The weekly list of free educational events and resources for the association community…
Data migration. A big sigh of relief is warranted when you finally narrow your AMS choices down to one, but the work has only just begun. Fíonta explains why planning data migration in advance helps you avoid unexpected costs, delayed timelines, staff burnout, and missed opportunities. In the second post, they describe how to prepare for data migration—creating a plan, cleaning and purging data, implementing data stewardship—and prevent common migration pitfalls.
Association trends. Erin Fuller of MCI shares good advice along with her take on the key trends reshaping association management in 2025, namely, revenue diversification, AI, business model evolution, membership value, and financial partnerships.
Marketing plan. GrowthZone reviews the often confused components of an association marketing plan: mission, goals, objectives, strategy, and tactics. For each component, they provide an example of what it is and isn’t—clarification that will help keep your marketing efforts on track.
Sponsors and Executive Orders. Bruce Rosenthal and Dan Kowitz explain how associations can mitigate the impact of President Trump’s Executive Orders with help from their corporate sponsors. They offer a six-step plan for effective collaboration with sponsors and six examples of real-life association/sponsor collaborations.
New member onboarding. Another article on onboarding? Yes, but this one by James Young of Product Community has a different focus. He says, “Great onboarding programs treat new members as contributors who have ideas and agency to help shape our collective future.” Check out his ideas for welcoming, orienting, and connecting new members.
Young professionals. YM Careers offers advice on attracting young people to your association and keeping them close. They explain how to deliver the value Gen Zers need by helping them connect with employers, find jobs, jump-start their careers, and make career decisions.
Exhibit hall innovation. Shannon Thaler at Trade Show News Network shares successful new expo floor features at RSNA 2024, the Radiological Society of North America’s trade show. Read about their sold-out guided exhibit tours, one-day showcase of local startups and service organizations, recruiters row, and AI showcase.
Speaker contracts. Josh Bernoff, a respected voice in the publishing industry, recently pulled out of a speaking engagement at a “large national organization.” He shared an illuminating take on speakers and intellectual property. What do your contracts say and when are those terms shared with the speaker? How much wisdom do your attendees miss out on because of those terms? Whose interests are your terms favoring—yours or your attendees’?
You never grow old at the table
If you like butter and lemon, you’ll like flounder meunière, a traditional French recipe via Julia Child. On the side, sautéed asparagus with green onions, garlic, and lemon zest.
The following night, I stuck with Julia for this chicken waterzooi recipe, a Belgian stew (archived NYT page). I used boneless chicken thighs, chose evaporated milk instead of cream, and reduced the yolks to four. It was my first time making this dish and I will definitely make it again.
On Sunday, I made shepherd’s pie with ground lamb and topped with mashed sweet potatoes—a recipe adapted from The Irish Pub Cookbook by Margaret Johnson. On the side, roasted broccoli with red onion, garlic powder, and Aleppo pepper flakes.
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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.
Mon 3/17 at 8 a.m.* – Leading Change: New Benchmarks in Tampa Bay Tourism (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: Santiago Corrada, President & CEO, Visit Tampa Bay
*All events are online at Eastern Daylight Time unless otherwise noted.
Mon 3/17 at 2 p.m. – 6 Essential Conversations with Chapter Leaders in 2025
The world is changing rapidly, and so are the needs of our members. To stay ahead, chapter and component leaders must engage in conversations that drive innovation, connection, and action. Hear about six essential topics shaping associations in 2025—from tackling disengagement and fostering a collective mindset to leveraging AI for smarter decision-making. Learn how these critical discussions can empower your chapter leaders to navigate challenges, seize new opportunities, and create lasting impact. More info/register.
Hosts: re:Members (formerly Billhighway) and Mariner Management
Tue 3/18 at 11 a.m. – Conflicts of Interest in Associations and Nonprofits
Hear about potential and actual conflicts of interest in nonprofit organizations, with specific focus on the three IRS classifications most common to the association marketspace. Learn how to recognize, manage, and avoid damage from conflicts of interest while still operating an effective organization. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.
Host: UST Education
Speaker: Michael Wyland, Owner/Partner at Sumption & Wyland
Tue 3/18 at 11 a.m. – Conflicts The Event Growth Formula: Building an Event Strategy That Drives ROI
Learn how to craft an event strategy that drives engagement and boosts retention, increase your event’s revenue with smart planning, measure event ROI and track your event’s success, and refine and optimize your strategy for lasting growth. More info/register.
