Schedule
Monday, July 13, 2026
3:00-6:00 p.m. Exhibitors setup
3:00-6:00 p.m. Conference Registration
6:00-7:00 p.m. Welcome Reception Hosted by Hard Rock Hotel
7-00-9:00 p.m. Hard Rock Tulsa hosted Reception/Event
Tuesday, July 14, 2026
8:00-8:30 a.m. Registration and Continental Breakfast
8:30-8:45 a.m. Welcome - Deanna Fields, OSAE President
8:45-10:00 a.m. General Session
Richard Hight
Speaker: Richard Hight
The Vision of an Artist, the Attitude of a Leader
What if all it takes is vision—seeing new opportunities, creating, developing and monitoring trends to refine strategies, daring to leave the highway for a backroad adventure?
Richard Hight once felt stuck. As an unassuming Oklahoma kid struggling in school, he never seemed destined for anything special, but for one ordinary day that would change everything about what he saw in life.
In Picture This! Richard shares his story with audiences whose ideas and dreams may be just out of reach. His insights can open listeners’ minds so they are able to redefine leadership and vision in colorful detail. There are events you attend. . .this is one you experience!
10:00-10:30 a.m. Networking Break w/Exhibitors and Silent Auction Bidding
10:30 a.m. -Noon Concurrent Sessions
Steering Your Association Through Difficult Times
Panel: Janice Bunting, CAE, Brenda Granger, Rich Rasmussen
Moderator: Wes Glinsmann, CAE
Associations are in a time of fluctuation. It is important that we keep driving our organizations ahead no matter what comes our way. This panel looks at three associations (National Weather Association, Oklahoma Museums Association and the Oklahoma Hospital Association) and what they have had to do to make sure their association and their association members stay the course through difficult times and change that may or may not have been predicted.
Strategic Partners Annual Meeting
Noon-1:00 p.m. Lunch
1:00-2:15 p.m. General Session
Roundtable Discussions
Topics: Sponsorships, New Member Onboarding, Working with the Media, Creating Great Association Programs, CEO Roundtable Discussion (only association CEOs/Executive Directors can participate), Creating the Best Strategies for Working with Association Partners
This session will provide attendees time to share best ideas and practices with their colleagues. Please select your favorite topic. You are welcome to hop tables to gain information on several topics versus just one.
2:15-2:45 p.m. Networking Break w/Exhibitors and Silent Auction Bidding
2:45-3:45 p.m. General Session
 AI for Oklahoma Associations: Scaling Member Value Without Scaling Staff
Speaker: Ashley Coffey
Oklahoma associations are the connective tissue of this state’s economy. From chambers of commerce to trade organizations, professional societies to foundations, associations drive workforce development, industry standards, advocacy, and member engagement across Oklahoma.
Yet teams are stretched. Expectations are rising. Members want faster communication, personalized experiences, and high-value programming, all without increasing dues.
Artificial intelligence is no longer optional. It is an operational advantage.
In this session, AI and Future of Work strategist Ashley Coffey will show how Oklahoma associations can use AI to increase efficiency, strengthen member communication, support event planning, and reduce administrative burden without sacrificing the human relationships that define strong membership organizations.
This is not theory. It is practical implementation.
Attendees will leave with clear use cases and a responsible experimentation framework tailored
to the realities of association management.
Key Takeaways
• Where AI delivers immediate ROI inside associations
• How to automate repetitive workflows without losing quality
• Practical applications for marketing, membership growth, and operations
• How to introduce AI tools to staff and volunteers confidently
• A clear starting roadmap for implementation
3:30-4:00 p.m. Networking Break w/Exhibitors and Silent Auction Bidding
4:00-5:00 p.m. General Session
Leading Through Disruption: AI Literacy for Association Executives and Boards
Speaker: Ashley Coffey
Across Oklahoma, associations play a critical role in shaping industries, influencing policy, and supporting workforce pipelines. As artificial intelligence reshapes how organizations operate, association leaders must be equipped to guide the conversation rather than react to it.
AI literacy is now a leadership requirement.
In this strategic session, Ashley Coffey equips chief staff executives, senior leaders, and board-facing professionals with the clarity, language, and confidence to navigate AI at the governance level. From member expectations to strategic planning, associations that proactively engage with AI will position themselves as forward-thinking leaders within their industries.
This session focuses on alignment, strategy, and informed decision-making. It prepares
association leaders to ask the right questions, evaluate risk responsibly, and move their
organizations forward with confidence.
Key Takeaways
• What AI literacy means for association governance
• How AI is changing member expectations and service delivery
• Strategic questions boards should be asking now
• Risk awareness and responsible implementation considerations
• A practical roadmap for integrating AI into long-term planning
7:00-10:00 p.m. Hospitality Night (more information coming soon!)
Strategic Partners Networking Event
Wednesday, July 15, 2026
8:00-8:30 a.m. Breakfast for all in Main Room
8:30-10:00 a.m. General Session
Actionable Strategy for Leading Through Association Disruption
Speaker: Eric Curtis
 This dynamic workshop will equip you with the tools to navigate today's rapidly changing landscape. This session moves past theory, providing the actionable strategies required to confidently steer your organization through turbulence and position it for sustainable, mission-aligned growth.
In this workshop, you will learn how to:
- Lead with Clarity: Develop strategies to provide clear direction during times of uncertainty and change.
- Drive Member-Centric Growth: Build a strategic plan that meets the evolving needs and expectations of your members.
- Balance Innovation and Stability: Learn to embrace new ideas while maintaining operational and financial sustainability.
- Deepen Engagement: Implement tactics to strengthen loyalty and foster a sense of community across all member segments.
- Create Collaborative Solutions: Discover how to form strategic partnerships that keep your association agile and future-focused.
10:00-10:30 a.m. Networking Break w/Exhibitors and Silent Auction Bidding
10:30 a.m. -Noon General Session
Translating Strategy to Action: Driving Performance and Accountability
Speaker: Eric Curtis
To thrive in this rapidly changing landscape, association leaders must strategically assess their current capabilities and deliberately align their organizational structure with their core mission and growth goals.
This session provides the essential framework for building a well-designed, resilient organization that effectively bridges the gap between your strategic vision and operational reality. You'll receive practical, direct insights, and proven methodologies for facilitating organization design and performance management within membership based organizations.
In this practical session, you'll learn to:
- Translate Strategy to Action: Apply the 5 Tenets of Organization Design to convert your strategic plan into clear operational mandates and measurable performance outcomes.
- Establish Strategic Performance Management: Foster executive-level collaboration, define clear roles, and implement performance metrics to ensure clarity of purpose and drive measurable accountability across all departments.
- Optimize Operations and Talent: Analyze and overcome the challenges of growth, and implement cost-effective solutions that drive efficiency, enhance member value, and motivate high-performing teams.
Noon-1:00 p.m. Lunch & Awards Ceremony
1:00 p.m. Adjournment
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