AuSAE upcoming events

AuSAE CAE 10 Week Study Program for the May 2026 Examination (20 Feb 2026)

Thu, 19 Feb 2026 22:00:00 GMT

CAE Exam between 1 - 14 May 2026

This course is for the May 2026 examination

*Please note that the exam registration through ASAE is separate and is the delegates responsibility. AuSAE is here to help

Course cost - AuSAE Member $750

Non member / Business partner $950 includes

Course material ( Professional Practices in Association Management, 4th Edition)

Cliff notes with practice exam questions for each domain

Study group learnings and exam questions

Practice exam exam

The Certified Association Executive (CAE) credential is an International marker of a committed association professional who has demonstrated the wide range of knowledge essential to manage an association in today’s challenging environment.

Have you got what it takes to go to the next level, AuSAE is here to help you!!
Applications close with ASAE 20 February 2026 for the exam

Program Starting Friday 20 February 2026

Week 1 20 February : CAE Orientation session and Systems thinking

Week’s 2 - 9: Covering the eight domains 1 hour each week (Friday)

27 February: Domain 1 Governance
6 March: Domain 2 Executive Leadership
13 March: Domain 3 Organisational Strategy
20 March: Domain 4 Operations
27 March: Domain 5 Business development
2 April: Domain 6 Member and Stakeholder Engagement and Management
10 April: Domain 7 Advocacy
17 April: Domain 8 Marketing and Communications

Week 10: Wednesday 22 April Practice exam in exam conditions (100 questions) 2 hours
Friday 24 April Open forum (1hour 30 mins)

CAE Exam between 1 May and 14 May 2026

CAE Exam fee is separate and paid through ASAE when applying for the exam. Member cost $500 USD

Executive Briefing - The Change Makers: Associations CEOs talk growth, grit and transformation (22 Apr 2026)

Wed, 22 Apr 2026 06:00:00 GMT

Join us for an exclusive evening of insights, stories, and practical takeaways from some of the most innovative leaders in the sector.

Hear directly from association CEOs about what worked, what didn’t, and the moments that changed everything. This is your chance to connect, learn, and be inspired by leaders shaping the future of associations.

This panel discussion will explore real-world challenges and opportunities, including:

Board buy-in: How to secure support for transformation and drive strategic decisions.
Turning around a business model: Challenges, lessons learned, and strategies for transforming struggling organisations.
International expansion: How to grow globally, the opportunities it creates, and the obstacles to navigate.
Digital innovation: What digital transformation really means for associations, practical steps already taken, and what’s next.
Commerciality in associations: How to bring a stronger commercial lens while protecting members and creating educational opportunities.
Member engagement and new models: Developing future-fit membership strategies informed by benchmarking, insights, and Member Journey Mapping.
Rebrands and industry support: Navigating consultation processes, bringing members along for the journey, and rebuilding trust and connection within the industry.

Attendees will gain actionable insights they can apply to their own associations, and have the opportunity to ask questions directly to the panelists during the Q&A session

When: Wednesday, 22 April 4:00 PM – 6:15 PM

4:00 PM – Networking & nibbles
4:45 PM – Panel discussion
5:45 PM - Q&A and networking

Where: Beaumont People Sydney Office - Level 29, 259 George Street, Sydney

Host & Facilitator: Jo Brown, General Manager - Associations, Beaumont People

Expert Panel:

David Jenkins, Chief Executive Officer, Institute of Public Works Engineering Australasia (IPWEA)
Dr Kate More, Chief Executive Officer, Australian Dental Association
Louise Harland-Cox, Chief Executive Officer, Communications & Public Relations Australia (CPRA)

Attendees will gain actionable insights they can apply to their own associations, and have the opportunity to ask questions directly to the panelists during the Q&A session.

This event is only open to professionals currently working in an association or not-for-profit organisation.

Meet Our Host and Panel

Jo Brown
General Manager, Associations, Beaumont People

Jo Brown leads Beaumont People’s Associations team and has over 18 years of HR and recruitment experience. She partners with associations on recruitment, consulting, and education, and is a regular speaker at national conferences and industry events.

David Jenkins
Chief Executive Officer, Institute of Public Works Engineering Australasia (IPWEA) & Director, AuSAE

David Jenkins is a global authority on infrastructure and asset management, leading IPWEA as CEO and serving on the board of AuSAE. He has delivered keynotes internationally and hosts the popular Infrastructure Matters podcast, sharing practical solutions on sustainable asset management.

