About Associations West

Associations West is the second largest local Society of Association Executives/Professionals in the nation with over 1,400 members!

Associations West is a nonprofit 501(c)6 membership organization advancing and fostering the educational and professional needs of the association community in California, Nevada and Oregon. We are the "association for association professionals."

History

Associations West launch in 2025 as the name and brand for what was previously the California Society of Association Executives (CalSAE). CalSAE was created in 2002 through a merger with the Capital, San Diego, and Southern CA Societies of Association Executives. The Bay Area region was formed in 2005 by a vote of the membership and the Oregon region joined in 2022 through an agreement with the Oregon Society of Association Management. Associations West is currently working to begin serving Nevada in 2025.

Member Types 

Association Professional members are individuals employed by associations or non-profit organizations, including individuals that work for an Association Management Company. The professional staff of associations includes CEOs, directors, managers, and administrative personnel within trade, professional, technical, educational, philanthropic, or similar nonprofit organizations. Check out the benefits of membership.

Industry Partner members represent suppliers of goods and services to associations. These individuals come from the business sector and represent such diverse industries as hospitality and convention services, banking and finance, insurance, technology, marketing, consulting, publishing, and many more. Check out the benefits of membership.

Currently under construction

A new mission and objectives for our new brand, Associations West, coming soon...

Vision - To inspire, empower, and connect the best association professionals.
Mission - To advance the association profession through knowledge, valued relationships, and trusted resources.
Objectives:
  • Build a welcoming community among members with a culture and environment that inspires collaboration and produces valued relationships.
  • Create opportunities for members to exchange knowledge and resources.
  • Build a learning community that is responsive to the changing dynamics of the association and not-for-profit management professions.
  • Run Associations West as an effective model business. 

Governing Documents