More than 5,400 association professionals and industry partners attended the 2013 ASAE Annual Meeting & Exposition, August 3-6, in Atlanta. ASAE had the highest number of association executives since the 2008 ASAE Annual Meeting and Exposition in San Diego.
WASHINGTON – The final attendance breakdown of 2013 ASAE Annual Meeting & Exposition includes: 2,918 executives, 1,808 exhibitors, 705 others, including guests, spouses, press, volunteers, vendors and staff, for a grand total of 5,431.
A total of 409 companies representing 701 booths exhibited in the expo hall this year, which resulted in a strong ratio of 62 percent buyers (association staff) to 38 percent sellers (industry partners).
“We had our highest number of association executives in five years, which demonstrates the value of professional development and face-to-face meetings,” said ASAE President & CEO John H. Graham IV, CAE. “Throughout the conference, we had terrific speakers, a variety of high-quality content that members found valuable, and attendees that were raving about the entire experience.”
During the Opening General Session on August 4, Susan Cain, author of Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can’t Stop Talking, gave attendees insight on how to rethink differently about social interaction, hiring and leadership, public speaking, designing conferences, and diversity with respect to introverts.
During the Closing General Session on August 6, Dan Heath, a Senior Fellow at Duke University’s CASE Center, encouraged attendees to think differently, to test their assumptions, and to find more than one good option when trying to make a decision because it increases the chances of a successful decision. Heath walked attendees through the four-step process on how to make better choices.
ASAE raised $34,500 for Hands On Atlanta, an organization that helps strengthen the Greater Atlanta area through volunteer service and civic engagement. ASAE presented the check after the Closing General Session. ASAE raised the funds through volunteer efforts, city tours, 5K Walk/Run fees, individual donations as well as gifts from the Atlanta Convention and Visitors Bureau, GEICO, and the Industry Partner Alliance.
“Because of the collaboration between ASAE staff, volunteers, leadership, committee members, and the entire Atlanta community, it truly made this a fantastic meeting. Atlanta did an excellent job hosting our event, and our members’ noticed the effort and hospitality. Everyone returned home with key takeaways, an incredible experience, and learned what Atlanta could offer its members,” added Graham.
The three-day conference included more than 120 education sessions, exhibits, and networking opportunities. The 2014 ASAE Annual Meeting & Exposition will be in Nashville, TN on August 9-12.
ASAE thanks the following Alliance Partners for their continued support of the association community:
Strategic Partners
Business Events Canada, Detroit Metro CVB, Fort Worth CVB, Marriott International, Mexico Tourism Board, MultiView, Inc., Personify, Reno Tahoe USA
Corporate Partners
Affinity Center International, Atlanta CVB, Visit Baltimore, Boxwood, CliftonLarsonAllen, Dallas CVB, GEICO, Louisville CVB, Meet in Washington State, Omaha CVB, Visit Salt Lake, Tourism Toronto
Event Partners
BrightKey, The Broadmoor, Greater Fort Lauderdale CVB, Hong Kong Tourism Board, Johnson Lambert LLP, New Orleans CVB and New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center, Omni Hotels & Resorts, PBD Worldwide, Puerto Rico Convention Bureau, Richmond Metro CVB
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