IRVING, Texas (Sept. 20, 2012) - A "Texas-Size" welcoming party awaits in Irving for attendees of next week's Texas Society of Association Executives (TSAE) annual New Ideas Conference. The conference kick-off celebration begins at 5:45 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 23, at the Irving Convention Center at Las Colinas. See attached photo advisory for opening night details.

The conference runs through Tuesday, Sept. 25, at the Omni Mandalay Hotel at Las Colinas.

TSAE follows the American Society of Association Executives (ASAE) annual conference held in Dallas last month.  Being the industry's biggest conference of the year, ASAE drew more than 6,000 executives, exhibitors, vendors and guests to Dallas - the highest attendance for the conference since 2007. ASAE represents more than 21,000 association executives and industry partners representing 10,000 organizations.

TSAE provides association professionals a community for collaboration, learning and leadership growth. The annual New Ideas Conference brings these professionals of Texas together for a three-day event to share and engage with experts to help advance their organizations.

Members of TSAE represent more than 1,000 association professionals from Texas-based associations and societies, as well as corporations and firms that provide services to associations.

"We are so excited to be able to welcome the Texas Society of Association Executives back in Irving - it's the first time in too many years, and our city has grown quite a bit since they were last here, said Maura Allen Gast, executive director for the Irving Convention and Visitors Bureau (ICVB).

"TSAE's members represent decision-makers and leaders for hundreds of trade, professional, not-for-profit and philanthropic associations.  To have these key influencers see Irving first-hand and up-close - including the new Irving Convention Center - gives us the ultimate opportunity to show off our city and its ability to host a wide range of meetings, conventions and events."

Serving as host city for meetings such as TSAE and ASAE, benefits the overall economic health for cities, and has the potential to significantly boost the economy in Dallas/Fort Worth over the next 10 years.

Connect with TSAE, ICVB and the ICCLC on Twitter: @tsae, @VisitIrvingTx, and @IrvingTxCC; join TSAE's convention conversation at #newideas12.

About TSAE
The Texas Society of Association Executives (TSAE) is a non-profit professional organization for persons engaged in the management of voluntary trade and professional organizations in Texas. TSAE provides the highest quality educational, leadership, and professional development opportunities to association executives and supplier members, which enhances the performance of the organizations they represent. TSAE began in 1928 as Texas Trade Association Executives (TTAE). In 1956 TTAE changed its name to Texas Society of Association Executives.

About Irving, Texas
Located immediately adjacent to Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport and between Dallas and Fort Worth, Irving, Texas, boasts more than 75 hotels and nearly 12,000 rooms.  Las Colinas, a 12,000-acre master-planned community within the city of Irving, is known worldwide for its quality and uniqueness. The city is home to 10,000+ companies, 50 Fortune 500 companies, and the world headquarters of six Fortune 500 companies.  For more information, visit irvingtexas.com

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