Making the Case to Attend

Did you know?

MSAE25 fits your PD budget! You can attend 2.5 days of conference programming, connect with some of the foremost thought leaders in association management, and participate in unique networking experiences all while enjoying two nights at the beautiful Grand Traverse Resort and Spa all for just over $1200 total

Investing in professional development isn’t just about attending another conference—it’s about fueling your impact. MSAE25 is designed to deliver measurable value for both you and your organization. From nationally recognized keynotes and practical, solution-focused sessions to exclusive networking opportunities, every element of the experience strengthens your ability to lead, innovate, and drive results for your members.

This webpage provides everything you need to make a strong case for attendance. You’ll find tools and information to:

  • Demonstrate how MSAE25 aligns with your organization’s goals and priorities.

  • Highlight the immediate and long-term return on investment of participating.

  • Estimate and manage costs—including travel, lodging, and meals.

  • Show how you’ll bring value back to your team through shared learning and actionable insights.

Whether you’re preparing a formal request or simply outlining the benefits for your supervisor, these resources will help you present MSAE25 as a smart, strategic investment in your professional growth and your organization’s future.

👉 Ready to make your case? Explore the resources below to build your personalized Business Case for Attending MSAE25.


Build Your Case

Step 1: Review the conference agenda and concurrent sessions to identify sessions that will help you succeed in your role. Looking for suggestions? Please see the Recommended Sessions by Role table below!    

Step 2: Calculate the mileage-related expense for your travel to Traverse City. The chart below contains calculations from common origins at the 2025 IRS mileage: 

Origin

Round-trip miles   

Estimated cost (0.70 × miles)

Lansing → Traverse City

~ 365 miles

$255.50

Detroit → Traverse City

~ 510 miles

$357.00

Grand Rapids → Traverse City  

~ 288 miles

$201.60

Step 3: Download and update the letter to your supervisor. Make sure you fill in the details and remove the highlights from the text. 

Step 4: Submit your request according to your association's policy. 

Step 5: Plan to follow through on your commitment to share what you learn with your colleagues!  

Step 6: Have a great time learning and connecting with colleagues at MSAE25!  


Recommended Sessions by Role

Click the Ì to view the suggested sessions for each role. 

Keynote: MemberShift: Why Members Leave and the Strategies to Bring Them Back
Sarah L. Sladek, Founder & CEO, XYZ University

Freemium Membership Model: A Real Time Case Study
Barry Schieferstein, CAE, CMP, DES, Chief Operating Officer, The American Society for Nondestructive Testing, Inc.

Digging for Truth: Uncovering the Drivers of Membership & Retention
Pete Zimek, CAE, CEO, Novi AMS

Unlocking Member Value: Using the Value Proposition Canvas to Strengthen Your Product Portfolio
Jean Jernigan, CAE, CMP, IOM, President, Auburn Hills Chamber of Commerce, and Donna Oser, CAE, President & CEO, Michigan Society of Association Executives

Capturing the Voice of Your Future Member: Analytical Tools
Christine Saunders, CM, President & Founder, Halmyre

Leveraging Education to Drive Member Acquisition and Retention
Sierra Sharpe, MBA, PMP, Director of Professional Development, and Ken Root, Director of Membership, International Hearing Society

Keynote: Learning That Pays: Delivering Education Members Value—and Invest In!
Tracy King, CAE, CEO, InspirEd

Brand Boldly: Social Media That Connects and Grows
Shelley Davis Boyd, MBA, CAE, Chief Operations Officer, and Stacy Bogard, CAE, Sr. PR & Content Strategist, M3 Group

Why Print Still Matters
Matt Kenny, President, and Jillian LaCross, Managing Editor & Content Marketer, VP Demand Creation Services

Four Strategic Communication Steps for Real Results
Andie Poole, APR, Partner, Bellwether Public Relations

The ROI of AI: Personalizing Member Communications That Drive Results
Elizabeth Crosby, Senior Manager, Partnerships, rasa.io

Mic Check: Why Every Association Should Be Podcasting
Colby Horton, Founder & CEO, Association Briefings

Keynote: Learning That Pays: Delivering Education Members Value—and Invest In!
Tracy King, CAE, CEO, InspirEd

Designing Event Programs That Engage & Deliver!
MacKenzie Feldpausch, MA, Education Programming Manager, Michigan Association of School Boards

The Neuroinclusive Imperative: Strategies for Inclusive Event and Education Design
Tracy King, CEO, InspirEd

Cultivating Belonging: Inclusive Association Meetings and Events
Shawn Hunter, CMP, Inclusive Event Strategist and Director of Member Engagement, Community Economic Development Association of Michigan

Profitable & Unforgettable: Building Revenue Generating Events That WOW!
Jacquelen Timm, CAE, Director of Association Management and Communications, and Evelyn Dougherty, Association Manager, Kelley Cawthorne

Creating and Managing Online Learning with AI: What Works, What Doesn’t, and How to Get Started
Diana L. Brandon, Ph.D., Chief Information & Technology Officer, eLearningDOC

Keynote: All Keynotes

Work Smarter, Serve Better: Streamlining Workflows for a Stronger Association
Ashley Wakefield, Director of Membership, Marketing & Events, Michigan Manufacturers Association

Mastering Cash Flow: Best Practices for Receipts, Controls, and Payments
Christopher Williams, Treasury Management Relationship Manager, First National Bank of Michigan

Small Staff, Big Impact: Strategies for Thriving with Limited Resources
Grant Carpenter, CAE, Executive Director, and Jessica MacMillan, Senior Meetings & Membership Coordinator, Raybourn Group International

Quick Tips for AI Productivity Featuring Microsoft Copilot
Randall Dean, MBA, CVP, The E-Mail Sanity Expert®, Randall Dean Consulting & Training, LLC

Beyond Membership: The Essential Role of Non-Dues Revenue in Association Success
Bill Sheehan, Global Head, Association Strategy, D2L

Keynote: All Keynotes

Strategic Board Leadership: Elevating Governance for Impact
Jean Jernigan, CAE, CMP, IOM, President, Auburn Hills Chamber of Commerce, and Donna Oser, CAE, President & CEO, Michigan Society of Association Executives

Keeping Good People: The Value of Creating a Leadership Pathway
Todd Culver, President & CEO, Incompass Michigan

Long Range Planning That Makes Sense
Mark Griffin, President, Michigan Petroleum Association/Michigan Association of Convenience Stores

Beyond the Heir Apparent: Building Resilient Associations Through Strategic Succession Planning
Drew Burns, CAE, Director of Client Strategy, and Bryce Barker, Director of Association Management, Advancing Organizational Excellence

Building a Culture of Continuous Improvement: Practical Strategies for Association Success
Jared Burkhart, CAE, Chief Executive Officer, Big I Michigan