Association Executives of North Carolina

06/18/2026

Have you been following our Walk Through The Annual Meeting every Friday in the Weekly Email Update and here on social media?

Well... it looks like we took a wrong turn and missed an important stop! 🏁😅

Before we race to the finish line, we need to loop back to the AENC FUEL Young Professionals! As you’re making your annual meeting plans, please don’t forget to:
• Support the FUEL Fundraiser with a 50/50 Raffle Ticket
• Join the networking hour before the Silent Auction Luau at the newly remodeled Embassy Suites Rocky River Bar & Terrace
• Bring an AENC Gives Back donation for Wings of Eagles Ranch, A Center for Hope

Check back tomorrow for our 7th (and final) stop, and register to join us in Cabarrus County!

www.aencnet.org/annual-meeting-2026

06/17/2026

Check out today’s Success by Association Live sponsored by Novi AMS.

‘The Importance of Knowing Business Etiquette’ was written by Sharon Hill.

Hear more from Sharon at the 2026 AENC Annual Meeting on Monday, July 27th in Cabarrus County, NC!

Register to join: www.aencnet.org/annual-meeting-2026



https://assets-002.noviams.com/novi-file-uploads/aenc/pdfs-and-documents/SBA_Live/The_Importance_of_Knowing_Business_Etiquette.pdf

06/12/2026

WALK THROUGH THE ANNUAL MEETING
6th Stop: Luau at the Lodge: A Silent Auction Evening! 🌺🐺
Flip flops, fun, and a few howls await at our Silent Auction Evening on Monday, July 27th! Join fellow attendees for a relaxed night of Hawaiian-inspired cuisine, networking, community, and bidding!

📍 Great Wolf Lodge Concord
📅 Monday, July 27, 2026 | 7:00–11:00 PM

Register today: www.aencnet.org/annual-meeting-2026

06/10/2026

Fresh look, same great hospitality! ✨

The AENC team recently toured the newly remodeled Hilton Garden Inn Raleigh-Cary, a Parks Hospitality Group Property, and loved seeing the property's beautiful updates firsthand. From refreshed guest rooms to inviting gathering spaces, the transformation is impressive.

Thank you to the team for hosting us and sharing all that's new. If you're planning a future meeting, event, or group in the Raleigh-Cary area, be sure to connect with their team to learn more about the possibilities this updated property has to offer!

If you’re a Meeting Planner, come check it out for yourself at the upcoming AENC Meeting Planners Lunch Roundtable on June 24th! Check out the details at www.aencnet.org/meeting-planners-roundtable.

06/05/2026

JUNE MEMBER SPOTLIGHT:
Andrew Schmidt: A Champion for Tourism and the AENC Community

The Greenville-Pitt County Convention & Visitors Bureau (Visit Greenville, NC) President & CEO Andrew Schmidt is retiring after 32 years of exemplary service in the Greenville-Pitt County destination and tourism industry. Schmidt’s last day with Visit Greenville, NC will be at the end of this month.

During Andrew’s impressive career in the industry, he has been a dedicated and highly engaged member of AENC for 32 years. Over that time, he has served on multiple committees and even on the AENC Board of Directors, continually giving his time, leadership, and support to AENC.

“It has been an incredible privilege and honor to serve as the President & CEO of Visit Greenville, NC for the last eleven years,” stated Andrew Schmidt, President & CEO of Visit Greenville, NC. “I have been blessed to work with an incredible staff, dynamic local partners, and numerous statewide colleagues and organizations to position Greenville-Pitt County as a premier tourism destination within North Carolina and the Southeast.”

“Andrew Schmidt’s impact on Greenville–Pitt County cannot be overstated. For more than three decades, he has led with integrity, humility, and an unwavering love for this community. Andrew is truly salt of the earth — a steady, trusted leader whose heart for people and place shaped not only our tourism success, but the lives of countless colleagues and emerging leaders along the way,” said Diane Taylor, Chair of the Pitt-Greenville Convention & Visitors Authority. “Through his service and his leadership across North Carolina’s travel and tourism industry, Andrew elevated our destination while always keeping people at the center of the work. While his shoes will be incredibly difficult to fill, his legacy of service, mentorship, and excellence will continue to guide us for years to come.”

