Your Complete Guide to TSAE New Ideas Annual Conference 2025

September 7-9, 2025 | Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center, San Antonio, Texas

The Texas Society of Association Executives (TSAE) New Ideas Annual Conference is the premier event for association professionals and industry suppliers. This comprehensive guide covers everything you need to know about the three-day conference featuring 20+ concurrent breakout sessions, multiple keynotes, and extensive networking opportunities.

108 ideaspace will be at Booth T-15 – visit us to discuss technology trends shaping the association industry in 2025 and beyond.

Conference At-a-Glance

Dates: September 7-9, 2025
Location: Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center, 900 East Market Street, San Antonio, TX 78205
Attendees: Association executives, membership directors, event managers, marketing professionals, and industry suppliers
Format: 20+ breakout sessions, keynote presentations, networking events, live podcast recordings
Registration: Available at TSAE.org

Day-by-Day Schedule

Sunday, September 7, 2025

11:00 AM – Annual Partners Luncheon
Exclusive celebration for the organization’s biggest supporters and partners.

12:00 PM – Registration Opens
Pick up your badge, conference tote, and materials.

12:45 PM – Newbie Orientation
Essential session for first-time attendees featuring insights from TSAE leadership and seasoned members.

1:00 PM – Experience Hall Opens
Meet affiliate partners, explore products and destinations along the Experience River.

2:30 PM – Opening Keynote
“Lead Through Change: How to Build Trust and Inspire Authentic Leadership”
Juan Bendana, Bendana International Inc.

3:45 PM – Podcast Pro Office Hours
Drop-in consultations for podcast planning, sponsorship opportunities, and non-dues revenue strategies.

4:15 PM – Concurrent Breakout Sessions (5 options)

• From Assumptions to Insights: Rethinking Renewals with Data-Driven Engagement
• Cover Your Association: Using An Ethical Toolkit for Decision-Making
• Practical Strategies for Supporting Small Staff Teams
• Selling to Associations: How to Build Trust, Align Value, and Earn More Clients
• Smarter Events, Smoother Workflows: Practical AI Tools for Planning and Productivity

7:00 PM – Opening Party
“Revelry: The Confluence of Culturas” at The Creamery District, hosted by Visit San Antonio

9:01 PM – TSAE After-Party
Fundraiser event at Stable Hall with drinks, networking, and live music

Monday, September 8, 2025

7:30 AM – CAE Breakfast (Invitation Only)
Recognition breakfast for certified association executives.

8:00 AM – Continental Breakfast
Networking breakfast in the Experience Hall.

9:00 AM – General Session Keynote
“Leading with Clarity and Conviction in a High-Stakes Environment”
Jenifer Sarver, Principal, Sarver Strategies

10:30 AM – Concurrent Breakout Sessions (6 options)

• Navigating Change and Uncertainty: Strategies to Lead Through Chaos
• Build a Story-Driven Elevator Pitch
• Creating and Managing Online Learning With AI
• Strategic Partnerships: Enhancing Member Programs & Maximizing Sponsorships
• Beyond the Agenda: Designing Events That Drive Meaningful Connection
• What Associations Need to Know Before Building Their First Dashboard

11:30 AM – Experience Hall Exploration
Final opportunity to connect with affiliate partners and activation stations.

11:30 AM – Podcast Learning Lab
“Mic Drop 101: Starting Your Association Podcast” (30-minute session)

12:00 PM – Awards Luncheon
Recognition ceremony for 2025 TSAE Award Winners with networking lunch.

1:45 PM – Concurrent Breakout Sessions (5 options)

• Taming High-Performing Nightmares: How to Survive Toxic Superstars
• Beyond the Ask: Strategic Sponsorships for Sustainable Growth
• Navigating the Social Media Landscape
• Data-Driven Programming: Use Your Data, Surveys & Insights
• Deep Dive: Membership Unmasked: Tackling Your Toughest Challenges

2:45 PM – Additional Podcast Pro Office Hours

3:45 PM – San Antonio Excursions
Explore the city with fellow conference attendees.

6:00 PM – Newbie Meet-Up
Networking event for first-time attendees.

8:30 PM – Space Disco Party
Dessert reception hosted by Hyatts in Texas with DJ, cocktails, and themed entertainment.

Tuesday, September 9, 2025

8:00 AM – Breakfast
Final networking breakfast opportunity.

