Virginia Society of Association Executives

What Virginia Society of Association Executives does

Virginia Society of Association Executives (VSAE) is a regional nonprofit professional membership association headquartered at 6800 Paragon Place, Suite 640, Richmond, Virginia. It serves association executives, association management companies (AMCs), association staff professionals, and meeting planners based in Virginia, with membership totaling 110+ associations and non-profits (35+ of which report annual revenues exceeding $1 million) and an Association Press newsletter distribution reaching 400+ members 11 times per year.

VSAE's core products are organized around four pillars: (1) an annual membership program delivering professional development, peer networking via Shared Interest Groups, industry resources, and member-exclusive discounts; (2) a calendar of in-person events — including the Annual Conference, Fall Conference & Expo, AI Summit, AMC Summit, CEO & Senior Staff Retreat, Meeting Planner Summit, Northern VA Association Exchange, SIG-a-Palooza, and Awards Luncheon — held at partner venues across Virginia; (3) an online learning offering delivered through the SemWebCatalog (SeminarWeb) platform, comprising live webinars ($45 member / $75 non-member) and self-paced courses bundled into programs such as Association 101 ($195 member / $395 non-member), with VSAE acting as a CAE Approved Provider; and (4) supporting assets including the Breezio-based VSAE Community online forum, a Knowledge Hub, Career Center, and a podcast series. The operational technology stack is built on third-party platforms: MemberClicks by Personify for the association management system (AMS), SemWebCatalog for learning, Breezio for community, Engagefully for event apps, and Stripe for payment processing.

The business model combines recurring membership dues, event registration fees, advertising and sponsorship revenue (with a tiered Partner Program from $4,750 Patron up to $12,000+ President's Club, plus newsletter, directory, and website advertising), and pay-as-you-go webinar and course fees. Members access discounted pricing across events and learning, while partners gain visibility, recognition at events and in publications, and access to attendee and member audiences. A pro-rated membership campaign runs through September 30 each year to drive mid-year acquisitions.

Name

Virginia Society of Association Executives

Legal name

Virginia Society of Association Executives

Website

https://vsae.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1949

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Virginia Society of Association Executives (VSAE) is a nonprofit professional membership association serving association executives, management companies, and meeting planners in Virginia through membership, education, networking, advocacy, and a calendar of conferences, summits, and online learning programs.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Professional Association Membership Services

NAICS

Business Associations (813910), Convention and Trade Show Organizers (561920)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYTHAHACAA

Association & Society Conference Management (Nonprofit, Professional Bodies)

Travel & Hospitality/MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences & Exhibitions)/Professional Conference Organizers (PCOs) & Meeting Planners

Keywords

• Association management services
• Professional development programs
• Nonprofit membership organization
• Continuing education credits
• Association leadership training

Headquarters

HQ city

Richmond

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Membership Dues: Annual membership fees providing access to professional development, networking, resources, and member-exclusive benefits including discounts on events and programming.
2. Event Registrations: Fees for conferences, summits, retreats, SIG events, and the Annual Conference. Includes both in-person and virtual programming options.
3. Advertising & Sponsorship: Revenue from newsletter advertising, directory listings, website banners, and event sponsorships at various partnership levels (President's Club through Patron).
4. Webinar & Course Fees: Fees for individual webinars ($45 members, $75 non-members) and self-paced online courses, plus bundled programs like Association 101.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

VSAE is a Virginia-based nonprofit professional association that provides membership, in-person conferences and summits, CAE-approved live and self-paced online education (via SemWebCatalog/SeminarWeb), Shared Interest Group peer exchanges, and networking resources to association executives and association management companies (AMCs) operating in Virginia. It also sells advertising, sponsorship, and partner-program packages (President's Club through Patron tiers) to vendors seeking access to its 110+ member organizations, including 35+ with annual revenues exceeding $1 million.

Product overview

Virginia Society of Association Executives (VSAE) operates as a professional membership organization offering a unified platform of products and services for association management professionals. The core offerings center on membership access combined with live and self-paced online educational programs through SeminarWeb, including webinars, seminars, and the Association Leadership Virginia (ALV) leadership development program. VSAE also facilitates professional networking through its VSAE Community online platform (built on Breezio), events including conferences, summits (AI Summit, AMC Summit, CEO Retreat, Meeting Planner Summit), SIG-a-Palooza, and the Northern Virginia Association Exchange series. The organization supports members with career resources via its Career Center and Knowledge Hub, credential preparation for the Certified Association Executive (CAE) certification, and marketing/advertising opportunities through its Partner Program and newsletter advertising.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• VSAE Membership Annual membership program providing association professionals in Virginia with access to professional development, networking opportunities through Shared Interest Groups, industry resources, and member-exclusive discounts on events and programming.
• Annual Conference Flagship annual conference for Virginia association professionals, held at a rotating Virginia venue, offering multi-track programming, networking, and CAE credit opportunities.
• Fall Conference & Expo Annual fall conference combined with an exposition where association vendors and venue partners can meet attendees; part of VSAE's calendar of major in-person events.
• AMC Summit Annual summit dedicated to association management companies (AMCs), with expert-led sessions on AMC revenue strategy, client relationship management, and industry trends, plus peer discussions.
• AI Summit Annual summit focused on artificial intelligence trends affecting association business models and operations, available to VSAE members and association professionals.
• CEO & Senior Staff Retreat Annual multi-day retreat for association CEOs and senior staff leaders, providing executive-level peer learning, strategic discussion, and networking.
• Meeting Planner Summit Annual summit for association meeting and event professionals, with programming on event planning education, venue selection, vendor partnerships, and event management.
• Northern VA Association Exchange Regional event series for association professionals in Northern Virginia and the DMV region, featuring expert-led sessions, peer discussion, and networking, offering CAE hours.
• SIG-a-Palooza Shared Interest Groups (SIGs) peer exchange event providing a forum for peer-to-peer learning in a small group atmosphere for association professionals and industry partners.
• Luncheon and Seminar Series Recurring in-person luncheon and seminar programming offering topical education and networking for association professionals across Virginia.
• Awards Luncheon & Silent Auction Annual recognition event held at The Westin Richmond, featuring the Association Press Awards, silent auction, and recognition of association professionals and partners.
• Association Leadership Virginia (ALV) Statewide professional leadership development program providing multi-session leadership training for association professionals in Virginia.
• Webinars Live and self-paced online educational webinars covering topics such as branding, leadership, member engagement, events, finance, governance, and strategic planning, delivered via the SemWebCatalog portal with CAE credit attached.
• Association 101 Bundle Bundled educational program (8 sessions, 8 CAE credits) covering core association management fundamentals for newer association professionals.
• Partner Program Multi-tier partner/sponsorship program (President's Club, Benefactor, Supporter, Patron) providing brand visibility, preferred access, event recognition, and advertising placement to vendors serving Virginia associations.
• Marketing and Advertising Services Print and digital advertising options including Association Press newsletter ads, digital directory placements, website banners, sponsored content, and event sponsorships, sold to vendors seeking access to VSAE's 400+ member subscriber base.

