The weekly list of free educational events and resources for the association community
Good reads for the association community
Employer buy-in for credentialing programs. Do employers pay for their staff’s participation in your association’s credentialing programs? If they do, read this post from Apti, and if they don’t, you really need to read it. They describe credentialing design and marketing strategies that help make employers aware of your programs and the value employees with credentials provide to their companies.
Diagnosis of association education programs. Jeff Cobb of Leading Learning/Tagoras explains what’s wrong with association education programs right now. His need-to-know list includes structural blind spots, market weaknesses, erosion of value perception, and missed opportunities, but he also suggests a way forward out of this mess.
Community-based approach to membership. A post by James Young of Product Community serves nicely as a complement to Jeff’s post. If you put James’ advice into action, you won’t have membership and revenue problems. He says belonging and community should be your association’s competitive advantages. He shares ideas for motivating members into “deepening levels of contribution and connection” at each stage of the membership lifecycle—a different lifecycle than the one you’re used to.
AMS selection. Before diving into vendor demos, read Dennison & Associates’ preparation guide for AMS selection projects. This resource walks you through organizing your team, conducting internal assessments, building realistic budgets (including hidden costs most associations miss), and creating a vendor shortlist. Learn why 60% of buyers regret their purchases and how to avoid becoming part of that statistic by doing the strategic groundwork before your first RFP goes out.
Association SEO course. In the SEO for Associations Certificate Course at Association Academy, learn about Search Engine Optimization (SEO) for association websites, including immediate steps and long-term strategies to attract more website traffic by improving your ranking with Google and other search engines. Earn up to 5 CAE credits while learning at your own pace in five one-hour on-demand lessons. Save $50 with the promo code BRAINFOOD.
Event marketing and exhibiting. One of the most valuable resources I’ve seen for anyone who markets events or exhibits at events is the Boldpush newsletter from Julius Solaris. Seriously, just subscribe already.
Association viability. As a history major, I love this post from Belinda Moore of Strategic Membership Solutions about the empire cycle—“the hidden historical pattern that explains why associations rise, stall and collapse.” Which stage of the empire cycle is your association in? And which stage is our country in?
Member surveys. Thank you, Lowell Aplebaum of Vista Cova, for sharing this important message: close the loop on member surveys. He says providing acknowledgment and feedback to your members will turn survey fatigue into renewed participation.
Overcoming association leadership challenges. NetForum identifies four obstacles facing associations: inefficient processes, staffing shortages, technology limitations, and budget constraints. Their guide explains how to do more with less by offering member self-service, automating manual tasks, and implementing systems faster. Plus, they share case studies and insights from implementation partners on maximizing your AMS investment.
New online learning revenue. Professionals for Association Revenue explains how the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC) tackled a problem and took advantage of a market opportunity. Their members wanted updated certification prep materials, so APIC responded by launching three certification prep programs in 14 months.
AI website traffic. If you’re not thinking about how your association or brand shows up in AI-generated answers and search results, let me poke you a little harder with this AI visibility guide by Mateusz Makosiewicz at Ahrefs. After I write a draft for a client, I ask AI to suggest how to enhance it for AEO/GEO, not just for SEO. Might as well go straight to the source, right?
Snacks
I wish we could clone this guy and put him in every federal and state legislature and governor’s mansion. | Utah Gov. Spencer Cox talks about political division on 60 Minutes
The world as we know it was forged in the reading revolution. Now, we are living through the counter-revolution. | James Marriott, Cultural Capital
The scientific benefits of waking up, eating and drinking earlier—a better night’s sleep and more. | by Derek Thompson
You never grow old at the table
Here’s a quick and easy idea for salmon. Coat it with a Mexican or blackened spice mix—this time, I used chili powder, cumin, paprika, garlic powder, cayenne, oregano, salt and pepper. Pan-sear the fillets, top them with Herdez guacamole salsa (or your choice of jarred sauce), and continue cooking until the sauce is warm and the fish is done to your satisfaction. I rarely buy processed food, but sometimes they’re just the right thing, especially on a Friday night after an extended happy hour.
On the side, collard greens sautéed with bacon, onion, carrot, red bell, jalapeño, garlic, smoked paprika, ham broth and red wine vinegar. Yeah, that takes more work—I made them before happy hour. And ‘roasted’ nuked sweet potatoes.