Host: ExpoLogic
Speaker: Michelle Schweitz, Sr. Director of Marketing, Momentive Software
Tue 3/18 at 12 p.m. – On Time and On Track: Proven Strategies for Effective Meetings
Discover time-tested, actionable tips for managing and facilitating board and committee meetings. Learn how to keep things moving, stay focused on priorities, and ensure every deliverable gets the attention it deserves. More info/register.
Host: Zzeem Consulting
Speakers: Erin Roberts, Partner, and Asif Ahmed, Executive Director, Zzeem Consulting
Tue 3/18 at 12 p.m. – Intro to AI Webinar for Associations and Nonprofits
Learn the basics and importance of generative AI and Large Language Models. Witness the power of AI tools through live demonstrations, showcasing their impact on real-world scenarios. Learn to create targeted personas in ChatGPT for personalized content and interactions. Find out which settings to adjust for privacy and security, and understand what information is safe to input into AI tools. More info/register.
Host: Sidecar
Speaker: Thomas Altman, Co-Founder, Tasio
Tue 3/18 at 12 p.m. – CRVM March 2025 Crunch and Munch
Crunch and Munch is a chance to come together once a month with peers for a casual conversation on hot topics relevant to the component relations and volunteer management community. Come prepared to share your successes, challenges and ideas. More info/register (ASAE members only).
Host: ASAE Component Relations and Volunteer Management Council
Tue 3/18 at 6 p.m. – Recruit, Retain & Engage: Strategies for a Thriving Membership Base
Hear about innovative strategies to attract new members, insights into understanding member needs and delivering value from the start, proven approaches to build long-term loyalty, strategies to reduce churn and keep members engaged, methods to foster meaningful connections, and tips for leveraging communication and engagement tools effectively. More info/register.
Host: Higher Logic
Speakers:
- Sophie McGregor, Online Communities Coordinator, Membership Services, Australian Dental Association
- Sarah Spinosa, Product Marketing Director, Higher Logic
- Kelly Whelan, Content Marketing Manager, Higher Logic
Wed 3/19 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. – Using Public Awareness Campaigns to Highlight the Value of Certification (Washington DC)
Learn how strategic public awareness campaigns can effectively highlight the value of professional certification. Hear two case studies from associations elevating the visibility and impact of their credentials. Gain insight into the most effective ways to raise awareness of the value of your certification, how to get a return on the investments and ways to provide incremental value to certificants. Location: Washington DC. More info/register.
Host: Certification Network Group
Speakers:
- Mary Ellen Dingley, Manager of Communications, CFP Board
- Joseph Feese, Director of Public Relations, CFP Board
- Usma Mohamed, Ed.D , Vice President of Brand Experience and Marketing, The Council for Professional Recognition
Wed 3/19 at 11 a.m. – Bite-Sized Big Impact: How Microlearning Is Reshaping Education
In a world where people check their smartphones nine times an hour, and competition for attention is exceptionally fierce, it is no wonder that shorter digital learning content is becoming more necessary and popular. Learn why and how associations can create and curate microlearning content that is mobile, media-rich, on-demand, and suited to the modern learner. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.
Host: UST Education
Speakers:
- Andrew Chamberlain, Executive Director of the UK’s Institute of Association Leadership
- Elisa Pratt, Chief Executive and Founder of Brewer Pratt Solutions LLC
Wed 3/19 at 12 p.m. – 5 Ways to Win-Back Lapsed Members
Lapsed members aren’t lost forever—if you have the right strategy to bring them back. Hear about five proven, ROI-driven campaigns that have successfully re-engaged former members. Walk away with real-world examples and actionable tips to win back members and boost retention. More info/register.
Host: PropFuel
Wed 3/19 at 12 p.m. – AI and the Resilient Association
In an era where associations constantly need to do more with less, AI provides associations with the tools to transform their operations and focus on becoming resilient and future proofed. Learn the importance of adopting a forward-thinking approach to association operations and value delivery; how associations can use AI to enhance member engagement and satisfaction, ensuring long-term success; how AI-powered platforms help associations understand their members’ needs and preferences, personalize services; and how to deliver targeted content faster and more effectively, and how associations can act as catalysts for embracing AI-driven changes. More info/register.
