Professional Development
Associations West strives to promote your success by keeping you inspired and connected through a variety of professional development opportunities (100+ CAE credit hours).
Below you will find detailed descriptions of each offering.
Events are added to the calendar on an ongoing basis.
AMC Retreat
June 2026
This 1.5-day retreat is built for association management companies to connect around shared challenges, business strategy, and growth opportunities. Expect honest conversation, space to recharge, and ideas to move your firm forward.
Ascend: Association Leadership Lab – Developing the Next Tier of Leaders (NEW!)
February 2026
Tailored for mid-level professionals ready to lead, Ascend builds confidence and strategy through interactive sessions and peer exchange. Includes a shared lunch with CEOs attending Insights Executive Summit for deeper cross-level learning.
Associations West Asks – Exclusively for Associations West Members (NEW!) – Virtual
Year-Round
Explore big questions and practical solutions with fellow members in this new, exclusive series. Each session centers on a timely topic, sparking peer exchange and takeaways you can use right now. Fresh insights. Real talk. Collective wisdom.
Bay Area Summit (NEW!)
October 2025
Spend a day gaining practical insights into strategy, innovation, and engagement. With expert-led and peer-powered sessions, this summit offers relevant content and real-time solutions you can apply right away.
CAE Study Group – virtual
Fall 2025
Get ready for the CAE exam with 10 virtual sessions featuring recent CAEs and expert mentors. Designed for flexibility, this peer-supported group offers structure, insights, and motivation to keep you on track and confident as exam day approaches.
Capital Summit (NEW!)
October 2025
Join peers for a one-day event featuring two content tracks—strategic and operational. Designed for professionals at every level, this summit delivers actionable insights, tools, and opportunities to connect across the association community.
ELEVATE Annual Conference
April 2026
Join us for four energizing days of education, inspiration, and connection. ELEVATE is your go-to annual experience for exploring what’s next in associations—packed with bold ideas, actionable insights, and meaningful peer exchange.
Insights Executive Summit
February 2026
This immersive 1.5-day retreat for CEOs delivers cutting-edge education, reflective space, and deep peer connection. Designed to future-proof leadership and inspire transformative action in a changing world.
Ladies Who Lead – Capital
March 2026
Now in its fourth year, Ladies Who Lead brings together women in associations and nonprofits for real talk, shared stories, and bold leadership insights. Expect candid conversations, practical takeaways, and authentic connection—all led by and for women who lead with purpose.
Lean-in Circles (NEW!) – Virtual
Aug 2025 – June 2026
Associations West is launching a no-cost, yearlong Lean In Circle for senior-level women in leadership. Join 8–12 peers for ten monthly virtual sessions focused on growth, connection, and support. Inspired by Sheryl Sandberg’s Lean In, this program blends world-class content with the power of women showing up for each other. Space is limited.
Membership & Marketing Summit (MMS)
June 2026
Spend a day diving into cutting-edge trends in membership and marketing. Gain strategies, peer insights, and partner solutions to grow your membership, engage your audience, and strengthen your association.
Oregon Regional LevelUp Education + Holiday Luncheon
November 2025
Celebrate the season and elevate your impact with 90 minutes of curated education followed by a festive holiday luncheon. Enjoy connection and inspiration to power your work into the new year.
Oregon Summit (NEW!)
March 2026
Gather with Oregon’s association professionals for a high-impact day of expert-led content, peer-driven learning, and fresh strategies. Walk away with tools to adapt, lead, and make lasting impact.
SoCal Summit (NEW!)
October 2025
Connect with peers for a focused day exploring leadership, emerging trends, and the evolving association landscape. Expert sessions and peer dialogue deliver both big ideas and actionable strategies.
Seasonal Spectacular
December 2025
One of the West Coast’s premier association gatherings! This high-energy event blends learning, networking, and a vibrant marketplace—perfect for earning CAE credit, discovering new ideas, and connecting with industry peers and partners.
Webinar Wednesdays - Virtual
Year-Round
Stay current all year with 10 engaging webinars designed for busy association professionals. Each session offers expert insights on timely topics—from trends to operations—plus interactive Q&A and peer exchange. Learn, connect, and grow without leaving your desk.