It’s nearly comfort food time! I got a jump-start on the season with Italian sausages and lentils. I subbed brown for the Castelluccio lentils, red for white wine, minced for whole garlic, fresh for dried oregano, minced fresh rosemary for a sprig, and beef broth for water. I pureed a 15-oz can of diced tomatoes and threw the whole thing in, reducing the broth by ½ cup. I cooked it 20 minutes longer because brown lentils need the time. Leftover collards on the side. You’ve probably noticed leftovers make regular appearances in this household.
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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.
Mon 10/6 at 8 a.m.* – Lean at 10: Culture Eats Methodology for Lunch (Radio Free 501c, the podcast of Rogue Tulips Consulting)
Every week, Rogue Tulips brings the association community intriguing guests discussing vital topics affecting associations 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
Guests: Elizabeth Engel, Jamie Notter, and Chrissy Bagby
*All events are online at Eastern Time unless otherwise noted.
Mon 10/6 from 12 to 1:30 p.m. – Wonk Week: All Things Tracking
How to stop drowning in nonstop policy updates and information overload? Learn how to tackle the deluge of information pushed at you each day, and use AI to filter the noise, spot real trends, and stay focused on what matters. Hear how other teams are approaching it and learn the tactics they use to stay ahead. More info/register.
Host: Quorum
Mon 10/6 at 3 p.m. – The Communications Reset: Clarity Beats Clutter (Association Rock Stars)
Not a tools tour — a real journey from intuitive guessing to intentional, member-first communications. Hear about the stages Julia’s small team used to simplify the work and raise engagement, plus a brief perspective from the communications audit about how data and buying patterns support strategy and change. Hear what changed, what was scaled back, and what works today. Leave with a clearer lens, key questions for leadership and ideas you can try within your current capacity. More info/register.
Host: Lowell Aplebaum, CEO, Vista Cova
Guest: Julia Miller, Director of Communications, Minnesota Credit Union Network
Tue 10/7 at 8 a.m. – Creating Safer Association/Nonprofit Spaces (Nonprofit Mission: Impact)
Nonprofit Mission: Impact is the podcast for association and nonprofit leaders who want to build a better world without becoming a martyr to the cause. Hear practical strategies for preventing harassment and building values-driven accountability systems that create safer, more inclusive organizational cultures. More info.
Host: Carol Hamilton, Principal, Grace Social Sector Consulting
Guest: Paula Brantner, Accountability Ignited
Tue 10/7 at 11 a.m. – Leading with Intention: From Self-Awareness to Team Impact
Leadership starts with knowing yourself — and expands into how you support, communicate with, and energize others. Learn how to leverage diverse styles to build more cohesive, high-performing teams. Unpack how behavioral differences shape team dynamics — and how to build trust, navigate generational and style differences, and contribute to a thriving team culture. More info/register.
Host: Association Women Technology Champions
Speaker: Alyson Mckinster, National Chair, Wipfli Embrace
Tue 10/7 at 11 a.m. – Chapters and Component Relations: Challenges Are Opportunities
Associations have a great asset in their chapter and component networks but there is always a challenge in balancing the tensions that exist between chapter and association. Discuss finding the opportunities to help your organization’s chapter and component networks thrive, including relationship management, “soft skills” that help build strong networks, and how to create an opportunity mindset. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.
Host: Cecilia Sepp, CAE, ACNP, LPEC, Principal, Rogue Tulips Consulting and Author of the book Association Chapter Systems: From Frustrating to Fruitful
Guests:
- Carl Weaver, Publisher, Broken Column Press
- Mark Lowry, Chief Revenue Officer, Higher Logic
Tue 10/7 at 11 a.m. – From Tourists to Townspeople: Turning Newcomers Into Belongers
Explore how members evolve from curious “tourists” to committed “townspeople” and how associations can guide that journey with intentional community-building and digital engagement. Inspired by the game Catan, learn how to use your marketing strategy as a roadmap to foster identity, connection, and long-term belonging. Because membership isn’t just about transactions, it’s about transformation. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.
Host: UST Education
Speakers:
- Jessica Richardson, Membership Manager, American Association of Immunologists
- Rhoni Rakos, Lead Consultant, Digital Strategy, Ellipsis Partners
Tue 10/7 at 11 a.m. – Cut Through the Noise: Where to Focus for Young Professional Impact in 2025
Drawing on insights from Highland’s 2025 Young Professional Membership Index and the Forj State of MX Report, this webinar highlights four actions that matter most right now. Learn where associations are seeing results, what young professionals are seeking, and how to concentrate your efforts to strengthen engagement, boost retention, and unlock new revenue opportunities. More info/register.
