The weekly list of free educational events and resources for the association community
“The past is a foreign country: they do things differently there.” —L.P. Hartley
Good reads for the association community
Attendee engagement. Most associations send one survey after their conference ends. This Clowder post recommends using your mobile app to survey before, during, and after your event. Learn about attendee interests beforehand, collect session feedback while it’s fresh, fix problems in real time, and keep attendees engaged year-round. Watch what happens: your app surveys will get double or triple the response rates of email surveys.
Membership value. Chris Vaughan from Sequence Consulting tackles a problem that half of associations face—flat or declining membership. He shares six strategies for building lasting membership value and growth: showing real results to members, keeping them engaged between events, using AI in daily operations, finding new revenue sources, connecting fragmented data, and making renewal painless. You’ll find lots of great ideas in his association examples.
Scaling online education programs. If you already run education programs, this D2L guide skips the “how to create courses” advice and gets straight to what matters: growing your audience and revenue without diluting quality or exhausting staff. They share five revenue models, plus the impact on relationships, cost considerations, and the LMS support you need.
Free marketing design/copy course. Learn how to evaluate marketing layout and copy in the Association Academy’s free Association Creative Marketing Masterclass. Each class is taught live by top association marketers and features a live review of real association marketing collateral with recommendations. Earn up to four CAE credits in this free course, which runs for four weeks on Thursdays, 1-2pm ET starting January 22.
Membership edge. Mallory Mejias at Sidecar interviewed a lawyer who said his bar association is no longer the best resource for building a modern practice. Instead, he and his peers rely on ChatGPT and Reddit. Members are judging professional tools and communities by how useful they are every day. Associations should double down on what they have that ChatGPT and Reddit don’t.
Vendor contracts. Ellipsis Partners shows you how to better negotiate contracts and avoid surprises that could cost your association thousands or lock you into unfavorable terms. Their contract checklist covers crucial stuff, such as project management, deliverables, IP, data security, fees, renewals, disputes, and your exit strategy. They flag what to watch for, which language to negotiate, and how to protect yourself from scope creep, surprise costs, and vendor lock-in.
Survey for association boards. Please encourage your board directors and officers to share what they think about serving on association boards in the ‘What Board Members Think’ Association Community Survey run by Jeff De Cagna of Foresight First LLC. Their input will help Jeff and the Future of Association Boards community elevate board performance in 2026 and beyond.
Event trends. Anick Beaulieu of C2 says, “People no longer want to simply ‘attend’ an experience—they want to shape it, influence it, and feel responsible for what unfolds.” At Trade Show News Network, she describes three big shifts for events this year, including events as year-round cultural engines.
Snacks
Six parts of your culture that make change easier—a must-read if you have tech projects coming up. | Jamie Notter
An essential primer on association membership marketing. | Jana Darling of Marketing General via Fox Associates
Are AEO and GEO more important than SEO? You might not like her answer but this is our new reality, so plan for it. | Joanne Pineda, Matrix Group
Excellent read… Iranians just want a normal country: a complex and radical ideology undergirds the current uprising. Hoping and praying the people of Iran get the help and relief they need from us and the rest of the civilized world. | Roohola Ramezani, Persuasion
You never grow old at the table
If you like crab cakes and you like fish, then you’ll like cod cakes—or whichever-fish-you-prefer cakes. I’ve made them with flounder and black drum. I had a bag of frozen cod, so cod cakes it was. I bake mine at 400 instead of frying them. On the side, Brussels sprouts roasted with bacon, red onion, garlic powder, and smoked paprika, plus a roasted sweet potato.
An old standby, chipotle salmon, made for a quick dinner another night. On the side, leftover butternut squash purée and steamed green beans tossed with sautéed onion, bacon, garlic, sun-dried tomatoes, and parmesan.
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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 1/16 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 main topic is: how to create and keep a positive mindset. Also on the agenda: sharing of good news and topics or questions from the group. More info/register.
Organizer: Cecilia Sepp, CAE, founder, Rogue Tulips Consulting
*All events are online at Eastern Time unless otherwise noted.
Mon 1/19 at 8 a.m. – Branding (Radio Free 501c, the podcast of Rogue Tulips Consulting)
Every week, Rogue Tulips brings the association community intriguing guests who discuss vital topics affecting associations around the world. Episodes are published Monday mornings in both audio and video format, available on YouTube, Spotify, Amazon Music, iHeart Radio, Apple Podcast, Google Podcast, and other channels.
