Overview
The Council of Administrators of Special Education (CASE), a nonprofit dedicated to supporting leaders in special education, operates with a lean team of just four full-time staff. Carrie Turner, Senior Manager of Digital Content and Member Operations, leads the organization’s event technology and digital infrastructure. Despite their size, the team delivers year-round virtual programming and two major in-person conferences annually.
In 2024, Turner led a significant transformation of CASE’s event operations by expanding their use of Personify’s technology stack. While the team had already used MemberClicks for six years, they took a major step forward by adding A2Z Events and Registration Tech, allowing them to streamline processes and strengthen event delivery.
The Academy of Law and Leadership Conference served as the first test of the new tools. With it, CASE laid the groundwork for scalable, efficient event management while preparing for even larger events on the horizon.
The Challenge
Before 2024, CASE’s team was juggling spreadsheets, manual booth assignments, and disconnected systems, a patchwork approach that was increasingly difficult to manage as their events and member base grew.
As the organization expanded its offerings, particularly with the launch of a second annual in-person conference, Turner and her colleagues saw a clear opportunity to modernize.
Their goals focused on four key areas:
- Streamline exhibitor and sponsor management
- Improve registration workflows and financial tracking
- Integrate event data with membership communications
- Adopt a system manageable by a small, multi-tasking team
The Solution
Having used MemberClicks for a long time, Turner and her team were already familiar with Personify’s strengths. Confident in Personify’s ability to deliver tailor solutions aligned with their structure and long-term goals, they expanded the partnership by adopting two additional products:
- A2Z Events for exhibit and sponsor management, session scheduling, and onsite logistics
- Registration Tech for custom registration logic, invoicing, and badge printing
After several event-focused product demos, the team moved forward with implementation in time for their spring 2024 event.
The Results
A Smooth Transition
CASE launched its new event tech stack at the Academy Law and Leadership Conference, which hosted over 500 attendees and 20 exhibitors. Turner worked closely with Personify’s onboarding specialist, Jill Naelpa, to manage the transition. This transformation reduced administrative overhead, allowed real-time exhibitor self-service, and created a more professional experience for attendees, even with limited staff support onsite.
“The implementation has been very smooth. Jill has been incredibly helpful in answering questions and walking us through everything. She’s been great,” said Turner.
Simplified Exhibit and Sponsor Management
With A2Z Events, CASE transitioned from a manual booth assignment process to an interactive, self-service exhibitor portal. Exhibitors could select booth spaces directly from a live floor plan, significantly reducing administrative workload and improving the exhibitor experience. With more than 150 exhibitors expected at their larger November event, Turner emphasized how critical this functionality will be moving forward.
Flexible Registration Workflows
Registration Tech handled CASE’s tiered pricing models and included support for complimentary exhibitor passes and paid add-ons. Onsite badge printing was seamless, and supported by live Personify staff.
“We loved having support on-site. The entire process, from registration to badge printing, went off without a hitch,” Turner said.
Integrated Member Management
While membership is officially processed by CASE’s parent organization, the Council for Exceptional Children (CEC), Turner manages communications and content through MemberClicks. She handles weekly member data imports and uses the platform to manage CASE’s website and community tools.
“After six years, MemberClicks is still our go-to for everything from website updates to content delivery,” said Turner.
A Collaborative Team Approach
While Turner leads on the technology side, CASE’s small team shares responsibility across marketing, sponsorship, session content, and professional learning. Personify’s technology platform enabled this collaborative model to thrive, helping each team member own their part of the event process.
“We all wear a lot of hats. These systems make it easier for each of us to own our part of the process,” said Turner.
Looking Ahead
CASE is preparing for its flagship event, The CASE Conference, in November, which is expected to host more than 1,500 attendees and nearly 200 sessions. Their strategy includes routing attendees through the exhibit hall to access keynote sessions and meals, ensuring high visibility for sponsors and exhibitors.
As CASE’s events rotate across cities like Minneapolis, Atlanta, and Providence, Turner and her team are confident the Personify platform will continue to deliver consistent, high-quality experiences.
“We host events across the country, and the Personify systems we’ve put in place allow us to deliver a consistent, professional experience,” said Turner.
