The only virtual conference for fearless association pros

On the road & online everywhere | June 7-9, 2022

What to expect at SURGE Forward

You will grow

Professionals come to SURGE to meet people who can help them meet their career goals. Our speakers are association professionals who understand your struggles. This year, we’ll talk about the technologies, ideas and opportunities that will change membership forever.

You will be engaged

At SURGE, you won’t simply listen to the speakers. You’ll engage them directly in our live chat, and you can ask questions during their presentations. Through this interactive networking, you will build real relationships with like-minded and innovative association professionals. Some of the best ideas at SURGE come from the live chat.

You will be inspired

This year, we’re taking the hard-learned lessons from 2020 and establishing a new normal for association pros. We spent all of 2020 looking to stay afloat as every industry and organization around the world faced uncertainty and change. Now, it’s time to thrive.

Featured Speakers

Don Dea

Board Chair
digitalNow

Marcus Sheridan

Partner and author
IMPACT

Robbie Kellman Baxter

Author and subscription expert

See all speakers

Join 1,800 other fearless association pros at SURGE Forward!

What our attendees are saying

“SURGE is my all-time favorite event!! I love the format, the ability to chat with the presenters and others, as well as the variety of topics. Well done and congratulations to everyone involved!”

Cindy Simpson, National Society for Histotechnology

“SURGE offers an excellent way for association professionals to learn great ideas, strategies, and tactics — from the presenters and from the chat — that aren't available in any other forum.”

Bruce Rosenthal, Bruce Rosenthal Associates

Schedule at a glance

June 8

9 a.m. - 10 a.m. CT
KEYNOTE: Emerging Trends and the New Best Practices in the Membership Economy

10:15 a.m. - 10:45 a.m. CT
Why Now is the Time to Change Your Pricing Strategy (And How to Do It)

11 a.m. - 12 p.m. CT
New Rules of Engagement: Thinking Purposefully Beyond the Pandemic

12:15 p.m. - 12:45 p.m. CT
A Model for Strategy Execution: Accelerating Value with Objectives and Key Results

2 p.m. - 3 p.m. CT
Member Exclusive: Hallway Chat

June 9

9 a.m. - 10 a.m. CT
KEYNOTE: How Associations Can Use Video to Win Members, Increase Trust and Drive Growth in the Digital Age

10:15 a.m. - 10:45 a.m. CT
Data-Driven Community Detection: A Sidecar Story

11 a.m. - 12 p.m. CT
Empowering Diversity for Inclusive Excellence

12:15 p.m. - 12:45 p.m. CT
Governance for the Future-focused Association

2 p.m. - 3 p.m. CT
Member Exclusive: Expert AMA

June 10

9 a.m. - 10 a.m. CT
KEYNOTE: Leading Through the Pandemic: A New CEO Playbook — What's That?

10:15 a.m. - 10:45 a.m. CT
Key Lessons from the Path to Resilient Leadership

11 a.m. - 12 p.m. CT
¡Adelante! It’s time for More Hispanic, Latino and LatinX Association Leaders

12:15 pm - 12:45 pm CT
Work-Life Balance: Don’t Throw Your Bricks Away

2 p.m. - 3 p.m. CT
Member Exclusive: Keynote Q&A

See full schedule

Become a Sidecar member and get MORE

Hallway Chat

Join us for this innovative networking event that combines the spontaneous style of traditional conference mingling with online technology.

Keynote Q&A

Didn’t get your question asked during the live chat? No problem. Come to our virtual gathering space for an extended conversation with our speakers.

Expert AMA

Sometimes, you’ve got a problem to solve and the only way to get it done is to ask the expert. Come with your questions, and mingle with solutions-oriented association experts to help you solve them.

Exclusive SURGE eBook

Revisit all the great conversations from SURGE anytime you want with the post-event eBook, which will be full of insights, ideas and additional suggestions for engagement.

Swag Bags

The first 125 members who register for SURGE will get to snag a value-packed swag bag that includes books from our keynote speakers and other goodies!

Become a Sidecar Member

The only virtual conference for fearless association pros.

Learn actionable insights from top experts, connect with association pros from around the world and be empowered to move your organization forward. SURGE forward is a better virtual experience where every voice is heard. Be ready to give as much as you get!