Where Conversations Become Connections: Living the ASAE Experience in 2025

Landing in Los Angeles for ASAE’s Annual Meeting 2025 felt like coming home — even after 12 years of traveling from Australia to be here, this community still sparks that unmistakable buzz of connection and possibility.

One phrase kept echoing in my mind throughout the event: “Two things can be true at once.” It beautifully captures the reality of this world — where people bring diverse, sometimes divergent opinions and ideas, yet remain united by a single purpose.

Between catching up with old friends and diving into conversations brimming with fresh insights, it was clear that knowledge sharing within the ASAE community is never one-way — it’s a vibrant exchange, a heartfelt “Thank you,” met with an enthusiastic “You’re welcome.” This spirit of reciprocity is what fuels what we’re calling Connected Intelligence — and why gatherings like this aren’t just meetings, but the lifeblood of our community’s collective brilliance.

At its core, Connected Intelligence is about more than just sharing information — it’s how we, as humans, interact with knowledge and with each other to create something greater than the sum of its parts. At the ASAE Annual Meeting, every conversation, every question asked, and every insight shared builds a web of collective understanding that extends far beyond the event itself. It's this dynamic exchange that powers associations forward, unlocking exponential value for our communities.

Think of it like this: knowledge isn’t just stored or passed along — it evolves through connection. When association leaders bring their unique experiences and perspectives to the table, new ideas emerge that none of us could have dreamed up alone. This is the magic of Connected Intelligence — and why attending events like ASAE’s Annual Meeting isn’t just a calendar item, but an investment in the ongoing story of our industry.

For me personally, the ASAE Annual Meeting isn’t just a professional obligation — it’s a homecoming. Since 2008, when I first made the trek from Australia, this community has been both my professional anchor and emotional sanctuary. Here, amidst the laughter, discussions, and shared challenges, I find my people – a collective dedicated to advancing our field together. That deep sense of belonging is what transforms data and knowledge into something truly powerful: a connected intelligence that grows with every interaction.

Looking ahead, this theme couldn’t be more timely. As generative AI reshapes how we access and share information, associations face an exciting challenge: How do we build and nurture this connected intelligence in an era driven by rapid technological change?

At annual meeting we released our first book, The Association Knowledge Cycle: How Associations are Building Connected Intelligence in the Era of Generative AI. The book delves into this very question. It offers practical insights and strategies to help association leaders harness the best of technology without losing the human connection that makes our community thrive.

If ASAE’s Annual Meeting reminded me of anything, it’s that the power of association knowledge lies not just in facts, but in fellowship — the heartwarming exchange of “Thank you” and “You’re welcome” that keeps our collective intelligence alive. I invite you to join that conversation by ordering a copy of our book and continuing to build the knowledge cycle that powers your association’s future.