The weekly list of free educational events and resources for the association community…
Chapter non-dues revenue. Billhighway shares five strategies suggested by Carrie McIntyre of Navigate for helping chapters become proficient at sponsorship and exhibit sales—advice that applies to anyone in business development and sales. The post describes Carrie’s consultative approach to sales, including tips for websites, prospect outreach, relationship building, and feedback gathering.
Awards program. OpenWater explains how to increase award submissions and nominations by avoiding the most common pitfalls in awards program management. Their guidance touches on common issues with marketing, program integrity, administrative hurdles, and recognition.
Workplace challenges. This member research report from Halmyre Strategies describes the challenges faced by various professions as a new generation enters the workforce, including burnout, work-life balance, client demands, questioning the value of credentials, diversity, and changing workforce roles. They explain how associations can address these issues and meet the changing needs of industry professionals.
Trends survey. Association Laboratory invites association executives to take ten minutes to participate in Looking Forward Solutions, an annual trend analysis of strategies across association domains (membership, meetings, advocacy, etc.) that are essential to your association’s success. Every participant receives complimentary access to the Looking Forward Dashboard, which contains more than a dozen sector studies examining the environment facing members, challenges created for associations, and strategies essential to success.
Association workload. Many association professionals feel like they’re “on a continuous uphill climb.” Sharon Rice and Jennifer Proctor at .org Community share strategies to lighten the load for the heavy lifters on your team. By following their advice, you can open space for managers to develop skills and dedicate time to new ideas and initiatives—without heading for burnout.
Association magazines. m3Magazines offers advice for transforming your magazine into a valuable resource for members. They start by reviewing the benefits of a well-crafted print magazine—in case you need to make a case to your leadership team. They also explain how to develop a content strategy, identify the best time for a redesign, decrease costs, and increase revenue.
7-day communications challenge. Gather Voices invites you to participate in their free 7-Day Video Communications Challenge starting Tuesday, September 3. You’ll receive a daily email with a learning tip and an assignment to make a video. By the end, they guarantee you’ll be more comfortable on camera and better equipped to collect content from your members.
Attendee connections. Claire Hoffman at BizBash asked event planners to share their ideas for helping attendees—even introverts—interact and feel connected at an event.
Extra credit
During a Roman burglar’s heist, a book on the homeowner’s nightstand caught his attention. He got so absorbed in it, the owner woke up and called the police, who nabbed the guy. I’d want to read that book too, but not on the job! | Wanted in Rome
Here’s a simple solution to the pessimism culture. Read a book—unless, you know, you’re supposed to be working. | Henry Oliver, The Common Reader
What school didn’t teach us: you need to occasionally lose control. Gen Z needs to drink alcohol, make friends, and blurt out heartfelt impulsive things. “I love you guys!” | Kat Rosenfield, The Free Press
A tribute to the Rick Steves way of travel. I used to love watching him back in my solo travel days. I even met fellow fans on vaporetto #1 in Venice! | Anne Taylor, Hedgehog Review
You never grow old at the table
Kitchen highlight of the week: Jim saying, “This is the best pizza I’ve ever had in my life!” Maybe that was the beer talking, but it really was exceptional, a new keeper recipe from Truly Madly Pizza: One Incredibly Easy Crust, Countless Inspired Combinations & Other Tidbits to Make Pizza a Nightly Affair by Suzanne Lenzer.
I made the dough on Saturday afternoon. She gives instructions for making it by hand or in the food processor, which is what I did. It only calls for a 20-minute rise and then into the freezer it goes. On Sunday morning, I moved the dough to the fridge and made her pizza sauce recipe. Later that night, right before making the toppings, I moved the dough to the counter.
I made one pizza with diced sautéed linguiça, mushroom, onion, red bell pepper, and garlic underneath fresh mozzarella, provolone, and parmesan cheese. The other was a spicy Hawaiian: diced sautéed red onion and jalapeño under the same mix of cheese with diced fresh pineapple and ham on top. For the Hawaiian, I added hot sauce to the pizza sauce. Exquisite! I’m truly madly in love with her dough and sauce recipes and plan to make more dough for the freezer. I had enough pizza sauce left over for another pair of pies.
My other two dinners weren’t too shabby. One night, I made Portuguese-ish pork chops, adapted from The Food of Portugal by Jean Anderson: boneless pork loin chops marinated a few hours in a paste of garlic, salt, black pepper, smoked paprika, ground cumin, and olive oil with white wine, then pan-fried. On the side, collards sautéed with bacon, red onion, jalapeños (red and green), garlic, and chicken broth.
