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.

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