Recognizing and celebrating your peers for their achievements is just one of the many things that I believe the association community does best. 

For 45 years, the Salute to Association Excellence awards program, established by Association TRENDS, has honored professionals for their work in the association industry. In 2014, CEO Update created the Association Leadership Awards (ALA) to recognize executives who go above and beyond in their work at nonprofit and trade organizations, and at professional societies.

I’ve always admired how the professionals in this space openly share ideas, celebrate accomplishments and support each other’s careers. While the Salute and ALA awards ceremonies are accepted as the pinnacles of recognition for association professionals, I believe that there is still room to evolve and improve. 

Since combining both awards ceremonies in 2023, I’ve heard the feedback and I share your concerns about the need to expand our reach and become more inclusive.

More needs to be done to ensure these awards reflect the diverse makeup of leaders in the association industry, whether they are based at a trade organization or public interest group, a member of the C-suite or a dedicated senior staff member. 

The Salute is one of the many long-standing traditions in the association community, but the world has changed since the first ceremony took place.

When confronted with changing times, it’s important to recognize that we as leaders will have to make decisions and changes that are necessary for growth.

After internal discussion with my team, the selection committee, former honorees and members of the CEO Update community, we decided to reimagine the Salute awards. This process began in 2023 with the move to combine the Salute and ALA awards ceremonies into a single event that took place earlier this year. 

After merging the two programs, we decided that additional changes were needed to showcase the accomplishments of successful leaders in the broad association landscape. That is why we have introduced new nomination categories for 2025. 

The new Association Trailblazers Award has been created to recognize non-CEO, senior-level professionals for their leadership, innovation, growth and impact. The award replaces the Young and Aspiring Professionals category, which had an age limit on who could be nominated.

Additionally, instead of presenting awards to one association CEO, the Salute will honor two chief executives under the new categories of Trade Association Executive of the Year and Professional Society or Dual Membership Association Executive of the Year. 

The Salute will continue presenting awards to Leading Association Lobbyists and Association Partner of the Year. 

With any major decision, there is the potential for backlash. However, I’m pleased to report that CEO Update members and association executives have offered nothing but resounding positive support for these changes to the Salute awards.

If you haven’t already, I encourage you to be a part of this change by nominating your association colleagues for these awards. Your peers deserve to be recognized for the excellent work they are doing, regardless of the type and size of association. 

I look forward to attending the next Salute award ceremony and celebrating your career successes. I’m also eager to continue making strides in our commitment to enhance our editorial content, event offerings and the entire CEO Update member experience.

Submit your nominations by Sept 6th here.