Hosts: Halmyre and Betty
Speakers:
- Johanna Gundlach, Chief Operating Officer, Betty
- Christine Saunders, Founder and President, Halmyre
Wed 3/19 at 12 p.m. – SEO to Sales: The Organic Way to Turn Search into Revenue
Hear about an organic SEO strategy that fuels real business growth (without relying on paid ads). Learn how to build a content ecosystem that attracts and converts; the role of topic clusters, lead magnets, and nurturing; how our clients are dominating search & AI Overviews—and how you can too; and the next step—optimizing conversions for revenue growth. More info/register.
Host: Yodelpop
Wed 3/19 at 12 p.m. – The Event ROI Playbook: How to Turn Event Data into Business Wins
Discover how to turn event data into real business impact. Learn how to overcome common ROI challenges, pinpoint key metrics, and leverage technology to showcase success. Hear strategies for communicating event wins across your organization, aligning events with broader business goals, and strengthening collaboration with your go-to-market team. More info/register.
Host: Bizzabo
Speakers:
- Amanda Armstrong, Senior VP, Communications & Industry Relations, Encore
- Venita McLemore, Head of Global Public Relations Events, Amazon Web Services (AWS)
- EJ Oelling, Vice President, Account-Based Experience, 6sense
Wed 3/19 at 2 p.m. – How the Rules of SEO Are Being Rewritten in 2025
2025 promises to be a long, strange year for SEO. If you’re wondering how to survive it, you’re not alone. Learn more about the key trends driving change in search, which ones teams will need to adapt to, and which ones are just scary acronyms you’re better off avoiding. More info/register.
Host: Higher Logic
Speaker: Alec Cole, Founder, Salt Rock SEO
Wed 3/19 at 2:30 p.m. – Using Your Preferred AV without Punitive Fees
You’re excited to work with a great A/V provider, but your venue charges huge fees for using suppliers other than their preferred vendors. Learn how to proactively negotiate fair contracts with your venue that don’t hold you over a barrel for bringing in your own A/V provider. More info/register.
Host: Heather Reid, Planner Protect
Thu 3/20 at 11 a.m. – The Future of Association Tech: Why Women-Led Innovation Matters
Explore how the historical lack of women in tech leadership affects everything from AI-driven membership platforms to digital engagement strategies. Hear why women’s perspectives in tech lead to more innovative, human-centered solutions, how gender imbalance influences the tools associations depend on, and what leaders can do to ensure technology better serves their members, staff, and mission. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.
Host: UST Education
Speakers:
- Barbara Armentrout, Founder & Key Principal at BJA Solutions for Associations
- Sandra Nam, CEO and Co-Founder, QiqoChat
Thu 3/20 at 12 p.m. – Member Technology: Tools for Effective Association Management
Learn about must-have tools that keep associations running smoothly, from member databases to engagement platforms. With the right tech, you can streamline operations, boost retention, and create a seamless experience for your members. Hear insights on what works, what doesn’t, and how to make smart tech choices. More info/register.
Host: NXUnite by Nexus Marketing
Speakers:
- David Bradley, Vice President Product Management at Frontsteps
- Andrea Legnani, President at Aluminati
- Lomesh Shah, Chief Executive Officer at Tradewing
Thu 3/20 at 12 p.m. – Competition in Healthcare
Discuss what competition in healthcare means and how association professionals can juggle the interests of members who are competing with each other, and how to handle members who compete with the association. Bring your go-to tools, articles, and insights to help peers stay informed. More info/register (ASAE members only).
Host: ASAE Healthcare Community Advisory Committee
Thu 3/20 from 12:30 to 4:30 p.m. CST – Nonprofit Tech Talk: Unraveling AI, Security and Data (Chicago IL)
Forward-thinking leaders can transform technological ignorance into competitive advantages that drive sustainable growth and innovation by seamlessly integrating data strategy and governance, AI, and security frameworks. Participate in a focus group discussion designed to empower nonprofits by exploring four critical areas that drive digital and AI success: security, data governance, AI, and customer engagement. Gain valuable insights into effectively leveraging technology to achieve your organizational goals and maximize impact in the community. Location: Chicago IL. More info/register.
Hosts: RSM and Microsoft
Thu 3/20 at 1 p.m. – Beyond LMS: AI, Data, Distribution
Explore how learning businesses can move beyond legacy LMS thinking to leverage AI, harness actionable data, and distribute content more effectively. Hear about practical ways AI can enhance learning experiences and efficiency; getting data that delivers useful, actionable insights; and managing and sharing learning content while retaining control, improving operational efficiency, and gaining richer learner insights. More info/register.