Quantifiable outcome

• VSAE members represent 110+ associations and non-profits, including 35+ with annual revenues exceeding $1 million
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration2 records

Feature1 record

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core, flagship and minor.

• MemberClicks by PersonifycoreTechnology or IntegrationMemberClicks provides the association management system (AMS) powering VSAE's membership operations, event registration, digital directory, and online membership management. VSAE acknowledges MemberClicks as a key supporter of the organization.
• James River Audio Visual Services (JRAVS)coreTechnology or IntegrationJRAVS is the official audio visual provider for VSAE, providing AV equipment and services for events. A full-service audio visual rental company headquartered in Virginia serving clients nationwide. Certified as SWAM (Statewide Minority Business Enterprise) and Women-Owned Business.
• Kalahari Resorts & ConventionsflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerKalahari Resorts is a premier partner and sponsor, with a new Virginia location opening in Spotsylvania late 2026. They offer all-under-one-roof convention experiences combining meeting space, dining, waterparks, and accommodations. Sponsors Association 101 bundle content.
• WhitefordminorGTM or Marketing PartnerWhiteford serves as the host venue sponsor for the Northern Virginia Association Exchange events, providing their Falls Church conference facilities for VSAE's regional programming.
• The Westin RichmondminorGTM or Marketing PartnerThe Westin Richmond hosts VSAE's Awards Luncheon & Silent Auction event, serving as the venue partner for this annual recognition program.
• Newport News Marriott at City CenterminorGTM or Marketing PartnerThe Newport News Marriott at City Center hosts VSAE's 2026 AMC Summit, serving as the venue partner for this association management company conference.
• Hotel Roanoke & Conference CenterminorGTM or Marketing PartnerThe Hotel Roanoke & Conference Center (Curio Collection by Hilton) is a sponsor of VSAE's Northern Virginia Association Exchange, providing historic hospitality and meeting facilities in Virginia's Blue Ridge.
• Cavalier ResortflagshipGTM or Marketing PartnerCavalier Resort is a President's Club level partner and sponsor, providing luxury accommodations and event venues in Virginia Beach. Their testimonial highlights VSAE partnership as 'the greatest return on investment' for accessing key decision makers.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Emerging players

• Association Management Company Institute: Focused on the association management company (AMC) sub-segment — one of VSAE's identified customer segments. Relevant as a niche peer for VSAE's AMC Summit and AMC-focused programming.

Direct peers

• New York Society of Association Executives (NYSAE): New York–based state society serving association executives with similar programming (annual conference, seminars, awards, partner program). Strong direct competitor concept and a relevant peer given the parallel revenue model.
• California Society of Association Executives (CalSAE): Direct state-level parallel to VSAE serving California association professionals. Operates the same model: membership dues, annual conference, CAE-approved education, partner/sponsor programs, and a regional newsletter — making it the closest structural and operational peer.
• Florida Society of Association Executives (FSAE): Florida state society of association executives offering the same membership, events, and CAE-approved education model as VSAE. Highly comparable in scope and a useful benchmark for sponsorship-tier and event-programming performance.
• Georgia Society of Association Executives (GSAE): Georgia state-level SAE offering membership, CAE education, and an annual conference analogous to VSAE's. Comparable mid-sized regional society with similar operating structure and member-base dynamics.
• Texas Society of Association Executives (TSAE): Texas state-level society for association executives with a comparable membership, education, and conference offering to VSAE. Closely comparable in mission, revenue model, and programming calendar, differing primarily by geography.

Broad incumbents

• American Society of Association Executives (ASAE): National umbrella organization for the same association-executive professional community VSAE serves. ASAE offers the full suite VSAE does — CAE-approved education, annual conference, networking, content — but at national scale and broader scope. It is the dominant incumbent against which VSAE's regional focus is differentiated.

Others

• MemberClicks by Personify: Technology vendor providing the association management system (AMS) VSAE uses for membership, events, and directory operations. Not a competitor but a critical infrastructure partner and a meaningful adjacent player in the association-services ecosystem.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/vsae
• Facebookfacebook.com/VirginiaSAE
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/vsae

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Virginia Society of Association Executives