9:00 AM – Concurrent Breakout Sessions (4 options)

• Unlocking Meeting Success: How Destination Partnerships Are Your Secret Weapon
• Beyond Gut Instinct: A Practical Framework for Navigating Risk in Associations
• ATPE’s Case Study in Shrinking an Advocacy Program to Optimize Engagement
• The Art of Difficult Conversations

9:00 AM – Podcast Learning Lab
“Marketing Your Podcast Like a Pro” (30-minute session)

10:15 AM – Closing Keynote
“Digital Disruption: The Future of Work, Skills, Leadership, Education, and Careers”
Dr. Tracey Wilen, MBA, DBA, Visiting Scholar, Spea

Session Categories & Topics

Technology & Innovation

• AI tools for event planning and productivity
• Online learning development with AI
• Dashboard creation for associations
• Digital disruption and future workplace trends

Membership & Engagement

• Data-driven renewal strategies
• Millennial and Gen Z member engagement
• Membership challenge problem-solving
• Member retention and segmentation

Leadership & Management

• Managing difficult conversations
• Handling toxic high performers
• Change management and uncertainty navigation
• Ethical decision-making frameworks

Revenue & Partnerships

• Strategic sponsorship development
• Sustainable partnership models
• Supplier relationship building
• Non-dues revenue generation

Events & Programming

• Destination partnership strategies
• Event design for meaningful connection
• Data-driven content creation
• Welcoming event experiences

Governance & Risk

• Risk assessment frameworks
• Advocacy program optimization
• Social media management
• Organizational decision-making

Special Learning Formats

Podcast Pro Office Hours

Drop-in consultations available Sunday and Monday for personalized advice on:

• Launching association podcasts
• Sponsorship and revenue opportunities
• Content strategy and format selection

Learning Labs (30-minute focused sessions)

• Mic Drop 101: Starting Your Association Podcast
• Marketing Your Podcast Like a Pro: Promotion strategies

Deep Dive Sessions

Extended interactive sessions for complex topic exploration:

• Membership Unmasked: Tackling Your Toughest Challenges

Live Podcast Recordings

Multiple Better By Association Podcast recordings throughout the conference capturing real-time insights.

Thought Leader Sessions

• New Member Orientation: TSAE 101 – Getting Involved After New Ideas
• Create the World’s Most Welcoming Events

Networking Opportunities

Experience Hall

Central hub featuring the Experience River with affiliate partners, product demonstrations, and themed activation stations.

First-Time Attendee Programs

• Newbie Orientation (Sunday)
• Newbie Meet-Up (Monday evening)

Evening Events

• Opening Party: Cultural celebration at The Creamery District
• 9:01 After-Party: Fundraiser at Stable Hall
• Space Disco Party: Themed dessert reception

Meal Events

• Annual Partners Luncheon
• CAE Recognition Breakfast
• Awards Luncheon
• Daily continental breakfasts

City Exploration

Tuesday afternoon excursions to explore San Antonio with conference connections.

Registration & Location Information

Venue: Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center
Address: 900 East Market Street, San Antonio, TX 78205
Registration: Visit TSAE.org for pricing and registration details
Conference Format: In-person event with multiple concurrent sessions

Why Attend New Ideas 2025

Targeted Content

Sessions address specific challenges facing association professionals rather than generic business topics.

Peer Learning

Connect with practitioners who understand membership organization constraints and nonprofit operational realities.

Practical Applications

Leave with immediately implementable frameworks, tools, and strategies tested by association leaders.

Industry Intelligence

Stay current on trends affecting member engagement, technology adoption, and revenue generation.

Professional Networks

Build relationships for ongoing collaboration and support beyond the conference.

Meet 108 ideaspace at Booth T-15

Visit Booth T-15 in the Experience Hall throughout the conference to connect with our team.

Take Our Know Your Tech Audit. Get instant insights into what’s working and what’s not working in your current technology stack. Our 5-minute assessment provides immediate analysis of your association’s tech effectiveness, and you’ll receive personalized recommendations from our growth strategist right at the event.

What We’ll Discuss:

• Technology trends shaping the association industry in 2025
• AMS selection and optimization strategies
• AI implementation for association operations
• Technology stack optimization approaches

Our Experience: Over 20 years helping associations make strategic technology decisions that deliver measurable results.

When to Visit: Stop by during any Experience Hall hours throughout the three-day conference.

Get Your Tech Assessment:
Take our Know Your Tech audit and discover actionable insights for improving your association’s technology performance in under 5 minutes, with expert guidance from our growth strategist.

Find us at Booth T-15 – we look forward to connecting with you in San Antonio.