The weekly list of free educational events and resources for the association community
Good reads for the association community
AI as education competition. When members can learn anything from an AI tutor, what do association education programs offer that they can’t get elsewhere? Here’s what TopClass LMS says: recognized credentials, accredited CE, peer accountability, unwritten knowledge that circulates among experienced professionals, and the institutional trust employers and regulators depend on. TopClass also explains the “metacognitive laziness” problem: why AI-assisted learning can actually undermine the skill-building that structured programs provide.
Young member recruitment. OpenWater makes the case that scholarships, fellowships, competitions, mentoring programs, and similar student and early-career programs are how associations demonstrate value before someone decides to join. They describe eight types of programs with real association examples showing what each one offers to the next generation of prospective members.
Facilitation training for association professionals. Facilitation is a skill every association professional needs for board meetings, committee work, strategic planning, webinars, and more. Yet most never get formal training. In the Effective Facilitation course, you’ll learn how to read a room, handle difficult dynamics, and keep any discussion on track. Brian is offering free enrollment to the first three people who email him. If you’re not one of the three, use promo code bf2026 to get 15% off.
Membership value proposition. Most association value propositions highlight membership features when they should describe outcomes. Marketing General suggests a five-step, AI-assisted process for uncovering what actually drives member decisions and translating it into messaging that resonates. The guide includes a worksheet with AI prompts and fillable fields, along with a field-testing framework for email, web, and social.
Get ready for a career change—or retirement. Sahaj Garg, co-founder and CTO at Wispr, starts with a scary realization: his Stanford-trained identity, built on “cognitive horsepower,” is now obsolete. He then paints an unsettling picture for knowledge workers: Within three to five years, the majority of cognitive jobs will be substantially automated with the upper-middle class hit the hardest, because your skills are the most directly substitutable and your lifestyles depend on “continuous high income rather than accumulated capital.” As if you don’t have enough problems, right? Now, zoom out to your association—what happens when AI replaces most of your members?
Workplace saps. A Cornell researcher created a “corporate bullshit generator” to study whether impressive-but-empty workplace language is actually harmful—and found that it is. Kate Blackwood in the Cornell Chronicle reports that workers more receptive to ‘visionary’ jargon scored lower on analytic thinking, cognitive reflection, and fluid intelligence. and significantly worse on workplace decision-making.
AI tool evaluation. Dennison & Associates offers a framework for evaluating AI tools that covers total cost of ownership, data privacy, vendor stability, measurability, association use cases, and questions to ask. For example, before your association buys any AI tool, Dennison suggests asking department heads what three tasks they wish took half the time. They also include a ten-question evaluation checklist with a scoring guide.
Communication and trust. The institutions scrambling hardest to rebuild trust are often the ones relying most heavily on communications tools that were never designed to build it in the first place. KiKi L’Italien, host of the podcast Things Go Sideways, says you can’t message your way to trust. Polished annual reports and carefully worded statements are outputs of a relationship, not substitutes for one. The relationship, she writes, is the strategy.
AI-induced association dysfunction. Before your association dives into AI integration, Jamie Notter wants you to revisit the Solow Paradox: when organizations in the 1970s and 80s layered computerization onto outdated roles, processes, and cultures without redesigning how work was done, productivity gains didn’t follow. The same risk applies now. He argues that AI will scale your dysfunction too—and offers one concrete first step in the right direction.
AI and Gen Z job prospects. Young workers are rethinking their career trajectories with AI in mind. Some are pivoting to trades, others are starting businesses, and some are leaning into AI itself. At WSJ [gift link], Rachel Wolfe and Te-Ping Chen profile several 20-somethings navigating those choices. Smart kids.
Snacks
Hyper-individualized AI learning is threatening the social warmth students get from online classrooms. | David Joyner, Class Central
Frequent flyers: Lowell Aplebaum has a recommendation for you: “With close to 300 flights a year, I’ve tried just about every app that promises better flight information. Flighty is, by far, the one I come back to.”
Last call! Help every association (including yours) enrich its understanding of board service and strengthen board performance by completing the What Board Members Think survey (or have your board complete it) by Tuesday 3/31 at 2:59 pm EDT. | Jeff De Cagna, Foresight First LLC
You’re asking AI the wrong questions. The best prompts force you into discomfort. Wow. I ran his prompt and have more to think about than I expected. | Mark Manson
Job hunting? Check out this AI resume writer that interviews you instead of making you fill forms. | story.cv
I’ve been curating Association Brain Food for over ten years as a community service. If it’s been a useful part of your professional life or your company’s webinar marketing, buying me a beer is a super nice thing to do in return.
