I’ll be back later this afternoon with another (ASAE10-related) post, but I wanted to share the top 10 things I’m most looking forward to at this year’s conference. But these aren’t ranked — I’m equally excited for everything, from the various sessions I plan to attend to the YAPStar party to the awesome keynote speakers.

1. Learning labs! There’s no way I can pick just one, but I’m definitely psyched about all the small staff-focused sessions. I looked through the schedule with a fine-tooth comb last week and there are so many awesome ones, and lots of them are at the same time! How to choose? Luckily, there are several of us from MemberClicks attending the event, so we can divide, conquer and share information.

2. The general sessions: Joy Behar will be at one interviewing the chairs of ASAE and The Center, and another focuses on getting your mojo back. The first one, though, will discuss leading during a crisis, which I think is extremely important in 2010 and going forward, especially in these times of economic and communication upheaval.

3. The Small Staff Reception, which will be held Monday evening (8/23) at 5 p.m. Those of at MemberClicks are so proud to be hosting this inaugural event and have the opportunity to meet the small staff professionals who juggle so many different roles on a daily basis. We should all be taking time-management courses from them!

4. The 5K Fun Run/Walk on Sunday morning (8/22): I’ve really gotten into running the past year, and I’m looking forward to running off the treats from the Opening Night Celebration early the next day with my ASAE friends.

5. Cyndi Lauper’s performance at the Final Night Celebration: ’80s music is my not-so-guilty pleasure, and I’m looking forward to bopping along to “Girls Just Want to Have Fun.” (And if the desserts are anything like last year’s, it’ll be the perfect event.)

6. The YAPStar Party: Last year’s party was tons of fun, and I’m looking forward to this year’s even more since I know so many more people in the community! (Of course, age is a state of mind. Everyone is welcome, and I hope to see you there!)

7. The expo, of course! The MemberClicks team will be at booth 332 with bells on, and of course, some of us will be wandering around the marketplace meeting and greeting. I can’t wait to see other exhibitors’ booths and, of course, meet some of the amazing people I’ve conversed with online over the past year.

8. An informal gathering we’re hosting for small staff association professionals to discuss social media. I’ll have more info on this later today, but it will be sometime on Sunday, and if you’re interested in social media and want to chat with some of the association industry’s leaders in the area, definitely plan to join us. It’ll be tons of fun and super casual! Feel free to e-mail me at shannon@memberclicks.com for more info.

9. Thought Leader sessions – again, how to choose?! I wish I could clone myself so I could attend multiple sessions simultaneously. We’re counting on the ASAE community to tweet and blog about all the sessions they attend so we don’t miss a thing!

10. Last, but certainly not least, I can’t wait to say hello to everyone I’ve “met” online during the past year. I attended last year’s Annual Meeting and Expo, but as a newbie, I was completely overwhelmed. This past year has been an incredible learning experience for me and I’m so excited to finally meet everyone from the awesome association community — in person!

If you’re attending ASAE’s Annual Meeting and Expo, what are you most excited about?