Host: Leading Learning/Tagoras
Speakers:
- Jeff Cobb and Celisa Steele, co-founders of Tagoras and Leading Learning
- Tamer Ali, founder, Authentic Learning Labs
Thu 3/20 at 1 p.m. – From Ordinary to Extraordinary: Transforming Online Professional Learning With Unreasonable Hospitality
Drawing from the best-selling book, Unreasonable Hospitality, this webinar highlights how a culture of care, personalized service, and human connection can enhance engagement and drive success in online and blended professional learning environments, benefiting association members of all fields. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.
Host: UST Education
Speakers: Ben Bongers, Manager, Professional Learning, and Ryan MacTaggart, Associate Director, Professional Learning, EDUCAUSE
Thu 3/20 at 1 p.m. – Building a Business Case for Neuroinclusion in CE/T
1 in 5 individuals is neurodivergent. Learn what’s at stake if you do not provide adequate supports for neurodivergent professionals in your training classrooms and courses, and how to build a business case for neuroinclusion. Explore business case components and prompts to customize key concepts for your organization. Strategize a winning presentation by addressing common obstacles and adapting a practical framework for getting started. More info/register.
Host: International Accreditors of Continuing Education and Training (IACET)
Speaker: Tracy King, Chief Learning Strategist & CEO of InspirEd
Thu 3/20 at 2 p.m. – Future of Association Boards Community Dialogue
Host: Jeff De Cagna, executive advisor, Foresight First
Thu 3/20 at 3 p.m. – Spark Year-Round Engagement from Conferences
Conferences aren’t just events; they’re opportunities to build lasting connections and engagement. But how do you turn a once-a-year gathering into a year-round strategy? Hear how to extend the impact of your conferences beyond the event, practical strategies to keep attendees engaged year-round, and the role of technology in turning event connections into ongoing community participation. More info/register.
Hosts:
- Bruce Rosenthal, strategic advisor specializing in association sponsorships and partnerships, Bruce Rosenthal Associates
- Farhad Khan, CEO, Member Lounge
Guest: Bob Vaez, founder & CEO, EventMobi
Thu 3/20 at 3 p.m. – Medical Associations: Navigating Shifts in Federal Funding and Engagement
Recent Executive Orders and funding and policy shifts, including funding cuts to the National Institutes of Health, withdrawal of the U.S. from the World Health Organization, and limitations on federal employee travel, may significantly impact association operations. Join this timely session as we explore these challenges and opportunities. More info/register (free for ASAE members only).
Host: ASAE
Speakers:
- Vicki R. Deal-Williams, MA, CCC-SLP, CAE (moderator), CEO, American Speech-Language-Hearing Association
- Helen Burstin, MD, MPH, MACP, Chief Executive Officer, Council of Medical Specialty Societies
- Devin A. Jopp, EdD, Chief Executive Officer, Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology
Thu 3/20 at 4 p.m. – Membership: Key Concepts Every Association Professional Should Know
Learn basic concepts in member recruitment and retention, key steps to creating an effective membership campaign, how to efficiently welcome new members, and how to efficiently renew members. More info/register.
Host: ASAE Reston Loudoun Swap
Speaker: Elizabeth Weaver Engel, M.A., CAE, founder, Spark Consulting
Fri 3/21 at 1 p.m. – The 2025 State of B2B Content Consumption: What’s Changing, What’s Working, and What You Need to Do Now
Learn which content formats actually drive the most action; how to work with (not against) the Consumption Gap—your leads are moving slower, so your nurture and follow-up game needs to be sharper; how to spot high-intent buyers faster, so your team spends less time chasing and more time closing; and how marketing and sales can win together, using data to personalize outreach, re-engage leads, and close deals. More info/register.
Host: American Marketing Association
Speaker: Josh Baez, Sr. Manager of Demand Generation, Netline
Fri 3/21 at 2 p.m. – Practical AI Uses to Advance Your Association
Hear how and why to get started with AI and share examples of how other organizations are safely using AI to improve member engagement, personalize interactions, and drive meaningful impact for their associations. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.
Host: Higher Logic
Speakers:
- Greg Verdino, Founder and Chief Operating Officer, CognitivePath Research, Inc.
- Conor Sibley, Chief Technology Officer, Higher Logic
Fri 3/21 at 3 p.m. – Nonprofit Consultants Collaborative Monthly Networking Meeting
This monthly networking meeting is for full-time consultants who work with non-profits and associations. You don’t have to be an ASAE member to attend this consultant-organized event. This month’s agenda includes the usual agenda of sharing of good news and topics or questions from the group. More info/register.