You never grow old at the table
Last week’s standout was this simple jerk salmon, which has now replaced my old jerk recipe. I made one change: instead of broiling, I baked the fillets at 375 for 11 minutes. On the side, butternut squash purée—made with butter, evaporated milk, maple syrup, cinnamon, and chipotle powder—and leftover roasted broccoli.
Creamy piccata flounder is easy to love. I pushed my steamed asparagus and brown rice into the piccata sauce—no regrets.
An old standby came to the rescue after a long day: pork Milanese. On the side, steamed green beans tossed with sautéed onion, orange bell pepper, sundried tomatoes, ham, and parmesan—plus leftover butternut squash.
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 3/27 at 12 p.m.* – They Left. Now What? A Live Session on Winning Back Lapsed Members
You’ve got a list of lapsed members sitting in your AMS. You’ve reached out. You’ve followed up. And you’re still not getting them back. Learn why most win-back campaigns underperform. Hear about a campaign structure you can apply immediately and real results from associations who’ve done it — with the numbers to back it up. More info/register.
Host: PropFuel
Speaker: Dave Will, CEO, PropFuel
*All events are online at Eastern Time unless otherwise noted.
Fri 3/27 at 12:30 p.m. – Legalese with the Ladies: Ask a lawyer (almost) anything
Get clear, no-fluff answers to your biggest legal questions—from RFPs to commissions to rebates and everything in between. Take away practical tips to protect your business and boost your confidence at every stage of the planning process. More info/register.
Host: Hopskip
Fri 3/27 at 1 p.m. – Foresight Fridays, Part 2
As polarization intensifies and public trust shifts, associations face increasingly complex decisions about when to speak, what to amplify, and how to engage on issues that affect their industries and professions. Explore how association leaders can work effectively with their boards during this moment. Examine how polarization may reshape expectations around association voice and leadership, the distinction between mission-aligned advocacy and ideology-driven positioning, and how organizations can anticipate risk while preserving credibility. More info/register (ASAE members only).
Host: ASAE
Speakers:
- Christine Shaw, CEO & President, Naylor Association Solutions
- Shawn Boynes, FASAE, CAE
- Tamesha Logan, MBA, Executive Director, American Mensa Ltd.
Mon 3/30 at 8 a.m. – The Ethics of Technology Implementation (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: Carol Weldon, Health Care IT Professional
Mon 3/30 at 11 a.m. – Shipping, Customs & Global Logistics: What You Need to Know Now
Global supply chain disruptions, shifting trade policies, and evolving customs regulations are creating new challenges for associations managing international programs, meetings, and materials. Explore the latest insights on international shipping, event logistics, and distributed production models, including key disruptions affecting event logistics, what associations need to know about customs compliance, how print-on-demand can reduce risk and cost, and practical strategies for managing global distribution. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.
Hosts: ASAE and International Congress and Convention Association
Speakers:
- Jim Piechowski, CAE, Vice President of Strategic Partnerships, Holmes Corporation
- Lisa Sallstrom, MS, CAE, PMP, CRP, Partner, KaWest Partners, LLC
- Remy Perrot, Vice President, Cross Connect Customs & Event Logistics Inc.
Mon 3/30 at 1 p.m. – When Conversations Get Hard & Meetings Get Stuck: A Practical Way Forward
Hear about a simple, adaptable conversation framework that helps groups move from reaction to reflection and from discussion to clarity. Rather than debating opinions or rushing to solutions, learn how to sequence conversations intentionally so people feel heard, insights surface naturally, and groups are better positioned to make thoughtful decisions. Practical and easy to apply, this approach fits seamlessly into meetings, discussions, and learning environments without any special tools. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.
Host: Event Garde
Mon 3/30 from 5 to 7 p.m. CT – Chicago Launch Event: Elevating Women in Association Leadership (Rosemont IL)
The Alliance for Women in Associations is bringing together women across the association community for our very first Chicagoland networking reception — an evening of conversation and collaboration among those shaping the future of our field. Whether you’re leading an organization, managing programs, or building your career path in the association world, this is your chance to connect with women in your local community and get in on the ground floor of a growing movement. Location: Rosemont IL. More info/register.
Organizer: The Alliance for Women in Associations
Tue 3/31 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. – AI Innovators Summit: Women and Allies Pioneering the Future (Washington DC)
This transformative day focused on Generative AI collaboration and ideation brings together diverse personas (tech and non-tech) from across industries to learn about the practical Generative AI use cases that are helping our customers add value and be inspired to drive your own Generative AI initiatives within your organizations. Choose from hands-on skill-building workshops or visionary leadership sessions. Gain insights from inspiring women leaders who have built, designed, and are actively using Generative AI solutions in their daily operations. Location: Washington DC. More info/register.
