If you’re heading to ASAE Annual 2025, you’re not just attending; you’re orchestrating your own impact. With so much happening, the key to getting the most out of your time in Los Angeles is knowing where real value lives.
Every year, the big players bring the glitz; skyline parties, elaborate activations, and can’t-miss spectacles that light up the schedule. And while those are absolutely worth attending, they only scratch the surface of what this conference has to offer.
This guide is your curated journey through the equally rewarding (but less obvious) sessions, networking opportunities, and smart expo stops that don’t always make the splashy headlines. Call it an insider’s map to where real connection, learning, and value are hiding in plain sight.
You’ve seen enough 101-level content to last a lifetime. That’s why we’re honing in on sessions with real strategic depth and a forward-thinking edge.
- Mainstage Sessions
This year’s keynote lineup is stacked. These sessions always set the tone and give you high-level ideas you can actually bring back to your team. View the lineup
- Beyond the Hype: Making AI Work for Your Association with Better Data
📅 Saturday, August 9 | 2:00–4:00 PM
This free pre-con exploration lab is your chance to dig deep into the role of data and AI in shaping the future of member engagement. Walk away with a practical playbook, real-world case studies, and fresh insight from fellow association leaders.
- Harnessing Conscious Inclusion: Building Accessibility and Belonging in Meetings and Events
📅 Sunday, August 10 | 2:00–3:00 PM
Inclusion isn’t a checkbox, it’s a mindset. This session dives into how to design events that prioritize accessibility, belonging, and cultural change. Explore barriers, tackle stigma, and walk away with a strategic framework to make your meetings more inclusive for everyone, seen and unseen.
- From Data to Insight: Empowering Members with Actionable Intelligence
📅 Monday, August 11 | 10:15–10:45 AM
Raw data is great but actionable insight is better. This rapid-fire session shows how ASAE is transforming analytics into member-facing value through AI, benchmarking, and research. Whether you’re new to data strategy or ready to level up, you’ll leave with examples to inspire smarter decisions and stronger engagement.
- Charting the Course Beyond Membership: The Essential Role of Nondues Revenue in Association Success
📅 Monday, August 11 | 2:30–3:00 PM
Membership dues alone won’t cut it anymore. This session makes the case for diversifying your revenue mix and lays out practical paths like sponsorships, education, and partnerships. Perfect for leaders looking to build a more resilient and future-proof financial strategy.
- Driving Growth: Data-Driven Strategies for Event Success
📅 Tuesday, August 12 | 9:00–10:00 AM
Learn how one association grew attendance by 30% with a smart blend of analytics, digital engagement, and creative event design. From rebranding the exhibit hall to launching influencer campaigns, this session breaks down 10 tested strategies you can adapt to boost your own event performance.
- Maximizing Booth and Sponsorship Sales for Event Success
📅 Tuesday, August 12 | 10:15–11:15 AM
Boosting event revenue starts with smarter sales. This session dives into practical ways to retain exhibitors, close more sponsorships, and personalize offerings that actually convert. Expect data-driven tactics, tech-enabled solutions, and a few creative ideas to energize your on-site sales strategy.
- Creating and Managing Online Learning with AI
📅 August 12 | 10:15–11:15 AM
AI continues to shape the future of learning, and this session dives into how associations are putting it into action for education programs. A must for anyone involved in content delivery.
Off stage, these open-format experiences are designed to support your professional growth, personal well-being, and real-time recharging throughout the conference.
- Executive Career Coaching
Certified coaches are available for 60-minute sessions to review your resume or talk career strategy. This is a paid add-on service. Book now
- Quiet Lounge
📍 Room 306 B
A safe, soothing space with soft seating, hammocks, and ambient lighting. Designed with neurodivergent attendees in mind, but open to anyone who needs a sensory break from the showfloor buzz.
