Celebrate with Us at the 2026 Awards Gala—A Winter Wonderland Evening Awaits
December 16, 2026
6:00 - 9:30 pm (time to be confirmed)
Maricopa, AZ 85139
Now Accepting Nominations! Click below to view categories, criteria and complete forms. Due by Oct. 23, 2026
Award of Excellence Entry Categories:
• Communications: Newsletters, journals, magazines, membership directories, brochures, web sites, videos.
• Creative Funding: Non-dues revenue generating activity such as trade shows, special events, or any other short or long-term project that raised funds.
• Education: Any format from a 1-hour program to a multi-day convention, technology based, print based, educational curriculum, strategic alliances, and community service education.
• External Affairs: Governmental relations, community service, public relations.
• Membership Development: Membership recruitment campaigns, retention programs, new member orientations, and member benefits programs.
Click here to NOMINATE: 
Executive of the Year Entry Categories/Areas of Management
• Membership Promotion & Retention
• Government or Public Relations
• Financial or Personnel Management
• Research and Quantitative Management
• Convention & Meeting Planning
• New Programs or Innovative Projects
Click here to NOMINATE: 
Member of the Year (Do you have an outstanding member you wish to nominate?)
Click here to NOMINATE: 
Volunteer of the Year (This award is for associations to nominate one of their own members for an outstanding job they have done for their association).
Click here to NOMINATE: 
Hotel Reservations: Book through the designated web link below, or by calling 1-800-CAESARS and providing Group code S12SAE6.
https://www.caesars.com/book/?propCode=AKC&action=FindRooms&groupcode=S12SAE6
$139 (no resort fee and complimentary self-parking)
- Please be advised that at check in all guests will be asked to provide a standard credit or debit card for a nightly $50 Incidentals deposit that will be released after check out (Reloadable and Green dot cards are not accepted). We will hold all rooms at the group rate until 11:59 PM on December 1, 2026. Reservations made after December 1, 2026 will be booked subject to availability and at prevailing rates.
- Please be advised that check in time is 4:00 PM, but guests can be checked in early based on availability. Early check ins can incur fees of up to $50.
- Please advised we do not currently provide daily housekeeping service. If your stay is longer than 3 days you can request makeup service by dialing the front desk. Likewise you can contact front desk to replenish any toiletries you may need during your stay.
It is that time of year to CELEBRATE associations for the amazing work they have accomplished for their organizations.
Gala Tickets: Table of 8 for $650 - available to all member and nonmembers
Member and Guests of Members:
Early bird: thru 12/2 - $80
After 12/2 - $100
Nonmember
Early bird: thru 12/2 - $100
After 12/2 - $110
Lifetime Member - $65
PRE-PURCHASE RAFFLE TICKETS ONLINE!
2 FOR $5 | 10 FOR $20 (ONSITE PRICING AT GALA WILL BE 1/$5 AND 5/$20)
Registration open!
Registration ends: 12/14/2026 @ 11:59 pm
AzSAE is proud to support the following charitable organization: Audrey's Angels
Give the Gift of Joy This Christmas
Imagine being old in a care home, no visitors, with dementia slowly taking away your memories—and then hearing a song that suddenly brings a precious memory back.
That is the gift of Audrey’s Angels. For 25 years, live musicians have brought joy and connection to seniors in small care homes throughout the Valley. Most of the seniors we serve have dementia, yet music can reach memories and emotions that words often cannot. A familiar song can bring a smile, a memory, a moment of recognition—and help them remember their joy.
Your financial donation helps pay for the live musicians who bring these life-changing music sessions to more than 1,300 seniors every month. And your Christmas gift gives an individual senior something tangible to open, enjoy and know that someone thought of them.
Learn about this unique AzSAE Charity for 2026: https://youtu.be/JTea5PWNvYU
Please donate what you can —and bring a gift to the Gala for the Christmas tree. Together, we can help forgotten seniors feel remembered, valued and connected.
Suggested gifts: Lotion • Warm socks • Shawls/throws • Hair-care products • Adult coloring books & colored pencils • Notecards & pens
Website: Audrey’s Angels
SILENT AUCTION OPPORTUNITIES
DOWNLOAD: Donation Form
Due by December 4, 2026
Explore Sponsorship Options and Maximize Your Visibility: RSVP by November 14
View All: SPONSORSHIPS Available/Download sponsorship-donations form
Questions? Please reach out to Karolyn at info@azsae.org
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Registration open.