Host: AWS
Tue 3/31 at 11 a.m. – Same Values, New Design: Why Association Events Don’t Need to Look the Way They Always Have
Explore how association events can evolve beyond familiar formats without losing their purpose or credibility. Using a live, audience-driven “design wheel” format, the session will surface practical ideas for rethinking agendas, engagement, technology, sponsorship, and human connection, all while staying true to an association’s mission. Rather than presenting a list of trends, experience a different way of designing events in real time, demonstrating how small, intentional design choices can lead to more engaging, inclusive, and relevant meetings. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.
Host: UST Education
Speakers:
- Ksenija Polla, Director International Development at Talley Management Group
- Shawn Cheng, Regional Director of North America at ICCA
Tue 3/31 at 12 p.m. – The Perception Paradox: Managing Legal Issues and Reputation
In 2025, crises became headlines: the Cracker Barrel’s logo, the Astronomer CEO at the Coldplay concert, and the American Eagle’s Sydney Sweeney ad. In each case, the company had the opportunity to manage perception as the issue was evolving and before viral posts damaged their reputation. Instead, they avoided communication hoping that silence would protect them. Learn about similar association examples, the perception paradox, and tips for avoiding reputational harm while protecting the organization from legal issues. More info/register.
Host: Association Xchange
Speaker: Larry C. Smith, JD, CAE, executive director and principal consultant for IIB Association Group
Tue 3/31 at 12 p.m. – Mission Control: How to Build a Real-Time Stakeholder Intelligence System
Learn how modern public affairs teams are building real-time intelligence systems that let them anticipate moves, not just react to them. Hear about five core stakeholder mapping techniques and how to completely re-engineer them for the AI era. Discover how real-time data and AI intelligence can fundamentally change the way your teams build relationships, track alignment, and move fast when it matters most. More info/register.
Host: Quorum
Speakers: Maggie McKee, Sr. Solutions Engineer, and Patrick Kalie, Sr. Engagement & Event Marketing Manager, Quorum
Tue 3/31 at 12 p.m. – Resilience for the Perpetually On-Call: How Event Marketers Bounce Back Faster
Hear how event marketers can mentally and physically recover after intense event cycles—and stop burnout from becoming the norm. Explore why the post-event crash happens, how to bounce back faster, and the everyday habits that make being “always on” more sustainable over time. More info/register.
Host: Zuddl
Speakers:
- Stephanie Christensen, Event Marketing Leader
- Melissa Vilders, Director, Events Strategy & Experience
Tue 3/31 at 1 p.m. – People: Working in Perfect Harmony & Being Accountable
Learn how to build a culture rooted in Core Values and demonstrated behaviors, assess whether your organization has the right people in the right roles, plan for intentional talent scaling as the business grows, design people systems that drive high performance, and align workforce and culture with strategic priorities. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.
Host: UST Education
Speakers:
- Jane-Scott Cantus, Principal Member at ILEX Leadership Associates LLC
- Michele Barry, Business Coach at Assured Strategy
Wed 4/1 at 11 a.m. – AI Licensing: Free-For-All or Pay-To-Play?
Join a ‘point-counterpoint’ style session about free and paid AI licensing. Hear views on the positives, negatives, considerations, and impacts of the different options in AI licensing. Learn about guardrails if/when giving staff permission to use free AI licenses, inputs to measure ROI if/when giving staff paid AI licenses, key elements of Terms and Conditions in AI license models, and facilitating a discussion at your organization when considering free and paid AI licenses. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.
Host: UST Education
Speakers: Ron Moen, CAE, Vice President, and Carlos Cardenas, CAE, AAiP, Senior Strategic Consultant, Technology Management at DelCor
Wed 4/1 at 1 p.m. – Instructional Design 2036: What’s Now and What’s Next
Understand how AI is transforming course production and why traditional development timelines are disappearing. Explore how personalized learning systems driven by real performance data will deliver continuous education. See how emerging technologies and new design approaches are shifting instructional designers from course builders to architects of learning systems that improve real performance. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.
Host: Fonteva
Speaker: Dan Streeter, CEO, Mission Fuel
Wed 4/1 at 2 p.m. – Adobe’s Creative Forecast: Visual Trends Defining the Year Ahead
get an exclusive look at the forces shaping design, visual storytelling, and content creation in 2026. Drawing on global research, marketplace insights, and cultural analysis, Adobe’s annual Creative Trends Report highlights the aesthetics, cultural shifts, and AI-driven innovations redefining how brands connect and creators inspire. More info/register.
