The Top 10 Moments from ASAE’s Annual Meeting in Detroit

ASAE’s 2015 Annual Meeting and Expo in Detroit was quite a whirlwind experience! Although the conference took place over four days, August 8-11, I felt like it flew by and only just now is everything sinking in. So, I figured I’d keep this short and share my top 10 moments from this year’s event, along with photos you can view at your leisure.

• Visiting the D for the first time, I had to be tourist for a day, so a few of my ACGI colleagues joined me exploring the city, snapping photos of the famous statues and grabbing lunch at the Grand Trunk Pub (delicious food and Faygo crème soda).

• Participating in Saturday’s community connection with Alternative’s for Girls was a great opportunity for us to give back and support a great cause. Our group of volunteers helped with organizing closet and library items and creating bookmarks for the girls staying at the facility. If you’d like to support AFG, check out the options to give back. If you’re from Maryland and would like to get involved with a similar nonprofit locally, I have a few connections in the Baltimore area, so feel free to email me for details.

• Opening night reception at the Henry Ford Museum. There was so much to see, from trains, planes and automobiles to historical exhibits of our presidents, women’s suffrage movement, the Rosa Parks bus, and so much more. Pair that with the Motown music and mingling with fellow attendees, there just wasn’t enough time to take it all in and fully appreciate it! Guess I’ll have to go back. Great venue choice ASAE!

• The Opening General Session had my attention, with a nice “I’m Going” video featuring some familiar faces from associations. I appreciated the consistency of the “I’m Going” theme throughout all of ASAE’s e-marketing, web presence, mobile app and onsite décor. The Selected of God Choir from Chrysler’s 2011 Super Bowl commercial also was a nice treat to energize the place for day 1.

• The Association Solutions Marketplace was packed this year, so our team was busy at the booth, discussing our AMS solutions with those who stopped by, providing demos and promoting our prize giveaways. This was also a great time to just meet dedicated and inspired association professionals and hear about some of their pain points so we can better serve them.

• The Fillmore Detroit was a great venue choice for Multiview’s party on Sunday. The amazing architecture, tributes to musicians/bands, pinball and arcade games, music and dancing made this night a hit for sure. Thanks Multiview!

• Seeing the smiles on the faces of our lucky booth giveaway winners! Tom at theNational Association of State Boating Law Administrators won our Apple Watch Sport giveaway, and Phill at The Church Network won our Detroit Vinyl Art. Congrats go out again.

• Dining at the Detroit Marriott’s Volt Lounge. I think our team ate here every day of our stay. Not only was it convenient since we were lodging there, but the food and drinks were great, staff were attentive and friendly and evening entertainment created a relaxing escape from the business of the conference.

• The Fox Theatre, venue for The Classic, was absolutely breathtaking! I couldn’t stop snapping photos of the intricate architecture. Great choice, and great entertainment provided by Motown man, Lionel Ritchie.

• Working with a great team of colleagues this year to put together our 20×20 booth, it was nice to put in our 100% and then enjoy some fun in the evenings.

So what were your favorite moments? Any sessions or presenters you were amazed by? Feel free to share with us in the comments, or on Twitter!

The next trade show we’ll be exhibiting at will be the ICE Exchange 2015 in Portland, October 27-30. Be sure to visit us there, especially if you’re looking for a certification management solution.