Educate Association Executives for the Next Era in Association Management

Submission Deadline: Friday, Oct 2

FSAE recently conducted a survey of FSAE Executive Members regarding in-person meetings. We gathered data on when organizations will hold meetings, if they are including a virtual component, what their challenges are, and what they need in order to plan successful meetings.

This survey provides insightful data on the meetings atmosphere for the association industry, so we are sharing the results. Hopefully this helps you as you move forward with your future in-person meetings.

View Survey Results

The FSAE Foundation 2020 Auction was held online only on July 21 - 31. Proceeds from the Auction go directly towards funding professional development grants for FSAE members and providing funds to enhance education offered at the FSAE Annual Conference and other events. Thank you to all our Donors and Participants for making this a success!

Auction Highlights:

• TOTAL Money Raised: $26,555
• Donations Received: 165
• Click here to see Auction Donors and Patrons
• Total Bids Placed: 689
• Top Donation Solicitors: Christy Gandy, Stephanie Thomas, Kathy Masterson, Tondra Matthews, Ann Marie Vibbert
• Top 6 Items: (Received the most bids)
  • 3 Day/ 2 Night Stay at the Hammock Beach Golf Resort and Spa
  • 3 Day/ 2 Night Stay at Hilton Sandestin Beach Golf Resort and Spa
  • $500 Home Depot Gift Card
  • $500 Target Gift Card
  • 3 Day/ 2 Night Stay at The Iconic Don CeSar, St. Pete Beach
  • 3 Day/ 2 Night stay at Guy Harvey Resort, St. Augustine
  • Weeklong Mountain Getaway to Sapphire, North Carolina
• Top 6 Highest Yielding Items: (brought in the actual value or higher)
• • Toffee from Toffee To Go
  • 2 Tickets to Wild Florida Airboat Tour
  • Bob the Key Fob from Rethreaded
  • $100 Best Buy Gift Card
  • Time for Tea Gift Basket
  • $100 American Express Gift Card
  • We hope you win a LOTTO - Starfish Management Solutions

Thank You To All Our Auction Donors and Participants!

FSAE is partnering with the Michigan Society (MSAE) to offer virtual prep sessions for the Certified Association Executive (CAE) and Certified Meeting Professional (CMP) exams. 

CAE Prep Course

 15 Hours - Learn more about CAE Certification

With so much uncertainty surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic and Florida’s reopening, the FSAE Board of Directors has voted to move the Annual Conference to a fully virtual event.

This was a difficult decision for everyone, with the health and safety of our attendees, FSAE staff and hotel employees paramount in the Board’s decision.

Last week we sent out a survey to our executive and associate members to gauge where members are in regards to your own conferences as well as your comfort level on attending any conferences or meetings, including the FSAE Annual Conference this July. We had 350 participate and we want to thank everyone who gave us feedback!

What we learned from the survey is that members are pretty comfortable (29%), not sure (20%) or nervous about the idea (29%) of attending FSAE20. The biggest concerns are the safety measures that will be in place onsite as well as what happens as the state begins to re-open. Safety is our biggest concern too. We are working closely with the Hilton Orlando Bonnet Creek staff to ensure social distancing and minimal contact policies are in place, so provided the state is in Phase 3 of re-opening, we will have Annual Conference this July. Register Now

For several years, the FSAE Young & Emerging Professionals Committee has hosted a food drive to support local food banks around the state at our May events. Just because our events are now virtual, they didn't want to cancel the drives - especially now that food banks are used more than ever to support families affected by the economy and schools not meeting in-person. Please join us for the FSAE YEP Virtual Event - Virtual Food Drive to donate to your local food bank.

VIRTUAL EVENT - VIRTUAL FOOD DRIVE
Hosted by the FSAE Young & Emerging Professionals Committee

Nominate your peers to be recognized for their service and commitment to FSAE and the association industry.

Deadline: May 8

A message from Frank Rudd:

I hope this email finds you healthy and well during the COVID-19 crisis. This is truly an unprecedented time and our thoughts are with all of our members. We know you are all struggling to find some normalcy in the chaos and that our Associate friends are all struggling to keep the doors open. We have never needed each other more - and I know our association community and FSAE family will emerge stronger from this turmoil.

