General Sessions

Wednesday, February 11, 2026

1:30 - 2:30 PM
Culture as a Competitive Advantage: Engaging and Retaining Talent
Moderator: Mike Dwyer, Association Headquarters

Panelists: Carolyn Lagermasini, CAE, Association & Conference Group, Steve Smith, MS, CAE, FAAMSE, Association Management Center, John Dee, CPA, CGMA, Bostrom, Bob Waller, Association Headquarters, Inc.

Talent engagement and retention are top challenges for AMCs today. A thriving culture doesn’t just happen — it is intentionally built and actively nurtured. This session dives into approaches for strengthening team cohesion, empowering staff, and aligning culture with organizational values. Participants will discover best practices for recognizing contributions, boosting morale, and building a culture that attracts and retains top talent.

Thursday, February 12
2:30 - 4:00 PM

Not Keeping You Up Yet?  What's Shaping the Future of AMCs
Moderator JJ Colburn, CAE | co-CEO, Strategic Association Management

Panelists:James Zaniello, FSAE, President Vetted Solutions, Sarah Timm, CAE, CMP-HC, President & CEO, Parthenon Management Group, Hugh K. Webster, Partner, Webster, Chamberlain & Bean, and Lane Velayo, Synergos

A cross-perspective conversation on early signals, emerging risks, and the questions AMC leaders should already be asking.  What’s next for AMCs may not be what’s loudest today—but what’s quietly forming just ahead.

In this moderated panel, AMC owners and staff will hear from a cross-section of stakeholders each offering a distinct vantage point on emerging issues, risks, and opportunities that may be “around the corner” for the industry.

Rather than focusing on today’s urgent fires, this conversation explores early signals and open questions: What regulatory or contractual shifts might be taking shape? How could liability, governance expectations, or meeting and destination dynamics evolve? What changes in talent, workforce models, technology, data, or client expectations may be emerging just beyond our current line of sight - and what else are we not yet asking?

Panelists will share what they’re seeing first, where AMCs may be under-prepared, and the questions leaders should already be asking. Attendees will leave with greater awareness, sharper perspective, and practical ways to prepare - so what’s coming next doesn’t come as a surprise.