide more personalized interactions. As technologies improve, there are more opportunities to deliver personalized, relevant experiences. In this session, we discuss real-world association examples of using technology and predictive analytics to take members' experiences to new levels.

Dan Gaertner, Erin Shy, Peggy Smith, Sigmund VanDamme, Tristan Jordan

From Amazon to Netflix, Dollar Shave Club to Blue Apron, subscription models make it exceptionally easy for consumers to access nearly anything they may need or want – and have it delivered right to their front door (or digital device). These companies offer a positive and valuable experience that is incredibly convenient, highly personalized – and profitable. They are data-driven, listen to their members and provide recommendations based on behavior patterns. We explore subscription models and the implications for the association membership space.

Amy Hager, CAE, IOM, Chris Beaman, Marice Fernando, Megan Denhardt, CAE

Do you know what education your association needs to offer to help emerging, mid-career and senior professionals both get and keep jobs in your industry? What evidence do you have to signal that your current learning programs are meeting this need? How can you better leverage your learning programs to support member career development? This session explores the importance of gathering 360-degree feedback about your association’s education portfolio, elements of a successful gap analysis, how to proactively fill those gaps to advance both the workforce and the profession, how to evolve and adapt to the learner needs, and how to mindfully connect learning offerings to best support each learner’s journey. Four speakers – a professional development consultant, a credentialing guru, a community-building specialist and a professional learning leader – provide their varied perspectives, first-hand experiences and sage advice.

Aaron Wolowiec, MSA, CAE, CMP, CTA, Colleen Loeffler, CAE, MNA, Keith Segundo, Veronica Diaz

Ping Pong tables and free food are nice, but don’t count on those perks to attract the highly skilled teams associations need for future success. Technology puts the workplace on overdrive, reshaping what it means to be an employer and to be employed. Rob Miller, Stuart Meyer, Kevin Ordonez and Sharon Rice have over 20 years of experience advising associations on how to maximize technology for improved strategy and operation. They discuss what you and your association need to know about the freelance economy, opportunities for associations to develop specific value propositions for freelance professionals in their fields,  and why associations need to become more comfortable about hiring freelance workers to meet their staffing needs.

Kevin Ordonez, Rob Miller, MPA, CAE, Sharon Rice, Stuart Meyer

The amount of technology change we see in our everyday lives is astounding. How do these changes affect your organization’s technology strategy? Which technologies should be on your radar? What should you be experimenting with? How do you help you members navigate the technology landscape? Join a few current and past members of ASAE’s Technology Council as they explore these questions and talk about their technology strategies for now and into the future.

Anita Joshi, Katherine Matthews, CAE, Reggie Henry, CAE, Ron Moen, CAE