Host: Cecilia Sepp, CAE, ACNP, LPEC, Principal & Founder, Rogue Tulips Consulting
Guest: Lidia Varesco Racoma
Tue 1/20 from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. – Association/Nonprofit Briefing on AI, Finance and Technology Q1-2026 (Arlington VA and virtual)
This one-day, in-person and virtual event is a collaboration designed to provide targeted, credit-eligible (CAE and CPE) professional education for association and nonprofit industry professionals. It features five thought leadership sessions focused on these critical topics:
- 9 to 10 a.m. – The Strategic Two-Step: Leveraging Outsourcing and Your Technology Stack to Maximize Mission Success and AI Strategies
- 10:10 to 11:10 a.m. – AI Readiness: De-Risking Technology Migration as the Foundation for Agentic AI
- 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. – The Relevance Engine: How Associations are Using AI platforms and AI Agents to Modernize — Perspectives from Association Executives in the Trenches
- 1:45 to 2:45 p.m. – Hyper-Automation for Mission: Low-Code Portals and AI for Program & Member Workflows
- 3 to 4 p.m. – No-Code AI Agents: Easily Connecting Automation to Your Business Applications
5 CAE credits. Location: Arlington VA and virtual. More info/register.
Hosts: UST Education and Community Summit Roadshow
Speakers:
- Andrew Potasek, Partner, Wipfli Advisory LLC and Michelle Wroblewski, Director Association Growth and Strategy, Wipfli Advisory LLC
- Tobin Conley, CAE, CIP, Director of Research & Learning, DelCor Technology Solutions; Chris Ecker, CTO, DelCor Technology Solutions; and Jennifer Brearey, Chief Financial and Operating Officer, Advamed – Advanced Medical Technology Association
- Wade Tetsuka, President, U.S. Transactions Corp, Karim Guirguis, COO, American Bankruptcy Institute, and Katherine Bayless CAE, Senior Director, Data & Analytics, Consumer Technology Association
- Dustin Sitton, Principal, Incite Automation
- John Buccola, CTO and Chief Growth Officer, TMC – The AI First Microsoft Partner
Tue 1/20 at 12 p.m. – The Volunteer Lifecycle: Engagement at Every Stage (CRVM Crunch and Munch)
Join an open discussion on building engagement throughout the volunteer lifecycle. Explore strategies, successes, and challenges in implementing engagement-focused volunteer programs. More info/register (ASAE members only).
Host: ASAE Component Relations Volunteer Management Advisory Council
Facilitator: Rachel Grimes, Member Engagement Specialist, Society for Mining, Metallurgy & Exploration
Key contributors:
- Anik Clemens, Regional Director, International Coaching Federation
- William Webber, Sr. Manager, Component Services, Council for Exceptional Children
Tue 1/20 at 3 p.m. – Winning in a Skills-First Workforce: Rethinking Events, Content, and Learning for Today’s Professionals
Learn about the shift to a skills-first professional development model and why information-based learning no longer meets learner expectations—especially for Millennial and Gen Z audiences. Learn frameworks for integrating events into a unified learning portfolio, enabling stronger outcomes, greater engagement, and clearer pathways for learner growth. Hear how accessibility and inclusion practices in learning + events shape learner trust, perceived value, and organizational credibility. Leave with practical steps to leverage existing resources and programs to deliver higher-impact, skills-driven professional development. More info/register.
Host: Cadmium
Speakers:
- Tracy King, MA, CAE, Chief Learning Strategist & CEO, InspirEd
- Rachel Buczynski, M.S.Ed, CAE, Events Director, InspirEd
Wed 1/21 at 11 a.m. – Creating a Coaching Culture: The Strategic Advantage for Association Growth
Learn how coaching enhances key organizational outcomes, including improved performance, higher retention rates, increased productivity, and better communication. Discover how personalized coaching unlocks individual potential, strengthens employee engagement, and fosters a more collaborative work environment. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.
Host: UST Education
Speaker: Lori Bruhns, CEO at Lori Bruhns, LLC
Wed 1/21 at 11:30 a.m. – New Year, Stellar Board: Key Financial Information for Nonprofit Boards
Learn how to support the onboarding and ongoing engagement of successful board members—even those new to financial statements. Hear about best practices for board education and onboarding, clarify financial reporting, and empower your board to make informed decisions. Through real-world case studies, learn ways to effectively convey a financial message to engage your board. More info/register.
