The weekly list of free educational events and resources for the association community…
“Wild is the music of the autumnal winds amongst the faded woods.” —William Wordsworth
Hurricane recovery. Association Executives of North Carolina has gathered resources for those who want to support the recovery efforts of people in western NC. Or, Love Asheville From Afar by shopping at online stores or contributing to fundraising efforts in Asheville.
Volunteer leader recruitment. If a member is already dealing with stress and burnout at work, they will not have the mental capacity or time for a chapter or association leadership role. Billhighway describes nine strategies for recruiting chapter leaders that reduce the stress of leadership roles, offer more fulfilling volunteer experiences, and rejuvenate your chapters.
Spooky sponsorships. Is your sponsorship program a trick or a treat? Do you have a deadly witch’s brew of benefits? Are your sponsors behaving like zombies? Fear not, Lori Zoss Kraska and Bruce Rosenthal are handing out satisfying treats for Halloween—ten tips for successful sponsorship programs.
Small-staff membership marketing. YourMembership offers guidance on membership marketing for small associations, including tips on personalized communication, joining and renewing procedures, and new member onboarding.
Membership survey. iMIS by ASI invites you to participate in their seven-minute Membership Performance Benchmark Survey. For the tenth year, input from association professionals is helping iMIS uncover industry trends in membership engagement and retention levels, digital transformation, and more.
Trade show tactics. “The way you show up at a trade show matters,” says Julius Solaris of Boldpush. You can’t afford not to follow his advice on tactics to use before, during, and after a trade show that generate more awareness and leads. Check out the comments too.
Education programs and AI. Laura Armstrong at Cimatri shares 15 examples of how AI is transforming educational programs in associations by, for example, offering personalized learning paths and automating administrative processes. Your competitors might already be on this, so don’t delay experimentation.
Microlearning. eLearningDOC explains why microlearning is an ideal learning format for busy professionals and how to add it to your association’s education portfolio.
Online learning accessibility. Artisan E-Learning, Sweetrush, and ELB Learning designed an e-learning accessibility road map that provides two levels of guidance and suggestions for learning leaders and instructional designers.
Extra credit
In honor of Halloween and Diwali falling on the same day this year, Vinnu Deshetty shared a lovely post about her family’s holiday celebrations: “In today’s world, where division can sometimes feel so prevalent, I cherish the unity that immigrant communities bring. Our ability to blend traditions and celebrate diverse holidays is a testament to the strength and beauty of coming together.”
Why I am not a PhD: English departments teach theory, not literature. | Liza Libes, Persuasion
Things worth remembering: what Salman Rushdie doesn’t want to talk about. In America, we have taken liberty for granted. The author of ‘The Satanic Verses’ tried to warn us, but we didn’t listen. | Douglas Murray, The Free Press
Good boy! Mutt served as a YMCA cigarette delivery dog for the 11th Engineers of the American Expeditionary Force during World War I. | Fascinating
You never grow old at the table
At a recent catered family event, the chicken marsala was fine, but not outstanding. However, it sparked a craving for marsala, so I made my chicken marsala pasta casserole with lots of mushrooms and creste di gallo pasta, whose ruffles are perfect for capturing sauce and parmesan. On the side, the usual roasted broccoli with red onion, garlic powder, and red pepper flakes.
Another old favorite is catfish and kale with choo chee Thai curry sauce, a recipe from Nancie McDermott’s Quick & Easy Thai: 70 Everyday Recipes. The sauce ingredients include onion, red bell pepper, poblano pepper, jalapeño pepper, garlic, coconut milk, red curry paste, fish sauce, soy sauce, palm sugar, garlic chives, cilantro, and Thai basil.
Someone asked if I was planning to share Halloween recipes today. Since I haven’t made anything spooky lately, I wasn’t. But, long ago, I made a hideous (but delicious) Halloween meatloaf hand for dinner—and had a lot of fun in the process.
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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.
Fri 10/25 at 1 p.m.* – Tech or Treat? Strategies to Resurrect Your Association’s Digital Infrastructure
Learn about the key components of an association’s technology ecosystem and diagnose common issues plaguing outdated infrastructures. Explore strategies to revitalize your association’s digital foundation, with a central focus on leveraging learning technology to kickstart revenue generation. Hear an action plan to revitalize your association’s tech infrastructure, ensuring it can support your organization’s goals and member needs in the digital age. Gain insights on best practices for selecting and implementing education technology to drive member engagement and organizational growth. 0.75 CAE credit. More info/register.
