More than 35 CEOs, senior staff members, and industry partners convened in Charlottesville for this year’s VSAE CEO & Senior Staff Retreat—an intimate, high-engagement program designed to give leaders space to think strategically, share openly, and learn from one another. Held at The Draftsman, Autograph Collection, the retreat brought together association executives from a wide range of sectors including construction, finance, regulatory affairs, banking, architecture, and more, underscoring the breadth and strength of Virginia’s association community.

Over a day and a half, participants stepped back from the demands of daily operations and dug into the key issues shaping the association landscape. Facilitator Lowell Aplebaum, EdD, FASAE, CAE, CPF, CEO of Vista Cova, guided the group through conversations that blended foresight, leadership development, and collaborative inquiry. His message—that associations don’t need to know everything, but are often where knowledge is generated— resonated throughout the program. Roundtable discussions and peer exchanges created opportunities for authentic connection and real problem-solving. Leaders explored topics ranging from member engagement and organizational storytelling to risk tolerance, innovation, board development, and the role of AI. Several attendees remarked that the mix of facilitated learning and peer dialogue was especially impactful.

One participant shared that the retreat offered “valuable insights into big-picture thinking and leadership with excellent networking— wonderful VSAE event!” Another noted the “openness in sharing” among peers, while others praised the balance of presentations and group work, saying it allowed them to dive deeper into issues they “don’t often have time to consider.” The peer-to-peer portion of the program received equally high marks, with one attendee calling it “the best part of the event.”

The retreat also sparked tangible next steps for many executives. Attendees cited plans to enhance board orientation processes, explore AI applications, revisit volunteer structures, and adopt new facilitation techniques to strengthen engagement within their organizations.

We extend our sincere thanks to our Partners for making this program possible, and to The Draftsman for their warm hospitality and attentive service throughout the event.

Looking Ahead to 2026
Planning is already underway for next year. The 2026 CEO & Senior Staff Retreat will take place November 16–17 at the Embassy Suites by Hilton on the Cavalier Resort in Virginia Beach.

This program is a prime opportunity for CEOs to bring members of their senior leadership teams—an investment in professional growth, strategic alignment, and building the next generation of association leaders.

We look forward to gathering again next fall for another meaningful and energizing experience.