Dr Kate More
Chief Executive Officer, Australian Dental Association

Kate More is a seasoned C-suite executive with experience across commercial, non-profit, and public sectors. She specialises in business and cultural transformation, developing sustainable, future-fit membership models, and engaging Boards and stakeholders to drive change.

Louise Harland-Cox
Chief Executive Officer, Communication and Public Relations Australia (CPRA)

Louise brings over 25 years of association leadership in Australia and the UK. She champions innovation, member value, and community engagement, with experience guiding organisations through rebrands, consultation processes, and industry transformation.

Women in Association Leadership Retreat 2026 – New Zealand (05 May 2026)

Mon, 04 May 2026 21:00:00 GMT

An Immersive Retreat for Women
in Association Leadership

5 - 8 May | Christchurch, New Zealand

Join us for an exclusive 3.5-day retreat set in Canterbury's breathtaking high country at Fable Terrace Downs Resort.

Over the 3.5 days you will experience a transformational leadership retreat facilitated by Lauren Parsons, CSP.

The WIAL Retreat includes:

3 nights accommodation in beautiful, tranquil surroundings (2 bedroom, 2 bathroom suites. Single supplement available at additional cost).
Facilitated leadership & personal growth program;
Nutritious, locally inspired daily meals;
Return Christchurch transfers.

What you'll gain:

Strategic clarity to lead with sharper focus, purpose and impact;
Stronger executive presence and communication to influence and inspire;
Tools to prevent burnout and sustain high performance through busy seasons;
Emotional intelligence and decision-making skills for complex environments;
Brave boundary-setting to protect your time, energy and attention; and
Proven culture-building frameworks to lift wellbeing and results.

Why This Retreat Stands Out

This is not a conference. It is an intimate, high-trust environment where learning goes deeper and breakthroughs happen faster.

You will work closely with Lauren Parsons – award-winning leadership expert, TEDx speaker and author of Thriving Leaders, Thriving Teams. Each participant will receive a personal copy of the book to reinforce long-term change.

Located at Terrace Downs – “a place that reinvigorates the mind and soothes the soul” – you’ll reset, recharge and realign with what matters most.

The Results

You will leave:

Re-energised, centered and future-focused
Equipped with a clear leadership roadmap and practical tools
Ready to lead with greater energy, empathy, confidence and influence

Spaces are strictly limited and will be allocated on a first-in, first-served basis.

* Open to women currently working in an association or not-for-profit organisation.

Earn CAE Credits

All education sessions at the Retreat are CAE-eligible and attendees may earn up to 10 CAE credits for attending the event.

Click here for a draft program and timings.

Payment by installments is available - please email elaine@ausae.org.au and we can assist.

Proudly sponsored by:

Association Skills Lab (Melbourne) – Build Your AI-Ready Member Journey Blueprint: A Practical Workshop for Future-Ready Associations (14 May 2026)

Wed, 13 May 2026 23:00:00 GMT

Most associations do not have a visibility problem. They have an answer problem.

Members are no longer waiting to be engaged. They are actively asking questions through search engines, AI tools, and digital platforms, expecting immediate, relevant, and personalised answers. The question is: Is your association showing up as the best answer?

In this practical, hands-on workshop, you will:

Map your current member journey and identify where value is gained and where it is lost
Pinpoint the critical moments that influence member acquisition, engagement, and renewal
Assess your organisation’s AI readiness across data, systems, and experience design
Identify high-impact opportunities to use AI to improve conversion, engagement, and retention
Define a clear 90-day action plan aligned to measurable outcomes

What makes this session different
This is not a theory session. You will work through a structured AI Readiness Workbook and leave with:

A mapped and prioritised member journey
A clearly defined AI use case tailored to your association including AI prompts ready to go
A practical 90-day execution plan
A clear understanding of where to focus for maximum impact

Who should attend

CEOs and Executive Leaders
Heads of Membership, Marketing, and Digital
Teams responsible for member growth, engagement, and retention

What you will walk away with
By the end of this session, you will have:

Clarity on where your member experience is underperforming
A prioritised opportunity to improve a key business metric
A practical, AI-enabled use case you can implement immediately
A structured plan to drive measurable progress over the next 90 days

Included
All participants will receive the AI Readiness Workbook, a practical guide designed to help you assess your current state, identify gaps, and take action across every stage of the member journey. We recommend that participants bring their laptop with access to their preferred AI platform.

