ASAE Meetings and Events Will Be Hosted Virtually Through February 2021

November 24, 2020

Due to continued concerns for the health and safety of its members, industry partners, volunteer leaders, staff and other stakeholders during the COVID-19 pandemic, the American Society of Association Executives will continue to hold its events virtually through February 2021.

This decision means that all ASAE events including the CEO Symposium programs scheduled in January and February; an Exceptional Boards program in January and ASAE’s Great Ideas Conference, which was scheduled to take place Feb. 21-23 in Salt Lake City, will be held online. The next in-person edition of Great Ideas will take place Feb. 24-26, 2022 at the Grand America Hotel in Salt Lake City.

According to ASAE officials, the association is planning to take a hybrid approach with its larger meetings taking place later in 2021, including the 2021 Marketing, Membership, & Communications Conference, scheduled to take place June 2-3 in Washington, DC, and the 2021 ASAE Annual Meeting & Exposition, planned for Aug. 14-17 in Dallas, Texas.

“ASAE is making the decision now to convert to virtual or reschedule in-person meetings and conferences through February so that our community can plan accordingly,” explained Susan Robertson, ASAE president and CEO. “Like everyone, we remain hopeful that COVID-19 can be mitigated in the months ahead. Right now, the number of new coronavirus cases a day continues to grow and we are in a crucial stretch where time will tell whether the crisis is further exacerbated or brought under control.”

She added, “We are extremely confident about the future of face-to-face meetings down the road and are carefully planning to bring our community together in person later in 2021.” 

During the pandemic, ASAE’s learning content has been presented entirely virtual, with major meetings such as the MM&C Conference in late April and the Annual Meeting & Exposition in August generating high registration numbers and positive evaluations from participants. Meanwhile, the organization is in the thick of planning the upcoming Virtual Technology Exploration Conference (TEC), taking place Dec. 7-9. So far, registration numbers reflect three times more association professional attendees compared to typical registration numbers for the in-person event, according to ASAE officials.  

ASAE members and partners who have registered for the January or February CEO Symposiums or the January Exceptional Boards program will be contacted by ASAE staff to confirm the dates of the virtual offerings and whether they want to participate. Additionally, any hotel reservations made for any of these programs will be cancelled by ASAE and notification will be sent to registrants.

“ASAE is very fortunate to have great working relationships with our event partners and host hotels throughout the country and we thank them for their cooperative spirit and professionalism as we move certain meetings to virtual,” said Amy Ledoux, chief learning and meetings officer at ASAE. “We miss convening our members, volunteers and industry partners in an in-person setting but we can only do that when it’s absolutely safe for everyone.”

Don’t miss any event-related news: Sign up for our weekly e-newsletter HERE and engage with us on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn and Instagram!

Add new comment

Partner Voices
One of the most iconic names on the Las Vegas Strip just got an upgrade. Mandalay Bay has everything that your business needs from a refreshed convention space designed to inspire productivity and creativity, to an impressive selection of world-class restaurants and amenities. If you're looking for a venue that's both inviting and innovative, you have to be here. New Wave Experiences Mandalay Bay continues to invest in a new wave of enhancements both in the convention space and within the resort as a whole. New restaurant openings including Orla by Michael Mina, drawing inspiration from the award-winning chef’s childhood in Egypt and with flavors and décor inspired by the spices found in markets common to coastal Mediterranean towns, as well as Caramá by Wolfgang Puck, bringing the essence of Italy and spirit of Wolfgang into one concept, are recent additions. The Four Seasons Hotel Las Vegas also experienced a recent remodel of all 424 rooms. Swingers, a high-end, adults-only golf and entertainment concept will debut in Fall 2024. Enhanced Technology Creating a truly effective conference venue requires careful thought into what a business needs: the right technology, capacity, and inspiration to bring ideas to the next level. As part of the resort’s refresh, Mandalay Bay implemented state-of-the-art technology upgrades, installing cutting-edge Cat6A Ethernet cabling throughout the convention center. This advancement doubles the frequency of data transmission, enabling lightning-fast speeds up to 9400% faster. The convention center now boasts 11 dynamic digital walls, spanning up to 24' x 13', strategically positioned for brand placements, sponsorships and targeted event messaging. Additionally, attendees can benefit from 20 double-sided 55" mobile flexible display units, facilitating effortless navigation to meeting rooms and events. RFID locks were installed on all meeting room doors, and over 200 motion detection cameras have been placed throughout the space. Refreshing New Design & Fine Art The newly remodeled convention space provides a bright and vibrant atmosphere that complements Mandalay Bay's tropical-inspired brand. Featuring white-washed walls and ceilings adorned with bold floral patterns in cerulean and coral tones, the space is complemented by warm walnut accent walls. In addition to the redesign of all pre-function spaces, meeting rooms and ballrooms, Mandalay Bay's 1 million square feet of exhibit space has undergone a rejuvenation, including new paint, covered pillars and relocated strobe lights. Sustainable Spectacles Mandalay Bay is committed to Focused on What Matters and creating more responsible meetings. Refillable water stations all available around the resort, cutting unnecessary plastic usage from single-use bottles. The Mandalay Bay campus’ recent upgrades represent a bold step forward in redefining the Las Vegas experience. With a focus on innovation, sustainability, and unparalleled service, Mandalay Bay sets a new standard for excellence in business hospitality. Whether you're seeking cutting-edge conference facilities, world-class dining options, or simply a luxurious retreat, an unparalleled meeting experience awaits.