Virtual Only Event

The AI Advantage: Driving Efficiency, Innovation, and Growth | Symposium

Date: Thursday, June 4th 2026

Time: 10:00 – 3:30 PM

This Symposium is a great opportunity to connect with thought leaders and subject-matter experts who will guide us through the personal and professional development landscape. Whether you are a seasoned professional, an emerging leader, or simply someone eager to enhance your understanding of these vital topics, this event is designed for you.  

Agenda: Each session is 1 CPE/CAE Credit

Session 1: (10:00-11:00 PM ET) Agents, Apps & Automations: The AAA Upgrade That Elevates Your Entire Association

Course Description: 

Associations are being asked to deliver more value with the same or fewer resources. This session explores how AI agents, custom apps, and automations can streamline operations, strengthen member services, and expand organizational capacity. A key focus is how existing staff can create internal tools on their own or with limited assistance, even without technical experience. Their most powerful asset is their knowledge of their members and communities, which positions them to design solutions that are relevant, practical, and immediately beneficial.

Key topics include identifying tasks that benefit most from automation, selecting accessible tools that nontechnical staff can use, and building AI-powered agents that support communication, data management, and service delivery. The session also highlights how associations can create external-facing tools and resources that generate non-dues revenue and enhance value for broader audiences. Attendees will leave with practical strategies that elevate performance, empower staff to innovate, and open new opportunities for revenue and impact.

Learning Objectives:

-Understand how agents, apps, and automations can improve efficiency and enhance member services within an association.
-Learn how nontechnical staff can design and build internal tools on their own or with limited assistance by leveraging their knowledge of members and communities.
-Identify practical opportunities to automate routine tasks and implement AI-powered support for communication, data management, and service delivery.
-Explore strategies for creating external-facing tools that generate non-dues revenue and expand the association’s impact.
-Apply actionable steps for integrating accessible technologies that strengthen organizational performance and empower staff to innovate.

Speaker: Evan Hawkins, Association Executive, W Strategies LLC

CAE: Operations

NASBA: Information Technology

Session 2: (11:15-12:15 PM ET) Create an AI Roadmap! Let Us Show You How

Course Description:

Having a strong foundation increases the likelihood that your AI implementation(s) will succeed. Before adopting AI tools, there are benefits to defining a roadmap that begins with an assessment of opportunities across your association. Gathering input from key stakeholders across departments builds a shared understanding of where AI can reduce costs, improve the member experience, reduce effort in time-consuming activities, and enhance data analytics. Once your association has identified the best areas to incorporate AI, a structured roadmap can be developed that includes tool analysis and selection, data readiness, measurable milestones, phased implementation, expected outcomes, and staff training. With thoughtful preparation and a clear, collaborative plan in place, associations can move forward with AI adoption that is sustainable, scalable, and aligned with their mission.

Learning Objectives:

-Develop strategies to define an actionable AI roadmap.
-Identify common issues encountered in implementing AI.
-Apply best practices in continuing AI roadmap governance.

Speaker: Dr. Lisa Rau, CEO and Co-Founder, Fionta

CAE: Organizational Strategy

NASBA: Information Technology

Session 3: (12:45-1:45 PM ET) From Disruption to Innovation: The Essential AI Toolkit for Association Leaders

Course Description: 

Are you ready to embrace the transformative power of AI but overwhelmed by endless options? Do you want to cut through the noise and discover the tools making waves today? Are you searching for innovative AI solutions to help your association stand out and thrive in a competitive landscape?

Learning Objectives:

-Identify top AI tools for associations that are reshaping productivity, innovation, and engagement.
-Analyze demonstrations of AI tools driving personalized member interactions, creating visuals and videos, and streamlining operations.
-Apply practical integration strategies to incorporate AI tools into existing workflows to maximize their impact.
-Develop actionable strategies to deliver immediate value and lead your association into the AI-driven future.

Speaker: Sherry Budziak, CEO, .orgSource

CAE: Operations

NASBA: Information Technology

Session 4: (2:00-3:00 PM ET) AI and the Future of Digital Experiences

Course Description:

AI is changing everything.

It’s changing how your members find information, how they make decisions, and what they expect from every digital interaction.

It’s also making possible the kinds of digital projects and experiences we’ve only been able to dream about for years: highly personalized journeys, more intuitive interfaces, and content that shifts based on behavior, context, and need in the moment. What used to feel aspirational is now within reach!
In this session, look at how the rise of AI can and should change your digital strategy:
How does AI change your website? What’s possible today because of AI?
How does AI change your data and membership database strategy?
How can you take advantage of new capabilities to deliver member services in ways you simply couldn’t before?
What should your digital experience look like when AI is part of every interaction?
How do you stay visible when members are asking AI instead of navigating to your site?
Can AI help you better understand your data and analytics?
Adopting AI isn’t just about plugging in new tools, it’s about adapting your strategy to what’s possible now. Join us as we explore how AI can help transform your entire member experience.

Learning Objectives:

-Understand how AI is changing member behavior, expectations, and digital discovery
-Explore new ways to deliver value using AI, including personalization, dynamic content, and real-time experiences
-Define practical next steps to evolve your digital strategy for an AI-driven experience

Speaker: Joanna Pineda, CEO & Chief Troublemaker, Matrix Group International

CAE: Operations

NASBA: Information Technology