ASAE Great Ideas Conference Scores Highest Attendance in Orlando
March 17, 2015
The American Society of Association Executives’ Great Ideas Conference, held March 8-10 at the Hyatt Regency in Orlando, scored its highest attendance ever, with 806 coming to the meeting.
This represents the highest attendance in its 12 year history and 15-percent increase from last year’s record-breaking numbers.
During the Opening General Session, Alan Gregerman, author, president and Chief Innovation Officer of Venture Works Inc., walked attendees through how they can discover the power of strangers and the importance of being open to new possibilities because it can be the key to enhancing your organization.
He encouraged attendees to be curious and humble and asked them to think about how they can better invest and engage others.
Participants took part in a new learning format called discussion dens, which are 20-minute causal conversations between learning labs. They covered a variety of topics including sharing technology triumphs, productivity tips, and learning from failures.
“For the second year in a row, we have set attendance records for the conference, which highlights how the Great Ideas Conference continues to evolve through new content formats and great speakers,” said ASAE President & CEO John H. Graham IV, FASAE, CAE.
He added, “Participants gained insights, strategies, and ideas they can take back and implement into their organization.”
Attendees participated in a variety of sessions including: communication and marketing strategies, volunteer management, data-decision making, member engagement and navigating association careers. They also participated in 30-minute express learning sessions called Snap Learning Spot, which covered topics ranging from how to engage exhibitors in conference education to creating an open online course.
Wrapping up the innovative conference was founder and author, Todd Henry, of Accidental Creative. He encouraged attendees to create more white space in their lives because it will help breed creativity. He outlined the seven deadly sins that cause mediocrity and identified ways attendees can unleash their best work.
ASAE held a pre-conference Executive Leadership Program March 7-8 with Rafi Mohammed, author of “The 1% Windfall”. In its third year, 98 association executives and consultants participated in a discussion about key pricing concepts.
They obtained a blueprint-template on how to create a comprehensive pricing strategy, so they can develop and implement one inside their organization.
Next year’s conference will be March 13-15 at The Broadmoor in Colorado Springs, Colo. For more information, about this year’s conference, visit Great Ideas website.
Partner Voices
MGM Resorts is committed to fostering an inclusive and diverse culture, not just among employees and guests but also within its supply chain. The company prioritizes procuring goods and services from businesses owned by minorities, women, veterans, people with disabilities, LGBTQ individuals and those facing economic disadvantages. This commitment is integral to MGM Resorts' global procurement strategy.
Through its voluntary supplier diversity program, MGM Resorts actively identifies and connects certified diverse-owned suppliers to opportunities within its supply chain. The company is on track to spend at least 15% of its biddable procurement with diverse-owned businesses by 2025, demonstrating that supplier diversity is not only a social responsibility but also a strategic business imperative.
Supplier diversity isn’t just the right thing to do – it’s good for business. A diverse supply chain allows access to a broader range of perspectives and experience, helping to drive innovation, entrepreneurship and resilience, while strengthening communities. At MGM Resorts, engaging diverse suppliers ensures best-in-class experiences for guests and clients. Supplier diversity ensures a more resilient supply chain while supporting economic development in the communities in which it operates.
The impact of MGM Resorts' supplier diversity initiatives is significant. In 2023, these efforts supported over 3,500 jobs across more than 30 states, contributed over $214 million in income for diverse-owned businesses and generated more than $62 million in tax revenue. The story extends beyond the numbers – it reflects the tangible benefits brought to small and diverse-owned businesses, fostering economic empowerment in their communities.
MGM Resorts also supports the development and business skills of diverse-owned businesses through investment, mentorship and education. Through the MGM Resorts Supplier Diversity Mentorship Program, the company identifies, mentors and develops diverse-owned businesses to fill its future pipeline, while providing businesses with tools and resources to empower and uplift. Since 2017, the program has successfully graduated 105 diverse-owned businesses and is on track to achieve its goal of 150 graduates by 2025.
MGM Resorts’ commitment to supplier diversity not only enhances its business operations but also plays a crucial role in uplifting communities and fostering economic development. This approach reinforces the idea that diversity is a powerful driver of innovation and resilience, benefiting both the company and the wider community.
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