The 2025 Association Headquarters Leadership Forum took place on May 7–8 at the Le Meridien Hotel in Philadelphia, gathering volunteer leaders from the nonprofit, association, and credentialing sectors for two days of strategic learning, collaboration, and inspiration.
This year’s forum aimed to equip association leaders with the tools needed to navigate emerging challenges and opportunities. The sessions addressed a range of topics, including membership engagement, advocacy strategies, crisis communications, content development, and foresight planning. Additionally, the forum provided numerous opportunities for attendees to connect, share experiences, and build relationships. Networking events and interactive sessions encouraged the exchange of best practices and fostered collaborative problem-solving among volunteer leaders and business partners.
The AH team was excited to welcome two impressive keynote speakers. The opening session was led by Jeffrey S. Tenenbaum, Managing Partner at Tenenbaum Law Group. He addressed the evolving legal landscape around diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives in his session, “DEI Initiatives in the Crosshairs of the Administration: What Nonprofits Need to Do to Mitigate Their Risk.” The closing keynote session, “Creativity Unleashed: Generative AI and Your Future,” presented by Sam Richter, CEO of SBR Worldwide, offered insights into how AI is transforming business, communication, and leadership.
A time-honored forum tradition was the announcement of the Red Chair Awards. These annual awards recognize outstanding leadership and innovation within the AH community. The 2025 winners were as follows:
Most Impactful New Program/Initiative
Entrants provided background on the purpose of the program, the challenge it was designed to address, and the impact of the results. Results include definitive metrics, partner or program expansion, or cost savings through operational efficiencies.
- Annual operating budget of over one million dollars: American Society of Hand Therapists (ASHT)
Honorable mention to Controlled Release Society (CRS) - Annual operating budget of under one million dollars: Society For Biomaterials (SFB)
Honorable mention to Nurses Organization of Veterans Affairs (NOVA)
Most Innovative Way an Organization Increased Member Engagement
Entrants provided a new initiative they implemented to increase member volunteerism, program/event participation, recruitment efforts, or advocacy. Entrants provided background on how the idea was implemented and what impact it had on the organization.
- Annual operating budget of over one million dollars: TIE Between National Air Duct Cleaners Association (NADCA) and Wound Ostomy and Continence Nurses Society (WOCN)
- Annual operating budget of under one million dollars: REMS Industry Consortium (RIC)
Best Promotion of an Event/Program
Entrants discussed their event/program promotion plan. Details included the event/program promotion budget, results of the tactics utilized, and how the promotional campaign accomplished the event/program goal.
- Annual operating budget of over one million dollars: Restoration Industry Association (RIA)
- Annual operating budget of under one million dollars: Halloween Industry Association (HCA)
Honorable mentions to: Insurance Society of Philadelphia (ISOP) and Medical Group Management Association (MGMA)
Congratulations go out to all the entrants as they each accomplished impressive results through their creative programs and innovative solutions. We are so thankful for the support and attendance at this year’s Leadership Forum and look forward to sharing details on our 2026 event!
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The success of the Leadership Forum was made possible by the generous support of these sponsors:
- Platinum: Hilton
- Gold: AVFX, Convene, Go To Louisville, Visit Spokane, Visit Tampa Bay
- Silver: Marriott, RTD Financial, Shepard Exposition Services, The Palm Beaches, Visit Salt Lake
- Bronze: Bank of America, Go Providence, Momentive, Discover PHL, Visit Orlando
- Family: Hyatt, Visit Norfolk, Wind Creek
- Friend: DMI Hotels
- In-Kind: Cadmium, Ideas for Your Brand, IMS Technology Services, PMSI