The next night, an old favorite for slightly cooler weather: cranberry chicken parmesan with leftover collards.
If you’d like to subscribe, please complete the form in the sidebar or at the bottom of this post. I won’t share or sell your email address.
If you have a free webinar or event coming up, please send me the link by Wednesday afternoon the week before it’s scheduled. I’m happy to feature it as long as it’s not too product-centric.
Tue 9/3 at 12 p.m.* – Words Can Be Data Too (Data Analytics Network)
Hear about ASHA’s innovative (yet user-friendly) qualitative analytics toolkit, which has transformed their approach to qualitative analytics, and their journey in qualitative analysis, including the obstacles and breakthroughs. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.
Host: Data Analytics Network
Speakers: Evan Reid, Senior Director of Data Analytics, and Julia Reilly-Edwards, Data Scientist, ASHA
*All events are online at Eastern Daylight Time unless otherwise noted.
Tue 9/3 at 12 p.m. – Pricing Strategy for Service Businesses
Organizations are constantly revisiting pricing questions. This session will help you demystify pricing strategies, explore the tactical parameters, and get clear on the value your organization offers. More info/register.
Host: Braintrust Professional Institute
Speakers: Randall Craig and Ronja Francoeur, Braintrust Professional Institute
Wed 9/4 at 12 p.m. – Navigating the Presidential Election: Insights for Association Investment Reserves
As the upcoming presidential election looms, associations face a crucial need to understand how political shifts can impact their investment reserves. Hear how prudent investment policies can help associations navigate 2024’s political uncertainty. Learn how to strengthen your investment policies and effectively segment your investment reserves in advance of the upcoming presidential election. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.
Host: AIOT
Speakers: Dennis Gogarty, Founder, and Matt O’Lone, Portfolio Manager, Raffa Investment Advisers
Wed 9/4 at 1 p.m. – 15 Ways to Take Your Email Newsletter to the Next Level
Many organizations find themselves stuck between sending outdated, irrelevant newsletter content and trying to keep it fresh and engaging. But it doesn’t have to be this way. Learn about tools and technologies that enhance the sophistication of your newsletters while minimizing the strain on internal resources, thereby saving valuable time. Find out how to optimize your newsletter content and layout, ensuring maximum impact with every email you send. Hear about the core principles of email engagement and applying them effectively to maintain member interest and keep them informed. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.
Host: UST Education
Speaker: Erica Salm Rench, MBA, COO, Rasa.io
Wed 9/4 at 1 p.m. – Beyond the Video Experts: Scaling In-House Video with AI
Learn how to optimize in-house video creation for maximum impact and efficiency, integrate AI seamlessly into your video production workflows to boost creativity and productivity, create non-boring video content that drives real results, and measure the impact and cost savings of in-house video creation. More info/register.
Host: American Marketing Association
Speaker: Melissa Francois, Global Content & Comms Lead, PlayPlay
Wed 9/4 from 2 to 5 p.m. – AI in Action: Strategies for Effective Implementation in Marketing, HubSpot, and Beyond (Alexandria VA)
Are you struggling to reach your company’s marketing and sales goals in a rapidly changing industry? Do you wish you knew more about the strategic frameworks, platforms, and AI-powered tools that could propel your company forward? Network and learn from experts while enjoying complimentary food and beverages. Location: Alexandria VA. More info/register.
Host: Measured Results Marketing
Speakers:
- Christopher Antonopoulos, Founder & CEO, Measured Results Marketing
- Debbie Bates-Schrott, Chief Marketing Officer, Yes& Agency
- Rachel Kellam, Senior Product Manager AI Innovation, HubSpot
- Nathan Singer, Strategic Partner Development Manager, HubSpot
Wed 9/4 at 2 p.m. – Ask the Attorney: Trends in Hotel Contracts
From data and on-site security to high A/V costs and limited negotiation room, this year’s contract discussions have been more contentious than ever. Hear about data security and on-site risk management, inadequate and inattentive venue services, escalating A/V costs and other price hikes, limited negotiation flexibility and where to find wiggle room. 1 CMP credit. More info/register.
Host: Northstar Meetings Group
Speaker: Jonathan T. Howe Esq., president and founding partner of Howe & Hutton Ltd.
Thu 9/5 at 12 p.m. – Member ROI Group
The live discussions will be predominately in CAE education domains related to member ROI on the first and third Thursdays of the month with some exceptions. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.
