Trends Shaping Engagement & Success: Future-Proofing Your Association Meetings

As Senior Director of Meetings and Industry Relations at Association Headquarters, Ashton leads the strategy and execution of high-impact events that drive member engagement, strengthen industry presence, grow revenue, and generate lasting value for associations. She brings more than 15 years of expertise in meeting and event management for associations and nonprofits, joining AH in 2016.

Before her time at AH, Ashton served with the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR), where she helped manage more than forty scientific meetings annually, ranging from 250–500 attendees, as well as the association’s flagship 15,000-person citywide conference.

Ashton is a Certified Meeting Professional (CMP), the industry’s leading credential for excellence in event management, and holds the Digital Event Strategist (DES) certification, recognizing her expertise in designing and delivering engaging online and hybrid experiences. Ashton is passionate about creating meaningful experiences that advance both organizational goals and industry leadership.

Brooke Passy, CMP, DES has extensive experience in meeting management, event planning, and coordination, with a background that includes work in the education sector and the service industry. With a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Theater Arts, Brooke has held various roles in companies such as AH & Association Headquarters, Council Rock School District, Starbucks Coffee Company, and Southern Oregon University.

Melanie Ryan is a seasoned event manager with 11 years of experience in marketing, wedding planning, and customer service. She has a strong background in management, organization, and time management, with a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education from St. Joseph’s University.

Amanda Law combines her expertise in creative event design, bold marketing strategies, and customer-first experiences to drive success at Cadmium. Before joining the company in 2024, she brought two decades of hands-on experience shaping events spanning industries and audiences of all kinds—leading fundraising and mission-driven programs for the American Diabetes Association, producing large-scale events for Lenovo and Biltmore Estate, and teaching event experience and design at Duke University. Along the way, she mastered both the art of meticulous logistics (ask her about planning hillside events around cattle!) and the craft of designing immersive, memorable experiences that spark connection. Amanda holds a Bachelor of Science in Communications from Appalachian State University and lives in Apex, NC with her husband and two zany kids. In her spare time, she enjoys hand lettering and experimenting with unusual watercolors—a hobby she insists is under control despite an ever-growing collection.