Our Story
The Engaging Associations Forum is THE event for innovative association and not-for-profit executives. With a heavy emphasis on peer-to-peer exchange, thought-leadership and dynamic education, this conference aims to build a stronger, more vibrant association sector in Canada. If you want to experience a uniquely engaging conference, this is the place to be.
In 2013, after another industry conference with a format that just wasn't engaging – the “same-old, same-old” topics, lots of talking heads flogging their services, little opportunity to ask questions, Meagan Rockett, and Doreen Ashton Wagner decided it was time for a change.
“Association executives deserve to have a place where they can air their concerns in a safe, collaborative space, among peers.”
In 2017 we will be celebrating the fourth year of this thought-leadership event devoted exclusively to the issues facing associations and the not-for-profit sector.
our 2017 instalment is 68% sold!
81% of current registrants are association executives!
85% of current registrants are with a Canadian association.
24% of current registrants are from outside the ottawa area.
Top Engager Partners
Change Maker Partners
Thought Leader Partners
Innovator Partners
Media Partner
Become A Partner
Features
PEER-TO-PEER EXCHANGE
THOUGHT LEADERSHIP
HELPFUL PARTNERS
INNOVATIVE EDUCATION
NETWORKING FUN
ENGAGING MEETING DESIGN
SENSORY EXPERIENCE
HEALTHY FOOD
What to expect
Program
Want to see what is in store for 2017? This schedule and session description is updated as of June 9, 2017
Birds of a Feather Dinner
Back again for 2017! FOR ASSOCIATION EXECUTIVES ONLY
Who’s Coming
Registration is NOW OPEN. Have a look at the organizations who have registered to-date…
Past Photos
Check out some photos from our past instalments!
Current Speaker Roster
Your Engaging Associations Forum Hosts, and our list of confirmed speakers
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Doreen Ashton Wagner, Organizational Catalyst
Greenfield Services Inc -
Meagan Rockett, Association Ambassador
Greenfield Services Inc -
Julie Begbie, Chief Facilitator, Coherent Solutions
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Elisa Beselt, Consultant, T1
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Cathy Bouwers, Communications Specialist, CSMLS
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Michael Brennan, Consultant
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Jesse Brown, Digital Media Expert | Disruptive Journalist | Futurist
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Joanne Bull – Senior Manager Corporate Sponsorship, TD Bank Financial Group
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Philip Cartwright, Board Member, Canadian Advocacy Network
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David Coletto, Chief Insight Officer of Abacus Data
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Mona Cotton, Vice President, Partner Relations and Business Services, PCMA
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Tania Crecco, Marketing Manager, National Sponsorships Dairy Farmers of Canada
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Michael Grant, Director of Marketing & Communications, CSMLS
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Kate Harrison, Consultant, Summa Strategies
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Jeff Horne, Founder & CEO, Industrial
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Chris Hunter, IT Manager at CPA Manitoba
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Alissa Hurley, CMM, DES, CED, VP, Marketing, FMAV
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Ronda Kellington, CAE, Executive Director, Acupuncture Canada
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Regan Mathurin, Vice President, Alphabet Creative
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Rupendra Pant, Member Engagement Manager, OPPI
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Lauren Parsons, Wellbeing Specialist
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Melinda Pruett-Jones, Executive Director, American Ornithological Society
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Melissa Sariffodeen, CEO & Co-Founder, Ladies Learning Code & Canada Learning Code
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Darryl Walter, Director of Membership, Solid Waste Association of North America
By signing up for updates we will keep you in the loop on added sessions, unique experiences, and special offers.
Our Event Manifesto
We believe in:
Calling all Association & NFP Executives
Association suppliers: Please note, the Engaging Associations Forum is for Association and NFP executives only. If the not-for-profit sector is one that you sell to, you may be able to attend as a Partner. Please contact us for details.
