At a special membership meeting held Monday, December 15, at noon, with a quorum present, a majority of voting members approved a resolution for the Washington Society for Association Excellence to be acquired by Associations West. "This marks a significant moment in WSAE’s history and the beginning of a new chapter for our community," said President Monette Anderson. "On behalf of the board, I want to thank you for your trust, your questions, your candor, and the care you’ve all shown for the future of our profession."

As WSAE and Associations West continue exploring a potential merger, we’re introducing the 2026 GEM Sponsorship Program to help industry partners maintain and expand their visibility during this transition period. The six-month program (January–June 2026) offers a range of sponsorship levels with benefits across workshops, newsletters, and online platforms in both Washington and the broader Associations West network.

The Washington Confluence Magazine is the official quarterly publication of the Washington Society for Association Execellence. This issue features a series of article on the impact of artificial intelligence on associations and association management. It also includes a special announcement from WSAE President Monette Anderson. 

WSAE is at a turning point. The board has approved moving forward with drafting a merger proposal with Associations West—but the direction isn’t set without member input. Watch this short member update from Board President Monette Anderson to see how your participation will directly influence the final decision.

The Washington Society for Association Excellence (WSAE) Board of Directors voted in September to create a merger task force to explore a potential merger with Associations West (AW, formerly CalSAE). While this was a difficult decision, we are confident that with your participation, we can determine whether this is the right direction for WSAE. This vote signaled the beginning of an evaluation process, not a completed merger. While the legal structure under consideration takes the form of an acquisition, the intent is to unite Washington professionals with a larger regional network—if members ultimately approve.