Association meetings are alive and well, demonstrates a recent event organized by ASAE & The Center for Association Leadership, which raised nearly $150,000 for the association last month.

Held Oct. 29 through Nov. 1 at the Boca Raton Resort and Club in Boca Raton, Fla., the event, the 2009 Five Star Weekend, is an annual networking and professional development event for association executives and industry partners.

Supporting ASAE's Associations Advance America (AAA) Fund, which finances the association's public policy and lobbying programs, and The Center for Association Leadership's Annual Giving Fund, which finances education programs, the event featured several speakers, including Jeff Skiles, co-pilot of U.S. Airways Flight 1549, who spoke about the January 2009 incident on the Hudson River and discussed the lessons, training and scenarios that led to the "Miracle on the Hudson."

In addition to speakers, the weekend featured three community outreach projects, involving and benefiting Habitat for Humanity, Boys & Girls Clubs of America and The Milagro Center, a nonprofit organization that provides arts education to disadvantaged children.

"During this four-day weekend, association professionals and industry partners had the opportunity to create and build long-lasting business relationships that are critical to this year's success, especially during this economic climate," said Fort Worth President and CEO David DuBois, CMP, CAE, chairman of the Five Star Weekend. "We thank our partners and event sponsors for their continuous support of the Five Star Weekend. With their support, we can continue advocating for the association community and providing the knowledge and learning of ASEA & The Center." This page is protected by Copyright laws. Do Not Copy