Host: Blue Sky eLearn
Speakers:
- John Leh, CEO, Talented Learning
- Liam O’Malley, CAE, PMP, Vice President of Association Solutions, Blue Sky eLearn
*All events are online at Eastern Daylight Time unless otherwise noted.
Fri 10/25 at 4 p.m. – Why Your Association Needs Market Research
Market research helps you understand what is most important to your members and how to make the membership experience better. Research helps you to develop a cohesive vision for your association. If your association isn’t meeting the needs of your membership, someone else will. More info/register.
Host: Fridays@4
Speaker: Sheri Singer, founder, Singer Communications
Sun 10/27 at 12:30 p.m. – AWTC Meetup Lunch at digitalNow
Are you coming into DC for digitalNow? Or are you local to DC and would enjoy a Sunday brunch with your AWTC folks? Join a weekend meet up at a restaurant close to the conference hotel and meet some of your community in person. More info/register.
Organizer: Association Women Technology Champions
Mon 10/28 at 8 a.m. – Update on Association Marketplace (Radio Free 501c, the podcast of Rogue Tulips Consulting)
Every week Rogue Tulips brings the nonprofit community intriguing guests discussing vital topics affecting nonprofit organizations around the world—and we have fun doing it! Episodes are published Monday mornings in both audio and video format, available on YouTube, Spotify, Amazon Music, iHeart Radio, Apple Podcast, and Google Podcast (to name a few!).
Host: Cecilia Sepp, CAE, CNP, principal and founder, Rogue Tulips Consulting
Guest: Sandra Nam, Qiqo Chat
Mon 10/28 at 2 p.m. – Building, Promoting and Repurposing Webinars
Are webinars a thing of the past? These panelists would argue that they can still be lead-generating tactics for your organization if used correctly. Learn the essential steps to craft engaging webinar content, master promotion techniques to boost attendance, and discover the art of repurposing your webinar for extended reach and impact. More info/register.
Host: Channel Market Academy
Speakers:
- Kate Coffey-Bacon, VP Marketing, U.S. Transactions Corporation
- Adam Holmgren, Head of Demand Generation, Rillion
- Megan McDonagh, Senior Partner Marketing Manager, Celigo
Tue 10/29 at 11 a.m. – Awards, Before & After
Hear about the planning and discipline that morphed a print magazine to print + digital, also now feeding a newsletter and social platforms. Even better, the 1- to 2-person editorial team relies on the award-winning streamlined processes and workflow to juggle tens of thousands of articles, with the option of blending new content with reshaped old papers and articles to deliver curated value to members. More info/register.
Host: AM&P Next
Speakers:
- Maggie Murphy, editor-in-chief of ABC’s CE Magazine
- Colby Waller and John Serrao of THOR Studio
Tue 10/29 at 2 p.m. – Before You Go: An Insider’s Guide to AMSFest
Shopping for a new AMS Solution can be a difficult process. AMSFest is a great event to incorporate into your search since it features a wide array of solution vendors and association consultants packed into two full days. In this webinar, the inside scoop on getting the most out of your AMSFest experience. More info/register.
Hosts: 501Works and PerByte
Speakers:
- James Marquis, CIO, 501Works
- Olivia Wilkins, Business Analyst/Project Manager, PerByte
Tue 10/29 at 2 p.m. – What Your Staff Isn’t Telling You
In this part-game show, part-group discussion, that’s all-parts enlightening, explore the results of our recent pulse check with association professionals about what they aren’t telling their bosses. Why might they be thinking of leaving your organization? Are they thinking about it? Do themes exist that many of us might be ignoring – or simply struggling to find solutions to? More info/register (ASAE members only).
Host: ASAE Executive Management Professionals Advisory Council
Speakers:
- Lindsay Currie, CAE, Executive Officer, Council on Undergraduate Research
- Tara Puckey, MBA, CAE, CMP, Executive Director, Radio Television Digital News Association
- Alexis Redmond, JD, MA, CAE, Senior Director, The American Speech-Language-Hearing Association
Wed 10/30 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. – PCMA ELI Event Tech Test Drive
Explore cutting-edge technologies from top industry providers and dive into the latest platforms specializing in event measurement, networking, and engagement. Enjoy live presentations, Q&A sessions, and interactive networking opportunities, all designed to give you actionable insights to supercharge your event planning and elevate your attendee experience. Don’t miss the chance to test-drive the solutions that will set your events apart. More info/register.
