Association Forum

Happy Friday. Whatever your numbers looked like this week, you made it.

At the end of the day:
🛑 Close the tabs
🔕 Leave the emails
🌴 Enjoy the weekend—you've earned it!

Follow Association Forum for the community who gets it.

Today we learned. We let go. And we grew.

Thank you so much to all of the men and allies who joined us today for the inaugural Man In™: The Men's Leadership Experience. Thank you for coming with open hearts and minds, for sharing your experiences, and for carrying new ideas home with you.

Special thanks to the members of our Man In™ Advisory Group, without whom this beautiful day wouldn't be possible -- Adam Smiley Poslowsky, Greg Heidrich, Darryll Stinson, Jonathan Adams, Shawn Boynes, James Jesse, Ahmmad Brown, Bryan White, Lowell Aplebaum, and Carlos Cardenas. And to Ashanti Branch for closing us out with a powerful workshop.

And of course, thank you to our sponsors Louisville Tourism, EShow: Event Management Solutions, Freeman, and United for your support in hosting this meaningful event.

We can't wait to see you all again next year!

We had a blast kicking off the inaugural Man In™: The Men’s Leadership Experience with a welcome party at Puttshack. We can’t wait to continue the great energy tomorrow. See you there!

Join our FREE Membership Call on Wednesday, Sept. 16 at 12 p.m. CT!

Whether you’re a long-time member or exploring Association Forum, drop in to hear how peers leverage their benefits, ask questions, and discover your next professional move.

Come curious. Leave connected.

Register here: https://netforum.associationforum.org/eweb/DynamicPage.aspx?webcode=EventInfo®_evt_key=40570167-F134-493F-8B06-CFF3F017C69D&RegPath=EventRegNoFees

What are members really paying for now? Association CEOs, bring your honest answer.

CEOnly Connections, Monday, October 5, Noon to 1 p.m. CT, virtual.

A confidential peer exchange: no recordings, no attribution, no sales pitch.
Free for Association Forum CEO members.

Register here: https://ow.ly/FJSP50ZMoXL

43% of leaders say self-awareness deserves more attention. Join us for Man In™: The Men's Leadership Experience:

• Wed, Sept. 16: Kickoff Welcome Reception at Puttshack
• Thu, Sept. 17: Full day of real conversations, connections, and leadership development at the Chicago Botanic Garden

Register: https://s6.goeshow.com/af/men/2026/register.cfm

The Fall CAE Study Group starts September 22.

Nine Tuesdays, 5 to 7 p.m. CT, virtual, led by graduates who already passed. All eight domains, built for the December exam.

Don't pass? The next study group is on us.

Grab your seat: https://www.associationforum.org/events/cae-study-group

Meet Ashanti Branch, Founder of the Ever Forward Club, creator of the , and keynote speaker at Man In™: The Men’s Leadership Experience on September 17 at Chicago Botanic Garden.

Association Forum President & CEO Artesha Moore talks with Ashanti about leadership, connection, and what happens when we look beyond the masks we wear.

Read the full story: https://ow.ly/MBte50ZMoFG

Today we pause to remember the lives lost on September 11, 2001, the first responders who answered the call, and the families who carry that day with them still.

We remember.

Executive burnout has a recipe and most senior leaders can recite it. The fix is a room where you can say the quiet part.

C-Suite Kitchen Cabinet is a confidential, peer led cohort for SVPs, VPs, and Chiefs. No slides, no lectures, just peers. Monthly, virtual, October through March.

Early rate ends September 21.

Register here: https://www.associationforum.org/events/kitchen-cabinet