Time

Event

11:00 am – 12:30 pm           

Hotel Check In, Registration & Lunch sponsored by Crowne Plaza                                                       

12:30 pm – 1:00 pm

Welcome & What to Expect

1:00 pm - 2:00 pm

Ready, Set, Connect!

Facilitator: Karyn Nishimura Sneath, FASAE, Synergos AMC

Overview: Some people enter a room for networking and jump in, eager to meet dozens of new friends and colleagues.  Others walk in gingerly, hoping they don't look as awkward as they feel.  Others hate networking events and activities so much, they don't even come in the door.  Be prepared to ease into this session with a little bit of information and and then move to create a lot of connections through structured (and NOT embarrassing) activities.  We will not hold hands, nor sing songs.  We will not trust fall into the arms of strangers. We WILL move, interact, and prepare for a conference full of new colleagues.

2:00 pm - 3:00 pm                                               

The Joys & Pressure of Being an Account Executive/CEO

Facilitator: Leslie Murphy, FASAE, CAE & Kim Paugh, CAE, Raybourn Group International

Overview: This session dives into the wild rollercoaster ride of being an Account Executive or CEO at an association management company—where the highs are exhilarating, the lows can make you question your life choices, and every board meeting is a new adventure. Join us as we laugh, commiserate, and share survival tips for thriving in a role where you’re expected to be both a superhero and a miracle worker—sometimes before your second cup of coffee!

Key Takeaways:

1. Explore the unique challenges today’s Account Executives/CEOs face.
2. Discuss how to balance “expectation gymnastics” to keep clients happy and help associations move forward.
3. Learn how to build resilience for yourself and your organization, so you can keep your energy up, stay adaptable, and show up strong as a leader.

3:00 pm - 3:30 pm

Networking Break

3:30 pm - 4:30 pm

Purposefully You: Aligning Strengths, Values & Impact                                                                                                                                                                               

Facilitator: Amanda Areces, CEO, HRD 

Overview:Leaders often wear many hats—leading teams, supporting families, managing careers—all while striving to stay true to ourselves. In the midst of it all, it’s easy to lose sight of what fuels us at our core. This keynote experience is designed to help leaders reconnect with their values, rediscover their “why,” and align their unique strengths with the impact they want to make. Through honest reflection, inspiring stories, and empowering insights, this session invites participants to lead with greater intention, confidence, and authenticity—no matterwhere they are in their journey. Whether you’re leading a team, a household, or your own growth, this keynote reminds you that knowing who you are is the foundation for showing up with purpose—and leaving a meaningful mark on the world around you.

4:30 pm - 5:30 pm

Mastering Influence - Inspiring Others to Action

Facilitator: CJ McClanahan, Speaker, Author, and Advisor

Overview: Many of the challenges we have in life - both personally and professionally - are heavily impacted by our ability to clearly get out message across to others. In theory, it seems very straightforward and simple. Unfortunately, it can often lead to disaster. When miscommunication happens, we spend most of our energy blaming others and very little time wondering - "How could I have done better?" In this straightforward talk, CJ helps us understand that the response you get from others tells you everything you need to know about how well you've communicated. Specifically, he'll tackle these questions: 1) What is the foundation upon which all healthy communication is built? 2) What are the 3 simple rules for effective communication? 3) How should we adjust our approach with different types of personalities? 4) What are the best practices for phone, face to face and email?

CJ is an executive coach and author who, after founding his own firm in 2003 and spending over 10,000 hours with professionals, now helps overachievers find joy and fulfillment through his book The Overachiever's Dilemma.

5:30 pm - 7:00 pm

Welcome Reception hosted by the InterContinental Hotel - Indianapolis

Time

Event

8:00 am - 9:00 am          

Networking Breakfast & Hotel Tours                                                                 

9:00 am - 10:00 am

Comparing Apples & Oranges: Gaining Perspectives from other Portfolio Based Companies.

Facilitator: Jodi Fisher, CAE, Impact Association Management

Panelists: Denver Abernathy, Promethius Consulting & Dave Stevens,  Stevens & Stevens LLC

Overview: This panel session will bring insights and perspectives from other types of companies that work in a portfolio based environment.  How do they handle scope creep and conversations with clients?  How do they handle production management and work flow management?  Leaders from three non-AMC based firms will provide their perspectives that attendees will be able to benchmark from.

