User:Gary A. LaBranche, CAE

Gary A. LaBranche, CAE is the President & CEO of the Association Forum of Chicagoland [1]. The Forum provides essential learning, powerful resources and compelling experiences for the 47,000 professionals employed by Chicago-area associations, whose activities contribute over $22 billion annually to the economy and serve over 37 million members. [2]

Membership in the Forum has grown by more than 40% since LaBranche became CEO in May 2003. Other achievements include: a re-design of FORUM magazine, creation of Association Week, several major public policy victories and new entrepreneurial efforts such as podcasting[3].

LaBranche decided to become an association professional while at The Ohio State University and has been in the field since his 1981 graduation. He has served as the Chief Executive for three organizations and as a senior executive for others, including the American Society of Association Executives[4] and the United States Chamber of Commerce [5].

He has published over 40 articles on association management and has made over 150 presentations to audiences of association executives and leaders. LaBranche has consulted on strategic planning and management with over 300 associations in the United States, Canada, Egypt, Russia and Mexico.

He authors a weekly column in the Forum’s e-newsletter, which is also distributed via podcast. [6]. He is an ASAE Fellow, serves as the Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Institute of Organization Management In 2007, he received the Key Award from the American Society of Association Executives. The Key Award is ASAE's highest award.[7] and on the Association Committee of 100 of the United States Chamber of Commerce. He is on a member of the Advisory Committee of the William E. Smith Center for Association Research. A registered lobbyist, LaBranche also serves on the Charitable Organizations Advisory Committee for the Illinois Attorney General.