Art of Association Management Workshops

The Art of Association Management workshops offer peer networking, actionable information and opportunities to practice new solutions. Workshops are artfully designed to blend timely and relevant learning leveraging WSAE member communities sharing lived experiences and sharing innovations and resources essential to association professionals ability to perform in the ever changing environment. Find and connect with your community here and energize yourself and your organization.

Who Should Participate: Art of Association Management workshops are designed for the staff of WSAE association members. All WSAE members and partners are welcome to attend. 


Programs are designed to support essential management compentencies to keep our seasoned executives sharp, as well as provide new association professionals the breadth of information needed to advance.


 

August 26, 2025

A Strategic AI Action Plan: How to Reinvent for Your Future Member

REGISTER

Tuesday, August 26
1:30-3:00 PM
Online Event

Registration
Members $25.00
Nonmembers $50.00

Artificial intelligence isn’t just a trend—it’s redefining how organizations operate and how members engage. In this Art of Association Management workshop, sponsored by Explore Seattle Southside, tech innovation leader Trent Gillespie brings his pragmatic, high-impact approach to AI.

Drawing from his experience at Amazon and as CEO of Stellis AI, Trent will share a clear framework for anticipating what your future members will expect—and how to transform your association to meet those demands. Packed with real-world examples and actionable strategies, this session will help you confidently navigate the AI era.

We’ll close with an interactive Q&A highlighting what’s working right now for leaders boldly adopting AI.

Learning Objectives

  • Understand how AI Agents are actively transforming how work gets done—today, not someday.
  • Explore how AI will reshape commerce and customer behavior over the next 2–3 years.
  • Discover the “Amazon Future Customer” concept to envision what your future members will expect—and demand—from your association.
  • Learn the AI SPRINT framework to effectively adopt AI within your organization and deliver real value to your members.

About the Presenter:
Trent Gillespie is a tech innovation expert with over 25 years of experience, including nearly a decade leading global growth and AI initiatives at Amazon. Now CEO of Stellis AI, Trent helps organizations harness AI to drive innovation and sustainable growth. His sessions equip leaders with the tools and confidence to embrace the future of member engagement.

 

 

Art of Association Management History

#102 March 6-7, 2024: Next Level Leadership Summit: Building Boards of Excellence, Lowell Aplebaum, EdD, FASAE, CAE, CPF

#15: February 1, 2024: The Art of Financial Management, Clark Nuber & Kiley Juergens Wealth Management

#14 September 14, 2023: Navigating AI's Impact on Professional Membership Organizations, Brit Kramer

#13: April 20, 2023: The Art of Membership & Stakeholder Engagement & Management, Amanda Lea Kaiser

# 101 Next Level Leadership Summit: March 30, 2023: Building a Fit-for-Purpose Association Board in the Turbulent Twenties Masterclass, Jeff De Cagna

# 12: October, 2022: The Art of Organizational Strategies, Vanessa Dennison

# 11: March, 2022: The Art of Marketing & Communications, Chris N. Cheetham-West

# 10: November, 2021: The Art of Executive Leadership, James Whitfield

# 09: October, 2021: The Art of Advocacy, Kristen Merrifield

# 08: March, 2021: The Art of Marketing & Communiations, Melanie Asher

# 07: February, 2021: The Art of Organizational Strategy, Leah Gutmann

# 06: November, 2020: The Art of Operations, Lynda Silsbee; Andrew Healey

# 05: October, 2020: The Art of Executive Leadership, Michelle Mills Clement; Jeffrey Wilcox

# 04: March, 2020: The Art of Business Development, Corbin Ball & Sylvia Allen

# 03: February, 2020: The Art of Business Development, Jason Hagey, Michelle Hage and Steve Klaniecki; Jeff de Cagna

# 02: November 2019: The Art of Governance, Stephen Lamb; Mitch Hansen and Tom Hurdelbrink

# 01: October, 2019: The Art of Membership & Stakeholder Engagement & Management, Sheri Jacobs; Pia Larson