AI in Action: A Strategic, Practical & Legal Roadmap for Associations (Thursday, April 09, 2026)

Thu, 09 Apr 2026 13:30:00 GMT

CAE Credit: 4.0 Hours

Program Description:

From Curiosity to Control: Building an AI Governance Framework for Associations
Mindi Brothers, Vice President of Strategy & Innovation, American Association of Orthodontists
Brandon Hackworth, CAE, Vice President, Governance & Membership, American Association of Orthodontists

Many associations are experimenting with AI, but few have formal structures to guide its use. In this session, leaders from the American Association of Orthodontists share how their organization moved from curiosity to a coordinated AI governance strategy—developing internal policies for responsible staff use, establishing an AI Governance Committee, and creating a process to evaluate AI tools. Attendees will leave with practical insights, lessons learned, and ideas they can apply immediately to bring structure and confidence to AI adoption in their own organizations.

Smarter Messaging: Harnessing AI to Elevate Association Communications
Amanda Rodgers, Assistant Vice President of Communications, AGC of Missouri

Association professionals are being asked to communicate faster, more personally, and across more channels than ever before—and AI is rapidly changing how that work gets done. In this forward-looking session, Amanda Rodgers, Assistant Vice President for Marketing Communications at the Associated General Contractors of Missouri, will explore how associations can strategically use artificial intelligence to strengthen member communications, streamline content creation, and enhance engagement. Drawing on real-world experience, Amanda will share practical insights into where AI can add the most value, how to integrate it responsibly into existing workflows, and how communications teams can stay authentic while leveraging new technology. Attendees will leave with actionable ideas for using AI to work smarter, communicate more effectively, and better connect with their members.

AI Superheroes: Custom Agents That Power Membership Growth
Liz Peuster, CAE, Chief Communications Officer, South Carolina Association of CPAs

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KEYNOTE PRESENTATION:
The AI Tightrope: Legal, Ethical & Risk Considerations for Associations
Barbara Dunn, Attorney & Owner, Barbara Dunn Law PLLC

With limited resources and growing demands for member engagement, associations are increasingly using AI to support member service, content creation, and meetings. At the same time, AI raises legal, ethical, and business risks, including confidentiality, accuracy, bias, intellectual property, vendor oversight, and reputational harm. This session will help association leaders evaluate those risks and implement practical guardrails for using AI safely and effectively.

After this session, participants will be able to:
1.   Identify how associations are using AI in operations, communications, and member-facing services.
2.   Assess the key legal, practical, and reputational risks of AI use.
3.   Take practical steps to support responsible AI use through staff guidance, vendor terms, and internal policies.

Schedule:

8:00 am - 8:30 am: In-Person Check In and Networking
8:30 am - 8:40 am: Welcome, and Announcements
8:40 am - 9:30 am: From Curiosity to Control: Building an AI Governance Framework for Assocaitions
Mindi Brothers, Vice President of Strategy & Innovation, American Association of Orthodontists
Brandon Hackworth, CAE, Vice President Governance & Membership, American Association of Orthodontists
9:40 am - 10:30 am: Smarter Messaging: Harnessing AI to Elevate Association Communications
Amanda Rodgers, Assistant Vice President of Communcations, AGC of Missouri
10:40 am - 11:30 am: AI Superheroes: Custom Agents That Power Membership Growth
Liz Peuster, CAE, Chief Communictions Officer, South Carolina Association of CPAs
11:30 am - 12:00 pm: Lunch Break
12:00 pm - 1:00 pm: The AI Tightrope: Legal, Ethical & Risk Considerations for Associations
Barbara Dunn, Attorney & Owner, Barbara Dunn Law PLLC

Cost:

$80 SLSAE Members In-Person & Lunch
$95 Non-Members In-Person & Lunch

Location:

City Place Building 3
2nd Floor Training Room
3 City Place Drive
Creve Coeur, MO 63141
Complimentary garage parking

Lunch & Program: Revamping Your Tech Stack – Keeping Up With Changes in Association Technology (Tuesday, May 12, 2026)

Tue, 12 May 2026 16:30:00 GMT

Tuesday, May 12, 2026

11:30 - 1:00 PM

Technology in associations is no longer just a support function. It affects revenue, member engagement, staff productivity, risk, and board oversight. The pace of change has accelerated, and many organizations are struggling to keep up.

This session looks at what has actually changed — and what it means for leadership. We will examine how associations have moved from relying on a single core system to managing multiple connected platforms. We will discuss the practical impact of outsourced and part-time technology leadership, the growing responsibility around data and the long-term consequences of postponing system upgrades.

Most importantly, we will focus on staff and executive responsibility. What questions should CEOs and boards be asking? How should technology decisions be evaluated and funded? Where are organizations most exposed — operationally and financially?

Participants will leave with a straightforward way to assess their current technology position, identify areas of risk, and make more disciplined, strategic decisions instead of reacting to the next urgent issue.

By the end of this session, participants will be able to:

1. Identify the recent major structural shifts in association technology and explain how those changes affect members, governance and operations.

2. Assess their organization’s current technology position, including ecosystem complexity, data integrity, outsourcing dependence, and accumulated technical debt.

3. Distinguish between technology challenges and leadership or governance gaps to ensure the right problems are being addressed.

4. Discuss technology in terms of business impact—such as risk exposure, ability to support growth, and flexibility to adapt to change—rather than focusing on technical features or specifications.

5. Outline practical next steps to improve clarity, ownership, and long-term alignment of your technology environment.

Speaker:

Jim Pearson
Strategic Association Executive
Ellipsis Partners

This program is appropriate for all levels of staff who are interested in the impact on membership and financials for your Association.

CAE Credit: 1.0 Hours

Schedule:

11:30 - 12:00 - In-Person Check In and Networking
11:45 - 12:00 - Lunch begins
12:00 - 12:05 - Welcome & Introduction of Speakers
12:05 - 12:55 - Presentation
12:55 - 1:00- Program Conclusion, Reminders and Adjourn

Location:
American Optometric Association
243 N. Lindbergh Blvd.
St Louis, MO 63141

Saint Louis Society of Association Executives upcoming events

AI in Action: A Strategic, Practical & Legal Roadmap for Associations (Thursday, April 09, 2026)

CAE Credit: 4.0 Hours

Lunch & Program: Revamping Your Tech Stack – Keeping Up With Changes in Association Technology (Tuesday, May 12, 2026)

Tuesday, May 12, 2026