Host: Forj
Speakers:
- David Whited, Principal, Design Research & Strategy, Highland Solutions
- Terri Herrmann, Chief Marketing Officer, Forj
Tue 10/7 from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. – From Insights to Impact: Data-Driven Strategies to Elevate Member Learning and Engagement (New York, NY)
Explore how associations can leverage analytics, learning behaviors, and engagement trends to personalize education offerings at scale and deliver meaningful value to every member. Gain practical insights into how forward-thinking associations are becoming future-ready—transforming data into actionable intelligence to fuel growth, boost retention, and advance their missions. Location: New York, NY. More info/register.
Hosts: re:Members and D2L
Speakers: Bill Sheehan (D2L) and Holly Condon (re:Members)
Tue 10/7 from 12 to 1:30 p.m. – Wonk Week: Influence & Advocacy
How do I effectively mobilize stakeholders and advocates to act? Find out what actually moves people, from getting policy stakeholders on board to inspiring advocates to take meaningful action. Learn proven strategies from teams who’ve done it and hear about their playbooks and pitfalls. More info/register.
Host: Quorum
Tue 10/7 at 1 p.m. – The Association Playbook for the AI Powered Web: Making Your Website Work Smarter
AI is transforming how people find and interact with information, but it won’t magically fix your website. Hear about the essential steps associations need to thrive on the AI-powered web. From building a strategy and structuring content to implementing schema, benchmarking performance, and answering your audience’s biggest questions, you’ll leave with a clear playbook for a smarter website. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.
Host: UST Education
Speakers: Chris Yoko, Founder and CEO, and Ray van Hilst, CAE, Vice President of Strategy, Yoko Consulting
Tue 10/7 at 1 p.m. – Next-Gen Career Centers: Research Insights on AI, Member Expectations, and Revenue
Hear about key research findings on AI and its impact on association career centers; how member expectations are shifting—and what it means for your job board strategy; proven ways career centers can generate revenue while delivering meaningful value; and actionable steps to future-proof your association’s career ecosystem. More info/register.
Host: Momentive Software
Tue 10/7 from 3 to 5 p.m. – 3rd Annual Data Science Fair (Arlington VA)
THE must-attend event of the fall for data-minded professionals who know their way around a dataset… and some arts and crafts supplies, featuring inspiring, practical, and impressively nerdy examples of how real organizations are leveraging their data to drive operational impact and member benefit. Connect with fellow data enthusiasts, learn from their innovative projects, and, most importantly, sign up to share your most impactful project. Location: Arlington VA. More info/register.
Host: Data Analytics Network
Tue 10/7 at 4 p.m. – Let’s Chat: Small Staff Associations Meetings and Events
Small staff associations face unique challenges that demand creativity, resilience and collaboration. Join an interactive session where we’ll celebrate success stories and discuss current challenges. Connect, ask questions, exchange experiences and gain insights to help drive your organization forward. More info/register (ASAE members only).
Host: ASAE Small Staff Associations Advisory Committee
Wed 10/8 at 11 a.m. – The 4 Secrets of Increased Employee Retention & Engagement: Attraction, Attention, Appreciation & Application
Learn about the power of the Attraction, Attention, Appreciation as the basis for creating a positive workplace culture that creates sustainable success, while increasing engagement and retention through practical Application of the 3 A’s. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.
Host: UST Education
Speaker: Paul Glover, President at Glover & Associates
Wed 10/8 at 11 a.m. – How Associations Build Self-Running Content Engines That Grow Membership
Is your association struggling with engagement, retention, or non-dues revenue? Learn about the Member Engagement Catalyst™—a proven framework built to help associations reignite member pride, strengthen community, and unlock new revenue opportunities. Find out how to identify and capture the kinds of member stories that resonate and inspire action; turn those stories into a repeatable content workflow that fuels engagement across channels; and reinforce your value proposition through storytelling that feels personal and relevant. More info/register.
Host: Jamie Green, founder and president, ContentOvation
Wed 10/8 from 12 to 1:30 p.m. – Wonk Week: ROI & Career Growth
How do I prove that my efforts moved the needle and grow in my career? Learn how to measure what matters, tell a compelling story with your results, and make the case for more resources and responsibility. Hear how leading teams report on success and the tactics they use to demonstrate ROI. More info/register.
Host: Quorum
Wed 10/8 at 1 p.m. – Call 9-1-1 My Organization Is in Crisis
Learn how to prepare for a crisis, understand the elements in a crisis plan, know how to assemble a Rapid Response© Team, identify the three crisis phases, and conduct scenario crisis planning. Walk away feeling more confident about how their organization can ensure a crisis successfully. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.
