AuSAE Association Knowledge Program In Practice
Real insights. Real experiences. Real progress for your association career.

Are you ready to move beyond theory and see what actually works in association management?

The AuSAE Association Knowledge Program: In Practice is designed for association professionals who want practical, relevant learning they can apply immediately. This isn’t about polished presentations or generic frameworks — it’s about hearing directly from peers who are doing the work, navigating challenges, and finding solutions in real time.

And the best part? It’s included in your AuSAE membership or digital subscription, at no extra cost.

A Different Kind of Learning Experience

From May through December, this 10-session webinar series gives you the flexibility to engage when it matters most to you. Join the sessions that align with your goals, your challenges, and your stage of career.

Each session is built around one simple idea: You’ll get more value from real stories than perfect slides.

That’s why every session includes a live, interactive element — giving you a reason to show up, contribute, and learn alongside your peers.

What You’ll Experience

Hot Topics
We explore emerging issues in the sector, followed by open, facilitated discussion on how associations are responding.

How We Did It
Hear how they tackled a real challenge — what worked, what didn’t, and what they’d do differently next time.

Ask Me Anything
Just honest answers from experienced association leaders and subject matter experts.

Panel Showcases
Hear quick-fire insights from peers, then dive deeper through discussion and shared learning.

Elevate Your Credentials

  • Stay ahead of what’s happening right now.
  • Go behind the scenes with a member association.
  • No slides. No scripts.

Why Join the AKP: In Practice?

Gain Practical, Actionable Insights
Walk away with ideas you can apply immediately — whether you’re working on membership growth, governance, events, marketing, or advocacy.

Strengthen Your Skills Across Key Areas
Build capability across core areas of association management aligned to CAE domains, helping you grow with confidence in your role.

Learn From People Who Get It
Connect with peers who understand the realities of association life — the challenges, the constraints, and the opportunities.

Be Part of the Conversation
This isn’t passive learning. It’s interactive, relevant, and shaped by the people in the (virtual) room.

AuSAE is proud to be a CAE Approved Provider.  
By completing this program, you’ll earn 1 CAE credit per webinar, applicable toward your CAE application or renewal requirements. Learn more about the CAE credential at
www.asaecenter.org/cae.  


Registration Options

Included with Your AuSAE Membership
AuSAE Members and Digital Subscribers receive complimentary access to the full program.

  • 10 live webinar sessions
  • Flexible attendance — join what’s relevant to you
  • Practical, peer-driven learning experiences
Register for the sessions you’d like to attend and build your own learning journey.

Not a Member Yet?
Digital Subscriber – $169
Unlock access to the full webinar series and gain practical insights to support your professional growth. BECOME A DIGITAL SUBSCRIBER

Become an AuSAE Member
Join AuSAE to access this program and a wide range of additional benefits designed to support your career in association management. JOIN NOW



    Upcoming events

      • 05 Jun 2026
      • 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM
      • AuSAE Webinars - 10:00am- 11:00pm AEDT | 12:00pm - 1:00pm NZDT
      Register

      How we turned our advocacy from invisible to influential

      Many associations know they should be doing more advocacy but struggle to translate good intentions into consistent, credible influence. Building a government relations strategy from scratch — identifying priorities, establishing relationships, developing a policy voice, and mobilising members — takes time, resources, and organisational courage. In this session, Graham Catt from Independent Schools Australia walks through exactly how they did it: the starting point, the missteps, the moments that worked, and what they would do differently.

      What you'll gain from the session
      This session unpacks what effective advocacy really looks like in practice.

      • A detailed 25–30 walkthrough of a real advocacy journey
      • Practical insights into government engagement: who was approached, how the message was framed, and what made it resonate
      • A candid reflection on what didn’t work, and the lessons associations can take from it
      • A 30 minute interactive Q&A, giving you the chance to test how these approaches could translate to your own sector and priorities

      Attendees receive 1 CAE credits. 

       AuSAE is proud to be a CAE Approved Provider. As a CAE Approved Provider educational program related to the CAE exam content outline, this event may be applied for 1 credit toward your CAE application or renewal professional development requirements. For more information about the CAE credential or Approved Provider program, please visit www.asaecenter.org/cae.  

      Meet our Presenter:

      Graham Catt
      Chief Executive Officer, Independent Schools Australia

      Graham Catt is the Chief Executive Officer of Independent Schools Australia and has 20 years’ experience leading member-based organisations in sectors including education, business, health, animal health, and agriculture.

      After an early career in communications, including as co-founder and director of an agency, Graham joined the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) as a General Manager, and subsequently held CEO roles with the Australian Veterinary Association, Pharmaceutical Society of Australia, and the Canberra Business Chamber.

      Graham was President of the Australasian Society of Association Executives (AuSAE) from 2016 – 2019 and currently serves on the Board of St John Ambulance ACT and Education Services Australia (ESA). His qualifications include a master’s degree in literature, MBA from Macquarie Graduate School of Management, and executive leadership programs with the University of Melbourne and London Business School.

      Register today!
      The AKP: In Practice webinar series is exclusively available to AuSAE members and digital subscribers

      Not a member?
       Join AuSAE or Become a Digital Subscriber today.  


      • 03 Jul 2026
      • 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM
      • AuSAE Webinars - 10:00am- 11:00Pm AEST | 12:00pm - 1:00pm NZST
      Register



      Governance in practice: what I wish I'd known


      Governance is one of the most consistently challenging areas for association professionals at every career stage. New practitioners are often thrown into board support roles without adequate preparation. Experienced managers find themselves navigating board dynamics, conflict, and constitutional complexity with limited peer support. And CEOs regularly manage the tension between board oversight and operational autonomy. This open Q&A session puts members directly in front of an experienced CEO who has seen it all, and is willing to talk about it honestly.

      What members can expect
      This session is designed to surface the realities; the challenges, grey areas, and lessons that come with experience.

      • No slides or presentation, just direct access to hard-earned governance experience
      • You can submit questions in advance that will be covered in the session.
      • A safe space to explore real issues, from the fundamentals to the more complex or sensitive challenges. 
      • All questions welcome, no topic is too basic or too sensitive


      Attendees receive 1 CAE
      credits. 

      AuSAE is proud to be a CAE Approved Provider. As a CAE Approved Provider educational program related to the CAE exam content outline, this event may be applied for 1 credit toward your CAE application or renewal professional development requirements. For more information about the CAE credential or Approved Provider program, please visit www.asaecenter.org/cae.  

      Meet our Presenter:

      Vicki Mayo Chief Executive Officer, Local Government Professionals Australia, NSW & Board of Director, AuSAE

      Vicki is an association specialist with over a decade of experience in senior management roles. She is the Chief Executive Officer at Local Government Professionals Australia NSW, where she specialises in working with the Association’s members to develop meaningful connections, experiences, and opportunities.

      A Certified Meeting Manager, Vicki has expertise in stakeholder engagement, marketing, communications and event management. With a passion for creating unique experiences, coupled with her commercial acumen, Vicki is focused on developing an extraordinary member community alongside the growth and future development of the association. Vicki thrives on putting plans into action, of testing the untested and being able to deliver exceptional quality in all areas of the Association.

      Vicki is also currently a Director on the AuSAE Board.

      Register today!
      The AKP: In Practice webinar series is exclusively available to AuSAE members and digital subscribers

      Not a member?
       Join AuSAE or Become a Digital Subscriber today.  

      • 07 Aug 2026
      • 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM
      • AuSAE Webinars - 10:00am- 11:00Pm AEST | 12:00pm - 1:00pm NZST
      Register

      Building your financial resilience: three approaches

      Financial sustainability is a strategic priority for almost every association — and the approaches being taken vary widely. Some organisations are diversifying revenue streams, others are cutting costs, and others are renegotiating their partnerships and event models. This fast-paced panel session brings together three members who have each taken a different approach to building financial resilience, giving the audience three distinct perspectives in one hour.

      What members can expect
      Financial resilience looks different for every association, but learning what others have actually implemented can spark practical ideas you can act on.

      • Hear from three association leaders, each sharing insight on one initiative they’ve implemented
      • Clear, practical perspectives — what they did, why they chose that approach, and what changed as a result
      • A facilitated discussion to unpack the ideas, compare approaches, and explore real-world application
      • Practical and honest — this is about practical learning, not perfect case studies

      Attendees receive 1 CAE credits. 

       AuSAE is proud to be a CAE Approved Provider. As a CAE Approved Provider educational program related to the CAE exam content outline, this event may be applied for 1 credit toward your CAE application or renewal professional development requirements. For more information about the CAE credential or Approved Provider program, please visit www.asaecenter.org/cae.  

      Meet our Panel Facilitator

      Deanna Varga
      Founder & CEO, Mayvin Global

      Deanna Varga GAICD, MBA, CICE is Founder and CEO of Mayvin Global, bringing over 25 years’ experience across business events, tourism, government, and the arts. She specialises in sustainable commercial strategy, revenue diversification, and capability building. Deanna is an Adjunct Associate Professor at UTS and serves as an Independent and Non-Executive Director across several organisations, including the Australasian Society for Ultrasound in Medicine and Transport Heritage NSW.

      Register today!
      The AKP: In Practice webinar series is exclusively available to AuSAE members and digital subscribers

      Not a member?
       Join AuSAE or Become a Digital Subscriber today.  

      • 04 Sep 2026
      • 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM
      • AuSAE Webinars - 10:00am- 11:00Pm AEST | 12:00pm - 1:00pm NZST
      Register

      What I took away from ACE26 — member reflections


      ACE26 brought together association professionals from across Australia and New Zealand for three days of learning, connection, and conversation around the theme of Driving Impact. This session is the bridge between the conference and the broader member community, bringing the best of what was discussed at ACE back to members who couldn't attend, and giving those who did a space to consolidate and share what landed most. Three to four members will each share their biggest takeaway and, importantly, what they are actually doing with it.

      What members can expect
      The real impact of a conference often happens after the event — when ideas are tested, applied, and shared. This session brings those insights to life.

      • Hear from 3–4 association professionals who attended ACE26, each sharing one key insight and one action they’re taking as a result
      • Short, focused contributions to share practical takeaways
      • Members who didn't attend ACE get the highlights and relevant ideas
      • A facilitated discussion that creates space for shared reflection, connection, and collective learning across the community

      Attendees receive 1 CAE credits. 

      AuSAE is proud to be a CAE Approved Provider. As a CAE Approved Provider educational program related to the CAE exam content outline, this event may be applied for 1 credit toward your CAE application or renewal professional development requirements. For more information about the CAE credential or Approved Provider program, please visit www.asaecenter.org/cae.  

      Register today!
      The AKP: In Practice webinar series is exclusively available to AuSAE members and digital subscribers

      Not a member?
       Join AuSAE or Become a Digital Subscriber today.  

      • 25 Sep 2026
      • 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM
      • AuSAE Webinars - 10:00am- 11:00Pm AEST | 12:00pm - 1:00pm NZST
      Register

      The future of association marketing: what’s changing

      Association marketing is in a period of genuine disruption. Email open rates are shifting, social platforms are changing their algorithms, content expectations are rising, and AI is beginning to reshape how organisations produce and distribute communications. At the same time, the fundamentals, knowing your audience, telling compelling stories, building trust, matter more than ever. This session is a live, facilitated conversation about what's actually changing in association marketing, what's working right now, and where members are placing their bets for the next 12–18 months.

      What members can expect
      This session focuses on what’s actually happening on the ground.

      • A short 10-minute provocation from the host to frame the key shifts underway in association marketing
      • Open, facilitated discussion drawing on experiences from associations of different sizes, sectors, and maturity levels
      • An honest conversation about what's not working as well as what is, and why
      • Practical, current insights designed to be applied immediately, not theory


      Attendees receive 1 CAE
      credits. 

       AuSAE is proud to be a CAE Approved Provider. As a CAE Approved Provider educational program related to the CAE exam content outline, this event may be applied for 1 credit toward your CAE application or renewal professional development requirements. For more information about the CAE credential or Approved Provider program, please visit www.asaecenter.org/cae.  

      Register today!
      The AKP: In Practice webinar series is exclusively available to AuSAE members and digital subscribers

      Not a member?
       Join AuSAE or Become a Digital Subscriber today.  

      • 09 Oct 2026
      • 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM
      • AuSAE Webinars - 10:00am- 11:00Pm AEST | 12:00pm - 1:00pm NZST
      Register


      Membership models that worked five years ago are under pressure across the sector. Flat renewal rates, changing member expectations, the rise of free alternatives, and post-pandemic behaviour shifts are forcing associations to rethink their value proposition from the ground up. In this session, a member association shares their experience of doing exactly that — what prompted the review, what they changed, what they tried that didn't work, and what has made a measurable difference.

      What members can expect

      Membership is at the heart of every association, but evolving your model can feel high-stakes and complex. This session offers a transparent look at what it really takes to make change stick.

      • A candid 25–30 minute presentation from an association CEO who has led a membership model transformation
      • Real metrics and outcomes, including renewal rates, acquisition performance, and member engagement trends
      • The full story including what didn't work, not just the wins
      • A 30 minute interactive Q&A allowing you to explore how these insights could be applied within your own organisation

      Attendees receive 1 CAE credits. 

      AuSAE is proud to be a CAE Approved Provider. As a CAE Approved Provider educational program related to the CAE exam content outline, this event may be applied for 1 credit toward your CAE application or renewal professional development requirements. For more information about the CAE credential or Approved Provider program, please visit www.asaecenter.org/cae.  

      Register today!
      The AKP: In Practice webinar series is exclusively available to AuSAE members and digital subscribers

      Not a member?
       Join AuSAE or Become a Digital Subscriber today.  

