ASAE’s Technology Conference & Expo Breaks Attendance Records
January 5, 2016
When 1,292 attendees came to the 10th Technology Conference & Expo, held by the American Society of Association Executives Dec. 14-16 at the Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center at National Harbor, Md., it was the highest attended conference in the event’s history.
Participants took part in 42 high-level practical education sessions within five pathways (Disrupters; Leadership & Strategy; Learning & Technology; MarComm & Technology; and The Business of IT) and a sold-out trade show floor.
The final attendance breakdown for this year’s conference: Execs (Assn Execs, Consultants, CEO/CIO Preconference Workshop) 734, Exhibitors (Exhibiting Booth Staff,) 392, and Other (Industry Partners, Press, Speakers, Staff, and Vendors) 159.
Additionally, a total of 130 companies representing 174 booths exhibited in the expo hall this year, which resulted in a strong ratio of 57 percent buyers (association staff) to 30 percent sellers (industry partners) and 13 percent of others.
“We have seen this conference continue to grow each year as association leaders incorporate technology and digital evolution into their organizational strategies,” said ASAE President & CEO John H. Graham IV, FASAE, CAE.
He added, “We included new Pathways this year on Learning +Technology and Marketing + Communications that resonated with our members. The five Pathways allowed participants to be very selective in expanding their knowledge in different areas relating to technology,”
At a preconference event Dec. 14, a group of 60 CIOs’ participated in the CIO UnSummit: Managing Technology in a Disrupted World. They took part in “fishbowl” discussions on a variety of topics including: beacon technology, the future of the AMS, and balance between legacy/sustaining technology and innovations.
Kicking off the Technology Conference was Opening General Session speaker Rick Smolan, who is CEO of Against All Odds Production, a former photographer for TIME, LIFE, and National Geographic and creator of the epic "Day in the Life" book series.
He shared insights from his most recent research on the human face of the big data revolution - how real-time visualization of data has enabled us to sense, measure and understand aspects of our lives we never thought possible.
He encouraged attendees to embrace big data and find creative ways for their associations to use it effectively.
Closing out the conference, ASAE celebrated its 10th anniversary with music by Hey Baby, networking, and food.
The 2016 Technology Conference & Expo will take place Dec. 12-14 at the same location.
Partner Voices
Dallas already boasts 35,000 hotel rooms, award-winning global cuisine, and a walkable downtown. But we are just getting started.
Visit Dallas is thrilled to announce that the city of Dallas is doubling down with a massive new convention center and entertainment district. Featuring 800,000 square feet of exhibit area, 260,000 square feet of meeting rooms, and 170,000 square feet of ballroom. The center will connect business travelers with dining and shopping options in the popular Cedars District means more places to get down to business, and even more ways to unwind.
“Dallas is already a great meetings and conventions destination, with the accessibility of two major airports, affordable labor, and an outstanding hotel product,” said D. Bradley Kent, Visit Dallas senior vice president and chief sales officer. “The new center and Convention Center District will enhance Dallas’ competitive position and are exactly what our customers’ need and have been asking for."
What’s New – AT&T Discovery District
Located in the heart of Downtown Dallas, this new district on the AT&T corporate campus is tailor-made for groups of all sizes. It boasts a multi-sensory experience, including outdoor event space, the AT&T Theater, and multiple dining outlets including JAXON Beer Garden and The Exchange, a bustling food hall.
Hotels Coming Soon
Names like the JW Marriott (Downtown), lnterContinental Dallas (Uptown), and Hotel Swexan (Uptown) are adding luxury amenities and bountiful event spaces. The projects will debut in 2023 and beyond.
JW Marriott
This new, 15-story, 283-room hotel will open in the heart of the city’s downtown Arts District this year. The property features a 25,000-square-foot grand ballroom, as well as a spa, restaurant, lobby bar, fitness center, and a rooftop pool deck and bar.
InterContinental Dallas
Located in Cityplace Tower in Uptown, InterContinental Dallas will feature sweeping panoramic views of the Dallas skyline. Guests will enjoy spacious, high-end rooms and amenities, including more than 21,000 square feet of event space.
Hotel Swexan
Hotel Swexan, a new, 22-story luxury property, is rising in Uptown’s Harwood District and will make its mark on the Dallas skyline. Opening this year, it is a sculptural building with cantilevered upper floors, as well as a 75-foot rooftop infinity-edge swimming pool and a hidden underground lounge.
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