The Stakeholder
CDN369
- Pre-Forum Reception
- Education Sessions July 20-21, 2017
- All Scheduled Meals and Breaks
- Time to Collaborate, Network & Create Change
The Day Tripper
CDN189
- Thursday, July 20; OR
- Friday, July 21
- All Meals and Breaks for the Day
- Collaborate, Network & Create Change
Birds of a Feather Dinner
CDN69
- Thursday, July 20, 2017
- 7:00-9:00 PM
- Infinity Convention Centre
- FOR ASSOCIATION EXECUTIVES ONLY
- Time to Collaborate, Network & Create Change
Blog
What you need to know about the Engaging Associations Forum!
HPV social media marketing – spreading the word, not the disease
What if you had to communicate to women 25-45 that they were at high risk of contracting HPV, a sexually transmitted virus that can lead to multiple forms of cancer? It’s a mandate that SOGC – the Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada take very seriously. So, using social media techniques to create positive[…]
Bringing the Public In: How to make public opinion an effective advocacy tool?
By David Coletto, Abacus Data & Kate Harrison, Summa Strategies Ever wondered how to use public opinion research or polling to improve your advocacy campaign? Or how the data itself could be used to build relationships with stakeholders and government decision makers? You’re not alone. A modern advocacy strategy must include the public and polling can[…]
Porter Airlines Returns as Innovator Partner for Engaging Associations Forum
We are thrilled to welcome back Porter Airlines to the Engaging Associations Forum, as an Innovator Partner for 2017. Porter Airlines signed on to partner with the Engaging Associations Forum for the first time back in 2015, and has returned to the event each year since. A Canadian airline, they offer flights to 15 Canadian[…]
Stop your Knowledge Walking out the Door
By Julie Begbie, Chief Facilitator, Coherent Solutions Strategies for effective knowledge transfer for associations We are at a point in time in our workplace environments where staff transitions are frequent and increasing. Boomers are retiring. Millennials expect to transition jobs every few years. Add to that the regular cycles of maternity, and more and more[…]
AssociationSuccess.org Partners with the Engaging Associations Forum in 2017
Association Success, a collaborative effort among sibling companies rallied around a single purpose: helping associations thrive and succeed in today’s ever-changing environment, has partnered with the Engaging Associations Forum in 2017. What Is AssociationSuccess.org? AssociationSuccess.org is a site for those who are tired of doing things the way they’ve always been done, because that’s the[…]
A Canadian Sponsorship Perspective
By Elisa Beselt, Consultant, T1 For the past 11 years, the Canadian Sponsorship Landscape Study (CSLS) provides Canadian sponsorship professionals with key insights and information on the scope, scale and trends of the sponsorship industry in Canada. Pulling from the data and uncovering the perspectives of the three key groups of sponsorship stakeholders – sponsors,[…]
Event Mobi Returns as a Change-Maker Partner at the Engaging Associations Forum
We are thrilled to welcome back EventMobi to the Engaging Associations Forum, as a Change-Maker Partner “EventMobi was so easy to use last year. They did a fantastic job supporting us leading up to the Engaging Associations Forum, but also were phenomenal with onsite support too. We were so proud to partner with them last[…]
The Ever-Talented Team at Lou Lou Lounge Returns to the Engaging Associations Forum
We are thrilled to have the FABULOUS team at Lou Lou Lounge return to the Engaging Associations Forum for the 4th year in a row! They have just gotten the intent of our Forum from the start. We wanted to create change. We wanted to challenge the status quo. We wanted a calm, engaging, beautiful,[…]
VIA Rail Returns as Thought-Leader Partner at the Engaging Associations Forum
We are thrilled to welcome back VIA Rail to the Engaging Associations Forum, as a Thought-Leader for 2017. Here are some fast facts about VIA Rail: They are also celebrating Canada’s 150: Check out their video, VIA Rail & Canada 150: All aboard for the celebrations! Last year, VIA Rail joined us and provided some[…]
Is Peer-to-Peer Learning Trending in Your Association?
Two years ago at The Engaging Associations Forum our Keynote Speaker Jill Birch alerted us to the need to more peer-to-peer learning models in our professional and trade associations. (read Jill’s article here) One reason is that Millennials, the generation that everyone seems to be chasing these days, was brought up with peer-to-peer learning. We[…]