This August, Indiana had the privilege of hosting the American Society of Association Executives (ASAE) Annual Meeting, welcoming more than 5,300 association professionals and partners for education, networking, and idea sharing. Just two months earlier, the Indiana Society of Association Executives (ISAE) hosted its own Annual Convention, bringing together association professionals from across the state for many of those same reasons. Working on the ISAE staff, engaging with the Local Organizing Committee for ASAE, and an ASAE scholarship recipient, I experienced both events through a unique lens. I found a new appreciation for how state and national association societies support the same profession in different, and highly complementary, ways. ISAE and ASAE share a common mission of strengthening the association community, each from its own perspective.
As ASAE’s Annual Meeting approached, ISAE recognized both opportunities and challenges. With the national conference in our backyard, our board and staff had thoughtful conversations about how it might affect our organization in the same calendar year. We moved our conference up a month, giving members the opportunity to attend both events instead of choosing between them. Throughout the year, we encouraged attendees to take advantage of ASAE being in Indianapolis and hoped to see them there as well. Seeing both events in such close succession reinforced something I’ve long believed: state and national organizations don’t compete with one another, they serve different equally important needs.
During ASAE and through ISAE, I also attended a networking reception for Indiana and other Midwest association professionals. While ASAE connected thousands of people from across the country, the regional gathering reminded me that local relationships are also critically important. A Local Organizing Committee subcommittee dedicated to state outreach worked intentionally to increase participation from Indiana’s association community in ASAE and showcase the strength of our state’s association professionals.
ASAE provides a national perspective with research, advocacy, thought leadership, and an extensive catalog of professional development opportunities, including many CAE-approved programs. Members gain access to best practices, innovative ideas, and peers from every corner of the association profession.
ISAE provides something equally valuable, and much closer to home. It creates a community where association professionals can build relationships, ask questions, and collaborate with peers who understand the unique opportunities and challenges of working with comparatively smaller associations within their own state. This is true even for organizations with a national or global presence. Our educational programming is shaped by what members tell us they need most, and our smaller size allows for meaningful networking, leadership opportunities, and mentoring throughout the year.
Neither organization replaces the other. Instead, they complement one another. ASAE helps members think broadly about the future of the association profession, while ISAE helps them navigate the day-to-day realities of their work. Together, they create a more complete professional experience than either could provide on its own.
Hosting ASAE in Indianapolis also created an unexpected opportunity for ISAE. We connected with Indiana association professionals who were already engaged nationally but had not yet become involved with their state society. It was a reminder that national engagement doesn’t diminish the value of local involvement, it often strengthens it.
Having both conferences in Indianapolis during the same summer demonstrated the important role each organization plays. National societies provide vision, research, and broad professional connections. State societies create the relationships, community, and practical support that professionals rely on throughout the year.
When association professionals invest in both, they aren’t choosing one over the other, they’re gaining the best of both worlds.
Jessica MacMillan
Jessica MacMillan is a Meetings and Events Manager here at RGI, combining strategic event planning with a passion for fostering community. She holds a B.A. in Tourism, Conventions, and Event Management from IUPUI, along with certificates in Business Foundations and Tourism Development. Jessica was nominated for the MPI Indiana Chapter’s IMPRESS “One to Watch” award and has served on many association committees, including the Local Organizing Committee for the 2026 ASAE Annual Meeting. Jessica finds joy not only in growing her career, but also in reading historical books and spending quality time with her family.