The weekly list of free educational events and resources for the association community…
“The voice of beauty speaks softly; it creeps only into the most fully awakened souls.” — Friedrich Nietzsche
Social events. Here’s a problem your association can solve. “Everyone wants to attend parties, but no one wants to throw them.” Ellen Cushing at The Atlantic says Americans need to party more. “We are obligated to create the social world we want.” Do your members want more social events? Ask them and, while you’re at it, bring up the next article’s topic.
Anti-social behavior. Jedidajah Otte at The Guardian explains why many people no longer host parties: guests who neither reply to invites nor show up. She says, “People feel they don’t owe anyone anything.” Flaking out has become accepted behavior because of the “fetishization of introversion.”
Ugh, this behavior is lame, selfish, childish, and rude. Using introversion as a crutch for avoiding people and discomfort is a path to weakness and softness, a loser’s life. Yeah, I said it and I’m an introvert, so I get how tempting room service or a good book is when a reception or social outing is on the agenda. But I’m an adult who understands this: people are the whole point of life.
The article went into other reasons for not showing up, but these negative character traits get under my skin because I dread living in a society where this is acceptable behavior.
What does this have to do with associations? Know what you’re up against. This behavior has always existed, but I fear it’s more prevalent in young people now. Have conversations with volunteers and staff about how you can all set an example for others. Make social and educational events more conducive to conversation—plenty of online resources offer advice on facilitating interaction and connection.
Association SEO course. Earn up to 5 CAE credits by taking the SEO for Associations Certificate Course. Learn about Search Engine Optimization (SEO) at your own pace in five one-hour on-demand lessons that cover the important elements of SEO for association websites. This course describes immediate steps and long-term strategies that will help your association attract more website traffic by improving your ranking with Google, Bing, and other search engines. Save $50 with the promo code BRAINFOOD.
AMS selection. If you’re embarking on an AMS project, start your research by reviewing 108 Ideaspace’s list of issues to consider when selecting an association management system (AMS), such as reporting, security, API, technology partners, access control, cost of ownership, vendor stability, and the ability to expand software capabilities as your needs change.
Vendor acquisitions. Over the years, we’ve seen lots of outside players buy or invest in association technology firms. Michael Butera describes the challenges arising from the entry of these venture capitalists into the association space and ways your association can mitigate these risks.
Product development. Joan Westenberg found the formula for making “something people give a shit about.” She also shares examples of companies who built successful products but lost sight of what made them great.
Microlearning. eLearningDOC explains why microlearning is an ideal learning format for busy professionals and how to add it to your association’s education portfolio.
Coaching volunteer leaders. Providing effective volunteer training without veering into information overwhelm is tricky, but not when you have Mariner Management & Marketing at your side. They provide helpful tips for creating a 12-month training strategy so each volunteer receives the right amount of learning at their moment of need.
Employee onboarding. Cloey Callahan at WorkLife describes some of the upskilling challenges faced by companies when onboarding employees who are new to the workplace. Associations, how can you help member employers? I’ve got a couple of ideas: industry jump-start courses and early-career microcredentials/digital badges.
Snack pack
How to ensure your association’s communications cut through the inbox clutter. | Sarah Sain, CAE, Naylor Association Solutions
The power of personalized member engagement: why it’s critical for associations and how to get started. | Sherry Budziak, .orgSource
Five data-backed methods to improve your association’s marketing | Brianna Martin, Mighty Citizen via ASAE
Never use American Express for test purchases. | Mike Stelzner, Social Media Examiner & Social Media Marketing World
The advantages of psychographics over demographics and ways to gather them. | Liz Willits, Content Phenom
How to raise readers, in 35 steps. | Brad East, Front Porch Republic
You never grow old at the table
My BJ’s now sells 2# packs of frozen RI calamari so I’ve vowed to keep one always on hand. We enjoyed calamari in tomato sauce with fettuccine. I added bacon and tomato paste to the sauce and used puréed whole tomatoes instead of stewed, plus I doubled the sauce recipe so we had enough to toss with pasta.
On the side, garlic bread made from leftover cheesesteak rolls, plus a green bean sauté with mushrooms, bacon, onion, red bell pepper, garlic, sun-dried tomatoes, and chives.
An old favorite: creamy salmon piccata, which I adapted by using onion instead of shallots and evaporated milk instead of heavy cream.
The bonus of making the Christmas turkey in your kitchen: leftover turkey in the freezer. I used a few cups of it to make this delicious turkey pot pie. The only change I made was skipping the mushrooms. On the side, halves of a nuked sweet potato and broccoli roasted with red onion and garlic powder.
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Note: Per ASAE, “any continuing professional education offered by any professional entity may be accepted toward the [CAE] professional development requirement as long as it is directly related to either association or nonprofit management as defined by the CAE exam content outline.”
