The United States Bartenders’ Guild announced that Executive Director Aaron Gregory Smith has earned the prestigious Certified Association Executive (CAE) credential from the American Society of Association Executives.

The CAE is the highest professional credential in the association industry and is held by a small percentage of executives of nearly 100,000 registered associations in the United States.

To be designated as a Certified Association Executive, an applicant must have experience with nonprofit organization management, complete a minimum of 100 hours of specialized professional development, pass a stringent examination in association management, and pledge to uphold a code of ethics. To maintain the certification, individuals must undertake ongoing professional development and activities in association and nonprofit management. The CAE Program is accredited by the National Commission of Certifying Agencies (NCCA).

Said Smith, “The USBG exists to unite and elevate the bar industry through education, community, and advocacy. Continuing education of our staff, myself included, plays a vital role in the USBG’s ability to execute on that mission. I sincerely appreciate our Board of Directors who have supported me both personally and professionally in achieving this meaningful recognition.”

About the United States Bartenders’ Guild
Founded in 1948, the United States Bartenders’ Guild® (USBG) is the national, member-led not-for-profit association of bartenders and other hospitality professionals that unites and elevates the bar industry through education, community, and advocacy. Through its network, the USBG connects members with peer-to-peer learning, expert instruction, service projects, and skills-based competition, all while fostering a fun and healthy environment and reinforcing the importance of the ‘third place’ in neighborhoods across the country.

About American Society of Association Executives
The American Society of Association Executives (ASAE) is a membership organization of more than 47,000 association executives and industry partners. Since it was established 100 years ago, its members have and continue to lead, manage, and work in or partner with organizations in more than a dozen association management disciplines, from executive management to finance to technology. Visit ASAE at asaecenter.org.

Photo of Aaron Gregory Smith by Valter Fabiano.