Host: UST Education
Speaker: Sheri Singer, President at Singer Communications
Wed 10/8 at 1 p.m. – Turning Technical Debt into Smart Investments
Learn how technical debt can be reframed from a burden to a strategic tool for tech planning. Recognize red flags in your current systems. Hear how an association using an outdated, overly customized Salesforce instance transformed their technical debt into a roadmap for a phased reimplementation. Learn how to use technical debt insights to drive budget conversations and prioritize technology investments. Walk away with a practical framework to align system modernization with your mission and operational goals. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.
Host: Fonteva
Speakers:
- Neeraj Garg, Global COO, Aplusify
- Blair Clemente, Senior Director of Business Intelligence and Analytics, The American Hotel and Lodging Association
Wed 10/8 at 2 p.m. – Governance – Shaping the Future of Association Boards: Nine Recommendations for Action
How can all association community stakeholders work together to create a better future for association boards? The Future of Association Boards (FAB) Community Dialogue Report, released in late July 2025, proposes answers to this question with nine recommendations for action for association stakeholders to pursue together as they shape a better future for our community’s boards. Hear about the report’s nine recommendations, share next practices to facilitate their implementation, and offer ideas and insights. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.
Host: Association Forum
Speaker: Jeff De Cagna, executive advisor, Foresight First
Wed 10/8 at 2 p.m. – More Than Prompts: The 7 Takeaways That Will Redefine B2B Marketing In 2026
Go behind the headlines of our latest B2B Content and Marketing Trends Report to unpack the real insights: why strategy beats scale, why people matter more than platforms, and why “lipstick on a PDF” won’t cut it anymore. Explore the seven key takeaways shaping B2B marketing in 2026 — from AI to experiential marketing — and walk away with a sharper view of where to focus, what to fund, and how to outlast the hype. More info/register.
Host: Content Marketing Institute
Speakers:
- Paul Kemp-Robertson, Chief Content Officer, LIONS
- Robert Rose, Chief Strategy Advisor, Content Marketing Institute
Thu 10/9 at 10 a.m. – Building Impactful Decentralized Communities
Curious about decentralized community management—and how it could work for your organization? Hear how the Bosch Alumni Network is empowering members, scaling impact, and building resilient communities through a decentralized approach. More info/register.
Host: Hivebrite
Speakers:
- Tobias Gerber, Head of Communication, Bosch Alumni Network
- Dhia Hayouni, Customer Success Manager, Hivebrite
Thu 10/9 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. – Wonk Summit: The Summit for Policy Wonks and Advocacy Pros (Washington DC)
Making sense of today, with policy shifts, nonstop updates, and pressure from every direction, how do you cut through the noise? Unpack what’s happening right now and what actually matters. Looking around the corner, from elections to emerging issues, the future is already taking shape. Get the insider perspective on what’s coming so you can plan, not just react. Shape the future with AI. It’s not just about using today’s tools, it’s about preparing for tomorrow’s reality. Discover how AI is changing public affairs—and how you can harness it before everyone else does. Location: Washington DC. More info/register.
Host: Quorum
Thu 10/9 at 12 p.m. – Keeping The Human Edge In AI-Assisted Instructional Design
Learn how to treat AI as a co-pilot, not an autopilot, and keep your designs sharp, inclusive, and evidence-based. Explore the biggest pitfalls of AI-generated learning, including reinforcing stereotypes, fueling the “learning styles” myth, and producing vague or ineffective objectives. Gain practical strategies for writing measurable objectives, setting ethical guardrails, and ensuring your training remains diverse, accessible, and grounded in research. More info/register.
Host: eLearning Industry
Speakers:
- Jill Stefaniak, Chief Learning Officer at Litmos
- Stephanie Moore, Associate Professor at the University of New Mexico
Thu 10/9 at 1 p.m. – Simplify Your Tech Stack: How Zapier + Your AMS Can Supercharge Productivity, Create Hands-Free Workflows, and Save Your Staff a Ton of Time
Most associations didn’t build their tech stack overnight. It grew over time with one platform here, one workaround there until you found yourself juggling disconnected systems, clunky processes, and missed opportunities. See how Zapier’s automation and AI capabilities paired with your existing AMS can unlock a more intelligent, integrated, and efficient way of working. No custom development. No massive overhaul. Just smart connections and real-world results. Whether you’re tackling member engagement, data hygiene, or operational workflows, this session is designed to help you take the friction out of your technology. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.
Host: UST Education
Speakers: Joe Salerno, Client Success Consultant; Keith Hunter, CEO; and Nicholas Wimsatt, Senior Applications Developer, Armstrong
Thu 10/9 at 1 p.m. – From Content to Conversion: Marketing Education That Drives 2026 Growth
Learn why only 44% of members feel associations deliver personalized content and how to close the gap; how to define your audience for 2026 by building personas for early-career learners, mid-career upskillers, and other segments; how marketing strategies such as use bundles, career tracks, and microlearning attract and retain learners; and how to drive loyalty with exclusive benefits and grow revenue by targeting non-members. More info/register.
Host: Momentive Software
Speakers:
- Kristen Wall, VP of Learning & Training Services, Momentive Software
- Adam Hostetter, CEO, FUSE Next
Thu 10/9 from 3 to 4:30 p.m. – Webinars suck! Yet ours are on fire! Here’s why.
Learn how to turn the traditional webinar format on its head and create live sessions your members actually want to show up for. Hear how to pick irresistible topics that make your members drool; flip the script with less presenting and more connecting; shift passive scrollers into active and chatty attendees; and real examples from webinars that broke the “boring” mold. More info/register.
Host: Member Lounge
Speaker: Farhad Khan, CEO and Membership Strategist, Member Lounge
Wed 10/15 at 12 p.m. – Strategic Budgeting for Impact in 2026: Aligning Mission, Money, and Modernization
Hear insights from the annual 2025 Nonprofit and Associations Reports with real budget data and benchmarking trends year-over-year. Learn how to shift from reactive to proactive budgeting practices; create adaptive, scenario-based budgets to withstand volatility (membership fluctuations, funding uncertainty, etc.); incorporate tech investments into the budget as a hedge against disruption; and allocate a dedicated portion of your annual budget into funding reserves specifically for innovation, experimentation, and modernization efforts. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.
Host: Momentive Software
Speakers:
- Rob Miller, MPA, CAE, SVP, Association Strategy at Momentive Software
- Tom Harlow, CPA, CAE, Interim Chief Finance Officer at ASAE: The Center for Association Leadership
Wed 10/15 at 1 p.m. – AI, SEO, and YouTube: A New Playbook for Events and Associations
With AI engines like Google’s AI Overviews, ChatGPT, and Perplexity now delivering answers directly, traditional SEO is losing its impact. The sources AI trusts most are not your website, but platforms like Wikipedia, Reddit, and YouTube. Explore how AI is reshaping search, why video has become central to visibility, and how every organization can re-think YouTube as a strategic priority. Get a quick start guide to launch or revamp your event or association’s YouTube channel and ensure your expertise shows up in AI search results. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.
Host: UST Education
Speaker: Dan Piva, Senior Manager, Business Development & Enablement at Gather Voices
Thu 10/16 at 11 a.m. – Content: A Foundational Element of Member Value
Learn how to identify and leverage sources of content for output that’s higher volume and better quality at a lower spend; develop a framework for what formats and topics your members and sponsors actually want; and build systems that ensure you deliver value at a cadence your members will look forward to that allows room to respond to current events. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.
Host: UST Education
Speakers: Breanna Perrelli, Creative Director, and Marcus Leite, Director, Sales & Marketing, TaleWind Digital
Thu 10/16 at 12 p.m. – Local Component Utopia: Building Collaborative Relationships with Local Volunteer Leaders
Explore two chapter management models: one relies on HQ staff to provide logistical support to local networking groups in a number of multi-state regions; the other on an association management company which manages multiple affiliates. Hear about the ups and downs of association journeys in search of local component utopia so you can see how your association might build more collaborative relationships with your local volunteer leaders. More info/register.
Host: Mariner Management & Marketing
Speakers:
- Bill Schankel, CEO of NAFA
- Peggy McElgunn, President & CEO of Global Professional Services
- Chuck Wilmarth, Vice President, Health Policy and State Affairs for AOTA
Thu 10/16 at 12 p.m. – Business Leadership for CMOs
So many things are now front-and-center CMO priorities: martech, data, AI, internal vs outsourcing, the role of agencies, changes in advertising, customer service, risk, and so on. The expectations are also much higher. Explore pressing issues faced by marketing leadership, including building credibility through functional leadership beyond marketing; engaging with IT leadership, agencies, and other external partners in new ways; the impact of AI on agency relationships; managing AI expectations and addressing AI risks; and exploiting data opportunities, privacy, and other issues. More info/register.
Host: Braintrust Professional Institute
Speakers: Randall Craig and Ronja Francoeur, Braintrust Professional Institute
Fri 10/17 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 offer free professional development to the association community, please send me the link by Wednesday afternoon.
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