Your Membership

Three Quick Ways to Take Advantage of Your Membership Today!

1) Add your LinkedIn profile link to your online profile so your fellow members can easily connect with you. To update your profile, log in to the member portal on the WSAE website and click on your headshot (if yours is missing, this is a good time to add it - hint, hint) in the upper right hand corner.

2) Take advantage of member resources, listed under the Resources navigation tab at the top of our website, including the WSAE Knowledge Hub. an entirely FREE library of downloadable educational content ranging from association management white papers, topic-specific webinars, industry product guides, industry analysis and much more. And the library is updated often - Check it out! Featured resource: Become Future Ready -Technology must help you achieve today's strategic goals and objectives. But what about your goals for 2, 5, or 10 years from now? Will your systems grow and evolve with you? Download.

3) Post to the WSAE blog! Feel free to repurpose articles you may have written for another purpose, blog posts from your own website or even chapters from a book. OR, author something just for us. This is a great visibility boost for you, AND earns you CAE credit (for certification renewals only).

Relaunch of Real Time Compensation Benchmarking Site Includes Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Section

WSAE has partnered with other ASEs to make the Real-Time Compensation Benchmarking Survey tool possible. And by giving a little, you will GET A LOT!

• Compare your organization's key operational metrics to others across the industry in real time*.
• Evaluate valuable KPI's, including salaries, benefits, positions/departments, and more!
• Generate customized reports and graphs like the below to inform decisions and keep your organization competitive.

If you have never participated, get started here.

If you have Participated, update your data today!

Please note, this is a comprehensive survey with several sections of data. You do not need to complete the survey all at one time. To save your work and return to the survey later, simply click “Save” at the bottom of any page.

The 2022 Association Benchmarking Report from Naylor Now Available to Download FREE!

WSAE and our members participate in Naylor's benchmarking survey annually. The report of this year's survey has been released. Based on results from the 2022 survey, this one-of-a-kind report provides an in-depth look at the current state of association member engagement, shares best practices based on historical progress and future trends, and helps associations in crafting a strategy that provides value and increases revenue. This year, we learned that the top challenges associations face are shifting, associations continue to do more with less, and new technology customization are key strategies in the years ahead. Download your copy.

Upcoming Events

November 2-3

The Abbey Resort

Lake Geneva

Nov. 30 - Dec. 1

Now in late November!

The Madison Concourse Hotel and Governor's Club, Madison

WSAE Webinar Series

As a CAE-Approved Provider, WSAE provides webinars that meet the professional development requirements needed to earn or maintain the Certified Association Executive credential.

Battle Burnout It’s OK to Say You’re Not OK

Wednesday, October 19, 2022 from 12:30 PM to 1:30 PM 

Differentiation Strategy - Winning Members by Being Different

Tuesday, October 25, 2022 from 12:30 PM to 1:30 PM

Get LinkedIn to Win - Building Genuine Relationships Online

Wednesday, November 16, 2022 from 12:30 PM to 1:30 PM

On-demand Archives

WSAE offers an extensive library of online learning, covering a broad array of association management topics, available 24/7, at your convenience!

Host a CEO Roundtable

CEO Roundtables are free, in-person gatherings for association Chief Staff Executives (CEOs/Presidents/Executive Directors) to meet and discuss current challenges, successes and emerging topics impacting associations and our industry. CEO Roundtables are hosted by association executives at their headquarters in the greater Madison and Milwaukee areas. Events occur from 8:00-9:00 am on a weekday. To foster and ensure a casual, candid, and confidential setting, attendance to the CEO Roundtables is restricted to association CEOs only.

Complete this form to express your interest in hosting an upcoming CEO Roundtable.

WSAE's inaugural Women's Forum was an amazing success - Thank you to everyone who joined us!

Thank You Women's Forum Supporters

Welcome New Members!