Organizer: Cecilia Sepp, CAE, founder, Rogue Tulips Consulting
Tue 3/25 at 11 a.m. – Your Association and PCI Compliance
The Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS) governs card security for all merchants. Failure to be in compliance can be extremely costly both financially and reputationally. Learn about the new version PCI DSS 4.01, which replaced 4.0 on December 31, 2024 and with which all merchants must comply by March 31, 2025. Hear about changes in the standard and how it applies to those accepting cards as well as tips and techniques for reducing scope of applicability through contracting out card collection and storage. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.
Host: UST Education
Speakers: Michaela Johnson, Director Customer Service, and Rick Ricker, SVP Enterprise Solutions, US Transactions
Tue 3/25 at 12 p.m. – It’s HOT in Here: How Menopause Affects Associations
Hot flashes, night sweats, insomnia, moodiness, brain fog—what’s happening to me? According to the North American Menopause Society, you may be joining the estimated 1.1 billion women worldwide who will be postmenopausal this year. Whether it’s you, your boss, a coworker, or an association leader or member, there’s a good chance that someone in your association community is experiencing menopause right now. Find out how this life change affects working women and associations. More info/register.
Host: Association Xchange
Speaker: Stephanie S. Faubion, MD, MBA, Mayo Clinic and The Menopause Society
Tue 3/25 at 1 p.m. – Passiontivity: Aligning Career Pathing With Career Motivators
Today’s association staff want more than an opportunity to excel at their jobs. They want to do work they love. Yet too often leaders hire and promote based ONLY on a person’s competencies, rather than considering their intrinsic career motivators. Learn about Shira’s proprietary tool, Passiontivity, that can revolutionize the way you recruit, engage, and career path your staff. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.
Host: UST Education
Speaker: Shira Lotzar, Chief Engagement Officer at Purposeful Hire
Tue 3/25 at 1 p.m. – Building Partnerships & Opportunities with Limited Resources
Can one person really make a big impact in a purpose-driven organization? Absolutely! Hear how individuals leading small teams—or working solo—can successfully create partnerships and opportunities. Whether you’re launching a new initiative or running a small nonprofit or association, we’ll share actionable strategies to maximize impact, engage corporate sponsors, and grow your mission—even with limited resources. More info/register.
Host: Lori Zoss Kraska, MBA, CFRE, founder Growth Owl
Guest: Christy Harst, Founder of Building Doors for Women in VO
Wed 3/26 from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. – LMS Demo Days
Hear presentations from industry partners who offer learning management system platforms. More info/register.
Host: ASAE
Participants: Maple LMS, Cadmium EthosCE, Crowd Wisdom by Momentive Software, NetExam, Forj, Blue Sky eLearn Powered by Momentive Software, D2L, and Thinkific +
Wed 3/26 at 1 p.m. – Level Up Your Newsletter Marketing
Capturing your members’ attention in a crowded inbox has never been more challenging—or more critical. Learn how to create newsletters that stand out and engage. Discover AI-powered tools and strategies that streamline production, reducing the time and effort it takes to craft compelling emails. Hear how to leverage data-driven personalization techniques to deliver content tailored to each member’s unique interests. Gain the insights and tools you need to transform your newsletter into a vital component of your digital strategy. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.
Host: UST Education
Speaker: Eric McDonald, CEO at Rasa.IO
Wed 3/26 at 4 p.m. – SocialOffset (Association Chat)
SocialOffset, a groundbreaking initiative co-founded by Dr. Elena Gerstmann, empowers conference attendees to offset the economic impact of destination boycotts—without sacrificing meaningful participation. Hear how SocialOffset is changing the conversation around ethical event planning. More info/register.
Host: KiKi L’Italien, Editor-in-Chief, Association Chat, and VP of Marketing and Community Engagement, Big Red M
Guest: Elena Gerstmann, Executive Director of INFORMS, and co-founder and President of SocialOffset
Thu 3/27 from 9:10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. – LMS Demo Days
Hear presentations from industry partners who offer learning management system platforms. More info/register.
Host: ASAE
Participants: TopClass LMS by ASI, BenchPrep, Thought Industries, Rustici Software, Freestone LMS powered by Momentive Software, LearnUpon, and Cadmium Elevate
Thu 3/27 at 12 p.m. – AWTC Meet & Greet
Connect with new faces in the association tech community! Join us for a 30-minute welcome event to forge fresh connections and discover our vibrant slack community. More info/register.
Host: Association Women Technology Champions
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 your event is scheduled.
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