Young Association Professionals (YAP) yapstar.org

I'm glad to see this thread started. I'll be attending the annual meeting for the first time this year. Hope to meet lots of new people. -Terry

As a member of the St. Louis Host Committee we are excited about welcoming everyone to St. Louis! We have some great events planned for you, and ASAE has put together a fantastic program. Check this out - http://www.themeetingguru.com/guru-speaker-series.php, get a $200 discount off your registration if you register by May 28th (see bottom left corner of link). See you in August!

I am booked and ready to fly from Australia for my fourth Annual meeting. Can't wait to see everyone again and experience St Louis for the first time.

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Excellent! Look forward to seeing you all there. It will be my first time going to ASAE's annual. Any tips?

I will be there.  Can't wait to hear details on when and where the YAP party will be this year.

You know I'll be there! YAP Party planning is underway, details to be released later. 

Tips for noobs:

1. Go to the sessions, but also remember that much of the learning takes place in the hallway. Seek out interesting conversations, wherever they happen. You can be learning nonstop during the conference if you want to. Tons of smart people all wandering around. And there should be a few good "unsessions" too.

2. If you're in a session you don't like, get up and leave. I say this as a speaker. It's okay, really. I'm happy to keep working with the others in the room. Life is short. Don't spend it in a session that bores you.

3. Get on twitter. The conference hashtag will likely be the best source of information for real time updates on what's happening and where people are. 

4. Be intentional. Put some thought into what you want to learn, who you want to meet, what problems you need help with back at the ranch. The more clear you are about what you want, the more likely you'll get it.

5. Hang out with Robert Barnes because he's totally cool.

See you all there!

Oh Jamie, you flatter me so! 

Another tip, come do the 5k run with us! 

On Jamie's point 5 - Be Intentional: This has been very important to me over the last few years as I have to convince my Association to send me to Annual Meeting each year. With an intentional plan on a specific area of learning I have been able to make a bee line for the sessions, the speakers and the Tweeps that are focused on the same area of learning. As a result I have been exposed to some of the leading thinkers in Association management, brought home tools and ideas that now function as part of my Association's core business; and, had a heap of fun.

If it were not for the caring, sharing nature of the YAP leadership I would not be in the position I am now. My commitment is to spend more time contributing to the opportunities for noobs to make the most of their Annual Meeting experience. 

So, come hear my funny accent over a quiet beverage in St Louis, it will be fun. 

 5,000 people are expected to attend ASAE11 in St. Louis!  If you have any questions about visiting STL, contact us #explorestlouis.com or in this thread. See you under the Gateway Arch.

Both YP's in my office are going and we cannot wait! Looking forward to details on the YAP Party!

Awesome to hear all the responses!  I especially love the reading the helpful tips!  We have attended ASAE Annual for 10+ years and are looking forward to seeing old and new faces come August!  Come by and say hello at booth 810!!

Can't wait for ASAE11 in St. Louis.  ASAE's Annual Meeting is like summer camp for association peeps...always a blast!

Be sure to visit Forest Park in STL!  Our crown jewel is larger than Central Park in NY and home to the STL Zoo, Science Center, Art Museum and History Museum...annnnd they are all free!

Looks like everyone is going to be there!  Going to be a great couple of days!  Take note and come attend Rich Finstein's presentation 8/8 at 3:15pm.  Rich will be accompanied by Jeff Hurt and Jeff Cobb, so come check it out and be a part of the conversation!  Also, visit our partners SocialFish, Avectra and Boxwood.

Don't forget to register for the STL Dine Around. Visit www.explorestlouis.com/asae for details.