• April Corrao, Impact Association Management
• Victoria Donahue, Impact Association Management
• Meghan Leahy, Badger Bay Management Company
• Ellie Punzel, Executive Director, Inc
• Drew Raber, Badger Bay Management Company
• April Schultz, Impact Association Management
• Nina Tomal, Impact Association Management

Michigan Chapter of the American College of Physicians (MI-ACP) Selects ARC for Management 

The Michigan Chapter of the American College of Physicians (MI-ACP) has selected Association Resource Center (ARC) of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, to provide association management services. Jenni Kilpatrick, CAE, will serve as Executive Director aided by the many talented and experienced Executive and Coordinator staff to execute their critical mission: To enhance the quality and effectiveness of health care by fostering excellence and professionalism in the practice of medicine.

ARC has a long and successful history of managing other medical organizations and is an ideal fit to lead MI-ACP. “Through Jenni Kilpatrick’s 15-year career, she has provided executive management services to many of ARC’s medical, professional societies. This includes two clients that she has been continuously serving since they began their relationships with ARC – one of them being another chapter of the American College of Physicians!” stated ARC Owner, Jennifer Rzepka, CAE.

Wisconsin Bankers Association Subsidiaries Announce New Hires

The Wisconsin Bankers Association (WBA) is pleased to announce the hires of Kelly Hageman, Cindy Thoennes, and Donny Wilson to its subsidiaries, which offer quality, cost-effective products and services to banks.  

"I'm very happy to welcome Kelly, Cindy, and Donny to our team," said Rose Oswald Poels, WBA president and CEO. "They bring an outstanding set of talents and dedication to customer service that will help support the business needs of the banking industry." 

Kelly Hageman has joined the Wisconsin Bankers Association – Employee Benefits Corporation (WBA–EBC) as account administrator. Hageman comes to WBA–EBC from the Wisconsin Association of Independent Colleges and Universities and has past experience in employee benefits with an emphasis on corporate wellness promotion.

Cindy Thoennes has joined FIPCO as accounts receivable and administrative specialist. Thoennes brings over 14 years of experience working in accounts receivable roles and working with the banking industry. In her new position, Thoennes will assist FIPCO customers with product and service orders, contracts, and billings.

Donny Wilson has joined FIPCO as vice president – business development. Wilson has previous experience working with the banking industry, technology sales, and is known for his professionalism and transparency when working with customers. With FIPCO, Wilson will assist in providing effective and compliant services to Wisconsin and nearby states.

Amy Motyka Is New Executive Director of the American Academy of Anesthesiologist Assistants

AMPED Association Management is pleased to announce that Amy Motyka, CMP has completed a transition into a new role as Executive Director of the American Academy of Anesthesiologist Assistants (AAAA).

“We’re very pleased to work with Amy as a member of our leadership team,” said Laura Knoblauch, AAAA President. “AAAA and AMPED have created a strong partnership over the last three years and I’m excited to continue our ambitious workplan with Amy’s leadership. Practice expansion and education remain our top priorities, and I’m confident that Amy has the experience and knowledge of AAAA to help us meet those goals.”

Lynda Patterson to Serve as Chair of the ASAE Research Foundation

AMPED is proud to announce that Lynda J. Patterson, FASAE, CAE will become the Chair of the American Society of Association Executives (ASAE) Research Foundation beginning Sept 1, 2022. She will also serve as Chair-Elect of the ASAE Board of Directors.

Recognized as an industry leader nationally, Lynda has served as a Director At Large and Secretary-Treasurer for ASAE. She has also served on ASAE’s Foundation Board, Business Services Board, Strategic Planning Task Force and CEO Search Committee. In 2010 Patterson was one of a selected few to receive the ASAE Fellow designation. 

“When I landed my first exec job while finishing grad school at the age of 25, I didn’t know what I didn’t know,” said Patterson during the ASAE Annual Business Meeting this month (see video here). “I was lucky to have great mentors and ASAE and the CAE program as important parts of my career development. From my path to the CAE, volunteering, serving on the Board, and life-long friendships, I personally owe a lot to this organization. It is with this gratitude that I am so proud to also take on the role of volunteer Chair of ASAE Research Foundation.”

Patterson and the new officers and directors at large were officially installed and joined the remaining board members at the 2022 ASAE Annual Meeting and Exposition, August 20-23 in Nashville, Tenn. 