Host: Your Part-Time Controller
Wed 1/21 at 12 p.m. – Building a Burnout Resistant Team: 3 Strategic Shifts for You & Your Staff
Learn three immediate, low-lift behavioral and communication shifts to recapture focus time and stabilize high-value talent. Understand how to use self-awareness to track and eliminate chaotic interruption patterns; apply communication preference data to reduce friction; and align shared notes and task management to gain a clear, bird’s-eye view of workflow. Take away a 90-day action plan to reduce institutional chaos, boost staff efficiency, and improve continuity. More info/register.
Host: Association Xchange
Speaker: Jane Singleton, executive coach and founder, Launchpad for Life, LLC
Wed 1/21 at 12 p.m. – Bridging the Gap or Breaking It? Rethinking Generational Marketing in Associations
As associations struggle with attracting new members and retaining existing ones across wildly different age groups, it’s time to question whether traditional generational marketing still works or if it’s holding us back. Challenge your assumptions about Boomers, Gen X, Millennials, and Gen Z, and explore a more dynamic, data-driven approach to member engagement. Learn how to look beyond demographics and tap into real behavioral insights to craft campaigns that truly connect. More info/register.
Host: HighRoad Solutions
Wed 1/21 at 12 p.m. – PCI Compliance for Nonprofits & Associations
Many nonprofits and associations don’t realize that how they accept credit cards can quietly expose them to massive risk, cost, and compliance obligations. In this non-technical, practical webinar, we’ll break down: what PCI compliance really is (and why it exists); why “true” PCI compliance is often unrealistic for small and mid-sized nonprofits; what the Cardholder Data Environment (CDE) means in plain English; the differences between PCI SAQs (A, B, C, D) and why SAQ A should be your goal; why taking credit cards over the phone or email is so dangerous; how to safely assist members/donors while never touching card data; and how to use secure payment links via email or text instead. More info/register.
Host: Brian Scott, President / CTO / CISO, ClearTone Consulting LLC
Wed 1/21 at 12 p.m. – 2025 Year in Review for Federal Government Grants
Learn about changes and challenges from 2025, including the impact of executive orders and related litigation, as well as government guidance, such as the July 2025 Bondi memo pertaining to nondiscrimination requirements and DEI. Hear about the impact of these developments on related activities, such as contracting with disadvantaged business enterprises. Get an update on expected changes to the Uniform Guidance, 2 C.F.R. Part 200, as such changes were directed by executive order in summer 2025. More info/register.
Host: Venable LLP
Speakers: grant law practitioners Dismas (Diz) Locaria and Scott S. Sheffler, partners, Venable LLP
Wed 1/21 at 12 p.m. – Stop Building eLearning like it’s 2010: Why eLearning Still Takes Months to Build and How to Fix It
Associations are being asked to do the impossible. More courses. Higher quality. Shorter timelines. All with a production model that still takes months to deliver one hour of eLearning. That is not a talent problem. It is not an effort problem. It is a system problem. Learn why eLearning production is still broken and you can fix it. More info/register.
Hosts: Sam Hirsch of Oasis LMS and Dan Streeter of MissionFuel
Wed 1/21 at 1 p.m. – Why You’re Worth It: Breaking Old Beliefs to Unlock Sponsorship Revenue
Step into a more confident sponsorship mindset and attract the partners your work deserves. Learn about the mindset blocks that hold nonprofit and association leaders back and the shifts that unlock stronger, more confident corporate partnerships. Hear about the 5 mindset shifts every leader needs; why worthiness directly impacts sponsorship success; how to speak to companies from a place of value, not scarcity; and a fresh way to think about your mission, impact, and partnership potential. More info/register.
Host: Lori Zoss Kraska, MBA, CFRE, founder/CEO, Growth Owl LLC
Guest: Pat Schultz, MBA, founder, Ready4Takeoff
Wed 1/21 at 2 p.m. – GOAT Awards: Advancing Association Business
Join us to hear directly from these remarkable GOAT Honorees as they share must-have strategies, bold ideas, and practical wisdom that you can use to elevate your association’s impact and growth. This inspiring dialogue is your chance to gain fresh perspectives, actionable takeaways, and connect with the very best minds advancing the practice of association business. More info/register.