Education providers: 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 product-centric.
Fri 2/7 at 12:30 p.m.* – Legalese with the Ladies: What Washington Has in Store for Events in 2025
Hear how the changing political landscape could shake up the events industry. More info/register.
Host: HopSkip
Speakers:
- Kelly Bagnall, Partner, Holland & Knight
- Barbara Dunn, Partner, Barnes & Thornburg
- Joel Roberson, Partner, Holland & Knight
*All events are online at Eastern Standard Time unless otherwise noted.
Mon 2/10 at 8 a.m. – The Dangers of Overcommitting (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: Kelsey Casselbury, SHRM
Mon 2/10 at 12 p.m. – Membership Monday
Hear about an innovative member onboarding program designed to carefully curate the initial 90 days of a member’s journey with your organization. More info/register (ASAE members only).
Host: ASAE
Speaker: Kerri McGovern, MPP, CAE, Senior Director, Membership, Association of Corporate Counsel
Tue 2/11 at 12 p.m. – Tech Tuesday: Inside the Minds of CIOs
In today’s fast-paced tech landscape, CIOs face unique challenges and opportunities that shape their strategic decisions. Explore critical issues such as cybersecurity threats, the transformative power of AI and automation, and the complexities of cloud computing. Hear about the future of work for association professionals and how CIOs are leveraging data analytics to drive innovation and enhance member value. More info/register (ASAE members only).
Host: ASAE
Facilitators: Reggie Henry, ASAE and David Coriale, DelCor
Tue 2/11 at 12 p.m. – LGBTQIA2+ 2025 Community Call
A unique and inclusive opportunity for association professionals across all career stages to connect and engage over lunch, and a space where you can openly share and discuss topics that are current and significant to the LGBTQIA2+ association community. More info/register (ASAE members only).
Host: ASAE LGBTQ Association Executives and Supporters
Tue 2/11 at 1 p.m. – How to Future-Proof Your Organization
Discover how evolving member expectations and behaviors are reshaping organizational priorities and strategies. Learn to recognize and analyze key metrics that impact member engagement and loyalty. Receive practical tips for future-proofing your organization, with a focus on daily, monthly, and yearly initiatives that drive lasting impact. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.
Host: Forj
Speaker: Sarah Sladek, CEO of XYZ University
Wed 2/12 at 11 a.m. – The Keys to Marketing Across Generations in 2025
Discover how tech adoption timing influences everything from trust to buying cycles, and learn about the different ways generations approach content consumption and purchasing decisions. Explore self-education styles and the psychology behind it all. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.
Host: UST Education
Speakers:
- Sam Bush, Partner Marketing Manager, Netstock
- Kate Coffey-Bacon, VP of Marketing and Events, US Transactions Corporation/UST Education
- Mary Miller, Director of Marketing, PayTrace
Wed 2/12 at 12 p.m. – How Cross-Team Collaboration Can Unlock Untapped Revenue
Breaking down silos between departments can unlock hidden revenue potential, drive engagement, and future-proof your association’s financial health. Learn how to foster cross-departmental collaboration to create new revenue opportunities. Hear lessons from for-profit businesses that associations can leverage to diversify revenue. Learn how to measure success and ensure alignment between revenue goals and member engagement. More info/register.
Host: WorkerBee.TV
Speakers:
- Sue Marchese, VP of Marketing Strategy at ASAE
- Marcus Leite, Director, Sales and Marketing, WorkerBee.TV
Wed 2/12 at 1 p.m. – Authenticity in an AI-Driven World: How to Stand Out Without Selling Out
Learn how to optimize your digital presence for AI-powered search without sacrificing institutional voice. Hear how to create content strategies that preserve institutional voice while optimizing for AI, implement technical optimizations for enhanced visibility in AI search, apply proven strategies from real-world AI search success stories, build scalable frameworks for consistent, high-impact content, and put an exclusive optimization guide to work immediately. More info/register.
Host: American Marketing Association
Speakers: University of Iowa CMO Ali Yildirim and Everspring CMO Michael Bell
Wed 2/12 at 2 p.m. – Navigating Data Privacy Laws
Hear about the latest data privacy legislation and practical considerations for responsibly collecting and managing attendee data. Learn about the key components of new data privacy laws and their impact on event planning, best practices for collecting, storing and using attendee data while maintaining compliance, and upcoming AI regulations and their potential effects on event data. 1 CMP credit. More info/register.
Host: Northstar Meetings Group
Speaker: Jill Joerling Blood, Vice President and Lead Legal Counsel, Maritz
Thu 2/13 at 12:30 p.m. – When the Government Comes Knocking at Your Nonprofit’s Door—How to Be Prepared and What to Do
Although it is difficult to accurately predict what practices will cause the government to issue a demand, send a subpoena, or come knocking at the door, organizations can take concrete steps to help ensure they are prepared should that day come. Learn how to help ensure your nonprofit is prepared to respond to document and investigative demands before they happen, including best practices for business communications and document retention. More info/register.
