Washington, DC – The ASAE Foundation will conduct a study on the future role of trade shows in the operation of U.S. associations.
The study is one of a handful of research topics that will be undertaken in the 2012 fiscal year and was given the green light by the Foundation board of directors in advance of the April 28 ASAE’s Springtime Expo in Washington, DC.
Other research topics approved by the board include new membership and governance models, as well as integrated approaches to education.
Also approved by the board was a series of improvements that will be implemented at ASAE’s Annual Meeting & Exposition in August. Based on feedback from post-event evaluations and during the foundation’s Volunteer Leadership Retreat, the board has made improvements in general sessions; added three “game changers” sessions; will feature a new Awards & Recognition Breakfast; and will build a new first-time attendee experience team to assist first-time attendees to effectively navigate the event.
As for this month’s Springtime Expo, ASAE will feature an educational program that focuses on the planning of annual meetings and events. The sessions include a panel discussion on convention insurance, creating parallel virtual events and the legal pitfalls of negotiating hotel and convention center contracts.
Springtime Expo also includes an exhibition whose exhibitors include service vendors, hotel chains and convention and visitor bureaus from across the U.S and Canada.
Reach Amy Ledoux, senior vice president, meetings and expositions, at (202) 626-2765 or aledoux@asaecenter.org