Join us in Chicago, IL for meaningful discussions, fresh insights, and valuable connections that will help strengthen the relationships that drive our industry forward.

Conference Highlights

Gain fresh perspectives and practical skills from industry peers
Explore emerging trends and address the key challenges facing green industry associations today
Exchange ideas and insights with peers and industry leaders
Build meaningful connections and expand your professional network

Conference Schedule

Day 1- Monday April 27

5:00 PM – 6:30 PM ET – Welcome Reception

Dinner out on own

Day 2- Tuesday April 28

8:00 AM – 9:00 AM – Breakfast

9:00 AM – Noon – Morning Session

Noon – Lunch

1:30 – 4:00 PM – Afternoon Session

4:00 PM – 4:30 PM – NLAE Membership Meeting

6:00 PM – Group Dinner / Event

Day 3 - Wednesday April 29

8:15 – 9:00 AM – Breakfast

9:00 AM – Noon – Morning Session

Noon – Meeting Concludes

Conference Program & Featured Guest Speakers

Download Program Schedule

Dan Gingiss – NLAE Keynote speaker

Remarkable by Design: Making an Unforgettable Member Experience

For decades, association leaders have been told that growth is driven by a familiar playbook: lower your dues, add more benefits, or rely on increased promotion to attract and retain members. But that playbook no longer works.

In today’s environment, price competition leads to diminishing returns, and new programs or benefits are quickly replicated. The reality is that many associations—often without realizing it—are offering experiences that feel increasingly interchangeable.

So why do some associations continue to grow, deepen engagement, and retain loyal members while others struggle to stay relevant? Because members don’t talk about transactions. They talk about experiences.

This keynote reveals why the most powerful differentiator left for associations is the one that cannot be copied: how you make your members feel at every touchpoint. You’ll gain a fresh perspective on why member experience—not dues, programs, or technology—is the true driver of engagement and loyalty. And you will leave WISE to the power of member experience.

This session is not about spending more, adding complexity, or launching massive technology projects. It’s about intentionally designing member experiences that are meaningful, human, and remarkable – experiences worthy of talking about. The result? Your members become more engaged and turn into your most powerful marketers, inspiring conversations and loyalty that money can’t buy.

Are you ready to design experiences that truly set your association apart?

Getting WISER to the Power of Customer Experience

Want your team to stop talking about customer experience or member engagement and start creating it? In this hands-on session, participants put Dan’s WISE framework – Witty, Immersive, Sharable, and Extraordinary – into action. They are also introduced to a bonus letter – “R” for Responsive – that will make them WISER than the competition.

Built on two decades of real-world experience leading CX at brands like McDonald’s, Discover, and Humana, this workshop is an idea-generating engine where your people roll up their sleeves and brainstorm simple, practical, and inexpensive CX improvements you can implement right away.

By the end you’ll have a long list of member-focused ideas created by your own team, plus a room full of Association Experienced Makers ready to bring them to life.

About Dan Gingiss

Dan Gingiss is an international keynote speaker and customer experience expert with a dynamic and engaging speaking style that has captivated hundreds of audiences around the globe.

Believing that a remarkable customer experience is the best competitive advantage, Dan shares insights from his 20-year professional career that included leadership positions at McDonald’s, Discover, and Humana.

As a Certified Speaking Professional (CSP), which fewer than 600 speakers worldwide have achieved, his speaking engagements are enriched by real-world examples, actionable strategies, and a whole lot of fun!

Dan is the author of three books, including The Experience Maker, which was ranked by Book Authority as one of the top customer experience books of all-time, and its second edition, Becoming The Experience Maker is now available.

Dan earned a B.A. in psychology and communications from the University of Pennsylvania and an M.B.A. in marketing from the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University. Dan is also a licensed bartender, a pinball wizard, and he once delivered a pizza to Michael Jordan.

Registration Fees:

Conference registration is open to all current NLAE members. To renew your membership or join NLAE, do so here.

Conference Registration: $475 per NLAE member

Registration fee includes conference participation and all group meals (reception, 2 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 1 dinner), and conference materials.

Guest Registration: $225 per person

The guest registration is for a spouse, friend, significant other or family member to join the group for the reception on April 27, and the group dinner event on April 28.

Each conference participant must register individually.

Start Your Registration

Meeting Location & Hotel Accommodations

The 2026 NLAE conference is being held at:

The Royal Sonesta Chicago Downtown*

71 E. Wacker Street

Chicago, IL 60601

Tel: 312-346-7100

For your convenience, we’ve reserved a block of rooms at a special rate of $219 per night, plus fees.

Book your room here

Make your reservations no later than Friday April 3, 2026. Reservations made after this date, or when the block has filled, will be subject to prevailing rate and availability.

Have Questions?

Contact Mary Beth Cowardin, Executive Director, NLAE via email, or phone: 614-487-1117.

Join Your Peers at the 2026 NLAE Conference