Blueprint for Tomorrow: What to Expect at the 2026 AH Leadership Forum
Some events are worth clearing your calendar for. The 2026 AH Leadership Forum is one of them.
On April 27–28 at The Bellevue Hotel in Philadelphia, Association Headquarters will bring together association leaders, board members, and executives for two days built around one central question: what does it take to lead well right now, and what will it take tomorrow?
The theme this year, blueprints for what's next, isn't just a tagline. It's a real acknowledgment that the associations doing the most meaningful work are the ones thinking a few steps ahead. This forum is designed to help you do exactly that.
What You'll Walk Away With
This isn't a conference where you collect a tote bag and a stack of business cards and call it professional development. The sessions are built around challenges association leaders are navigating right now.
You'll dig into how to turn complex, often conflicting data into decisions you can stand behind. You'll work through governance, specifically, how to align board and staff roles in ways that actually improve performance and accountability rather than create friction. There's dedicated programming on membership and revenue strategies designed for the current environment, not the one from five years ago. And there's a practical, grounded look at AI from our partner, Mission Fuel, giving you a look at real tools that are already improving how associations operate.
Whether you're a current AH client or an association leader exploring what the right partnership looks like, the content here is relevant and immediately applicable.
The Red Chair Awards: Recognizing Greatness in Practice
One of the most meaningful parts of the Leadership Forum is the AH Red Chair Awards.
The Red Chair Awards recognize real outcomes across three categories: the Most Impactful New Program, the Most Innovative Way to Increase Engagement, and the Best Promotion of an Event or Program. Each category reflects a different dimension of what strong association management produces: new initiatives that stick, communities that show up and stay engaged, and events and programs that people genuinely want to be part of. It's a chance to see what's possible when the right team is behind an association, and to celebrate the association leaders and staff who made it happen together.
Want to learn more about the accomplishments being celebrated? Start by exploring past Red Chair Award winners and their stories here.
Why Philadelphia
The Bellevue is a landmark property in a city that has never had a shortage of things to say about history, innovation, and getting things done. It's a fitting backdrop for two days of serious, forward-looking conversation.
If you've attended a past Leadership Forum, you already know the energy in the room. If you haven't, this is the year to find out.
Reserve Your Seat
The 2026 AH Leadership Forum is April 27–28 in Philadelphia. Space is limited, and this is the kind of event that fills up because word gets around.
Register now and claim your seat at the table.
