Schedule

Education

  CEUs for CAE  - pending approval for 6-8 CEUs

  CEUs for CMP - Approved for 6 - 8 CEUs

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Find out more about the Moderator: Lowell Aplebaum, FASAE, CAE, IAF Certified™ Professional Facilitator, CEO, Vista Cova

General Conference - Thursday Pre-Con Sessions:

(Choose 1 of 3)

General Sessions:

General Session 1  - Making it Without Losing It: The new rules for innovation— and motivation— that lasts

Let’s face it, there’s always a “what’s next?” Your ability to individually and collectively reach that next big milestone — without burning out– has to do with the answer to the following question:

How do we create motivation that lasts when we’re never done?

It turns out — While traditional leadership approaches focus on external rewards, the latest science shows us that the most flourishing contributors have a personal, internal connection to their work. That’s right; people with high intrinsic motivation experience lower rates of disengagement, higher levels of innovation and more fulfillment than those focused primarily on external factors.

Forbes Top Rated keynote speaker, Jess Ekstrom, uses modern research and her experiences starting two multi-million-dollar businesses to guide audiences to deeper engagement, fulfillment and lasting motivation in their role.

If you’re looking to infuse individuals at any level of your organization with unshakeable motivation through gripping storytelling and entertainment, it’s here.

Audience Takeaways:

• How to wire yourself and your teams to become intrinsically motivated instead of externally validated
• How intrinsic motivation leads to increased problem solving and fulfillment
• The three psychological needs that inspire lasting motivation
• Simple secrets to more powerfully create and innovate everyday
• Three questions to lead yourself and others with a greater purpose in mind

Speaker: 

Jess Ekstrom, Mic Drop Workshop®

General Session 2 – NC Chamber “Leading Through Growth” & MyFutureNC “What’s New and What’s Next…”

 - 1^st 30 Minutes: NC Chamber - Leading Through Growth: A Business-Driven View of North Carolina’s Economic Future

This statewide, data-driven perspective on North Carolina’s economic and business climate will cover what’s working, what’s at risk, and where opportunity is growing. Drawing on the NC Chamber’s top priorities around workforce, infrastructure, and competitiveness, Archie will outline how business-led solutions are shaping the state’s next phase of economic growth.Meredith Archie, NC Chamber

  - 2^nd 30 Minutes: MyFutureNC - What’s New—and What’s Next—for Education and Opportunity in North Carolina

In this session, Cecilia will share the latest updates from myFutureNC and what they mean for North Carolina’s residents, employers, and communities. She’ll highlight progress toward the goal of 2 million adults with a high-quality credential or degree by 2030 and discuss how associations can play a meaningful role in expanding opportunity and strengthening the state’s workforce. Attendees will leave with a clearer picture of where the state is headed—and how AENC members can help move the needle.

Cecilia Holden, MyFutureNC

General Session 3 – Lightning Hour: Three Voices in One Content-Rich Hour
Join us for a fast-paced Lightning Hour Session featuring three AENC member speakers, each delivering a dynamic and condensed keynote in 15 minutes. In this high-energy session, attendees will get excellent content, a taste of each speaker’s style, substance, and signature takeaways, all in quick, impactful bursts. You’ll walk away with fresh ideas, actionable insights you can use right away, and a clearer sense of which speaker might be the perfect fit for your upcoming event. It’s the ultimate opportunity to discover new talent, compare approaches, and get inspired in a short amount of time!

Shortened Keynotes (In Stage Order):
Ignored Stress, Real Consequences
Rita Garnto, Simple Self Care by Rita

CFCF - Four Pillars to Next Level Achievement
Anthony DeNino, CORe - Creating Our Reality, LLC

 Where Gifts Become Culture
Deanna Jones, Deanna Jones Now

          

Early Bird Session – “Caregiving Can Make Life Crazy!”

Caregiving for family or friends, while a wonderfully caring and giving experience,  can also be an extraordinarily stressful effort. Caregiving Can Make Life Crazy! offers practical suggestions and strategies for dealing with the experience in positive ways.  

Speaker:
Mike Collins, The Perfect Workday Company

General Session 4 – Don't Say the "S" Word

What if “sales” wasn’t a dirty word, but a way to serve, connect, and create real value? In this session, participants learn how to influence with authenticity, build meaningful relationships, and confidently invite commitment without feeling pushy or transactional. They’ll leave with practical strategies to grow engagement and membership in a way that feels aligned, human, and effective.   

Speaker:

Andora Hinton, Willow North Growth Partners

General Session 5 – Meeting Planner Power Panel
The Meeting Planner Power Panel brings seasoned meeting planners together for an honest, engaging closing session on the decisions, tradeoffs, and teamwork that shape successful meetings. From behind-the-scenes realities and rising costs to AI, alignment, and a few “you can’t make this up” stories, this energetic panel of planners offers real insight, practical takeaways, and a fresh perspective for planners, association executives, hotel partners, CVBs, and suppliers alike. Stay to the end for candid stories, quick-hit lessons, and ideas you’ll carry into your next event.

Moderator:

Kathryn Atkinson, CMP, NC Academy of Family Physicians

Panelists:

Alison Harding, CMP, CMM, PMP, Medical Leverage
Rosa Navarro, MA, NC Academy of Physican Associates

Accommodations

Click here to book your room at Hilton Durham near Duke University (Rate: $134 plus tax, Cutoff 2/27/26)

 

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