      • 23 Oct 2026
      • 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM
      • AuSAE Webinars - 10:00am- 11:00pm AEDT | 12:00pm - 1:00pm NZDT
      Register

      Revenue beyond membership: what’s actually working

      Non-dues revenue has moved from a nice-to-have to a strategic necessity for many associations. But the gap between identifying the opportunity and successfully implementing new revenue streams is significant — and littered with programs that consumed more resource than they generated. This Ask Me Anything session puts members in direct conversation with a CEO who has successfully diversified their association's revenue base, and is willing to talk through the detail of what worked, what failed, and what they would caution others against.

      What members can expect

      • No slides — just an open Q&A with an experienced association CEO
      • A focus on real-world revenue approaches, what’s delivering results, and what’s proving harder than expected
      • Questions collected in advance and answered during session. All questions welcome.
      • Particularly useful for members actively exploring or reviewing their revenue model

      Attendees receive 1 CAE credits. 

      AuSAE is proud to be a CAE Approved Provider. As a CAE Approved Provider educational program related to the CAE exam content outline, this event may be applied for 1 credit toward your CAE application or renewal professional development requirements. For more information about the CAE credential or Approved Provider program, please visit www.asaecenter.org/cae.  

      Register today!
      The AKP: In Practice webinar series is exclusively available to AuSAE members and digital subscribers

      Not a member?
       Join AuSAE or Become a Digital Subscriber today.  

      • 13 Nov 2026
      • 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM
      • AuSAE Webinars - 10:00am- 11:00pm AEDT | 12:00pm - 1:00pm NZDT
      Register

      How we approached strategic planning differently this year

      Strategic planning in associations is often done out of obligation rather than genuine strategic intent, a board weekend away, a familiar SWOT analysis, and a document that gets filed until next year. But some associations are doing it very differently: shorter cycles, more member involvement, stronger links between strategy and operational decisions, and real accountability built into the process. In this session, a member CEO shares how they changed their approach to strategic planning and what difference it made, to the quality of the plan, to board engagement, and to execution.

      What members can expect

      • A brief walkthrough of the shift from a traditional strategic planning process to a redesigned approach
      • Specific detail on process: who was involved, how long it took, what tools, frameworks, or methods were used
      • An honest reflection on what the board found challenging and how competing priorities and tensions were worked through
      • A 30 minute interactive Q&A to explore how this approach could be adapted to your own strategic planning cycle


      Attendees receive 1 CAE
      credits. 

      AuSAE is proud to be a CAE Approved Provider. As a CAE Approved Provider educational program related to the CAE exam content outline, this event may be applied for 1 credit toward your CAE application or renewal professional development requirements. For more information about the CAE credential or Approved Provider program, please visit www.asaecenter.org/cae.  

      Register today!
      The AKP: In Practice webinar series is exclusively available to AuSAE members and digital subscribers

      Not a member?
       Join AuSAE or Become a digital Subscriber today.  

      • 04 Dec 2026
      • 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM
      • AuSAE Webinars - 10:00am- 11:00pm AEDT | 12:00pm - 1:00pm NZDT
      Register

      Year in review: what the sector learned in 2026 

      The final session of the year is both a celebration and a forward look. A panel of three to four members, drawn from across different association types, sizes, and career stages, reflects on the big themes that shaped the sector in 2026. What changed? What didn't change as much as expected? What's the one thing they'll carry into 2027? This session closes the year with a sense of community and shared experience, and plants the seeds for what's coming next.

      What members can expect
      This session brings together practical reflections from across the sector,  highlighting what’s shifted, what’s stuck, and what’s emerging for associations.

      • Three to four association leaders share their biggest professional insight or shift from the year
      • Reflections drawn on themes emerging across the AKP: In Practice program throughout the year
      • A forward-looking close exploring what association professionals are watching as they move into 2027

      Attendees receive 1 CAE credits. 

      AuSAE is proud to be a CAE Approved Provider. As a CAE Approved Provider educational program related to the CAE exam content outline, this event may be applied for 1 credit toward your CAE application or renewal professional development requirements. For more information about the CAE credential or Approved Provider program, please visit www.asaecenter.org/cae.  

      Register today!
      The AKP: In Practice webinar series is exclusively available to AuSAE members and digital subscribers

      Not a member?
       Join AuSAE or Become a Digital Subscriber today.  

    Your People. Your Place. Your Learning.

    It’s your opportunity to learn from those who are doing the work, and to be part of a community that’s shaping the future of associations.

    Explore the program. Register for sessions. And start learning with AuSAE now.


    The Australasian Society of Association Executives

    Contact us:

    Email: info@ausae.org.au
    Phone: 1300 764 576 (within Australia)
    Phone: +61 7 3268 7955 (outside Australia)
    Address: Unit 6, 26 Navigator Place, Hendra QLD 4011, Australia

                        
            


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