A Message on the Coronavirus from FSAE President/CEO Frank Rudd:

FSAE, like everyone else, is closely watching the Coronavirus (COVID-19) and its effects in Florida and the nation. We understand the concerns for the health and safety of yourself, your staff and your members, as well as the financial impact we all hope to avoid. We know that our Associate Members are feeling the pain of travel cancellations during this busy spring-break season, and our Executives are concerned about meetings planned around the state in the next several months.

The CDC has released guidelines for large meetings or community gatherings. They aren't advising against travel or meetings, but do recommend planners are prepared before, during and after an event.

Planning tips, resources and updated information can be found on the link below:

cdc guidelines

FSAE 2020 Women's Summit Registration is Open!

Join us for the second annual FSAE Women’s Summit - EMPOWERED 2020 on May 8 at the FSU Alumni Center! The Summit features inspiring speakers, informative panels, networking and strengthening women leaders in association management. After all, the Best Way to Direct Your Future is to CREATE It!

FSAE Foundation Grants Extend Your Budget for Professional Development!

Get the professional development skills and hours you need - with a little help from your friends at FSAE. This year we're pleased to announce over $18,900 - up to 35 grants are available! Learn More

FSAE is partnering with North FL MPI to offer a virtual study group for CMP Certification at the member rate. The study group meets weekly beginning February 26 - May 6 in preparation for the May or August 2020 exams. MPI is offering FSAE members a conference call option to participate. Click here to learn more.

To register, click here and register as a non-member. Use the discount code FSAE at checkout to receive the member rate.

We have exciting events planned for 2020 - including the Women's Conference, Annual Conference and luncheons around the state. Our 2020 FSAE at a Glance calendar is here to help you plan and make the most of your membership!

Our online calendar will have details as events get closer next year.

In 2019, FSAE reached 1,200+ members - with over 630 Association Executives - and we're continuing to grow. In addition, we've offered 45 in-person events and 28 webinars totaling 90 CAE credit hours and 29 CMP hours.

We have even more planned for 2020! Don't miss out on your opportunities for professional development, peer-to-peer networking and support for reaching your career goals.

The first-ever FSAE Women's Summit was an overwhelming success!

We had 82 participants and practically 100% attendance!
Click here for the 2019 Program

A few key take-aways from attendees:

The end of the year is fast approaching. So is the deadline for CAE renewals and using professional development funds.

FSAE has several convenient, affordable opportunities for on-demand professional development and CAE credits:

The 2019 FSAE Annual Conference service project with Rethreaded is featured in Naylor's Association Adviser:

FSAE Re-Imagines Charitable Support through a Rethreaded Pop-Up Shop at its Annual Conference

A history of giving back at annual conference

The Florida Society of Association Executives (FSAE) began incorporating a social responsibility component into its annual conference back in 2010. That year, conference attendees helped sort and box food for a food bank. Over the years, attendees have donated to multiple Florida-based food banks, Friends of the Palm Beach County Library System, All Children’s Hospital in St. Petersburg, and Sneakers for September, a nonprofit that provides new sneakers for children in Orange and Osceola counties. In 2016, FSAE’s giving was personal: Conference attendees were asked to donate to the UF (University of Florida) Health Cancer Center in memory of FSAE members who had recently lost battles with cancer.

Read article

2019 Grant Applications Now Open!

FSAE Foundation Grants Extend Your Budget for Professional Development!
Get the professional development skills and hours you need - with a little help from your friends at FSAE. This year we're pleased to announce over $17,600 - potentially as many as 31 grants are available! New this year: A Year of FSAE to attend Education Expo, Power Luncheons, Think Tank and take the Qualified Association Specialist online program. Learn More

Grants include funding to attend Annual Conference, earn CAE/CMP certifications, and special grants for communication staffers, Young Professionals, Small Staff, Under-Represented Diverse Groups and one specifically for a non-member (tell your friends!).