Keynotes - Marketing Membership Communications + Tech Conference

Opening Keynote

Thursday, May 28

Ann Handley

World’s First Chief Content Officer | Best-Selling Author | CCO MarketingProfs

Marketing ASAP: The Art of Strategic Patience in an Instant-Results World

Your association is under pressure to do more, move faster, and figure out what AI means for marketing, membership, and communications. But in a world where speed is easy, the real advantage lies in knowing what should move fast—and what should not.

In this high-energy keynote, Wall Street Journalbestselling author and marketing expert Ann Handley shares the real keys to connection: judgment, trust, and the kind of human communication that helps members feel seen, valued, and eager to belong.

About Ann Handley

As the world’s first Chief Content Officer, Ann Handley transforms how businesses communicate through authentic storytelling.  

A Wall Street Journal  bestselling author and top LinkedIn voice, she leads MarketingProfs, a marketing education company. With over 1M social media followers and 51K subscribers to her personal newsletter, Total Annarchy, Ann was named by IBM as one of seven people shaping modern marketing. 

Ann champions human creativity and strategic communication in an increasingly AI-driven landscape. Her work inspires global audiences to rethink content, connection, and storytelling.

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Closing Keynote and Panel Moderator

Friday, May 29

Sheri Jacobs

Best-Selling Author | Researcher | CEO of Avenue M Group

The Art of Membership in the Age of Everything

Membership hasn’t lost its value. It has become harder to earn.

In a world of endless options, unlimited information, and constant demands on attention, the old playbook no longer works. The organizations that win are not doing more. They are making sharper choices, taking smarter risks, and creating experiences that truly matter.

In this closing keynote, Sheri Jacobs challenges leaders to rethink what membership means in an age of overload. She shares insights on how associations can move beyond incremental improvements and make bold, intentional decisions about value, focus, and relevance.

This keynote will push you to ask:

What should we stop doing to focus on what matters most?
How do we create value that stands out?
Where are we playing it too safe?

Following the keynote, Sheri will lead a conversation with Rick Burt, CAE, Hassana Howe, CAE, Melody Jordan-Carr, and Sarah Sladek to bring these ideas to life. Together, they will explore what they are rethinking, prioritizing, and ready to change.

You will leave with clarity, urgency, and a sharper lens for the decisions shaping the future of membership.

About Sheri Jacobs

A three-time bestselling author, researcher, and CEO of Avenue M Group, Sheri has surveyed nearly one million people and worked with over 300 organizations to uncover how leaders can amplify every voice, foster risk-taking, and build greater resilience. Drawing from a unique blend of business acumen and real-world insight—as well as the eye of an award-winning wildlife photographer—Sheri challenges conventional thinking and inspires bold action through her global keynotes, workshops, and consulting.

In addition to leading Avenue M Group, Sheri has helped shape industry standards through her service on the Board of Directors for the American Society of Association Executives (ASAE) and the ASAE Foundation. Her data-driven yet practical approach helps organizations move beyond incremental change to spark meaningful growth.

Based in Denver, Colorado, Sheri draws inspiration from her adventures photographing wildlife from Antarctica to Zambia—and from daily life with her husband, Jon, and their three spirited dogs, Zoey, Ellie, and Jonah.