I don’t show up to speak.
I show up to make your audience think differently and leave with ideas they can actually use.
My sessions are built for association leaders, event organizers, AMCs, and industry professionals navigating real challenges.
Signature Topics
- Event Strategy & Attendance
- Closing the Intent-to-Attendance Gap
- Understanding Real Barriers to Participation
- Designing Events That Actually Deliver Value
- Revenue, Sponsorship & Exhibitors
- Sponsorships That Sell (and Deliver)
- Exhibitor ROI That Goes Beyond Traffic
- Finding Hidden Revenue in Your Event
- AI & The Future of Events
- Practical AI for Associations and Event Teams
- Where AI Actually Fits (and Where It Doesn’t)
- Turning Data into Decisions
- Industry Trends & Young Professionals
- What the Next Generation Expects from Events
- Rethinking Engagement on the Show Floor
- The Changing Role of Events in Associations
Formats
- Keynotes
- Breakout sessions
- Workshops
- Panel moderation
- Webinars and online sessions
Let’s talk about your audience and what they actually need. Contact Me.
Upcoming & Recent Talks
One Shot to Get It Right: Why Your Annual Meeting Must Win Over Younger Attendees | MASAE
From Transactions to True Partnerships: Building Sustainable Non-Dues Revenue | VSAE
Click to Convention Floor: Association Research Insights on Event Attendance | ICON
Crafting Event Success with AI with Rich Vallaster | NYIAEE
Practical Applications of AI in Associations, AMCs and Events | IAEE Small/Mid-Size Show Organizer Forum
Solving the Association Pipeline Problem: How Events Drive Next-Gen Engagement & Show Me the (Non-Dues) Money: Financial Wins for Association Events | GASAE Annual
Click to Convention Floor: Association Research Insights on Event Attendance | DFWAE Association Day
Event Scenarios to Strategies: Crafting Association Event Success with AI | IAEE SE Chapter Luncheon Speaker
Cash In, Cut Costs: Winning Revenue Tactics for Your EXPO and Sponsorship Programs | Professionals for Association Revenue
Exploring AI in Associations: Practical Insights from an AI Explorer in the Association Space | Mid-Atlantic Society for Association Executives
The Pipeline Problem: Fixing Your Event’s Future By Focusing On Young Attendees | IAEE Expo!Expo!
AI, Meet Rolodex: New Rules Of Booth & Sponsor Sales | IAEE Expo!Expo!
Event Scenarios to Strategies: Crafting Association Event Success with AI | FSAE Education Expo
Accelerating AI Thinking & Readiness at AMCs | AMC Regional
Transform Your Events with AI – Practical Strategies for AMCs | AMC Institute
How Meeting Planners Can Use AI to Work Smarter | Virginia Society of Association Executives
Navigating the Four Stages of Organizational AI Readiness | ASAE Annual 2025
From Scenarios to Strategies: Crafting Event Success with AI & Cash In, Cut Costs: Winning Revenue Tactics for Your EXPO and Sponsorship Programs | 34th Annual Southeastern Classic
Cash In, Cut Costs: Winning Revenue Tactics for Your EXPO and Sponsorship Programs | EventTastic 2025
Maximizing Non-Dues Revenue: Why Events Are Your Growth Engine | ICON 2025
Cash In, Cut Costs: Winning Revenue Tactics for Your EXPO and Sponsorship Programs | ASAE mmc+tec 2025
Future Proof Your Event | Vendelux Webinar
Charge Down Success Like a Rhino, but with a Smile| IAEE DC Chapter
Your Expo and Sponsorship Programs Revamped | IAEE Webinar
Managing and Maximizing Disruption | AMC Institute
Put AI into Action to Improve Your Exhibitions and Events | IAEE Expo!Expo!
Winning Revenue Tactics for Your EXPO and Sponsorship Programs | IAEE Expo! Expo!
Events AI Learning Lab | VSAE 2024
Leveraging AI to Boost Your Trade Show Experience | TOCA Webinar 2024
Technology Management: Integrating AI Into AMC Operations | AMC Summit 2024
Small Team with Big Results: Leveraging Generative AI for Events | ASAE MMC+Tec 2024
The older (yet post-COVID) sessions can be found here.
“Rich is a heavy hitter.
We can put him in any time slot since he can attract and hold an audience.”ASAE Education Team Member
“Highest session ratings at our entire event.”
ISAE Executive
“Rich is a sought-after speaker.”
Marsha Flanagan, CEO IAEE
“I always walk away with actionable findings from Rich’s sessions!”
Expo! Expo! Attendee
Recent Webinars
- Beyond the Booth: Elevating the Exhibitor Experience for Real Results | Webinar
- Association AI Leadership: The Four Stages of Readiness and Organizational Management | Webinar
- From First Click to the Onsite Experience – What You Can’t Ignore | Webinar
- Engagement in a Post-Pandemic World | Webinar
- Secrets Revealed: Exhibitors Tell All | Webinar
Rich Vallaster 