ASAE 2025 Nominations are Open!

Are you looking to advance your career in the association industry

Do you have a staffer who is new to the association world or would benefit from leadership development and networking?

Nominations are now open to join the 2025 ASAE Emerging Leaders Council! ASAE ELC is open to association professionals looking to advance their careers within the state association market. 

2025 APPLICATION

ASAE ELC FAQs

Is it right for me or someone on my staff? 

ELC is open to any association professionals looking to develop leadership skills and advance their careers within the state association market. The goal of the ASAE ELC is to identify and cultivate the next generation of leaders in Arkansas through professional development and peer networking opportunities.

Nominees do not have to be current members of ASAE at the time of application but will be required to join before joining the council. Dues are included in ELC tuition.

How do I nominate myself or someone from my staff?

Potential ELC members must be nominated by their employer. If nominee is self-employed, the nominating company must be a member in good standing of ASAE.

Nominators will submit the required form along with the candidate’s resume for review before end of the day on November 30th. 

What’s the curriculum?

LEGISLATURE 101 - How does a bill become a law? We’re not just talking about School House Rock, but how to discuss your industry’s top issues with state legislators and leaders. Hear tips and lessons learned from state executives and the ins-and-outs of governor’s office from staffers. Are PACs really that important and how can you get members to engage with yours? 

LEADERSHIP & ENGAGEMENT - At the heart of nearly every successful association is an engaged board that reflects the wider membership pool. Learn to identify potential board members, how to set them up for success and keep them engaged. Executives share insights on how they manage alongside their boards and share their personal stories of how they came to lead their association.  This session will be held at the Winthrop Rockefeller Institute at Petit Jean Mountain

MEMBERSHIP - Membership recruitment and retention is at the heart of everything we do as associations. Learn about the different types of memberships, which member benefits to promote, how to build an engaged membership, gauging membership satisfaction and how to manage relationships with other associations. 

ASSOCIATION & EVENT MANAGEMENT - Associations – and the events they host – come in all shapes and sizes. What are different staff roles and what skills do they need? ASAE associate members discuss how organizations and venues can work together to host successful events. 

COMMUNICATIONS - Can this be an email? Is anyone reading our email? Should this post go on Facebook or Twitter? Are we communicating too much or not enough? Learn about the mediums, services and tricks of the trade that lead to successful communication across all audiences. 

Classes scheduled for 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM and include lunch.

Who is in the 2024 Class?

ELC

(Left to right) Shay Stout, B.J. Matthews, Todd Gerdes, Will Hopkins.

Todd Gerdes
Manager of Member Services
Arkansas Homefurnishings Association

Will Hopkins
Director, Local Affairs & Rural Development
Arkansas Farm Bureau Federation

B.J. Matthews
Director of PR/Meeting Planner
Arkansas REALTORS Association

Shay Stout
Director of Finance and Human Resources
Arkansas Hospitality Association

Who was in the 2023 Inagural Class?

2023 Emerging Leaders Council Members

Reagan Heffley
Director of Communications & Marketing
Big I Arkansas

Jenny Higgs
Director of Marketing
Arkansas Farm Bureau

Janet Marshall
Membership Administrator
Arkansas Bar Association

Catrinia Rojas
Coordinator Policy Development & Legislative Rearch
Arkansas Farm Bureau

Cassandra Van Tassel
Educational Operations Specialist
Arkansas Hospital Association

When will candidates be notified of selection?

Nominators will submit the form and candidate’s resume to be reviewed by the Executive Director and the current ASAE chair. Selected candidates will be notified within two weeks of nomination deadline.

 

If you have additional questions, please email [email protected]

 Thanks to our supporting partner