Host: PCMA Event Leadership Institute
Facilitators:
- Tess Vismale, CMP, DES, Founder and CEO, iSocial Execution Inc.
- Keith Johnston, Managing Director, i3 Events
Participants: Bizzabo, Community Brands, Conexiant DXP, EventMobi, MCI USA, Spark, Vivastream, and Zenus
Wed 10/30 at 12 p.m. – When they stop opening your emails and ghost you
Being ghosted isn’t a great feeling. Especially when you’ve invested so much time and effort into your campaigns. Hear how to pinpoint the downturn in engagement metrics, gauge the level of indifference you’re dealing with, and plot a strategy to re-engage with members and customers who are the chronic “non-openers.” More info/register.
Host: HighRoad Solutions
Speakers: Maneesha Manges, CXO, and Morgan Mulgrew, Strategic Account Manager, HighRoad Solutions
Wed 10/30 at 12 p.m. – From Planning to Promotion: Elevating Your Pre-Event Marketing
Learn how to incorporate new technology into your marketing strategy to reduce costs and save resources, incentive attendees to register as early as possible, personalize communications so prospects feel you are talking to them, build momentum for your in-person show with digital content and events, and target the right audience for your messages. More info/register.
Host: Skift Meetings
Wed 10/30 at 1 p.m. – 5 ‘scary’ good membership campaigns with ‘killer’ ROI
Learn about five frightfully effective membership campaigns that delivered scary good ROI. See examples of real membership renewal, win-back, and acquisition campaigns that delivered results that are to die for. Learn the tricks these organizations used to conjure up impressive member growth and retention, and walk away with treat-worthy strategies to bring your own membership efforts back from the dead. More info/register.
Host: PropFuel
Wed 10/30 at 1 p.m. – Tapping the Latest F&B Trends
Explore the latest culinary and beverage trends for 2025 and review how 2024’s trends measured up. Learn about sustainable practices and dietary innovations that cater to a diverse array of guest needs. Discover strategies to adapt menus to reflect current and anticipated F&B trends. 1 CMP credit. More info/register.
Host: Meetings Today
Speaker: Tracy Stuckrath, CMM, CSEP, founder of thrive! meetings & events and host of the Eating at a Meeting podcast
Wed 10/30 at 2 p.m. – Trends in Event Marketing
Hear about the latest trends shaping the future of event marketing. Learn about the importance of tailored content and experiences to meet the diverse needs of your audience, how emerging technologies like artificial intelligence are transforming event experiences and enhancing attendee engagement, best practices for blending in-person and virtual experiences to maximize reach and impact. 1 CMP credit. More info/register.
Host: Northstar Meetings Group
Speaker: Lizzie Wilcox, Associate Editor, Northstar Meetings Group
Wed 10/30 at 2 p.m. – The Finance and Business Operations Professionals Advisory Council Virtual Meet Up
A monthly virtual meetup to engage the members of our community. Bring your pressing problems and look forward to an engaging conversation with your colleagues sharing their experiences and potential solutions. More info/register (ASAE members only).
Host: ASAE Finance and Business Operations Professionals Advisory Council (including HR)
Wed 10/30 at 3 p.m. – 5 Reasons Analytics Scares People Off (And Why It’s Not So Spooky)
Data and analytics have become more prevalent in the association world over the last few years, but some are still spooked by what unexpected problems might arise as they pursue the goal of a data-informed world. Explore five ways association pros tend to get scared off the path toward true analytics, and what solutions there are to overcome these barriers to data-driven success. More info/register.
Host: Association Analytics
Speakers: Bill Conforti, SVP of Strategy & Solutions, and Merritt Rohlfing, Sr. Marketing Manager, Association Analytics
Wed 10/30 at 7 p.m. – Association AI Update: What’s New
The pace of AI advancements isn’t just fast—it’s accelerating, making it a challenge to stay abreast of the latest developments. Our presenter, Julian Moore, dedicates at least two hours daily to sifting through AI news, so you don’t have to. Get up to speed with the latest AI advancements since our last meeting, a rundown of the best tools currently used by association professionals, and the opportunity to get answers to your burning AI questions. More info/register.
Host: Answers for Associations
Thu 10/31 at 12 p.m. – Intro to AI for Marketers
Learn what AI is and why it matters to marketers, how to identify AI use cases, how to find and evaluate AI technology vendors, how to classify AI applications within the five levels of the Marketer-to-Machine ScaleTM, what business outcomes AI can help you achieve, how to measure the value of AI tools on your company’s efficiency and performance, and how to prepare your team for piloting and scaling AI. More info/register.
