Conference Debuts Failure Analysis for Better Strategy
Managers should adopt structured failure reviews to pivot projects and improve operational results more effectively.
Updated on Oct. 21, 2026 in Remote Work
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The American Society of Association Executives (ASAE) Great Ideas Conference recently returned to Minneapolis after a six-year hiatus. The event featured a Shark Tank-style competition where professionals shared past project failures to foster innovation in organizational strategy.
Why it matters
The conference focused on normalizing failure as a tool for strategic iteration, providing leaders with a framework to pivot unsuccessful initiatives. This emphasis on learning from past mistakes helps operations teams refine their development models through structured reflection.
The conference held its first iteration since 2020, ending a six-year hiatus. Five association professionals presented on past initiatives, with the Michigan Association of Administrators of Special Education winning the competition.
The players
ASAE
The American Society of Association Executives is an industry body that facilitates professional development and strategy for trade and professional associations.
Michigan Association of Administrators of Special Education
This professional organization representing special education leaders won the Fail Fest competition at the conference.
The details
Participants utilized The Ease Equation to identify operational bottlenecks and develop actionable solutions during the project failure reviews. The winning presentation from the Michigan Association of Administrators of Special Education detailed a paraeducator bootcamp learning model designed to streamline professional development. By presenting these case studies in a Shark Tank-style format, the event encouraged attendees to integrate iterative testing into their own management workflows.
Timeline
The conference hiatus spanned from 2020 through 2026.
The Great Ideas Conference took place in October 2026.
Market Landscape
The revival of the Great Ideas Conference marks a departure from the restricted in-person programming seen during the 2020-2026 period. This shift underscores a broader industry move toward re-establishing collaborative forums for peer-to-peer strategy evaluation.
Operators should consider adopting frameworks like The Ease Equation to audit current projects and identify where iterative failure can lead to better outcomes. Reviewing failed initiatives from the past three years can help managers pinpoint systemic flaws before scaling new programs.
The takeaway
Embracing a culture of experimentation requires documenting project failures to avoid repeating costly strategic errors. Leaders should establish a quarterly review process to analyze unsuccessful initiatives, utilizing competitive feedback loops to refine future growth strategies.
Further reading
For broader trends in operational adaptability, see our Remote Work section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Smart Meetings.
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Do you believe sharing your past professional failures helps your career growth more than showcasing successes?
