The weekly list of free educational events and resources for the association community…
Digital badge benefits for associations. TopClass LMS explains why digital badges have gone from trendy to mainstream. They describe the benefits of microcredentialing and digital badge programs for associations, such as expanding your audience (hello Gen Z and millennials), helping members gain new in-demand skills, strengthening employer partnerships, and boosting revenue.
Recruiting Gen Z. re:Members summarizes what the research says about Gen Z—how they’re different from earlier generations. Because Gen Z is not a monolithic group, they describe awareness and recruitment strategies for three Gen Z segments. They also suggest associations create a membership community in which Gen Z can flourish in their own way.
Association reality check. GrowthZone’s 2025 trends survey shares some uncomfortable truths about our industry. Member engagement and retention remain the #1 challenge—yet most associations still don’t have a written plan to address it. The report also covers membership growth, revenue, community platform usage, and more. If you’re wondering whether your challenges are unique to your association or if you’re missing opportunities others have found, this benchmarking data will either ease or agitate your mind.
529s for credentialing programs. At Trade Show News Network, Tommy Goodwin describes how the One Big Beautiful Bill Act addresses workforce challenges through expanded Pell Grant eligibility for short-term training programs and 529 savings plan coverage for industry certifications. Make sure your credentialing landing pages include this news.
Build your own disruptor. Mallory Mejias at Sidecar takes you through the steps of an exercise in which you use an imaginary competitor as a tool to reimagine what your association could become. “If we started from scratch with AI, what would we build?” She predicts a change in mindset as a result. “Your team shifts from scarcity thinking to abundance thinking. The exercise that begins as competitive analysis transforms into creative liberation.” I’m going to figure out a way to apply this to my business.
Monetizing education content. D2L describes five strategies for scaling and monetizing your existing education programs without creating new content, such as freemium models with premium upsells, tiered access to virtual events, single events with ongoing access options, extended event formats that break content into monthly tracks, and subscription-based access to specialized content. Love these ideas.
State of association marketing. When Mighty Citizen assessed the marketing maturity of associations for their annual benchmarking report, they got mixed results. The report shares key takeaways and year-over-year benchmarks within six marketing categories (research/analytics, branding/strategy, marketing/SEO, UX design/content, technology, and team dynamics). See how your association compares and take advantage of their recommendations for improving your marketing effectiveness.
Gen Z loneliness at work. Suzanne Blake at Newsweek shares research findings about Gen Z at work. She suggests what companies could do to make work life less lonely for Gen Z, but the onus shouldn’t just be on employers. Gen Z should make an effort too. I’ve often thought associations could offer free adulting classes to teach this generation about workplace behavior that will help them develop relationships and advance their careers.
How employers can help Gen Z employees. Ask and ye shall receive. Here’s an article at the Wall Street Journal by Susan Lucia Annunzio with five suggestions on how to motivate your Gen Z employees (gift link). If her advice doesn’t work, you know what to do.
Snacks
Why managing data effectively matters. I bet you know which association he’s talking about. | Wes Trochlil, Effective Database Management
As AI gets smarter, it acts more evil. We’ve heard the crazy stories, but here’s a fascinating hypothesis about why it’s happening. | Ted Gioia
Associations, imagine the buzz when attendees discover one of these sponsored bathrooms at your next conference. Find an industry partner who can help you make it happen. | Claire Hoffman, BizBash
The lost essential art of loafing. | Eric Scheske
You never grow old at the table
High 90s at dinnertime? Refresh yourself with a blackened salmon dinner salad with spring mix, spinach, arugula, avocado, bacon, pecans, feta, cuke, carrot, broccoli, celery, red bell pepper, radish, tomatoes, and sweet onion. My blackened spice mix includes smoked paprika, oregano, onion powder, garlic powder, ground ancho chile, cayenne, black pepper, and salt.
Here’s a simple dish that doesn’t require as much chopping: baked salsa chicken. I used thighs and omitted the tomatoes, corn, and rice. On the side, collards sautéed with carrot, red onion, bacon, red bell, poblano, smoked paprika, garlic powder, and ancho chile powder.
I made our traditional beach dinner for three generations of our family at the beach last week: shrimp pasta with onion, red bell pepper, garlic, tomatoes, white wine, lemon juice, Parmesan, basil, and butter. On the side, salad and garlic bread, and Bill’s key lime pie for dessert.
Back at home, we enjoyed flounder and salmon in a coconut red curry sauce with collards and sweet potatoes. We spooned it over brown rice made in the pressure cooker.
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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.
Fri 8/1 at 12 p.m.* – ASAE Consultant Community Qualitative Discussion
In July, the ASAE Key Consultants Committee (KCC) began its strategic planning efforts designed to enhance the value of the Consultants Membership for ASAE. Over 180 ASAE Consultant Members responded to the survey. Dean West, FASAE, Key Consultant Committee Chair, will review the research results and outline the next steps in the Strategic Planning Process. More info/register (ASAE consultant members only).
Host: ASAE
*All events are online at Eastern Daylight Time unless otherwise noted.
Fri 8/1 at 2 p.m. – Mastering Virtual AGMs: The Must-Knows & How-Tos-for Associations
As more organizations shift to virtual and hybrid formats, it’s essential to understand how to adapt without losing the structure, engagement, or compliance that Annual General Meetings require. Learn how to leverage technology, such as, virtual meetings and electronic voting to overcome common challenges and improve the way your association conducts governance meetings and related procedures; choose the right technological solution for associations governance meetings; and hold more efficient, secure meetings. More info/register.
Host: ASAE
Speaker: Ben Zelikovitz, CEO, GetQuorum
Mon 8/4 at 8 a.m. – The Ins and Outs of Component Relations (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: Samyuktha Neeraja
Tue 8/5 at 10:30 a.m. – Lobbyist Registration
There’s a lot of confusion—and misinformation—about what it really means to be a registered federal lobbyist. Does it require disclosure? Is your status public? What are the implications for your employer, especially if the employer is a federal contractor? Can it impact gift rules or political contributions? Join a myth-busting session that will clarify what’s really at stake when it comes to lobbyist registration. More info/register.
Host: Gary Gallant, Gallant Law Group
Tue 8/5 at 12 p.m. – Building the Foundation: Data Infrastructure Basics for Association (Data Analytics Network)
Explore the core components of modern data infrastructure—including data warehouses, data lakes, and lakehouses—and how to determine the right solution to drive member engagement, measure impact, and inform strategic decisions. Whether your organization is laying the groundwork or seeking to modernize, this session will provide practical guidance and clear next steps. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.
Host: Data Analytics Network
Speakers:
- Alex Mouw, AWS
- Ben Scheich (moderator), AWHONN
Tue 8/5 at 1 p.m. – Succession Planning Crisis: The Lack of Knowledge in Transitions
When someone leaves, they take everything they know and all the relationships they have built with them. Building a knowledge management program is crucial to keeping any organization on track, especially after a departure. Learn about the importance of building a knowledge management program to support succession planning, leadership training, onboarding, and why thinking through the transition from one staff member or volunteer leader to the next supports positive outcomes for the future of the organization. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.
Host: UST Education
Speaker: Cecilia Sepp, Principal at Rogue Tulips Consulting
Tue 8/5 at 3 p.m. – Lead the AI Shift: What Association Executives Must Do Now to Stay Ahead
As AI transforms how members engage and how associations stay relevant, AI adoption needs clear vision from the top. And the leaders who act now will set the pace for long-term impact. Learn how to use AI to scale personalized member experiences without extra resources, boost content reach and credibility through AI-optimized strategies, achieve 2–10x efficiency with automation and streamlined workflows, and turn your community into the go-to expert for your members with AI-powered search. 0.5 CAE credit. More info/register.
Host: Higher Logic
Speaker: Rob Wenger, CEO & Co-Founder of Higher Logic
Wed 8/6 at 12 p.m. – From Resistance to Results: Build a Culture that Thrives on Event Data (Yes, It’s Possible)
Learn how to overcome organizational resistance and win over data skeptics; integrate data analysis into your team’s workflow; boost event attendance and engagement; make future-proofed, data-driven decisions for your events; transform event data into organizational success; and build a sustainable data culture within your association. More info/register.
Host: Event ROI Coach
Speakers:
- Amanda Gochee, Group Vice President Marketing Strategy, Clarion Events
- Vinnu Deshetty (moderator), the Event ROI Coach
Thu 8/7 at 1 p.m. – From One-Size-Fits-All to One-to-One: How AI is Transforming Member Communications
Learn what personalization really means today—beyond just adding a first name, how AI and automation are reshaping engagement for organizations, and why relevance beats frequency when communicating. Hear about real-world examples of teams using personalization to improve engagement and practical steps to start implementing personalization in your communication strategy. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.
Host: UST Education
Speaker: Molly Phayer, Director of Customer Success and Product at Rasa.io
Thu 8/7 at 2 p.m. – Beyond the Booth: Elevating the Exhibitor Experience for Real Results
Too often, exhibitors are left to fend for themselves without the tools, training, or guidance they need to succeed—and when they struggle, your event’s ROI takes a hit. Learn why exhibitors don’t engage with the tools you offer—and how to fix it; how to increase adoption of booth profiles, show specials, and marketing tools; boost usage of mobile apps and matchmaking tools; encourage exhibitors to participate in sponsorships for greater impact; and why exhibitor training pays off in satisfaction, success, and retention. More info/register.
Host: Personify A2Z Events
Speakers:
- Marlys Arnold, Exhibit Marketing Strategist and author
- Rich Vallaster, DES, CEM, Senior Director of Industry Relations and Community Engagement, Personify
Thu 8/7 at 2 p.m. – Event Budget Strategies
Learn proven techniques for budgeting, cost-saving tips, and how to prioritize spending to maximize your event’s impact. More info/register.
Host: Smart Meetings
Speaker: Lesley Barnett, CMP, CIS, Bishop-McCann
Sat 8/9 from 4 to 6 p.m. PDT – ASAE Annual Happy Hour at Moxy Downtown (Los Angeles CA)
Join us for a warm welcome to LA full of stars like you during the 2025 ASAE Annual Meeting. Catch up with AWTC community members, expand your network, and find your people before navigating the next few days. This IRL opportunity to socialize and network with your industry peers is brought to you by the generous support of the AWTC Friends who sponsored this event. Location: Los Angeles CA. More info/register.
Organizer: Association Women Technology Champions
Tue 8/12 at 12 p.m. – Beyond Numbers: Business Leadership for CFOs
Learn how to turn your focus from just numbers to strategy and growth (shedding the “bean counter” label), build credibility through functional leadership in non-financial areas of the business (IT, Operations, HR, etc.), understand the differences between top-flight CFOs and those who are not yet flying, and stay where you are, transition to CEO, or transition to something else. More info/register.
Host: Braintrust Professional Institute
Speakers: Randall Craig and Ronja Francoeur, Braintrust Professional Institute
Wed 8/13 from 9 to 11:30 a.m. CDT – Hot Topics in Credentialing (Chicago IL)
Move through stations hosted by industry experts who will engage in discussions and answer key questions that you’ve always wanted to ask. Location: Chicago, IL. More info/register.
Host: Certification Network Group
Speakers:
- Accreditation: Christine Niero, PhD, Professional Testing Inc. for ISO/IEC 17024 and Matt Ferris, National Board of Certification & Recertification for Nurse Anesthetists for the NCCA Standard
- Security: Mark Conley, National Restaurant Association
- Psychometrics: Kirk Becker, Pearson Vue
- Marketing Next Gen: Michelle Godofsky, Dental Assisting National Board
- Regulatory Update: Don Balasa, American Association of Medical Assistants
- AI: Alan Meade, Certiverse and Liz Santana, Inteleos
Thu 8/14 at 1 p.m. – Stop Losing Prospects From Your Home Page in the First Ten Seconds
Find out why even the most polished websites struggle to convert visitors. Learn how to craft emotionally resonant, evidence-backed pages that build trust, differentiate your brand, and move buyers to action. More info/register.
Host: UST Education
Speaker: Diane Saeger, CEO at Marketeery
Fri 8/15 at 3 p.m. – Nonprofit Consultants Collaborative Monthly Networking Meeting
This monthly networking meeting is organized by consultants for full-time consultants who work with non-profits and associations. You don’t have to be an ASAE member to attend. This month’s agenda includes the sharing of good news, topics or questions from the group, and AI and its impact on consulting. More info/register.
Organizer: Cecilia Sepp, CAE, founder, Rogue Tulips Consulting
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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