Host: Marketing AI Institute
Speakers: Cathy McPhillips, Chief Growth Officer, and Paul Roetzer, founder and CEO, Marketing AI Institute
Thu 10/31 at 12 p.m. – Member ROI Group
The live discussions will predominately be about CAE education domains related to member ROI on the first and third Thursdays of the month with some exceptions (like this month). 1 CAE credit. More info/register.
Host: Ed Rigsbee
Thu 10/31 at 1 p.m. – Sales Accelerator Labs – Journey to Engagement: Building & Keeping Momentum
Join us for part 2 of our virtual Sales Accelerator Labs, where customer experience and sales expert Carrie McIntyre will show you strategies to make sales easier, more effective, and dare we say, enjoyable. Today, learn to quickly disqualify unfit prospects, engage high-potential ones, conduct effective discovery calls, and use authentic strategies to maintain momentum and shorten the sales cycle. More info/register.
Host: Impexium
Thu 10/31 at 2 p.m. – 10 Common Webinar Mistakes to Avoid
Webinars have become one of the highest-performing channels, across every industry, to drive pipeline and revenue. But a few basic mistakes can make the difference between a successful event and a missed opportunity. Learn how to fix them so you can ensure every event delivers maximum results, generate larger registrations to increase reach, optimize for audience engagement and conversion, get more out of your webinar content post-event, and drive attendance and engagement after your live event is over. More info/register.
Host: American Marketing Association
Speaker: Mark Bornstein, Chief Webinerd, ON24
Fri 11/1 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.
Lead facilitator: DeeJay Hastings, CAE, Executive Consultant, Lewis Association Consultants
Tue 11/5 at 11 a.m. – Webinar Wizardry Part 2: Leveraging Your Webinar as a Marketing Tool
Learn about strategies for integrating webinars into a comprehensive marketing plan to enhance brand visibility and reach, a follow-up strategy that leverages webinar content to nurture leads and drive conversions, and a content repurposing plan that extends the life of your webinar by transforming it into various marketing materials, such as blog posts, videos, and social media content. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.
Host: UST Education
Speakers: Nicole Crabtree, Director of Events, and Reilly Moriarty, Marketing and Events Manager, UST Education
Tue 11/5 at 1 p.m. – Technology Trends to Anticipate for 2025
Hear about key system trends for 2025, including the end-of-life of Windows 10, and how these changes will impact organizational IT infrastructure. Learn about emerging software trends, particularly AI and shadow IT, and their potential risks and opportunities for associations, and the workplace dynamics and expectations of Gen Z employees. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.
Host: UST Education
Speakers: Chris Abel, Manager of Consulting Services, and Heinan Landa, Founder & CEO, Optimal Networks
Wed 11/6 at 12 p.m. – Member Value, Non-Dues Revenue, and New Association Business Models
The association business model is under assault: a tough economy has taken its toll on membership revenues, younger prospective members are “nibblers” not joiners, and convention revenues are no longer reliable. Join a discussion about the future of the traditional association business model; non-dues revenue beyond sponsorships, certification renewals, and trade show booth sales; and competing against “free” alternatives; building an aligned, growth-minded member community; and outsourcing draining ongoing responsibilities to free up staff and volunteer time for higher order priorities. More info/register.
Host: Braintrust Professional Institute
Speakers: Randall Craig and Ronja Francoeur, Braintrust Professional Institute
Wed 11/6 from 12 to 2 p.m. – Building the CEO AI Playbook: How AI Will Power Your Association into the Future (Arlington VA)
AI presents many opportunities to enhance member engagement, employee engagement, revenue, risk mitigation, and more. Learn how associations are using AI today, what key risks and opportunities to explore, and how to incorporate AI into your strategic vision. Location: Arlington VA. More info/register.
Host: Matrix Group International
Speakers:
- Heinan Landa, Founder & CEO, Optimal Networks
- Joanna Pineda, CEO & Chief Troublemaker, Matrix Group International
Wed 11/6 at 1 p.m. – Associations as Catalysts for Relationship Building and Belonging
Learn how to think and talk about belonging within your association; implement appreciation initiatives to boost productivity, trust, and loyalty, and your association’s relationship-building efforts online and offline. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.