Host: Venable LLP
Speakers: Kan M. Nawaday and Mary M. Gardner, Partners, Venable LLP
Thu 2/13 at 1 p.m. – The Path to Learning Business Maturity
Learning businesses must take their operations to a new level of maturity in order to thrive. Learn about the Tagoras Learning Business Maturity Model, its components, and, most importantly, how learning businesses can—and do—implement the model in a way that puts them on a clear, measurable path to greater maturity and, by extension, greater reach, revenue, and impact. More info/register.
Host: Jeff Cobb and Celisa Steele of Tagoras
Thu 2/13 at 1 p.m. – Unleash Your Personal Brand: Transform Your Personality Into a Competitive Edge
Learn how to identify, shape, and promote your unique personal brand. By leveraging your authentic personality traits and core values, find out how to differentiate yourself and create a powerful narrative that resonates with your audience—whether you’re looking to enhance your career, build a business, or expand your professional network. Discover how to turn your personality into a competitive advantage that drives both personal and professional success. More info/register.
Host: UST Education
Speaker: Kate Coffey-Bacon, VP of Marketing and Events, US Transactions Corporation/UST Education
Thu 2/13 at 1 p.m. – Marketing Automation in 2025: The Hits, The Misses, and The Opportunities
Are your marketing automation workflows truly driving results, or are they stuck in surface-level tactics? Hear about marketing automation trends, challenges, and untapped opportunities that will define 2025. From multi-channel customer journey orchestration to AI-driven optimization, this session will provide actionable strategies and practical frameworks to elevate your automation success. More info/register.
Host: American Marketing Association
Speakers: Jennifer Blanco, Head of Customer Marketing, and Kat Geivett, Head of Marketing, Act-On Software
Thu 2/13 at 2 p.m. – Elite Performance Tips for Managing Attendee Energy
Learn how to design an agenda to maximize engagement and retention. Get tips for menus that keep people alert and wellness activities that everyone will appreciate. More info/register.
Host: Smart Meetings
Speakers:
- Jess Garza
- David Stevens, co-founder of Olympian Meetings
Thu 2/13 at 3 p.m. – Association Chat Insider Weekly Recap
Come together with the association community to chat about the hot topics that matter most. Our meetings are a safe space: no recordings, no live streams—just real, raw conversations. Want to explore what’s buzzing in the association world? This is your weekly chance to connect, share, and learn from one another. More info/register.
Host: KiKi L’Italien, Editor-in-Chief, Association Chat, and VP of Marketing and Community Engagement, Big Red M
Thu 2/13 at 3 p.m. – AI Trends for the New Year: A Practical Guide
Explore the top AI trends set to make waves in the coming year. Hear what these trends mean for associations and share practical tips on how to use AI to boost member engagement, simplify your operations, and stay ahead of the game. Learn how to make the most of these emerging tools. More info/register.
Host: Member Lounge
Speaker: Farhad Khan, CEO & Membership Strategist, Member Lounge
Thu 2/13 at 3 p.m. – Membership Management: How to Boost Engagement and Retention
What’s the cost of losing a single member? For associations and organizations, it’s more than just revenue—it’s lost opportunities for growth and community impact. Learn what truly drives engagement and retention and get practical strategies tailored to your members’ needs. Hear from experts who’ve cracked the code on creating value, fostering loyalty, and turning members into advocates. More info/register.
Host: NXUnite by Nexus Marketing Agency
Speakers:
- Cameron Curtis, President & Chief Innovator at C2 Association Strategies
- Thomas McClintock, Senior Client Services Manager at Empowered Margins
- Tony Rossell, Senior Vice President at Marketing General Incorporated
- Bryan White, Chief Growth Officer & Chief Consultant at Bostrom
Fri 2/14 at 11 a.m. – Give Your LinkedIn Profile Some Love
Learn how to craft a profile that helps you achieve your goals—whether it’s landing a new role, building your network, or showcasing your expertise. Hear what works and what doesn’t, and take advantage of live critiques. More info/register.
Host: Association Women Technology Champions
Speakers:
- Danielle Duran Baron, Vice President, Marketing, Communications & Industry Relations, School Nutrition Association
- Jen Lewi, Founder & CEO, Design Your Next Step
Wed 2/19 at from 9 to 11:30 a.m. CST – How Skills and Credentials Intersect with Regulation and Policy (Chicago, IL)
Hear about he increased focus on the economic value credentials provide, the relationship between economic value, outcomes data, and evolving workforce policies, and how evolving competency-based credentialing models will be at the foreground to support funding decisions to fill job vacancies. Location: Chicago IL. More info/register.