10:00 am - 10:45 am                                                          

Concurrent Session: Budget Blueprint: Strategies for Success

Facilitator: Julie Nemmer, Association Management Center

Overview:  We will discuss how to successfully create a budget and navigate the presentation of that budget (and the included fee from your AMC) to your client’s leadership.  Learn how the client fees feed into the overall AMC’s budget and other considerations as it relates to the AMCs budget.  

10:00 am - 10:45 am                                    

Concurrent Session: Accelerating AI Thinking & Readiness at AMCs

Facilitator: Rich Vallaster, Personify

Overview: This session explores how Artificial Intelligence (AI) can revolutionize every aspect of association management companies (AMCs), from daily operations to strategic decision-making. Designed as a welcoming, jargon-free space for all experience levels, it offers practical insights into AI readiness and showcases how AMCs can use AI to boost efficiency, uncover deeper insights, and make smarter decisions that impress clients and outpace competitors. Attendees can expect actionable tips, live demos, and engaging moments that highlight how every role within an AMC can benefit from embracing AI.

10:45 am - 11:00 am   

Stretch Break

11:00 am -12:00 pm

AI-Enabled Adversaries: How Threat Actors Are (Mis)using AI

Facilitator: Victor Wieczorek, GuidePoint Security

Overview: An orientation on how adversaries are misusing AI technologies to advance their cyber-attacks with a focus on social engineering, voice cloning, and deepfake technologies. Goals are education, awareness, and the session ends showing how one can create a voice clone of themselves in under 20 min and less than $20. 

Key Takeaways: 
An orientation on how adversaries are misusing AI technologies to advance their cyber-attacks with a focus on social engineering, voice cloning, and deepfake technologies. Goals are education, awareness, and the session ends showing how one can create a voice clone of themselves in under 20 min and less than $20.

12:00 pm - 1:00 pm 

Lunch Break

1:00 pm - 2:00 pm

Concurrent Session: Mentorship & Coaching as Essential Business Skills

Facilitator: Karyn Nishimura Sneath, FASAE, Synergos AMC

Overview: Coaching and mentoring are core to continued personal and professional growth.  But, it's hard to ask someone, "Will you be my mentor?"  Everyone in this room can be a coach and can benefit from one as well. This session will explore five different types of coaches one needs for professional development. You'll leave with a good start toward your own goals.  This session will be highly interactive, be prepared to share and discuss these concepts with others. 

 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm

Concurrent Session: Tips & Strategies for Managing Multiple Clients 

Facilitator: Robert Riggs & Patrick McGovern, Synergos AMC

Overview: This session is designed to strengthen your capacity to manage your workload in a multi-client environment. Participants will gain practical strategies to structure their workday, week, month, quarter, and year based on varying scopes of services.

The workshop will also provide a case study of Asana (a project management platform) can be used to manage both the client services and the work of your client teams.

Key Takeaways: 
1. Learn how to maximize time and energy using the GTD principles/10x Thinking
2. Learn how a project management software can accelerate the work in the multi-client environment.
3. Identify and track key metrics to visualize your team’s Capacity and Workloads

2:00 pm - 3:00 pm 

Leading the Leaders: The Mindset Shift to Become an Executive Director

Facilitator: Linda Caradine-Poinsett, PhD, MJ, MBA, AMC

Overview: Learn what it takes to make the leap from manager or director to Executive Director. This session helps mid-level professionals understand the strategic, emotional, and cultural mindset needed to lead associations at the executive level.

Key Takeaways: 
You’ve mastered your role as a manager, director, or operations specialist – now it’s time to explore what it takes to move into the driver’s seat. Becoming an Executive Director isn’t just about gaining more responsibility, it’s about adopting a new way of thinking. This session helps mid-level professionals understand the strategic, emotional, and cultural mindset needed to lead at the top. Participants will explore the traits of successful EDs, what association boards and AMC leadership expect, and how to shift from doing the work to driving the vision. Discover how AMCs cultivate executive talent, what leaders are looking for in the next generation, and what personal traits will help you lead with influence and impact. Ready to shift gears? This session will help you map the road ahead, assess their readiness and identify the next steps on their leadership journey.