Host: Fonteva and Protech
Speaker: Peter Deitz, Co-Founder, Unwrapit
Thu 11/7 from 11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. – Fall Symposium (Chicago IL)
This Symposium is a unique opportunity to engage with thought leaders and subject-matter experts who will guide us through the intricate and fascinating world of personal and professional development. Sessions: Growing Existing Sponsors and Attracting New Sponsors for Your Association; Elevate Your Impact: Three Strategies to Build Association Success; Supercharge Your Membership: 7 Gears Associations Need to Drive Growth; and Generative AI and Chat GPT: Uses, Pros, and Cons for Associations. Location: Chicago IL. 4 CAE credits. More info/register.
Host: UST Education
Speakers:
- Lori Zoss Kraska, MBA, CFRE, Founder & CEO, Growth Owl, LLC
- Merritt Rohlfing, Senior Marketing Manager, Association Analytics
- Jon Smith, EVP, Strategic Partnerships, Multiview
- Lisa Rau, PhD, Founder, Fionta
Thu 11/7 at 11 a.m. – Growing Existing Sponsors and Attracting New Sponsors for Your Association (Fall Symposium)
Learn advanced techniques for nurturing existing sponsor relationships, leveraging programs to attract new sponsors, and aligning sponsorship opportunities with organizational goals. Take away actionable strategies to boost sponsorship revenue and create lasting partnerships. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.
Host: UST Education
Speaker: Lori Zoss Kraska, MBA, CFRE, Founder & CEO, Growth Owl, LLC
Thu 11/7 at 12:15 p.m. – Elevate Your Impact: Three Strategies to Build Association Success (Fall Symposium)
Hear about three powerful strategies to enhance your data-driven initiatives and meet your members’ needs, starting with a comprehensive data audit to ensure you’re collecting the right information to support your goals. Learn about identifying key metrics, streamlining data collection processes, and converting raw data into actionable insights that guide strategic decisions. Find out about the importance of creating complementary content, and refining and quantifying your value proposition. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.
Host: UST Education
Speaker: Merritt Rohlfing, Senior Marketing Manager, Association Analytics
Thu 11/7 at 12:30 p.m. – Complying with LD203 Political Contribution Reports
Learn the serious risks that most lobbyists fail to recognize. More info/register.
Host: Gary Gallant, Managing Partner, Gallant Law Group.
Thu 11/7 at 1 p.m. – Sales Accelerator Labs – Reaching the Destination: Closing, Delivering & Expanding
Join us for part 3 of our virtual Sales Accelerator Labs, where customer experience and sales expert Carrie McIntyre will show you strategies to make sales easier, more effective, and dare we say, enjoyable. Today, learn how to close deals confidently, avoid negotiation pitfalls, provide a standout customer experience, and strategically grow relationships through renewals and expansions. More info/register.
Host: Impexium
Thu 11/7 at 2 p.m. – New Perspectives on AI and Machine Learning
Discover how non-profit organizations are leveraging AI and machine learning to drive impactful change through real-world applications. Hear from the recipients of the AWS IMAGINE Grant program as they share their groundbreaking stories. These case studies illustrate the incredible possibilities that arise when mission-driven organizations are equipped with the right tools. More info/register.
Host: 501Works
Speakers:
- Alex Mouw, CAE, Principal Strategic Advisor, Amazon Web Services
- James Marquis, CIO, 501Works
Thu 11/7 at 2:15 p.m. – Supercharge Your Membership: 7 Gears Associations Need to Drive Growth (Fall Symposium)
Learn how data can be harnessed to guide your association’s decisions and maximize performance. Hear how to design personalized communications and targeted campaigns to enhance member engagement, create valuable content to establish industry authority and influence, and evaluate member insights to refine strategies and ensure continual improvement. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.
Host: UST Education
Speaker: Jon Smith, EVP, Strategic Partnerships, Multiview
Thu 11/7 at 2:15 p.m. – Generative AI and Chat GPT: Uses, Pros, and Cons for Associations (Fall Symposium)
Hear about the current and future applications of Generative AI and Chat GPT for associations. Learn how to assess business value across various association processes efficiently, identify the advantages of applying Generative AI technology to streamline workflows, and analyze potential risks and challenges to keep your association ahead of the curve. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.
Host: UST Education
Speaker: Lisa Rau, PhD, Founder, Fionta
Association Brain Food Weekly is published Friday mornings. If you’re offering free professional development to the association community, please send me the link via email by Wednesday afternoon the week before it’s scheduled.
Public domain painting by Bruno Moras (1883–1939), Autumnal forest landscape with water
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