DRBF Management Returns Energized from the ASAE Annual Conference

DRBF Management Returns Energized from American Society of Association Executives (ASAE) Conference

The DRBF team, consisting of Executive Director Ann Russo, Operations Manager Kimberly Peterson, and Programs Manager Allie Hammond, recently attended the ASAE Annual Meeting & Exposition 2025 in Los Angeles, joining association professionals from around the world under the theme “Imagine the Possibilities.” The event offered a rich mix of education, networking, and inspiration—equipping our team with new ideas to strengthen our work and better serve our members.

Governance Insights
One of the standout themes for our team was governance. ASAE has launched the Association Governance Institute, which offers a series of programs specifically for CEOs and Board members. Ann Russo attended the pre-conference workshop “CEO Summit: Leading Through Turbulence.” Conference standouts included “What Association Governance Can Learn from the Corporate Sector” and “Governance Strategies for Transforming Associations: A Global Perspective” which offered practical strategies for refining board structures, aligning governance with strategic goals, and navigating leadership challenges.

Global Perspectives
With participants from across the globe, the conference provided valuable discussions on international trends in association management and events planning. Highlights included “Catalyst: Navigating an Evolving Global Landscape” and “Navigating Geopolitical Turbulence in Association Events & Global Strategy,” which explored how associations can thrive in diverse and dynamic markets. We met with suppliers and discovered new resources in many of the countries and regions where DRBF is currently growing.

Innovation and Leadership
In addition to governance and global strategy, our staff engaged with sessions on emerging technology, AI-powered marketing, and data-driven decision making. Sessions on “SPAR: Leadership that Elevates Ideas, Not Egos” and “Using AI for Education and Credentialing: Rapid Upskilling & Reskilling” provided both inspiring new perspectives and practical guidance that the team expects to further assess and implement.

Team Building

The conference was not only a valuable opportunity for our staff to connect with fellow association executives, gain fresh insights into serving our members, and strengthen our professional skills, but it also offered plenty of fun along the way.

From the high-energy opening ceremony featuring a performance by Adam Lambert, closing ceremony at the Grammy Museum, to the hands-on experience of creating our own Lego Minifigures, the event gave us a chance to bond as a team while sharing in the excitement of new ideas and innovations.