ASAE and The Center for Association Leadership raised nearly $150,000 at the 2009 Five Star Weekend, an annual networking and professional development event for association executives and industry partners. Held at the Boca Raton Resort and Club in Florida, Oct. 29 to Nov. 1, the event featured acclaimed speakers and community outreach events.
“During this four-day weekend, association professionals and industry partners had the opportunity to create and build long lasting business relationships that are critical to this year’s success, especially during this economic climate,” said David DuBois, CMP, CAE, chairman of the Five Star Weekend and president and CEO of the Fort Worth Convention and Visitors Bureau. “We thank our partners and event sponsors for their continuous support of the Five Star Weekend. With their support, we can continue advocating for the association community and providing the knowledge and learning of ASAE and The Center.”
The 2009 event featured three community outreach projects including construction at a local Habitat for Humanity site, interactions with youth from a Boys and Girls Club and an arts studio with children from The Milagro Center, a nonprofit organization that provides an arts education after school program to the disadvantaged children in the area.
At the event, Jeff Skiles, a co-pilot of the U.S. Airways Flight 1549, spoke to the attendees about the incident on the Hudson River and lessons, training and scenarios that led to the “Miracle on the Hudson.” According to Skiles, the importance of training, preparation and organizational culture all contributed to the safe landing of the plane—same principles that can be applied in organizations throughout the association community, imperative during any situation but especially in times of crises.
The Five-Star Weekend supports ASAE’s Associations Advance America (AAA) Fund and The Center for Association Leadership’s Annual Giving Fund. The AAA Fund serves as the backbone of ASAE’s public policy programs by supporting lobbying, coalition-building, grassroots networking and legal counsel. The Center’s Annual Giving Fund supports the organization’s mission by creating knowledge, learning and community for ASAE and The Center members and industry partners.
Those interested in The Center can visit the Web site at www.asaecenter.org.
