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2025 Convention + Trade Show

Wednesday, December 10, 2025 at 8:00 AM (CST) to Thursday, December 11, 2025 at 3:00 PM (CST)
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Event Details

Join Us for the 2025 Convention: A Must-Attend Event for Tennessee Association Professionals 

**CLICK HERE FOR ADDITIONAL DETAILS!**

Mark your calendars for the 2025 Convention, where association professionals like you come together for a dynamic and enriching experience! 

  • Silent Auction: Don’t miss the chance to bid on exclusive items and experiences.
  • Trade Show: Meet with exhibitors from top hotel properties, CVBs, and business solutions providers. Discover the latest products and services that can elevate your association.
    • TRADE SHOW THEME: Reset. Rebuild. Reconnect.
  • Educational Sessions: Learn from industry experts in our insightful sessions designed to help you stay ahead in a rapidly evolving landscape.
  • Awards of Excellence Lunch: Celebrate the achievements of your peers at our awards lunch, honoring outstanding individuals and associations.

Registration for exhibitors and attendees is open! 

Agenda

December 10
8:00 AM - 8:45 AM Registration & Coffee!
8:45 AM - 9:00 AM Welcome & Introduction of our Morning Keynote **Please note: All session descriptions below are a shortened description. For the full session descriptions please view the PDF. We look forward to seeing you the morning of December 10th for our first session of the day!
9:00 AM - 10:00 AM Building the Business Model of the Future: Secure Growth & Gain a Competitive Edge, Eric Curtis, CEO & Managing Partner, Curtis Strategy Disruption isn't just a buzzword; it's a reality forcing associations to adapt or struggle to keep up with industry changes. While this has left many feeling uncertain and unsettled, there are those who have capitalized on the disruption as an opportunity to transform and reinvent their business or service models. Don't let disruption define your future. Join us and start building a thriving future for your association.
10:10 AM - 11:00 AM When You Know Too Much: Overcoming a Common Psychological Bias to Boost Revenue, Carrie McIntyre, Navigate In this fun, interactive session, you’ll step out of your “me” shoes and into your “them” shoes to see your association from the perspective of prospective sponsors and members.  From there, you’ll see exactly what needs to change to close the knowledge gap between you and your prospects for improved revenue results. 
11:15 AM - 12:20 PM We’ve Got 99 Problems… Let’s Learn How to Solve Them, Nikki Golden, CAE, Association Laboratory Using a framework to approach innovation at your organization, participants will use hands-on teamwork to understand that multiple strengths and departmental perspectives at the discussion table leads to better outcomes and how to instill this type of collaboration into the organization’s culture.
12:20 PM - 1:30 PM Awards of Excellence Lunch
1:40 PM - 2:35 PM From Meh to Memorable: Crafting Experiences That Keep Members and Partners Coming Back, Carrie McIntyre We all want to deliver exceptional member experiences and build strong sponsor relationships — but how often do we actually define what that looks like on a day-to-day basis? When we get it right, we reap the benefits of stronger renewals and retention, and we create brand champions who make it even easier to attract new prospects. In this session, we’ll explore five key components of a customer experience strategy you can define, share, and operationalize with your team. 
2:45 PM - 3:50 PM What Successful Businesses Know (and How Your Association Can Implement Their Strategies), Charles Stanisce, Novi AMS In today’s fast-paced, highly competitive landscape, the most successful businesses have mastered the art of marketing and sales, investing billions of dollars in research and development to refine their processes to stay ahead of the competition. So, what can associations that often have fewer resources learn from these industry leaders?You'll walk away with applications using these strategies to increase member engagement, revenue, and create lasting value for your members.
4:15 PM - 5:45 PM Reception Sponsored by our friends at VisitFranklin You won't want to miss this fun reception at Harbor + Union within The Factory at Franklin! A huge thank you to our sponsors: Harbor + Union, VisitFranklin, and Edleys. Transportation will be provided or you can drive over! And, plan to check out one of the wonderful restaurants on property after the reception! 
December 11
8:30 AM - 8:45 AM It's Trade Show Day! Join us to visit 35+ exhibitors!
9:00 AM - 10:10 AM Uncommon Collaboration: The Passes That Transform How We Work Together, Mark S. Kenny Why don’t we work together like we know we could and should? Most associations have strong missions, capable leaders, and dedicated people. Yet even in the best organizations, invisible walls form between boards, staff, and members. Alignment fades. Energy stalls. 

In this energizing and relatable keynote, Mark Kenny takes audiences beneath the surface of meetings, plans, and strategies to uncover what truly drives connection and trust. 
10:10 AM - 11:10 AM Trade Show Floor Time & Silent Auction!
11:10 AM - 12:15 PM The Volunteer Playbook: Strategies for Recruitment, Retention, and Recognition; Lisa Moore, CAE, Executive Director, Raybourn Group International Effectively engaging and managing volunteers requires thoughtful strategies to The Playbook to enhance the volunteer experience while moving the mission forward. Participants will create their playbook to assist their organization by identifying an understanding of the volunteer lifecycle, the diverse motivations of volunteers & best practices in communication. Participants will evaluate their current volunteer programs & assess the impact and where necessary improvements could be made.
12:15 PM - 1:00 PM Lunch with Exhibitors in Exhibit Hall
1:10 PM - 2:00 PM Peer Power Hour: Connect, Reflect, and Share Join us for a fast-paced Peer Power Hour modeled after TNSAE’s Peer Power Lunch Series! Together, we’ll identify three key topics inspired by the conversations and sessions from day one of the convention. Then, break into small groups to dive deeper, share insights, and learn from one another in this collaborative discussion session.
2:00 PM - 3:00 PM Trade Show Floor Time & Silent Auction Join us for this final hour of the trade show floor & the silent auction! Giveaways will be announced at 3 p.m. 
3:00 PM - 3:00 PM Convention & Trade Show Concludes

For More Information:

Jamie Flynn
Jamie Flynn
CAE, IOM Executive Director Tennessee Society of Association Executives (615)298-5944
View Profile

HOTEL INFORMATION:

We have a room block at the Franklin Marriott Cool Springs for the nights of December 9 and December 10. Room rate is $169/night. Reservations can be made by calling (888) 403-6772. And, a link will be available soon.