We invite you to join your fellow association colleagues for a lively and meaningful discussion at our next CEO Special Interest Group. We undoubtedly will cover a lot of territory relative to what keeps us up at night and best practices for navigating the road ahead. Bring your questions and best practices for this interesting discussion with your peers!
NOTE: This event is for CEOs and Executive Directors only. Each attendee will pay for their own dinner.
Dinner Menu: Click Here to View Menu
CAE Credit: One Hour Domain 1-A: Strategic Management
11:30 - 1:00 PM
Technology in associations is no longer just a support function. It affects revenue, member engagement, staff productivity, risk, and board oversight. The pace of change has accelerated, and many organizations are struggling to keep up.
This session looks at what has actually changed — and what it means for leadership. We will examine how associations have moved from relying on a single core system to managing multiple connected platforms. We will discuss the practical impact of outsourced and part-time technology leadership, the growing responsibility around data and the long-term consequences of postponing system upgrades.
Most importantly, we will focus on staff and executive responsibility. What questions should CEOs and boards be asking? How should technology decisions be evaluated and funded? Where are organizations most exposed — operationally and financially?
Participants will leave with a straightforward way to assess their current technology position, identify areas of risk, and make more disciplined, strategic decisions instead of reacting to the next urgent issue.
By the end of this session, participants will be able to:
1. Identify the recent major structural shifts in association technology and explain how those changes affect members, governance and operations.
2. Assess their organization’s current technology position, including ecosystem complexity, data integrity, outsourcing dependence, and accumulated technical debt.
3. Distinguish between technology challenges and leadership or governance gaps to ensure the right problems are being addressed.
4. Discuss technology in terms of business impact—such as risk exposure, ability to support growth, and flexibility to adapt to change—rather than focusing on technical features or specifications.
5. Outline practical next steps to improve clarity, ownership, and long-term alignment of your technology environment.
Speaker:
Jim Pearson Strategic Association Executive Ellipsis Partners
This program is appropriate for all levels of staff who are interested in the impact on membership and financials for your Association.
CAE Credit: 1.0 Hours
Schedule:
11:30 - 12:00 - In-Person Check In and Networking 11:45 - 12:00 - Lunch begins 12:00 - 12:05 - Welcome & Introduction of Speakers 12:05 - 12:55 - Presentation 12:55 - 1:00- Program Conclusion, Reminders and Adjourn
Location:American Optometric Association 243 N. Lindbergh Blvd. St Louis, MO 63141
ST. LOUIS SOCIETY OF ASSOCIATION EXECUTIVES (SLSAE) 2650 S. HANLEY RD., STE. 100 | SAINT LOUIS, MO 63144 (314) 416-2250 | SLSAE@QABS.COM