Host: Ed Rigsbee
Thu 9/5 at 1 p.m. – The Future of Evergreen Content: Build a Sustainable, Search-Everywhere-Optimized Strategy with AI
In today’s rapidly evolving digital landscape, creating great content isn’t enough. Learn how to optimize your content for SearchGPT and other emerging search technologies, create content that aligns with your brand and stays relevant over time, and use AI to build and maintain a consistent content strategy that’s both effective and sustainable. More info/register.
Host: Yodelpop
Speaker: Camille Winer, Founder and CEO of Yodelpop
Thu 9/5 at 2 p.m. – Future of Association Boards (FAB) Community Dialogue September Kickoff
Join your association community colleagues for a LinkedIn Live video event to kick off the FAB Community Dialogue’s September conversations. More info/register.
Host: Future of Association Boards (FAB)
Facilitator: Jeff De Cagna, Executive Advisor, Foresight First LLC
Thu 9/5 at 2 p.m. – How Generative AI Can Impact Your Events
Explore cutting-edge AI technologies that enhance event planning, boost attendee acquisition, exhibit and sponsorship sales, and provide actionable insights to your event teams. Learn how AI can be used to measure audience gaps, sales targets, and surface marketing targets—at the click of a button. More info/register.
Host: 501Works
Speakers:
- Chris Bonifati CEM, Trade Show organizer for APPA/Global Pet Expo
- Joe Colangelo, CEO and Co-Founder of Bear Analytics
- James Marquis, CIO, 501Works
Thu 9/5 at 3 p.m. – Easy as Can Be: Association Operations Best Practices
Hear about strategies for effective member management, tools and software to streamline operations, enhancing internal and external communication, implementing continuous improvement processes, and developing leadership and governance within associations. More info/register.
Host: NXUnite by Nexus Marketing
Speakers:
- Paul Hanscom, Chief Growth Officer, Ewald Consulting
- Farhad Khan, CEO, Member Lounge
- Troy Stenback, Consultant, iMIS
Thu 9/5 from 5 to 8 p.m. – AI in Action: Strategies for Effective Implementation in Marketing, HubSpot, and Beyond (Reston VA)
Are you struggling to reach your company’s marketing and sales goals in a rapidly changing industry? Do you wish you knew more about the strategic frameworks, platforms, and AI-powered tools that could propel your company forward? Network and learn from experts while enjoying complimentary food and beverages. Location: Reston VA. More info/register.
Host: Measured Results Marketing
Speakers:
- Christopher Antonopoulos, Founder & CEO, Measured Results Marketing
- Debbie Bates-Schrott, Chief Marketing Officer, Yes& Agency
- Rachel Kellam, Senior Product Manager AI Innovation, HubSpot
- Nathan Singer, Strategic Partner Development Manager, HubSpot
Fri 9/6 at 1 p.m. – Talk with CAEs
An online space for CAE candidates to ask questions about the CAE (e.g., exam preparations, eligibility, exam content outline, study strategies, practice questions, tips and advice, etc.) and current CAEs to share their knowledge and experience with the exam. More info/register.
Facilitators:
- Aaron Grau, CAE, President, Global Association Partners
- DeeJay Hastings, CAE, Executive Consultant, LEWIS, LLC
Fri 9/6 at 4 p.m. – Panel Discussion: How Associations and Nonprofits Can Honor Hispanic Culture & the Role of Culture in Belonging and Cultivating Inclusion
In honor of Hispanic Heritage Month, join a panel discussion on how association staff and members can celebrate Hispanic culture, the role of culture in belonging, cultivating inclusion, etc. More info/register.
Host: Fridays@4
Speakers:
- Shari N. Olarte, MA, CAE, Director of Governance at the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy
Tue 9/10 at 11 a.m. – Improving Web Accessibility: Building a Culture of Online Inclusivity from Remediation to Localization and Beyond
Even as your association works to bring your website into compliance with federal and state accessibility mandates, you’re likely learning about emerging litigation and lawmaking from state, federal, and global agencies that will continue to affect you. Learn where to start with accessibility and how to develop a sustainable approach to accessibility governance for your website. Find out why web accessibility needs to be a priority for your organization, the different levels of compliance—and what “WCAG AA 2.1” means, how common website issues create barriers to inclusivity, what you need to improve the user experience, how to create a manageable remediation plan for technical accessibility issues, and how to build in inclusivity from the start when you’re planning a new site or redesign. More info/register.