Host: Professionals for Association Revenue
Speakers:
- Dan Cole, Sr. Director, Exposition Sales, Audio Video Integrated Experience Association
- Krystle Kopacz, CEO, Revmade
- Carrie McIntyre, Principal, Navigate
- Brittany Shoul, SVP, Revenue Strategy & Operations, MCI USA
- Sean Soth, Founder & Leadership Advisory Board Chair, Professionals for Association Revenue
- Jen Smith, Executive Director, Professionals for Association Revenue
Wed 1/21 at 2 p.m. – 2026 Association Trends Revealed: What Leaders Are Prioritizing (and Why)
Learn about the findings from GrowthZone’s 2026 Association Survey, including key trends and takeaways that can inform your strategy for the year ahead. Hear expert analysis and practical recommendations based on what your peers reported regarding: top challenges and areas of concern, effective reinstatement and retention strategies, innovative non-dues revenue opportunities, and additional insights shaping the future of associations. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.
Host: ASAE
Speakers: Shari Pash and Scott Robertson
Thu 1/22 at 10 a.m. – Cybersecurity & Communications Risk in 2026: Strengthening Data Security, VoIP Systems, and Operational Resilience
Learn about the most significant cybersecurity and communications risks nonprofit organizations should be planning for in 2026, including emerging threat patterns, regulatory considerations, and real-world scenarios affecting organizations with limited resources and increasing digital complexity. Find out why donor and member privacy, email, and communications security remain critical leadership concerns; how modern IT and VoIP environments introduce new exposure—and where risks often go unnoticed; and how to strengthen security and resilience in the year ahead. More info/register.
Host: OptfinITy
Speakers:
- Michael Drobnis, CEO, OptfinITy
- Charlotte Conroy, Managing Partner, Director of Marketing and Business Development, Recent Communications, Inc.
Thu 1/22 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. – How to Design a Product Portfolio
In this outcome-based workshop, learn how to define and describe the indispensability of a product portfolio; analyze and map your current offerings; organize your offerings into a high-level product portfolio; identify interdependencies and find new value for your membership; use your portfolio as a strategy, planning, or budget tool; and keep your portfolio updated and timeless. More info/register.
Host: James Young, founder, Product Community
Thu 1/22 at 12 p.m. – What’s in Store for Associations in 2026?
Tune in for a clear assessment of the opportunities and risks facing Canadian associations in 2026, with a focus on how sponsor and member retention will shape your ability to navigate the year ahead. More info/register.
Host: Zzeem Consulting
Thu 1/22 at 2 p.m. – Scaling Non-Dues Revenue: How TIA Built a Centralized Media Hub
Hear how the TIA team brought advertising and sponsorship operations in-house and scaled non-dues revenue using a centralized media hub. Learn why TIA decided to bring advertising and sponsorship management in-house; how managing multiple media offerings in one place enabled them to create high-value multimedia packages; how they streamline sales, tracking, and reporting; and how they turn actionable data into increased sponsor value and revenue. More info/register.
Host: iMIS by ASI
Speakers:
- Paul Leahy, VP of Member Services & Operations, Transportation Intermediaries Association (TIA)
- Raphael Badagliacca, ASI
- Joe John, John Consulting
Thu 1/22 at 2 p.m. – What Board Members Think Association Community Survey Information Sessions
The What Board Members Think Association Community Survey is an invitation to association board directors/officers to share their perspectives on board service and help elevate board performance in 2026 and beyond. Please join one of our two January information sessions to learn more about this project, including how your association can benefit from your board’s participation. More info/register.
Host: Jeff De Cagna, executive advisor, Foresight First LLC
Thu 1/22 at 3 p.m. – Intro to AI Webinar for Associations and Nonprofits
Learn about the basics and importance of generative AI and Large Language Models. Witness the power of AI tools through live demonstrations that showcase their impact on real-world scenarios. Learn to create targeted personas in ChatGPT for personalized content and interactions, which settings to adjust for privacy and security, and what information is safe to input into AI tools. More info/register.
Host: Sidecar
Speakers:
- Erica Salm Rench, CMO, Sidecar
- Thomas Altman, Co-founder, Tasio
Tue 1/27 at 8 a.m. – Practicing Presence in Polarized Times (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. In this episode: Polarization is showing up everywhere these days—this conversation unpacks how association leaders can pause, listen, and practice accountability to build understanding rather than deepen divides. More info.
Host: Carol Hamilton, Principal, Grace Social Sector Consulting
Guest: Danielle Marshall, Founder, Culture Principles
Tue 1/27 at 10:30 a.m. – Meditation Skills for Busy Lives
Take a pause from the busyness and learn simple mindfulness practices to ease stress and reduce the feelings of burnout. These monthly sessions, designed to help you create space in your day, include: 5 minutes to arrive and settle in, 10 minutes of guided meditation practice, and 5 minutes for questions and reflection. Every month, we explore a new area of meditation and introduce a practical skill you can carry with you. These sessions are open to everyone, with no prior meditation experience required. More info/register.
