New England Society of Association Executives

 

This month, we’re thrilled to spotlight the New England Society of Association Executives (NESAE), a longtime partner and an organization deeply committed to strengthening the association profession across New England.

Led by Kendra Pheasant, MS, CAE, Executive Director, NESAE supports association professionals through education excellence, strategic networking, career development, and community building. That mission came to life during their 2026 Leadership & Management Conference, hosted in our meeting rooms and ballrooms at the MassMutual Center in Springfield, MA.

A Conference Built for Real Association Leadership

The two-day conference brought together association CEOs, executive directors, senior leaders, and emerging professionals for in-depth learning, honest conversations, and peer connection. Programming spanned timely and practical topics, including governance and board dynamics, executive presence, crisis communications, strategic planning, AI for associations, and navigating leadership in a polarized world.

Sessions were intentionally designed to be interactive and applicable, giving attendees tools they could immediately bring back to their organizations. Networking breaks, exhibitor engagement, and small-group discussions further supported meaningful connections throughout the event NESAE Leadership and Management….

According to Kendra, the success of the conference came down to how seamlessly everything came together.

“We received a lot of great feedback on the quality of the speakers and the relevance of the programming,” she shared. “From a logistics perspective, the team at the MassMutual Center was not only highly responsive, but proactive, and flawlessly executed our event.”

Post-event survey responses echoed that sentiment, with attendees rating their overall experience, service levels, and facilities highly, and noting the responsiveness and professionalism of the MassMutual Center team NESAE Leadership and Management.

Extending the Experience Beyond the Ballroom

The momentum continued beyond the daytime sessions with an evening networking reception at TAP Sportsbar, hosted in partnership with MGM Springfield. The interactive setting, complete with bowling lanes and casual gathering spaces, offered a fun and memorable way for attendees to continue conversations and strengthen relationships.

“The energy and connection that carried into the evening reception really stood out,” Kendra noted. “It helped build relationships beyond the sessions and created a memorable experience for our members.”

Thoughtful Planning, Strong Partnerships

Behind the scenes, planning an event of this scale requires careful balance.

As Kendra puts it, every decision considers budget, logistics, and relationships, all with one goal in mind: delivering a high-value, member-first experience. That intentional approach was evident throughout the conference, from the flow of the agenda to the execution onsite.

A Community That Goes Deeper

When asked what sets NESAE apart, Kendra highlighted the depth of the organization’s relationships.

“We go beyond transactional networking,” she shared. “Our goal is to create a community of long-term professional support, leadership growth, and shared problem-solving.”

That sense of connection was felt throughout NESAE’s time in Springfield.

Why Springfield?

Hosting the conference at the MassMutual Center aligned with NESAE’s commitment to serving members across the region. The centrally located, accessible venue allowed NESAE to engage a broad cross-section of its New England membership while also strengthening an important partnership.

In One Sentence

Kendra sums up the experience best.

“An engaging and energizing experience filled with insightful conversations, applicable takeaways, and strong connections with fellow association leaders.”

We were honored to host NESAE’s Leadership & Management Conference and look forward to welcoming Kendra, her team, and the NESAE community back to Springfield in the future.

For more information on booking the MassMutual Center Submit an RFP