VISIT Milwaukee Showcases Community to Black Meeting Planners 

As part of a three-day tour in partnership with Black Meetings & Tourism, 14 meeting planners experienced Milwaukee’s venues, restaurants, hotels, transportation and attractions. VISIT Milwaukee showcased the best of the city while inspiring the planners to book their forthcoming meetings in Milwaukee. This familiarity tour is hosted in partnership with Black Meetings & Tourism, an award-winning trade publication for and about the $40 billion African American group, leisure, and meetings market. 

“We’re thrilled to welcome this group of top-tier planners to show them all Milwaukee has to offer. These planners represent events with attendance ranging from 50-10,000, which will ultimately generate significant economic impact for our community, as well as a chance to introduce our city to diverse visitors,” says Peggy Williams-Smith, president and CEO of VISIT Milwaukee. “Attracting more travelers of color is a key priority for my team. I know Milwaukee’s hospitality community is as proud as we are to roll out the red carpet for this stellar group.” 

Milwaukee to Host 3 Prominent Water and Great Lakes Summits

VISIT Milwaukee is proud to welcome the US Water Alliance’s One Water Summit, The Water Council’s Water Leaders Summit and Healing Our Waters Great Lakes Conference this fall, drawing in 1,200 attendees and over $1.2 million in total estimated economic impact.

Deemed The Capital of Water by Forbes Magazine, Milwaukee is home to the nation's first School of Freshwater Sciences at University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Water Law and Policy Initiative at Marquette University Law School and The Water Council, a nonprofit organization that brings together the region's water technology companies and universities. The designation as a U.N. Global Compact City distinguishes Milwaukee as a worldwide leader and as an international hub of water research and technology.

“Milwaukee is a hub not just for water technology but also innovation and stewardship. It’s only natural that water-related organizations want to meet in a city that revolves around freshwater to live, work and play,” said Dean Amhaus, The Water Council president and CEO.

TEMPO Madison, with WSAE Past Chair Serving as President, Celebrates 40th Anniversary

TEMPO Madison is celebrating 40 years as the city's premiere networking organization for professional and executive women with a gala on Saturday, October 8, 2022, from 5:00 - 9:00 pm.

Judy Woodruff, anchor and managing editor of PBS NewsHour, is the keynote speaker for the event! Ms. Woodruff has covered politics and other news for over four decades at NBC, CNN and PBS. In 2013, she and the late Gwen Ifill became the first two women to co-anchor a national news broadcast. After Ifill’s death in 2016, Woodruff was named sole anchor of NewsHour. Full details.

WSAE Past Chair Michelle Vetterkind, CAE, currently serves as President of TEMPO Madison.

Brag a Little Bit - Let Us Help Spread Your Good News!

Did your property recently complete a renovation? Did you launch a new product or service for associations? Perhaps you received a promotion or industry recognition? Let us know! We love to help spread good news related to our industry partner members. Please submit your brags using this form. Please note that there is no additional cost to this promotion - It is included as a benefit of your WSAE membership. 

Check Out These Opportunities Currently Posted in WSAE's Career Headquarters

Association Technology and Membership Coordinator

AMPED Association Management

Middleton, WI; Alexandria, VA; or Remote

ASAE Asks Congress to Establish Pandemic Risk Insurance Program

ASAE submitted a written statement for a Senate Banking Committee hearing on September 8, urging Congress to establish a public-private pandemic risk insurance program.

The Senate Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs Committee hearing was on “Current Issues in Insurance,” and the Pandemic Risk Insurance Act (PRIA) endorsed by ASAE and other members of the Business Continuity Coalition came up frequently in the discussion. Other topics touched on in the hearing included private equity companies’ involvement in the insurance market, the Insurance Capital Standard (ICS), cyber insurance, and flood insurance.

PRIA, introduced last year by Rep. Carolyn Maloney (D-NY), senior member of the House Financial Services Committee, would create a system of shared public and private compensation for business-interruption losses resulting from future pandemics or public health emergencies. Read more.

WSAE welcomes an average of ten new members monthly, on top of a steady base of members - WSAE enjoys a 93% retention rate. This means that sponsors and advertisers have the opportunity to continually make new contacts while building on the relationships they have already established. If you are interested, contact Chris Caple at ccaple@wsae.org with any questions or to discuss other Partnership opportunities.