Keynotes & Breakouts

Big Ideas are Brewing!

MSAE26 is bringing future-focused energy to the heart of Beer City—Grand Rapids, Michigan—and our keynote speakers will help set the tone for an Annual Conference filled with fresh ideas, bold perspectives, and meaningful connections.

Thursday, December 3, 2026 | 8:30 - 9:55 AM The Readiness Reset: Your Next Level Isn’t About Doing More Debbie Peterson, CSP It's easy for association leaders to believe the answer is one more program, one more committee, one more initiative, one more thing. But your next level rarely comes from adding more. It comes from having the clarity to know what matters most and the confidence to let go of what no longer does. In this interactive keynote, Debbie Peterson shares a practical approach for stepping out of reaction mode, making better decisions, and focusing time and energy where they'll have the greatest impact. Participants leave with a renewed sense of purpose and one Next Clear Move™ they can put into action right away.

Thursday, December 3, 2026 | 1:00 - 2:00 PM Is Your Ice Cream Machine Broken…or Obsolete? Russ Webb, CAE, QAS | Executive Director, Bay Area Apartment Association Mike Pennington, CAE | Vice President of Engagement, Novi AMS You know that place that has the ice cream machine that is always broken? Well, that could be your association too. The question is: Do you need to replace it or just tighten the screws a bit? Join us for this fun, interactive session where we will show you how to run the reset test and figure out if it is time for an update or a complete overhaul!

Friday, December 4, 2026 | 12:45 - 1:45 PM Honesty on Tap: The Conversations that Move Teams Forward Grace Gavin | Cofounder, Know Honesty   Teams don’t fail for lack of systems, software, or talent—they fail because of the conversations that never happen. In this engaging keynote, we’ll uncover the communication pitfalls that stall progress, explore practical ways to move even tough conversations forward, and practice simple tools leaders can use to build greater openness, honesty, trust, and results.

Agenda  Keynotes  BREAKOUTS Build Your Case