CEOSync 2026
Your Career-Defining Experience
Associations North CEOSync is the premier program uniting association CEOs in a community built on clarity, accountability, and growth. Simply put, CEOSync is actionable solutions, powerful connections and unmatched results. Commit Today.
What's Waiting for You:
- Confidential space to troubleshoot, vet ideas, and identify blind spots
- Candid sharing and growth-focused discussions
- Support to make smarter choices and achieve bigger outcomes
- Accountability and challenge that drives real leadership growth
- The power of shared wisdom and honest feedback
2026 Adds Micro-Coaching + Strategic Function Reviews
Un-Stuck Sessions: Think micro consultations or coaching. Rapid peer-to-peer exchange designed to help CEOs surface challenges and leave with actionable solutions.
Strategic Function Reviews: In this new segment, a designated core function of associations will be selected (such as a board agenda, succession plan, org chart, budget, compensation model, membership strategy, etc). Each CEO will bring one specific, concrete item that represents how their association operates in the assigned review area for feedback, practical solutions and accountability commitments.
Actionable Outcomes + Growth
Your attendance not only strengthens yourself, but the Associations North community of leaders. Every session offers new ideas and solutions you can implement immediately—don’t miss the chance to get ahead. Sign up today.
Schedule
- Friday, February 6 - Virtual Orientation
- Friday, February 13 - Session #1
- Friday, March 20 - Optional Power Breakfast, Twin Cities
- Friday, April 17 - Session #2
- Friday, May 29 - Session #3
- Thursday, June 25 - Optional Power Breakfast, Twin Cities
- Tuesday, July 14 - CEOSync Special Event, 3M Innovation Center
We're stepping inside 3M’s Innovation Center for a behind-the-scenes look at how curiosity, collaboration, and science fuel breakthrough ideas and real-world solutions. This exclusive event will not only showcase 3M’s culture of innovation, but also spark fresh ways for association leaders to think differently, embrace new approaches, and apply an innovation mindset to their own organizations. Tour, lunch and community. - September 27-29, Executive Edge, Treasure Island Resort + Casino
- Friday, October 23 - Session #4
- Friday, December 11 - Session #5
Lowell Aplebaum, EdD, CAE, FASAE, CPF
Lowell is a connector, a facilitator of community. He works to identify strategy gaps and collaboratively build solutions that provide impact for tomorrow's needs. Lowell loves to bring people together. He embraces the mission and vision as the heart of an organization. Lowell is in tireless pursuit of innovation and evolution for greater impact.
We know you have more on your plate than ever before and that’s why this program is so important – you will uncover solutions to complex challenges, rethink assumptions, gain new insights and see first-hand how other leaders approach difficult situations. Executives find the time commitment, typically less than 1% of working hours, well worth the investment and some of the most protected time. If you are not certain you will be able to fully engage, please do not sign up. The value of this program depends on consistent participation and we don’t want to waste anyone’s time. If you will miss more than two meetings, it is not recommended to sign up.
We want CEOSync to be your most valuable time spent. Please review CEOSync Eligibility + Criteria:
- Must be an active Associations North member
- Currently serving in C-suite leadership position
- Minimum three years experience as CEO or top leadership role
- Must be involved in high level strategic conversations and have authority over decision making processes for budget, personnel and/or strategy.
- Must currently be in a business growth and/or business improvement mindset
- Able and fully committed to attend meetings on a regular basis
- Willing to share knowledge and expertise with group
- Willing to maintain confidentiality about group discussions + sign confidentiality agreement
- Respect others + participate with an open mind
CE credits will be earned and awarded through attendance. Each session is 4 CEU hours. You must be present to earn CE credits to be applied toward your continuing education application or renewal. All CEOSync sessions will have a sign in process. Additional credits will apply for Executive Edge participation.
What if I leave my company or my job?
As a member of CEOSync, relationship building with other leaders you respect and trust is a key component. If you leave your company for whatever reason, CEOSync members are not automatically asked to leave. If you still value your participation in CEOSync (and vice versa), we are happy to welcome you to stay.
Money Back Guarantee
We’re confident that CEOSync will provide you with the actionable insights, peer support, and expert guidance needed to elevate your leadership. However, if after attending three sessions you feel the program hasn't delivered a valuable takeaway, provided a new connection or met your expectations, we’ll offer a full refund. No questions asked. Your growth as a leader is our priority, and we stand by the impact of CEOSync.
What Should I Expect?
Meetings include a lot of sharing, vulnerability and accountability. All of this is necessary for professional development, growth and learning. You will get more than you give in CEOSync, but it requires all participants to be an active contributor at all meetings.
Program Structure + Schedule: Each CEOSync session is from 9:00 am - 3:00 pm, hosted in the Twin Cities Area. CEOSync does not offer a hybrid or recorded option. The magic and experience happens while in person and engaged as a community. Lunch will be provided.
Power Breakfasts: Optional breakfast from 7:30 am - 8:30 am on session days. These are informal relationship building opportunities over a cup of coffee and breakfast before your day of learning and engagement begins.
For More Information:
