Association Brain Food: 5.2.25

The weekly list of free educational events and resources for the association community…

Education partnerships. TopClass LMS describes how partnering with other organizations helps associations expand their online education portfolio and meet increasing market demand despite your staff’s limited capacity. They offer advice on selecting the right content partner and choosing a partnership model that suits your needs.

Tax-exempt status. There’s no need to panic. Jeffrey Tenenbaum of Tenenbaum Law Group explains how the IRS can—and cannot—revoke federal tax-exempt status. Let’s just say it’s a process.

Marketing automation. Once a pipe dream for small and mid-size associations, marketing automation is now within any organization’s reach. GrowthZone describes why marketing automation is better than email marketing and how to use it for onboarding and other marketing and engagement campaigns.

AI tools course. Earn up to five CAE credits from Association Academy’s live Association Artificial Intelligence Certificate Course, which teaches practical use of AI tools. Learn how to create high-quality text, image, video, and other content with hands-on time in class. Students earn one CAE credit for each live class they attend. The course meets Thursdays, 1-2pm ET starting May 22. Save $50 with promo code BRAINFOOD.

Event strategy. If you want to stay informed about event trends, strategy, and tactics, Julius Solaris of Boldpush is your guy. He regularly shares illuminating posts on LinkedIn, so I can only imagine what his paid subscribers receive. In this one, he lists nine changes to consider for your event strategy—what to no longer do and what to do instead. The comments are always worth reading too.

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.

Choose life. Ross Douthat at the New York Times (archived) is calling our attention to what evolutionary biologists call a bottleneck caused by AI and other technologies: “a period of rapid pressure that threatens cultures, customs, and peoples with extinction.” Welp! He’s making “an appeal for intentionality against drift, for purpose against passivity—and ultimately for life itself against extinction.” Booyah! Now this is a resistance I can get behind.

Flaunt your special self. Sangeet Paul Choudary says being human alone in the age of AI isn’t enough. Because AI makes knowledge abundant, economic value (our value) comes from applying our uniquely human capabilities of curiosity, curation, and judgment—skills AI can’t replicate—and transforming them into luxury goods.

You never grow old at the table

A quick and easy dinner: Sicilian swordfish with lemon, garlic, oregano, and parsley—aka swordfish salmoriglio (archived recipe). Instead of grilling, I pan-seared the steaks and used fresh herbs instead of dried. On the side, eggplant roasted with zucchini, grape tomatoes, garlic powder, oregano, and thyme. Feels like summer!

Remember when short ribs were one of the cheapest cuts of beef? Then food magazines and cooking shows popularized them, spoiling things for us as the price rose. When I spot a package of short ribs with the yellow “manager’s special” sticker on it, I buy them for the freezer. I finally collected about four pounds and made short rib barbacoa in the pressure cooker. I compared a bunch of recipes—this one is the closest to my final version—and made adjustments to the ingredient amounts, plus added a bottle of Modelo Negra, and the juice and zest of an orange. Fantastic.

On the side, southwestern slaw: julienned green cabbage, carrot, sweet onion, and red bell pepper with a dressing of lime juice, cider vinegar, light olive oil, hot sauce, and cilantro.

I was captivated last week by the aroma of strawberries at a farm stand, so went a bit overboard and bought a flat of them. I froze a bunch in sandwich bags, but we had some earlier this week in a salad with blackened salmon, bacon, black beans (warmed in bacon fat with cilantro, then cooled), red bell pepper, snap peas, broccoli, cucumber, sweet onion, grape tomatoes, carrots, radishes, celery, and pecans. Yup, lots of chopping.

Last Friday night, I enjoyed white wine spritzers with muddled strawberries. The next morning, I made strawberry quick bread. I use 2:1 wheat/all-purpose flour, increase the cinnamon, add vanilla, and replace the white with a reduced amount of brown sugar. We love this recipe. I’m tempted to buy more strawberries to make it again, but maybe only a bucket this time.

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About CAE credits: 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.

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Mon 5/5 at 8 a.m.* – Create a Great Partnership (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: Sharon Pare, High Road Solutions

*All events are online at Eastern Daylight Time unless otherwise noted.

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Tue 5/6 at 11 a.m. – Planning for Executive Succession

Executive succession happens with increasing frequency, but relatively few associations and nonprofits plan for potentially disruptive successions. This session is designed to stress the need for, and importance of, conscious planning by staffs and boards for the times when executives will leave their positions. Hear “war story” examples as well as some of the practices and procedures associations can use to facilitate smoother transitions. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.

Host: UST Education

Speaker: Michael Wyland, Owner/Partner at Sumption & Wyland

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Tue 5/6 at 12 p.m. – Enhancing Visualization Usability and Readability: Turning Data into Clear Insight (Data Analytics Network)

Explore the key principles of usability and readability in data visualization that help you design charts, reports, and dashboards that truly communicate insights. Find out what makes a visualization intuitive and user-friendly; how you can use contrast, alignment, and spacing to improve readability; and what common design mistakes make charts harder to understand—and how to avoid them. Learn how to simplify complexity, guide user attention, and create visualizations that not only look great but also tell a compelling story. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.

Host: Data Analytics Network

Facilitator: Matthew Braun, Significance (also a former association data analyst)

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Tue 5/6 at 12 p.m. CDT – Chapter Roundtable: Mini-Mastermind Sessions for Chapter-Based Organizations (Chicago IL)

Join us for a complimentary, power lunch for component relations professionals (CRPs) who want the knowledge and benefits of group discussions with fellow association professionals from organizations with chapters, components, sections, branches, or state affiliates. Location: Chicago IL. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.

Host: re:Members

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Tue 5/6 at 1 p.m. – Driving Growth With AI: What Association Leaders Need to Know

AI is reshaping how associations grow, engage, and operate. But most leaders don’t know where to start. Learn how to apply AI in marketing, communication, and operations to reach the right people, with the right message, at the right time. Walk away with practical ways to boost member engagement, improve retention, and increase efficiency—without sacrificing authenticity or trust. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.

Host: UST Education

Speaker: Erica Salm Rench, MBA, CMO at Sidecar

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Wed 5/7 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. – The Executive Learning Lab: Analyze, Apply, Accelerate (Vienna/Tyson’s Corner VA)

This interactive event is designed for leaders who want to foster a culture of continuous learning, helping their teams embrace AI and other emerging technologies to drive real efficiency and impact. Learn how to build a learning-first culture that helps teams adopt AI and other tools with confidence, close skill gaps that limit productivity and slow adoption, and integrate training into daily workflows without disrupting operations, and equip your team with the mindset and skills to analyze, apply, and accelerate success. Location: Vienna/Tyson’s Corner VA. 5 CAE credits. More info/register.

Host: designDATA

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Wed 5/7 at 11 a.m. – Content Effectiveness: Measuring What Matters

All too often, we measure content effectiveness using the data that’s easiest to gather: pageviews via Google Analytics, conversion statistics, or revenue. But in reality, “Not everything that can be counted counts, and not everything that counts can be counted.” Creating effective content is about setting smart, measurable goals for content, learning whether or how well content achieved its goal, and taking this information into account for future content. Hear practical examples and guides for making your organization’s content more effective. More info/register.

Host: Hilary Marsh, President and Chief Strategist, Content Company

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Wed 5/7 at 12 p.m. – Ancient Wisdom for Building Stronger Communities

Drawing from ancient wisdom and his decades of work with organizations like Airbnb, LinkedIn, and the U.S. Army, Charles reveals the seven essential principles that can help any association foster trust, purpose, and genuine connection. From creating meaningful rituals to strengthening shared values, this conversation will challenge how you think about leadership, membership engagement, and the power of belonging. More info/register.

Host: KiKi L’Italien, Editor-in-Chief, Association Chat, and VP of Marketing and Community Engagement, Big Red M

Guest: Charles Vogl, Author, Keynote Speaker and Adviser of The Vogl Group

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Wed 5/7 at 12 p.m. – AMS-terclass: Live Expert Q&A

Are you considering a new AMS for your association? Take advantage of this unique opportunity to gain expert insights from a panel of top association technology consultants. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.

Host: AIOT

Speakers:

• Moira Edwards, Ellipsis Partners
• Vanessa Dennison, Dennison & Associates
• Wes Trochlil, Effective Database Management
• David Schulman (moderator), Associations Rewired

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Wed 5/7 at 12 p.m. – Buzzworthy LIVE: Belonging Is the New Membership

Membership isn’t enough anymore—today’s members expect real community and connection. Learn how associations can rethink engagement, build belonging, and strengthen loyalty in a digital-first world. Hear actionable strategies you can use immediately. More info/register.

Host: Marcus Leite, Director, Sales and Marketing, WorkerBee.TV

Speaker: Elizabeth Moris, Director of Brand Engagement, Council on Undergraduate Research

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Wed 5/7 at 12 p.m. CDT – Chapter Roundtable: Mini-Mastermind Sessions for Chapter-Based Organizations (Schaumburg IL)

Join us for a complimentary, power lunch for component relations professionals (CRPs) who want the knowledge and benefits of group discussions with fellow association professionals from organizations with chapters, components, sections, branches, or state affiliates. Location: Schaumburg IL. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.

Host: re:Members

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Wed 5/7 at 1 p.m. – Lights, Camera, Impact: Sharpening Your Video Skills for Success

Whether it’s live meetings on Zoom/Teams or creating asynchronous content for social media or internal communications, this session will empower you to deliver your message with clarity, confidence, and professionalism. Through practical exercises and expert guidance, learn the art of being articulate and authoritative on camera, ensuring your video content stands out. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.

Host: UST Education

Speaker: Michael Hoffman, Co-Founder and CEO, Gather Voices

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Wed 5/7 at 2 p.m. – Crafting the Perfect Hotel RFP

Hear tips for crafting a hotel RFP that gets results, saving time and money for the planner and the hotel. Explore the details every hotel RFP needs to include, the biggest RFP mistakes planners make, how to make your RFP stand out in a crowded inbox, and why it’s smart to disclose your budget in an RFP. 1 CMP credit. More info/register.

Host: Northstar Meetings Group

Speakers:

• Carvie Gillikin, President & CEO, MGME
• Mike Zollars, Vice President, Global Accounts, HPN Global

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Thu 5/8 at 11 a.m. – Beyond Certifications – Maximizing Impact With Member Recognition Programs: Drive Revenue, Recognition, and Membership Value

Hear why certification programs recognize your member’s exemplary work and how recognition programs demonstrate the competency of professionals and companies. Learn about common principles in the development and implementation of recognition programs, and case studies of successful certification initiatives and understand their impact. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.

Host: UST Education

Speaker: Jeffrey Greenwald, President at Operative Greenwald, Inc.

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Thu 5/8 at 12 p.m. – Are You Dashboard Ready? A Self-Assessment to Guide Your Association’s Analytics Journey

Associations are sitting on a goldmine of data—membership records, event performance, financials—but many are unsure how to connect it all into meaningful insights. Learn how to assess where you are on your analytics journey and what it takes to level up. Complete a readiness self-assessment live, get inspired by real examples of dashboards in action, and walk away with a clear, actionable path for your organization. More info/register.

Host: Association Women Technology Champions

Speakers: Michelle Wreoblewski, Director, Associations Growth & Strategy, and Jon Sarafino, Director, WIPFLI

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Thu 5/8 at 12 p.m. – Next-Generation Member Engagement: AI-Powered Personalization at Scale

Learn how associations are using AI to create better, smarter, and more meaningful experiences for their members—and how it’s leading to real results. Hear what it really takes to personalize at scale (and what this even means); why unified, enriched data is the key to making AI work; how associations like AGU are already doing it—and what they’re seeing; and tips and tools to help you get started (or go further). More info/register.

Hosts: PropFuel and MemberJunction

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Thu 5/8 at 12 p.m. – AI Agents: What Leaders Need to Know

Agentic AI is everywhere in the tech headlines—but what does it really mean for business leaders and their teams? Learn whether AI agents are genuinely transformative—or just automation 2.0; how major enterprise vendors like Salesforce, SAP, and ServiceNow are productizing agentic capabilities; what a practical, low-risk starting point looks like for companies and teams; what to make of bold leadership memos like the one from Spotify’s CEO—and whether that’s a signal of what’s to come; and why concerns about job loss often miss the bigger picture: skills need to evolve, not disappear. More info/register.

Host: Andreas Welsch, founder, Intelligence Briefing

Guest: Charlene Li, founder, Quantum Networks Group

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Thu 5/8 at 1 p.m. – Association AI Leadership: The Four Stages of Readiness and Organizational Management

As AI transforms the future of work, associations have a unique opportunity to lead with vision, provided they are prepared. Learn how to apply the Four Stages of AI Readiness to your organization, clean and align your data to build a strong AI foundation, and empower staff to use AI safely and effectively. Hear about real-world AI use cases in member engagement, education and operations; and a clear and strategic approach to AI that aligns with your organizational goals. More info/register.

Host: MemberClicks

Speakers:

• Mary Connor, CAE, VP of Client Relations, Stringfellow Management Group
• Rich Vallaster, DES, CEM, Senior Director of Industry Relations and Community Engagement, Personify

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Thu 5/8 at 2 p.m. – Association AI Leadership: The Four Stages of Readiness and Organizational Management

Learn how to apply the Four Stages of AI Readiness to your organization; clean and align your data to build a strong AI foundation; empower staff to use AI safely and effectively; explore real-world AI use cases in member engagement, education and operations; and develop a clear and strategic approach to AI that aligns with your organizational goals. More info/register.

Host: MemberClicks

Speakers:

• Rich Vallaster, DES, CEM, Senior Director of Industry Relations and Community Engagement, Personify
• Mary Connor, CAE, VP of Client Relations, Stringfellow Management Group

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Thu 5/8 at 2 p.m. – Demystifying AV Contracts

Being able to negotiate an AV package that includes all the things you need and none of the things you don’t even if you don’t speak tech can mean the difference between a balanced and a blown budget. Learn what to ask your AV provider, the pros and cons of bringing in your own AV company, and what fees are negotiable. More info/register.

Host: Smart Meetings

Speaker: Scott Frankel, President of Animatic Media

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Thu 5/8 at 2 p.m. – Being a Catalyst for Change: A Young Professional’s Guide to Association Advocacy

Learn about the fundamentals of association advocacy, from understanding the policymaking process to building relationships with key stakeholders. Gain insights into the skills needed to thrive in advocacy, explore career pathways, and learn how to make an impact early in your career. More info/register.

Host: ASAE

Speakers:

• Mariel Solomon, MS, CCC-SLP (facilitator)
• Carter Alleman, JD, CAE, Director, Government Affairs & Science Policy, American Society for Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics
• Cory Martin, MPA, CAE, Owner & CEO, Mission Control HQ

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Mon 5/12 from 5 to 7 p.m. – MMC + Tech Happy Hour 2025 (Washington DC)

Come network with the AWTC community of women and allies. All are welcome. This IRL opportunity to socialize and network with your industry peers is brought to you by the generous support of our sponsors. Location: Washington DC. More info/register.

Organizer: Association Women Technology Champions

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Tue 5/13 at 12 p.m. – Transformational HR: Strategic human resources for a growing organization

Growing successfully means relying on people – i.e. your staff – to deliver. And behind these people there is always a capable Chief People Officer and CEO with vision. So this month, let’s talk people: from “Personnel” to “HR” to “People”—what’s next; people strategy, strategic planning, and succession planning; employee experience and company culture; and team alignment and professional development that fuels the organization. More info/register.

Host: Braintrust Professional Institute

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Wed 5/14 from 9 to 11:30 a.m. CDT – Various Approaches to Maintenance of Certification (Chicago IL)

Maintenance of certification (MOC) is a key component to ensure the integrity of the certification program. The onus on certification organizations is to develop pathways that both assure continued competence and meet the needs and characteristics of the certified population. Explore trends and approaches related to MOC. Whether you are considering changes, seeking accreditation, or finding what works best for your certification program, this session will reinforce best practices and present options for alternative approaches in the MOC landscape. Location: Chicago IL. More info/register.

Host: Certification Network Group

Speakers:

• Christine D. Niero, PhD (moderator), Vice President, Professional Testing, Inc.
• Adrienne W. Cadle, PhD, Vice President, Credentialing, Professional Testing, Inc.
• Kevin Patrick, Director, Program Development, American Board of Medical Specialties
• Robert Mahlman, MA, PMP, I.C.E. – CCP, Director, Certification and Credentialing National Commission for the Certification of Crane Operators
• Ye Ma, PhD, Senior Psychometrician , Amazon Web Services

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Wed 5/14 at 11 a.m. – Outsourcing Survey for Associations & Why it Matters

Hear about the latest findings from a groundbreaking outsourcing survey with two powerhouse voices in the industry: Shameka Jennings, CEO of EventsNoire, and Dana Freker Doody, founder of Inktide Solutions. Together, they explore what smart outsourcing looks like in 2025—from event strategy to marketing to operations—and how association leaders can make bold, values-aligned decisions that future-proof their organizations. This isn’t just about cutting costs—it’s about amplifying impact. More info/register.

Host: KiKi L’Italien, Editor-in-Chief, Association Chat, and VP of Marketing and Community Engagement, Big Red M

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Wed 5/14 at 11 a.m. – The Growth Mindset: How Nonprofits Can Thrive Despite Limited Resources

Many nonprofit leaders assume that limited resources mean limited growth—but that doesn’t have to be the case. Learn to evaluate strategies to drive growth and deliver results that exceed stakeholders’ expectations, eevelop growth-oriented mindsets and well-aligned teams, analyze members’ motivations and deepen understanding, design products and services that address members’ priorities, and establish outcomes-focused strategies and high-impact go-to-market plans that inspire members and bolster brand prestige. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.

