Executive Take: PAR at ASAE
At this year’s ASAE Annual Conference, association professionals came together to exchange ideas, imagine possibilities, and celebrate the power of the community. Professionals for Association Revenue (PAR) was there in the middle of it all — connecting, learning, and exploring the trends shaping the future of our work. In this month’s edition of Executive Take, the PAR team members who were onsite in L.A. answered:
What was your biggest takeaway from this year's event?
"Looking back on the ASAE Annual Meeting, one of the greatest takeaways was the energy of being in-person. It's a prime opportunity to connect with thousands of association professionals. I gained some fresh insights from industry leaders and enjoyed conversations at the PAR Expo booth that focused both on challenges and solutions facing the association community. Seeing a full expo hall was a reminder of the importance of our industry partners to advance our missions. I left L.A. excited about the opportunities for collaboration ahead."
Karim Cheikh
PAR | Sponsorship Partner Manager
"Stronger member connections equals more trust. I was reminded how powerful it is to meet members face-to-face. I want our PAR community to know that I’m not a membership 'RitaBot.' Putting a face and personality to a name deepens trust and shows members — spread out across the country — that I genuinely care. This kind of connection is the foundation for long-term relationships, loyalty and engagement. ASAE annual gives us that opportunity."
Rita Nabhan
PAR | Director, Membership
"The saying 'people do business with people they like' has never been more true than on an expo floor. As an attendee, I far prefer that you connect with me on a personal level — don’t launch into a hard sell. The most successful individuals and teams at expos are the ones who are there to enjoy themselves and the people around them, and to build genuine relationships with attendees, rather than focusing solely on pitching their solutions.
And speaking of relationship-building, the messages from two Individual Honors for Exceptional Leadership recipients — Wendy-Jo Toyama, MBA, FASAE, CAE and KiKi L'Italien — resonated deeply with me. Wendy’s career-long focus on inclusion and her celebration of Asian women in leadership, paired with Kiki’s powerful reflections on humility, pride, and personal growth, underscored the importance of exactly what we try to cultivate in our own associations. We have never been more committed to building community around us. That ideal — being in fellowship with others, finding your "people" while embracing all voices — is something I’m proud to be part of at PAR."
Jen Smith
PAR | Executive Director
"I attended AGI CEO Series: The Realities of the Corner Office: Navigating Culture and Politics. There were both C-Suite and aspiring C-Suite executives attending. The panel was experienced and nuanced with questions that included information governance with staff and board, and a focus on alignment. As a business development leader, the alignment of our work with the executive leadership team is critical for success and customer/member value. This session provided some insight on what CEOs are managing and how they can approach information sharing with their teams. How C-Suite and business development work together and share information will accelerate business performance. This session framed some ideas for us to explore how to bridge that communication!"
Sean Soth
PAR | Leadership Advisory Board, Chair