Ottawa to host 2026 ASAE Executive Leadership Forum with focus on bold governance and innovation

The American Society of Association Executives (ASAE) will stage its 2026 Executive Leadership Forum (ELF) in Ottawa from 28 to 30 June, bringing roughly 100–150 association CEOs and senior executives, predominantly from the United States, with selected Canadian leaders , to The Westin Ottawa for a programme centred on governance, strategic innovation and organisational resilience. According to the original report, the Forum’s theme, "Leading with Audacity," will frame facilitated discussions, peer learning and leadership dialogues intended to challenge established approaches and stimulate new thinking across the sector.

ASAE says the Forum will be highly interactive, combining dynamic sessions with hands-on learning that gives executives a platform to test ideas and refine strategy. The Westin’s central, walkable downtown location is being promoted as supportive of intensive peer-to-peer engagement, while the wider event experience will extend across the city through receptions and partner-hosted activities. Industry messaging highlights local venues including Rogers Centre Ottawa and the Fairmont Château Laurier as part of the host-city programme.

Michelle Mason, FASAE, CAE, ASAE’s President and CEO, framed the decision to bring ELF to Ottawa as a strategic fit for the association community. "ASAE is thrilled to bring the 2026 Executive Leadership Forum to Ottawa, a city that truly reflects the forward-thinking mindset of our association community," she said. "This year's Forum will immerse executive leaders in a highly interactive environment designed to spark new ideas, deepen connections, and equip them with practical approaches to the complex issues facing their organizations." The wording of that statement underlines ASAE’s positioning of the Forum as a convening for actionable leadership practice rather than solely a showcase event.

Ottawa Tourism described the capital as a natural venue for association leaders who shape policy, innovation and professional communities across North America, noting the benefits of a G7 capital with a compact, walkable downtown and a strong concentration of national associations. "Ottawa is a natural fit for the Executive Leadership Forum and the association leaders who shape policy, innovation, and professional communities across North America," said Stephanie Seguin, Vice President, Sales, Business & Major Events. Ottawa’s message to organisers emphasises the "boutique experience at city scale" that such gatherings can leverage.

For executives and association decision-makers, the Forum’s content focus mirrors other ASAE governance and strategy offerings that prioritise the chief staff–volunteer partnership, research-led strategy and balance between risk and reward. ASAE programmes such as the CEO Symposium and the Governance + Strategy Forum similarly aim to strengthen leadership partnerships and deliver practical frameworks for governance and strategic planning, signalling continuity in ASAE’s education agenda for senior association leaders. 

The choice of Ottawa also aligns with a broader pattern of associations selecting the city for national and sector events, as seen in upcoming national conferences across professional bodies. That concentration of association activity presents opportunities for cross-sector networking and policy engagement while reinforcing Ottawa’s appeal to organisers seeking proximity to federal institutions and national stakeholders.

For association executives considering attendance, organisers and host partners are positioning ELF as a compact, high-impact leadership laboratory: a selective cohort, concentrated curriculum and curated local experience intended to convert peer insight into actionable changes in governance and strategy. Registration details and programme specifics are available through ASAE channels.