Host: Association Women Technology Champions
Meditation leader: Moira Edwards, Owner & President, Ellipsis Partners
Tue 1/27 at 11 a.m. – Changing Perceptions About Audit Committees – How to Better Position to be Value-Added
Most nonprofit audit committees center their attention on the back end of the annual financial statement audit process when they receive draft auditor reports. While this is an important function, audit committees can be more impactful if they shift more of their focus to the front-end of the annual audit process and expand their internal control and business practices oversight roles. Learn about the core purpose, structure, and operating cycle for an audit committee; what has shaped general perceptions related to audit committees; underlying causes leading to wide-ranging misconceptions related to audit committees; and tactics to make audit committees more value-added by expanding their scope of duties and filling additional fiduciary roles. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.
Host: UST Education
Speakers:
- Michael Gellman, CPA, CGMA, Co-Founder at Sustainability Education 4 Nonprofits
- Paul Preziotti, CPA, Partner, Johnson Lambert LLP
Tue 1/27 at 11 a.m. – The Best of the Best: Brand Strategies in Action
Even the best associations sometimes struggle to communicate their true value. Using real-world examples from association “Join” pages, explore how StoryBrand, Jobs to Be Done, and other strategy models can transform messaging from informative to irresistible. See how small, intentional shifts—clarifying your narrative, tapping into behavioral insights, and leveraging AI tools—can dramatically change how members connect, engage, and decide to act. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.
Host: UST Education
Speaker: Jemilah Senter, Founder, Chief Strategist + Fractional CMO at Senterpoint Strategies
Tue 1/27 at 4 p.m. – Future Forward: Growing Non-dues Revenue in 2026
Hear a panel of association experts discuss ideas and strategies to grow your non-dues revenue in 2026. More info/register.
Host: Intuto
Speakers:
- Sean Soth, Founder, Professionals for Association Revenue
- Maria Jaba, Hospital Relations Manager, Society of Critical Care Medicine
- Brittany Shoul, Senior Vice President, Revenue Strategy & Operations, MCI USA
- Ryan MacTaggart, Ph.D. Associate Director, Professional Learning, EDUCAUSE
- Jay S. Daughtry, M.Ed. (moderator), Director of Client Partnerships, North America, Intuto
Wed 1/28 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. – EventTech Platforms Demo Day
See presentations from industry partners that offer event tech platforms. More info/register.
Host: ASAE
Participants: Personify A2Z Events, Swapcard, Momentive Event Management, EVA Event Tech Hub, Cadmium, eShow, Personify Registration Tech, eventPower, Event.Quest by Insight Guide, Popshap
Wed 1/28 at 11:30 a.m. – 10 Things to Automate in 2026
Hear about ten everyday tasks you can automate in 2026 to save time and reduce friction, all designed to fit naturally into your existing workflows, not add more work. Learn about actionable automation ideas you can apply immediately, ways to eliminate repetitive tasks and common bottlenecks, working with your technology partner to spot high-impact automation opportunities, and practical tips for making changes that actually stick. More info/register.
Host: iMIS by ASI
Wed 1/28 at 12 p.m. – Pinpoint and Conquer the Barriers to Association Growth
Are you ready to stop focusing on external chaos and finally diagnose the internal barriers holding your association back? Explore the four deep, structural barriers that consistently block associations from achieving sustainable growth and momentum, even amidst external disruption. Get a clear action plan to overcome these barriers and put a halt to the high cost of inaction. Learn about Halmyre’s new, free diagnostic tool, which helps you quickly identify the biggest growth threat to your association. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.
Host: Halmyre
Speaker: Christine Saunders, President & Founder, Halmyre
Wed 1/28 at 12 p.m. – The Top 2 Conflict Tools You Need in Today’s Environment
Host: Jamie Notter
Thu 1/29 at 1 p.m. – Jeopardy!™-Style Association Ethics Showdown: Test Your Knowledge and Win!
Using fun and engaging Jeopardy!™-style quiz format, you will dive into real-world and created scenarios and assess your ethical reasoning in categories like “(Bored) of Ethics,” “The Ethical CEO,” “Ethical IP,” and “Is (IT) Ethical?” Compete against your peers to determine whether certain behaviors are ethical or not—and, more importantly, why. Explore the rationale behind ethical decision-making, while having a chance to win some (fake) cash. 1 CAE Ethics credit. More info/register.
Host: UST Education
Speaker: Adrienne Bryant, Program Director at Customer Experience Professionals Association
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