Host: UST Education

Speaker: Henry Stoever, Founder & Managing Principal at Windsor Strategy

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Wed 5/14 at 12 p.m. – Chapter Roundtable: Mini-Mastermind Sessions for Chapter-Based Organizations in Washington, DC

Join us for a complimentary, power lunch for component relations professionals who want the knowledge and benefits of group discussions with fellow association professionals from organizations with chapters, components, sections, branches, or state affiliates. These are non-formal and designed for busy professionals like you, however it works for you: come late, leave early, share, don’t share. Don’t worry: our lunches are peer-driven and anything but boring. You’ll leave with actionable ideas, insights, and inspirations you can put to work right away. Location: Washington DC. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.

Host: re:Members

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Wed 5/14 at 1:30 p.m. – Data-Driven Decision-Making for Nonprofits & Membership Organizations

Hear about real-world ways nonprofits and membership organizations can use data to inform decisions, improve efficiency, and deepen engagement. You don’t need a data science team or new tools to get started. You just need a plan. Learn how to build a communications strategy informed by clean, actionable data; how to use segmentation to improve retention and fundraising results; how to use data to personalize experiences and increase renewals; what a data health check looks like and why it matters; how to automate time-consuming tasks and get more from your existing systems; and how to combine strategy and infrastructure for long-term impact. More info/register.

Hosts: Fíonta and Firefly Partners

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Thu 5/15 at 12 p.m. – Chapter Roundtable: Mini-Mastermind Sessions for Chapter-Based Organizations in Tysons Corner, VA

Join us for a complimentary, power lunch for component relations professionals who want the knowledge and benefits of group discussions with fellow association professionals from organizations with chapters, components, sections, branches, or state affiliates. These are non-formal and designed for busy professionals like you, however it works for you: come late, leave early, share, don’t share. Don’t worry: our lunches are peer-driven and anything but boring. You’ll leave with actionable ideas, insights, and inspirations you can put to work right away. Location: McLean VA. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.

Host: re:Members

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Thu 5/15 at 12 p.m. – Inclusive by Design: Ensuring Accessible & Equitable Online Training

Accessible course modules reflect your association’s commitment to equity and social responsibility and broaden your reach to a more diverse audience, including aging learners and those using assistive technologies. Hear about practical steps to bring your organization’s online learning programs into WCAG compliance. Learn how accessible courses tend to be better organized, clearer, and more user-friendly for all learners, which can lead to higher engagement and improved learning outcomes. More info/register.

Host: eLearningDOC

Speakers:

• Mark Wallach, MBA, CEO Emeritus, Engagement Mobile Strategies
• Toni DiMella, Executive Director of Quality Assurance, eLearningDOC
• Angela Robbins (moderator), Founder & CEO, eLearningDOC

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Thu 5/15 at 1 p.m. – A Look at Continuing Education in 2030: Disruption, Competition, and Changing Expectations

MOOCs, tech giants, and universities are expanding aggressively into the continuing education world. How can associations and other learning businesses stay ahead? Hear about the forces shaping CE in the next half decade. Explore three major paradigm shifts, along with practical strategies to help learning businesses remain competitive and impactful. Learn about some of the biggest challenges CE providers face today, including AI’s impact on CE, increased competition, silos that stymie agility, and changing learner and employer expectations. More info/register.

Host: Tagoras/Leading Learning

Speakers:

• Jeff Cobb and Celisa Steele, co-founders of Tagoras and Leading Learning
• Evan Burton, head of growth at BenchPrep

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Thu 5/15 at 1 p.m. – Hidden Secrets: The Real Value of Executive Search

Discover how partnering with a professional search firm can enhance your organization’s leadership strategy, connecting you with exceptional talent who share your mission and vision. Learn how to streamline your recruitment process, maintain confidentiality during sensitive transitions, and drive long-term success through strategic alignment and cultural fit. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.

Host: UST Education

Speaker: Richard Yep, Vice President at Vetted Solutions

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Fri 5/16 at 3 p.m. – Nonprofit Consultants Collaborative’s Monthly Networking Meeting: Effective Marketing Tactics for Consultants

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

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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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Creative Commons licensed photo by Zach Josephson via Unsplash

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