Mike’s Monday Message: Join us at AFP ICON 2025 – Let’s “ELEVATE IMPACT”

I’m excited to announce that registration for AFP ICON 2025 is officially open! You’re invited to join AFP and more than 3,000 of your fellow fundraisers in Seattle, WA, April 27-29, for the world’s No. 1 fundraising conference. Save $400 when you take advantage of the preview rate, which ends October 18!

In 2025, our focus at AFP ICON is ELEVATING IMPACT. 

     For you, as an individual, that means providing you with the skill development and best practices you need to take your work to the next level, in support of your organization’s mission. 

     For our sector, that means creating a space for the exchange of ideas, where sharing expertise lifts all of us, bringing us together to amplify our collective impact. 

There’s something for everyone at ICON, whether you’re a seasoned pro, or new to the field. We’ve lined up an incredible slate of speakers, sessions, and experiences to help you make the most of your time, so here are just a few of the highlights: 

100+ Education Sessions
One of the top reasons why fundraisers attend AFP ICON is the quality education and this year is no exception with a carefully curated schedule of over 100 sessions. From workshops on innovative fundraising techniques to leadership development and equity-centered strategies, there’s something for everyone.

Browse sessions by CFRE focus area to find education that fits your goals:

• Current & Prospective Donor Research
• Leadership and Management
• Ethics Accountability And Professionalism
• Relationship Building
• Securing the Gift
• Volunteer Involvement 

And yes, you won’t have time to attend all 100 sessions on site, but attendees receive complimentary access to session recordings after the event, so you can go back and catch up on any you missed. Plus, check out the 2024 ICON session recordings in the meantime! 

Executive Coaching
While registering for AFP ICON, consider adding an executive coaching session, with one of our career coaches that specialize in nonprofit career development.

They can help you:

• Enhance your leadership skills and plan for professional growth.  
• Hone your emotional intelligence, communication, and decision-making abilities, helping you navigate complex relationships with donors, boards, and colleagues. 
• Set clear goals for your future and learn how to overcome obstacles that are holding you back from career success.
• Determine how to align your personal values with an organizational mission that matters to you, boosting job satisfaction.

Pre-Conference Deep Dives
Coming into town early? Join us for a pre-conference deep dive—one and two-day sessions taking place before the conference officially kicks off. These long-form workshops are highly interactive and provide attendees the opportunity to take an in-depth look at topics like capital campaigns, the fundamentals of fundraising, donor retention, the CFRE exam, and more. 

PhilanthroPOP at MoPOP - AFP Advancement Northwest Chapter Event 
Join the AFP Advancement Northwest Chapter for the AFP ICON 2025 chapter event, PhilanthroPOP at MoPOP, which will be held at Seattle’s Museum of Pop Culture. Network with fellow fundraisers and check out some iconic pieces of pop culture history, with exhibits dedicated to music, movies, and television. 

Add the event during the registration process to save your spot! 

You won’t want to miss these three days of inspiration, innovation, and collaboration. Save $400 when you take advantage of the preview rate, which ends October 18! 

In the meantime, as always, please feel free to email me at mike.geiger@afpglobal.org or connect with me directly on X at @AFPMikeGeiger. I’d love to hear from you.