Andrew’s leadership of Visit Greenville within the AENC community has been truly impactful. Under his guidance, Visit Greenville has been in AENC’s President’s Club for four years, reflecting their significant financial support and commitment to the association community. In addition to his service and leadership, Andrew is also an AENC award recipient, having received the prestigious Patsy B. Smith Award in 2011.

Andrew is truly an AENC legend, and while he has certainly earned his retirement, there’s no way we’re letting him leave the AENC family completely!

06/03/2026

Check out today’s Success by Association Live sponsored by High Point Convention and Visitors Bureau. ‘The Future of Membership Growth: Why Associations Must Become More Intelligent’ was written by Aubie W. Knight, CIC, CRM, the CEO of Independent Insurance Agents of North Carolina, Inc. (IIANC).

06/02/2026

Thank you to everyone who joined us for the AENC FUEL Young Professionals Roundtable and All Member Meet-Up last month!

A special thank you to our presenter, Sharon Delaney McCloud, CSP®, CDE®, for sharing valuable insights on building executive presence and strengthening your personal brand.

We are also grateful to our host sponsor, Residence Inn by Marriott Raleigh Downtown, for providing a fantastic venue for learning and connection, and to our education sponsor, Greater Raleigh Convention and Visitors Bureau, for helping make this program possible.

Most importantly, thank you to all the young professionals, association leaders and industry partners who participated. The conversations, connections, and shared experiences are what make the AENC community so special.

05/29/2026

WALK THROUGH THE ANNUAL MEETING:
4th Stop: Education Sessions

Join us Monday, July 27 & Tuesday, July 28 at the Annual Meeting and earn 5 CEUs (CAE pending and CMP approved!)

This year’s education lineup was built directly from topics requested by AENC members and features timely, relevant sessions covering everything from Business Etiquette to AI Guardrails, packed with practical takeaways you can apply immediately in your work and leadership.

Monday features four dynamic keynote sessions designed to inspire, challenge, and equip attendees, while Tuesday concludes with one final impactful keynote before we celebrate the 2026 Annual Awards together.

See the graphic to explore this year’s exciting lineup of speakers and sessions, we can’t wait to learn and connect with you!

Register today: www.aencnet.org/annual-golf-outing-2026

05/22/2026

WALK THROUGH THE ANNUAL MEETING:
3rd Stop: Opening Reception, Golf Awards & After Party on Sunday, July 26th

Don’t miss out on this exciting night of FUN before the conference kicks off on Monday morning!

7:00pm – 9:00pm
Get ready to kick off the 71st Annual Meeting brewery style with the Opening Reception at Cabarrus Brewing Company! Enjoy delicious food, refreshing drinks, and incredible company as we launch the Annual Meeting with an unforgettable evening of connection and fun. We will also announce the Golf Outing winners and do trophy presentation at the brewery

9:00pm – 11:00pm
Keep the festivities going in the Cabarrus Brewing Biergarten with a live performance by U-Phonik, enjoy great music, fresh air, and a groovy night under the stars with your AENC crew!
To enhance your evening, delicious bites will be provided by Cabarrus Brewing and two drink tickets will be provided by Explore Cabarrus.

We’re so excited that the Opening Reception and After Party are happening all in one amazing venue, with the entire brewery reserved exclusively for AENC both inside and out! 🍻🎶✨

Register today: www.aencnet.org/annual-meeting-2026

05/21/2026

Throwing it back to the fun, connections, and friendly competition from the 2025 AENC Golf Outing! ⛳🏌️‍♂️

Now it’s your turn to join us for the 39th Annual Golf Outing & 71st Annual Meeting, where networking, education, and unforgettable memories all come together.

Whether you’re hitting the course or joining us for the full Annual Meeting experience, you won’t want to miss it!

Register today: www.aencnet.org/annual-golf-outing-2026



View all of last year's photos here: https://sparkphotobooths.pixieset.com/aencgolftournament/

Password: AENC

Photo collection by Spark Photo Booth