For the first time, association executives from across Asia Pacific have a regional organisation dedicated to their profession.
More than 100 senior leaders representing 64 associations from 16 countries met in Singapore on 24–25 July for the founding summit of the newly established Asia Pacific Society of Association Executives (APSAE), marking the launch of what organisers describe as the region's first professional community created specifically for association leaders.
While Europe and North America have long had established networks for association executives, no equivalent has existed across Asia Pacific despite the region's economic growth and increasingly influential professional and industry bodies.
"Asia Pacific has never had a dedicated home for association executives – until now," said APSAE President Prasant Saha. "The conversations over these two days confirmed what we believed from the outset: leaders across the region want to learn from one another and strengthen the impact of associations throughout Asia Pacific."
Held at Marina Bay Sands Convention Centre, the summit attracted one of the most senior gatherings of association leaders seen in the region. More than 80 per cent of delegates held chief executive, secretary general, president, founder or director-level roles.
Participants travelled from Australia, Bangladesh, China, Hong Kong, India, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand and Vietnam, representing organisations across sectors including banking, healthcare, education, transport, technology, law, sustainability, aviation and pharmaceuticals.
The programme focused on practical challenges facing associations in Asia Pacific. Sessions explored member engagement, non-dues revenue, volunteer leadership, artificial intelligence, advocacy and cross-border collaboration, with speakers drawing on regional experience rather than overseas models.
International leadership coach and author Kevin Cottam opened the summit by challenging delegates to rethink whether their organisations were keeping pace with rapid change, while Jenniefer Setiawan of the EU-ASEAN Business Council examined the growing role of associations in public policy and advocacy.
One of the summit's most significant announcements was the release of the inaugural State of Associations in Asia Pacific 2026, the first report dedicated to the region's association sector. The research argues that while employers across Asia Pacific continue to face widespread skills shortages, associations remain underutilised as a mechanism for professional development and workforce capability, with many operating without shared regional infrastructure or collaboration.
For many delegates, the value of the event lay in bringing together peers who rarely have the opportunity to meet.
"APSAE is a laudable initiative that provided a forum for association leaders from 16 countries to share ideas and experiences," said Reena Marwah, Secretary General of the Association of Asia Scholars.
Membership of APSAE opens on 15 August, with plans for webinars, regional events and executive peer networks throughout the year. Organisers have also confirmed that a second summit is already being planned for 2027, building on the momentum of the founding event in Singapore.
Written By
James Lancaster
AMI editor James
Lancaster is a familiar face in the meetings industry and international
association community. Since joining AMI in 2010, he has gained a reputation
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