Features

Association leaders in Canada converged in Vancouver for CSAE’s Associations: Decoded

By Association Adviser staff • October 28, 2019

“People are the most important things in any organization. End of story.”
-Darby Allen, former fire chief, Fort McMurray

More than 600 participants gathered at the Sheraton Wall Centre Hotel in Vancouver, British Columbia, from October 22 through 25, for the annual conference of the Canadian Society of Association Executives (CSAE). Associations: Decoded took attendees on a journey of discovery, with 53 sessions and 63 speakers deciphering complexities around leadership, resiliency, member engagement and more.

CSAE Conference 2019 Welcome Reception
Delegates enjoyed networking during the Welcome Reception at the Sheraton Wall Centre. Photo by Monique de St. Croix, Unique Perspectives Photography.

Delegates enjoyed networking during the Welcome Reception at the Sheraton Wall Centre.

One of the conference highlights came from keynote speaker Darby Allen, the fire chief during the 2016 wildfires in Fort McMurray, Alberta. Allen cut through the complexities of the seemingly insurmountable challenges faced during the disaster, reminding the audience with humble, yet gut-wrenching stories, that it is the people and the “little things” that matter most.

Darby Allen speaks to a crowd at his keynote session during CSAE's 2019 conference.
Darby Allen, former fire chief during the Fort McMurray wildfires received a standing ovation following his moving keynote. Photo by Monique de St. Croix of Unique Perspectives Photography.

Delegates enjoyed networking and downtime through a number of social events, capped off with a Tourism Vancouver-hosted, casual gala at the Vancouver Convention Centre, replete with live band, west coast wine and delicacies.

Jennifer Spears, Conference MC (right) and Danielle Lamothe, VP Learning & Innovation, CSAE (left) had some fun with the “decoding” theme at conference.
Jennifer Spears, Conference MC (right) and Danielle Lamothe, VP Learning & Innovation, CSAE (left) had some fun with the “decoding” theme at conference. Photo by Monique de St. Croix of Unique Perspectives Photography.
Partygoers at the conference gala held Thursday evening at the Vancouver Convention Centre as part of CSAE's 2019 Conference.
Delegates ate, drank and danced to a live band at the conference gala held Thursday evening at the Vancouver Convention Centre. Photo by Monique de St. Croix of Unique Perspectives Photography.

Those who missed the conference can hear from some of the thought leaders—including Darby Allen—in the conference edition of Association™ magazine, which CSAE produces in partnership with Naylor Association Solutions. Features include interviews with Dr. Shimi Kang on the neuroscience of workplace wellness, David Allison on Valuegraphics versus demographics—and much more. Read the digital edition of Association™ magazine here.

Cover of the Fall 2019 issue of CSAE's Association magazine

Mark your calendars: Next year’s CSAE conference happens from November 4–6, 2020 in Halifax, Nova Scotia.