ASAE’s Highest Individual Honors

The Individual Honors Awards are ASAE’s highest individual honors. Successful candidates are change makers in their organization, profession and the association industry. They are engaged members of ASAE, who are leaders within the organization and serve on councils and committees and share their knowledge through giving back. Award-winning applications will convey the significance and impact of one’s involvement in ASAE activities as well as other volunteer professional organizations related to association management or the industry. Potential honorees are committed to diversity and inclusion in the association community and exemplify this in their work.

Great people make a dramatic difference in the association profession. Exceptional leaders inspire others, set the pace for performance, and nurture success. ASAE seeks to recognize these outstanding leaders in the association community for our three highest honors:

The Key Award honors the association CEO who demonstrates exceptional qualities of leadership in his or her own association and displays a deep commitment to the association management industry as a whole. Winners will become part of the award's rich heritage of recipients who have been recognized since 1960. 

The Professional Performance Award recognizes the invaluable contributions made by association executives who are at the top levels of their organizations but are not CEOs. These executives distinguish themselves every day and deserve an honor for exceptional contributions to their associations, as well as our entire profession.

The Academy of Leaders Award is given to industry partners and consultants who demonstrate exemplary support of the association community. The award recognizes an individual who represents an organization engaged in the sale of products or services to members of ASAE and who has made especially outstanding contributions to the advancement of the profession.