The Shift: How Associations and Nonprofits Are Adapting to What's Next

Your staff want to adapt, and research shows they're actively asking for AI education. The gap isn't apathy; it's that most organizations haven't built the structures or culture to meet that demand. This candid panel pulls back the curtain on what AI change management actually looks like for mission-driven organizations and executives leading the strategy.

What we’ll discuss:

• Why the gap between AI speed and human adoption is widest in mission-driven orgs—and what makes it different from the private sector
• What research reveals about staff readiness: the appetite is there, the infrastructure isn't
• How leaders at Momentive and Stringfellow Management Group are building AI cultures where staff feel equipped, not threatened
• The false starts, cultural friction, and breakthroughs that only happen when leadership and staff actually align
• Frameworks and honest conversation starters to bring back to your own team

89% of nonprofit executives say donor trust is harder to earn today than three years ago, and it now ranks as the #1 organizational priority for the year ahead. Drawing on new research from 500 U.S. nonprofit executives, this session maps exactly where trust is breaking down and what the organizations earning it are doing differently.

What we’ll discuss:

• Why the trust deficit is growing and what new research reveals about its root causes
• The pressures underneath: cash flow challenges, data breaches, and lost donor relationships
• What nonprofits are actually doing to rebuild donor confidence—and what isn't working
• How technology, transparency, and real-time communication are becoming trust infrastructure
• The resilience gap hiding inside strong revenue numbers, and how to protect your organization
• Exclusive preview findings from the 2026 Nonprofit Trends Report

62% of members now pay their own dues, and cost remains the #1 reason they leave. A growing gap between what associations offer and what members value is putting long-term revenue at risk, but this moment also presents a real opportunity for organizations willing to adapt their model.

What we’ll discuss:

• Why revenue sustainability is critical right now and what the latest research reveals
• Proven ways to diversify revenue beyond dues and events
• Creative strategies to unlock more value from programs you already have
• How to reinvigorate member loyalty by closing the gap between what you offer and what members need
• Real-world examples of associations building more resilient, future-ready models

By the end of 2026, Millennials and Gen Z will make up nearly three-quarters of the workforce—yet most associations struggle to convert younger attendees into long-term members. Learn directly from ASLA's nationally recognized emerging professionals program what works, what doesn't, and how to apply it before your next event.

What we'll discuss:

• Why satisfaction scores alone aren't enough to retain younger members
• What Gen Z and Millennials actually expect from association events today
• How ASLA transformed its annual meeting into a gateway for emerging professionals
• Simple, actionable strategies to increase engagement and long-term loyalty
• A framework for building a stronger member pipeline through your events