ASAE Sets New Registration Record with Virtual Annual Meeting & Exposition

August 14, 2020

The results are in: Registration reached an all-time high for the 2020 ASAE Virtual Annual Meeting & Exposition, with the most registrants ever in the organization’s 100-year history. Held Aug. 10-12, the online event registered 14,108 association professionals, consultants and industry partners, 71 percent of which were first-time attendees. The event’s final attendance breakdown included 12,813 executives; 544 exhibitors; 207 industry partners; 433 consultants and 111 others including press, vendors and staff. The ratio of buyer to sellers was 95 percent to 5 percent, respectively.

The fact that ASAE decided to offer the event free or at a discounted rate allowed more than 10,000 event industry individuals – who had previously not been able to attend due to travel or budget restrictions – the opportunity to participate for the first time, according to ASAE officials.

“I am proud to lead an organization which, even during unpredictable times of change and uncertainty, can provide a much-needed space for the association community to come together, share ideas, and have critical conversations that will guide associations to future success,” said Susan Robertson, president and CEO of ASAE.

Participants had access to a wide range of digital content, including three keynote presentations; 92 education sessions; five Game Changer sessions; and 57 virtual exhibit booths representing technology, business, hospitality and meeting services. 

In addition, attendees could take advantage of the on-demand session recordings, which allowed them to view sessions in overlapping time slots or re-watch those they found particularly interesting.

On the first day of the event, Leon Logothetis, a global adventurer, motivational speaker, philanthropist, and author/creator of the book and Netflix show “The Kindness Diaries,” set the tone with an opening keynote presentation about using kindness to find the good in others. He used anecdotes from his adventures traveling the world on a motorcycle to encourage attendees to bring kindness to the forefront of their lives. Not only does this help with personal achievement, he said, but it also creates a ripple effect of kindness that touches all areas of an organization and beyond.

Shiza Shahid, co-founder of Our Place, founder of NowVentures, and co-founder and founding CEO of the Malala Fund, began the second day of the virtual meeting. She talked about how growing up as a woman in Pakistan laid the foundation for how she approaches her role as a leader in uncertain times. Shahid called attendees and the organizations they represent the “guardians of civilization” and stressed that to have the greatest impact on society, teams must choose to be guided by hope, rather than fear. 

On the last day, Duncan Wardle, former head of innovation for Disney, shared an interesting array of insights on how to innovate during times of crisis. In addition to highlighting the importance of diversity in organizations, he shared a list of out-of-the-box tools to help encourage creativity and innovation among teams.

The 2021 ASAE Annual Meeting & Exposition will take place Aug. 14-17 at Kay Bailey Hutchinson Convention Center in Dallas.

 

Don’t miss any event-related news: Sign up for our weekly e-newsletter HERE and engage with us on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn and Instagram!

Add new comment

Partner Voices
Overview: The award-winning Orange County Convention Center (OCCC) goes the extra mile to make every day extraordinary by offering customer service excellence and industry-leading partnerships. From their dedicated in-house Rigging team to their robust Exhibitor Services, The Center of Hospitality brings your imagination to life by helping you host unforgettable meetings and events. With more than 2 million square feet of exhibit space, world-class services and a dream destination, we are committed to making even the most ambitious conventions a reality. In October 2023, the Orange County Board of County Commissioners voted to approve allocating Tourist Development Tax funding for the $560 million Phase 5A completion of the OCCC. The Convention Way Grand Concourse project will include enhancements to the North-South Building, featuring an additional 60,000 square feet of meeting space, an 80,000- square-foot ballroom and new entry to the North-South Building along Convention Way. “We are thrilled to begin work on completing our North-South Building which will allow us to meet the growing needs of our clients,” said OCCC Executive Director Mark Tester. “As an economic driver for the community, this project will provide the Center with connectivity and meeting space to host more events and continue to infuse the local economy with new money and expanding business opportunities.” Amenities: The Center of Hospitality goes above and beyond by offering world-class customer service and industry-leading partnerships. From the largest convention center Wi-Fi network to custom LAN/WAN design, the Center takes pride in enhancing exhibitor and customer experience.  The OCCC is the exclusive provider of electricity (24-hour power at no additional cost), aerial rigging and lighting, water, natural gas and propane, compressed air, and cable TV services. Convenience The Center is at the epicenter of the destination, with an abundance of hotels, restaurants, and attractions within walking distance. Pedestrian bridges connect both buildings to more than 5,200 rooms and is within a 15-minute drive from the Orlando International Airport. The convenience of the location goes hand-in-hand with top notch service to help meet an event’s every need. Gold Key Members The OCCC’s Gold Key Members represent the best of the best when it comes to exceptional service and exclusive benefits for clients, exhibitors and guests. The Center’s Gold Key memberships with Universal Orlando Resort, SeaWorld Orlando and Walt Disney World greatly enhance meeting planner and attendee experiences offering world-renowned venues, immersive experiences and creative resources for their events. OCCC Events: This fiscal year, the OCCC is projected to host 168 events, 1.7 million attendees, and $2.9 billion in economic impact.  The Center’s top five events during their 2022-2023 fiscal year included:  AAU Jr. National Volleyball Championships 2023 200,000 Attendees $257 Million in Economic Impact MEGACON 2023 160,000 Attendees $205 Million in Economic Impact Open Championship Series 2023 69,500 Attendees $89 Million in Economic Impact Sunshine Classic 2023 42,000 Attendees $54 Million in Economic Impact Premiere Orlando 2023 42,000 Attendees $108 Million in Economic Impact