Host: Certification Network Group
Speakers:
- Dale Cyr, MBA, CAE, CEO, Inteleos
- Larry Lynch, CAE, FASAE, Sr. Vice President, Health Safety & Regulatory Services, National Restaurant Association
- Roy Swift, PhD, Executive Director, Workcred
- Amanda Winters, Program Director, Postsecondary Education, National Governor’s Association
- Christine D. Niero, PhD (moderator), Vice President, Professional Testing, Inc.
Wed 2/19 at 2 p.m. – Developing Learner Personas with Member Insights
Learn how VPPPA transformed their approach to member feedback—shifting from traditional surveys to conversational engagement. Discover how VPPPA uncovered what members truly want in events and professional development while building deeper member profiles and personalizing experiences. More info/register.
Host: PropFuel
Wed 2/19 from 3:30 to 5:20 p.m. CST – Toast to Tech with AWTC (Chicago, IL)
This session combines wine tasting with an engaging exploration of the latest technology trends shaping associations. Participants will sip curated wine flights, with each wine representing a major trend (e.g., AI, automation, innovation). The relaxed atmosphere fosters open dialogue, collaboration, and creativity around how these trends can impact association operations, member engagement, and events. Location: Chicago IL. More info/register.
Host: Association Women Technology Champions
Thu 2/20 at 10 a.m. – Planning a Successful Website Redesign from RFP to Launch
Is a website redesign in your future? Learn how to get started, budget for a redesign, get the best results, design your RFP, and choose the best partner. More info/register.
Host: Results Direct
Speakers: Laura Graham, Sr. Solutions Consultant, and Cecilia Satovich, Executive VP, Results Direct
Thu 2/20 at 12 p.m. – Building Trust Through Ethics: Best Practices for Association Professionals
Ethical behavior is crucial for building trust and the foundation of relationships with members, donors, volunteers and other stakeholders in associations. Learn about ethical standards and decision-making frameworks, the codes of ethics and their impact on associations, and how these codes serve as essential guidelines for maintaining integrity, transparency, and accountability. More info/register.
Host: Association Xchange
Speaker: Shawna Strickland, PhD, CAE, Associate Executive Director, Programs, American Epilepsy Society
Thu 2/20 at 12:30 p.m. – Future-Proof Your Continuing Education Program: Maximize Member Engagement and Revenue Growth
Hear about the trends shaping the future of continuing education and member engagement, best practices for designing and streamlining CE programs that boost retention and deliver ongoing value to learners, and strategies for using data-driven insights to enhance learner engagement and track progress. 0.5 CAE credit. More info/register.
Host: .orgCommunity
Speakers: Evan Burton, Head of Growth, and Emily Leary, VP of Customer Success, BenchPrep
Thu 2/20 at 1 p.m. – AI Tools To Level Up Your Membership Marketing
Learn about powerful AI tools designed for modern marketing challenges, automation techniques to streamline marketing workflows and increase efficiency, strategies to enhance personalization and engagement across platforms, AI-driven solutions to optimize advertising performance and ROI, and actionable techniques to elevate communications and connect with diverse audiences. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.
Host: UST Education
Speaker: Eric McDonald, CEO at Rasa.IO
Thu 2/20 at 4 p.m. – Transform Your Sponsorship Strategy: Data-Driven Ideas to Boost Non-Dues Revenue
Learn how to harness data insights to develop new and compelling sponsorship opportunities that resonate with both your audience and potential sponsors. Discover the essential metrics and KPIs to track the success of your sponsorship initiatives, ensuring you can demonstrate clear ROI and impact. Master techniques for using data-driven narratives to effectively convince sponsors of the value and benefits of investing in your innovative sponsorship ideas. More info/register.
Host: ASAE Reston Loudoun Swap
Speakers:
- Barbara J. Armentrout, Founder and Key Principal, BJA Solutions for Associations
- Joe Colangelo, Co-Founder and CEO, Bear Analytics
- Vinnu Deshetty, Event ROI Coach
Fri 2/21 at 2 p.m. – Why Your Data Matters & What You Can Do With It
Learn how to harness your association’s data and build a culture of analytics to help drive strategic decisions, enhance member experiences, and unlock new opportunities for growth. Hear about real-world examples for leveraging data from your email marketing, community, AMS, educational programs, and more. Explore ways to use your data to monitor your organization’s health and performance, improve segmentation and personalization, identify member needs, trigger helpful automations, and deepen member engagement. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.
Host: Higher Logic
Speakers:
- Christin Berry, CAE, VP, Business Analytics & Data Services, ASAE: The Center for Association Leadership
- David Jovel, Sales Engineering Director, Higher Logic
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.
Creative Commons licensed photo by Stephen Ellis via Unsplash
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