Kevin,
Wish I was down there. From what I’m reading, and from the content not yet presented, seems to me that much of the program is in itself a “wake-up call” of sorts.

I went through most of my career not wanting to get involved with association shows because they were too rigid and I could get more feedback from bricks. But, I think you’re seeing a change on the fringes.

But it’s not because of for-profit shows. It’s because of relevance.

Show profitability is the last thing ASAE members should be worried about, even if it does involve short term loss of revenue.

The traditional association model is broken in many places in many organizations. But for those who want to recommit to members and facilitate community, simply by being more responsive and remembering why they exist in the first place, associations will re-emerge as the natural, relevant places for meetings and education.

Both for-profit and traditional association conferences/shows share one trait - both are generally run via top-down management. Which eliminates a lot of possibilities and potential.

I don’t think it’s an either/or when discussing for-profit shows vs. association shows. I think it should be more like “pro-sociation” - how do you get the benefits of both. That’s what I think we’re seeing with some of the newer events where constituents are part of the planning and actively involved in marketing.

Seems like ASAE’s program has content that promotes this direction. But the question is the same as if it were for for-profits: will anyone be listening?