Attendees receive 3 ASAE CAE credits.* 

*Causeis 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 3 credits 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 Host & Facilitator:

Michelle Lelempsis is the CEO and Founder of Causeis, a global, multi-award-winning digital consulting firm helping associations achieve digital success. Leading a team of more than 30 experts, Michelle supports over 80 association clients, impacting more than 600,000 members worldwide.

Michelle has consulted with and presented to hundreds of associations across Australia and globally on digital transformation, member engagement, and aligning technology with business strategy. A respected speaker and advisor in the association sector, she is known for her practical insights, energy, and passion for helping associations unlock the full potential of their digital ecosystems.

Proudly Sponsored By:

About Causeis

Causeis is a global, multi-award-winning digital consulting firm dedicated to helping associations achieve digital success. With a team of 30+ experts, Causeis supports more than 80 association clients, positively impacting over 600,000 members worldwide.

Causeis is the creator of Causeis Launchpad and Smart Suite, trusted solutions designed to transform operations and elevate the member experience. Causeis Launchpad powered by iMIS®, is a preconfigured AMS built by association experts to accelerate implementation, fast-track your ROI and digital success.

Causeis is the current ASI Global iMIS Partner of the Year, an award received five times in the past six years. Learn more at www.causeis.com

Association Skills Lab (North Sydney) – Build Your AI-Ready Member Journey Blueprint: A Practical Workshop for Future-Ready Associations (21 May 2026)

Wed, 20 May 2026 23:00:00 GMT

Most associations do not have a visibility problem. They have an answer problem.

In this practical, hands-on workshop, you will:

Map your current member journey and identify where value is gained and where it is lost
Pinpoint the critical moments that influence member acquisition, engagement, and renewal
Assess your organisation’s AI readiness across data, systems, and experience design
Identify high-impact opportunities to use AI to improve conversion, engagement, and retention
Define a clear 90-day action plan aligned to measurable outcomes

What makes this session different
This is not a theory session. You will work through a structured AI Readiness Workbook and leave with:

A mapped and prioritised member journey
A clearly defined AI use case tailored to your association including AI prompts ready to go
A practical 90-day execution plan
A clear understanding of where to focus for maximum impact

Who should attend

CEOs and Executive Leaders
Heads of Membership, Marketing, and Digital
Teams responsible for member growth, engagement, and retention

What you will walk away with
By the end of this session, you will have:

Clarity on where your member experience is underperforming
A prioritised opportunity to improve a key business metric
A practical, AI-enabled use case you can implement immediately
A structured plan to drive measurable progress over the next 90 days

Attendees receive 3 ASAE CAE credits.* 

Meet our Host & Facilitator:

Proudly Sponsored By:

About Causeis

Causeis is the current ASI Global iMIS Partner of the Year, an award received five times in the past six years. Learn more at www.causeis.com

Association Skills Lab (Auckland) – Build Your AI-Ready Member Journey Blueprint: A Practical Workshop for Future-Ready Associations (09 Jun 2026)

Mon, 08 Jun 2026 21:00:00 GMT

Most associations do not have a visibility problem. They have an answer problem.

In this practical, hands-on workshop, you will:

Map your current member journey and identify where value is gained and where it is lost
Pinpoint the critical moments that influence member acquisition, engagement, and renewal
Assess your organisation’s AI readiness across data, systems, and experience design
Identify high-impact opportunities to use AI to improve conversion, engagement, and retention
Define a clear 90-day action plan aligned to measurable outcomes

What makes this session different
This is not a theory session. You will work through a structured AI Readiness Workbook and leave with:

A mapped and prioritised member journey
A clearly defined AI use case tailored to your association including AI prompts ready to go
A practical 90-day execution plan
A clear understanding of where to focus for maximum impact

Who should attend

CEOs and Executive Leaders
Heads of Membership, Marketing, and Digital
Teams responsible for member growth, engagement, and retention

What you will walk away with
By the end of this session, you will have:

Clarity on where your member experience is underperforming
A prioritised opportunity to improve a key business metric
A practical, AI-enabled use case you can implement immediately
A structured plan to drive measurable progress over the next 90 days

Attendees receive 3 ASAE CAE credits.* 

Meet our Host & Facilitator:

Proudly Sponsored By:

About Causeis:

Causeis is the current ASI Global iMIS Partner of the Year, an award received five times in the past six years. Learn more at www.causeis.com