Host: Association Women Technology Champions
Speakers:
- Rob Bean, Partner & Strategist at Refactored
- Kelly Jan, Senior Business Development Executive at Recite Me
Tue 9/10 at 11 a.m. – Optimizing the Budget Building Process
Learn how an annual budget process assessment can set the stage for change and improved performance. Explore options for finding the right time to begin the budget building process and how even a small change has many benefits. Hear about the funding-first approach to budget building and how prioritizing budgeting for revenue and support on the front-end of the budget building process helps with funding assessments and aligning and scaling programs, activities, and operations to available funding. Find out about special tactics for budgeting for salaries, and how decentralizing the budget building process and documenting budget assumptions is key to success. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.
Host: UST Education
Speakers:
- Michael Gellman, CPA, CGMA, Co-Founder, Sustainability Education 4 Nonprofits
- Paul Preziotti, CPA, Partner, Johnson Lambert LLP
Tue 9/10 at 11:30 a.m. – Beyond Event Attendance: Proven Approaches to Boost Attendee Engagement
Event planners are finding that while attendance numbers are on the rise, the quality of engagement leaves much to be desired. Learn how to create a comprehensive attendee engagement plan, develop attendee personas to tailor your engagement efforts, identify the key performance indicators and metrics to measure the success of your engagement strategy, and gain insights from the Community Brands Events Trends 2024 Research Study to benchmark your engagement strategies amongst your peers. More info/register.
Host: Community Brands
Tue 9/10 at 1 p.m. – Maximize Your Investment and Post-Event Potential: Turning Your Content Into Revenue Streams and Member Value
With proper planning, your annual conference can fill your content calendar while generating non-dues revenue. This approach provides valuable, continuous content to members, extends access to non-attendees, and offers industry partners richer sponsorship options, beyond brand awareness, and metrics to accurately demonstrate success. Learn how to identify content that provides exceptional member value; compare and assess proven non-dues revenue models for their effectiveness before, during, and after your event; design a content calendar filled with engaging content; and use content to create FOMO and increase annual attendance. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.
Host: UST Education
Speaker: Dan Turnbull, Business Development Representative, WorkerBee.TV
Tue 9/10 at 2 p.m. – Treat Yo’ Self To Success: Marketing Benchmarks and Strategies for a More Effective 2025
Hear results from the 2024 Marketing Benchmarks for Mission-Driven Organizations report, showcasing how you can leverage the data and insights to better understand how you stack up to your peers and create a plan for improved marketing maturity in 2025 and beyond. Learn about quick wins you can start today, what long-term success looks like, and how to implement each. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.
Host: Mighty Citizen
Speakers: Brianna Martin, Director of Brand Marketing, and Jarrett Way, Senior Marketing Manager, Mighty Citizen
Thu 9/12 at 11 a.m. – Educating Your Membership on How to Increase the Value of Your Business
Hear about a proven approach to educating your membership on how to increase the value of their business. Learn how “the market” views business valuation and closing the gap between the seller’s and buyer’s perceptions. Find out about the top three business and founder risks that lead to business failures. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.
Host: UST Education
Speaker: Eric Krucke, Business Transitions Practice Leader, Aprio
Thu 9/12 at 1 p.m. – Supercharge Your Membership Strategy With AI
Explore the diverse applications of AI beyond text and image creation and new possibilities for enhancing member engagement and support. Learn about the current landscape of marketing AI and how it can significantly benefit membership organizations and associations like yours. Find out about easy-to-use AI tools you can implement immediately to enhance your membership strategy and drive measurable results. Learn how to design and apply actionable AI experiments tailored to streamline your workflow and elevate your association’s processes, making a real impact from day one. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.
Host: UST Education
Speaker: Erica Salm Rench, MBA, COO, Rasa.io
Thu 9/12 at 1 p.m. – An All-Star Panel’s Reflections on a Rockin’ ASAE Annual
Hear what brought the panelists to ASAE Annual, what they learned and observed, what ASAE got right with this conference, what sessions stood out to them and why, their key takeaways, and how participation has changed their vantage points or practices. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.
Host: Fonteva
Speakers:
- Vy Le, MBA, CAE, Director of Membership and Governance, Linguistic Society of America, and Founder and Host, Humans of Authenticity
- KiKi L’Italien, Vice President, Marketing and Community Engagement, Big Red M and Editor-in-Chief and Host, Association Chat
- Greg Melia, CAE, CEO, Customer Experience Professionals Association
- Ben H. Rome, Director of Communications, American Bus Association
Association Brain Food Weekly is published Friday mornings. If your organization offers free professional development for the association community, please send me the link via email by Wednesday afternoon the week before it’s scheduled.
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