- Serenity Lounge
📍 Room 306 A
Part spa, part meditation pod. Slip into a VR-guided mindfulness session, try out a hand or foot massager, or just sip tea in silence. It’s all free, first-come, first-serve, and very worth the visit.
If you’re looking to have conversations that go beyond “so what do you do?” these are your golden opportunities:
- AWTC Happy Hour
📅 August 9 | 4:00-6:00 PM
An unofficial kickoff with high vibes and great people. Catch up with AWTC community members, expand your network, and find your people. RSVP here
- Opening Celebration
📅 August 9 | 6:00–9:00 PM
The official welcome party and a great way to reconnect with old faces and meet new ones. Details here
- 5K Fun Run/Walk
📅 August 10 | 6:15–7:15 AM
Yes, it’s early. Yes, you’ll be glad you went. Our own Lauren is walking it and says it’s one of the best unstructured networking moments of the week.
- Platform Power Party at the GRAMMY Museum
📅 August 10 | 5:30 PM-LATE
Hosted by Fonteva and Protech, this exclusive after-hours event mixes music history, local bites, and relaxed vibes just steps from the convention center. Save your spot
- ASAE Research Foundation’s The Classic
📅 August 11 | 7:30–9:00 PM
This is where casual meets classy. Attendees always come away with a few unexpected connections.
Let’s be honest: the expo floor is huge. If you’re short on time (and who isn’t?), here’s your curated hit list:
The Charm Collective
Where strategy meets style. Five industry favorites have teamed up for connection and creativity. Plus, a fun activity you’ll want to complete.
- Showcare (Booth 616)
Explore Rise, our powerful marketing registration and housing platform. Stop by for a hands-on demo and see how you can empower your team and grow engagement.
- BackPocket Agency (618)
Marketing partners who know how to get in your audience’s head and inbox.
- Association Briefings (620)
Custom podcasting for associations. Ask them how they turn your thought leadership into shareable audio content.
- Strategic eLearningDOC (621)
Building better online learning experiences. Especially relevant if you’re looking to scale your CE offerings.
- Engagement Mobile Strategies (517)
Mobile engagement tools that work seamlessly with your existing ecosystem.
Other Booths Worth a Visit
- Map Your Show (719)
Mapping and expo planning done right.
- CNTV (721)
Award winning video content for associations and tradeshow organizers.
- aRes Travel (1005)
Continue to offer lodging services post cut-off with custom-branded overflow booking sites.
- Sessionboard (1245)
Simplify your session management and speaker logistics in a way your whole team will thank you for.
- Fill it Forward (1529)
Inspiring the world to reuse through reusable products, interactive technology, and global giving initiatives.
- Popshap (2053)
Enhance your events with digital signage solutions.
Consider this your unofficial cheat sheet from longtime attendees and seasoned expo floor navigators.
- Wear your walking shoes.
Between hustling to sessions and exploring the Expo Hall, you’ll be surprised how fast you hit 10,000 steps.
- Bring a refillable water bottle.
It’s better for the environment and easy to refill at water stations around the convention center.
- Make sure your phone is charged.
It’s your map, your schedule, your notebook, and your camera. Pack a charger if you’re prone to battery drama by noon.
- No business cards? No problem.
You can easily swap contact info using the mobile app or a digital business card on your phone.
- Wear something with pockets.
Between business cards, charms, and that mini bottle of hand sanitizer, you’ll thank us later.
- Don’t skip lunch.
Not just for the food. Mealtimes are where some of the best organic conversations happen.
- Visit the Expo on both days.
Traffic patterns vary, and some booths bring out new goodies on Day 2.
We'll see you there
Whether you're attending with a tight agenda or planning to wander and be inspired, ASAE Annual 2025 is stacked with value.
If you're curious about what we’re bringing to the show floor, from hands-on demos of Rise to one-on-one time with our team, click the button below to see what’s in store.
Let’s make this journey one to remember!
Explore our ASAE Annual Experience
