A significant milestone for the Asia Pacific association sector was marked with the successful conclusion of the inaugural Asia Pacific Society of Association Executives (APSAE) Founding Summit, held on July 24–25, 2026, at the Marina Bay Sands Convention Centre in Singapore. Bringing together more than 100 senior association leaders representing 64 organisations from 16 countries, the summit established the region’s first dedicated professional community exclusively for association executives.
For decades, association leaders across Asia Pacific have operated without a unified regional platform to collaborate, exchange knowledge and strengthen professional capabilities. The launch of APSAE addresses this long-standing gap, creating a dedicated ecosystem that will enable executives from trade bodies, professional societies and industry associations to connect, learn and collectively advance the sector.
Speaking on the occasion, Prasant Saha, President, APSAE, said, “Asia Pacific has never had a dedicated home for association executives until now. The enthusiasm, meaningful conversations and collaborative spirit witnessed throughout the summit reaffirmed our belief that association leaders across the region are ready to learn from one another, support each other and elevate the impact of associations across Asia Pacific. This is only the beginning.”
The summit attracted one of the region’s most senior gatherings of association professionals, with more than 83 percent of delegates holding C-suite, President, Secretary General, Founder or Director-level positions. Participants travelled from across Asia Pacific, including Australia, Bangladesh, China, Hong Kong, India, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand and Vietnam, representing sectors ranging from banking, finance, healthcare and higher education to technology, sustainability, aviation, retail, pharmaceuticals and law. Collectively, these organisations represent more than 500,000 professionals and institutions across over 100 countries.
Designed around the unique realities of the Asia Pacific association landscape, the 1.5-day programme featured 30 speakers delivering keynote addresses, expert panel discussions, a specialised masterclass and practical sessions focused on the sector’s most pressing challenges. Discussions explored topics including cross-border member engagement, non-dues revenue generation, volunteer leadership development, ecosystem partnerships and the practical integration of artificial intelligence into association operations.
International leadership expert Kevin Cottam challenged delegates to rethink organisational leadership in a rapidly evolving world, while Jenniefer Setiawan, Director of Advocacy at the EU-ASEAN Business Council, highlighted the growing importance of associations in shaping public policy across the region. A membership growth masterclass led by Olena Lima, Founder of Member Boat and Certified Association Executive, received particularly strong appreciation from delegates for its practical strategies on membership acquisition and retention.
During the summit, APSAE also unveiled the inaugural State of Associations in Asia Pacific 2026, the region’s first research report dedicated exclusively to the association sector. The report highlights the growing role of associations in addressing workforce development, governance, AI adoption, volunteer engagement and sustainable revenue generation, while identifying the need for stronger regional collaboration. The report will be made publicly available in the coming weeks through APSAE.
The Founding Summit also marked the beginning of APSAE’s year-round engagement model. Formal membership will open on August 15, 2026, providing members with access to exclusive research, webinars, peer learning sessions, regional symposia and the CEO Circle. Strong post-event feedback reflected broad confidence in APSAE’s long-term vision, with the majority of participants expressing their intention to become founding members.
Building on the momentum of its inaugural edition, APSAE has already begun planning for a significantly expanded Summit in 2027, reinforcing its commitment to strengthening professional excellence and fostering deeper collaboration among association leaders across Asia Pacific.