Host: Content Marketing Institute
Speakers:
- Per Levander, Co-owner and Creative Director, Maskot
- Brenda Mills, Principal, Consumer and Creative Insights, Adobe
- Lindsay Morris, Principal, Content Strategist, Adobe
- Cassandra Napoli, Head of Consumer Forecasting, WGSN Insights
Thu 4/2 at 12 p.m. – AI Without the Hype: Getting Your Foundation Right
The associations pulling ahead with AI are the ones who asked the right questions first, built the right foundation, and started before they felt ready. Get a clear-eyed view of where your organization stands, a sharper vocabulary for conversations with your board and team, and three concrete actions you can take before next week. More info/register.
Host: Association Women Technology Champions
Speakers:
- Ryan Risley, Partner and Chief Technology Officer, WIPFLI
- Karine Blaufuss, Director, Business Data and Intelligence, AGU
- Cathy Lada, Learning & Development + Marketing, Lada Consulting
Thu 4/2 at 12:30 p.m. – All-in-One Isn’t for Everyone: Why More Associations Are Choosing Best-of-Need
Many associations find that their needs have surpassed what their AMS can deliver. They’re opting out of the traditional AMS model entirely, building best-of-need ecosystems that pair the strongest tools for each job with a shared data foundation that keeps everything connected. Learn how best-of-need ecosystems work in practice, what it takes to implement one, and how to know if this model makes sense for your association. Hear from an association that’s making the shift, a solution engineer who designs these ecosystems, and fusionSpan’s CRO, who works with associations navigating this decision every day. More info/register.
Host: fusionSpan
Thu 4/2 at 12:30 p.m. – Beyond Membership: A Revenue Shift Associations Can’t Afford to Ignore
Reliance on dues as the primary funding model leaves organizations vulnerable to market shifts, membership volatility, and financial uncertainty. Explore practical strategies for moving beyond membership dues, including sponsorships, advertising, certification, educational programs, sponsored content, and strategic partnerships. Get fresh insights into how your association can safeguard financial stability, amplify impact, and position itself for long-term success in a rapidly changing environment. 0.5 CAE credit. More info/register.
Host: .orgCommunity
Speaker: Bill Sheehan, Global Head, Association Strategy, D2L
Thu 4/2 at 2 p.m. – Spring Data Showers Bring Insight Flowers
Learn how association teams can use data from membership, events, education, engagement, and revenue to uncover clearer insights and make better day-to-day decisions. Discover practical ways to use dashboards, reporting, and AI-assisted analysis to cut through the clutter and focus on what matters most. More info/register.
Host: 501Works
Speakers:
- Denny Lengkong, President, IntelliData
- James Marquis, CIO, 501Works
Thu 4/2 at 3 p.m. – AI for Associations in 2026: What to Ignore and What to Implement
Hear about the AI applications that are delivering real results for associations right now—from automating member support and personalizing content delivery to predicting churn before it happens. See how associations of different sizes and verticals are adopting AI at a pace that fits their team and budget. Find out what’s working, what’s not worth your time, and where the biggest opportunities are for the rest of the year. Take away a prioritized list of AI use cases you can bring to your next board meeting, a realistic timeline for implementation, and a clear understanding of what it takes to get started—even if your team has zero technical background. More info/register.
Host: Member Lounge
Speaker: Farhad Khan, CEO of Member Lounge
Tue 4/7 at 12 p.m. – Translate Analytical Expertise into Strategic Influence (Data Analytics Network)
Learn why accurate, well-presented data still fails to influence strategy and what to do instead; the critical difference between output and outcome metrics and when each matters; how to identify the 3-5 leading indicators that predict strategic success; and the conversation framework that positions you as strategic partner, not just data provider. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.
Host: Data Analytics Network
Speakers:
- Chantal Almonord, CAE, Chief Information & Engagement Officer, ISPOR
- Tim Hopkins, CAE, Managing Director, McKinley Advisors
Tue 4/7 at 1 p.m. – Execution: You Can’t Scale Chaos
Learn how to develop strategies to grow effectively and efficiently with discipline and intention, design processes that scale as the business grows, identify execution gaps that erode effectiveness and profit margins, and apply communication techniques as a tool to enhance execution. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.
Host: UST Education
Speakers:
- Jane-Scott Cantus, Principal Member at ILEX Leadership Associates LLC
- Michele Barry, Business Coach at Assured Strategy
Wed 4/8 at 11 a.m. – How to Build a Qualified Shortlist: Stack the Deck (Office Hours for LMS Buyers)
Hear how to evaluate qualified solutions, rather than investing your limited time trying to qualify vendors. Before you schedule a field sales call or product demo, use our Learning System Directory and RightFit Grid to identify a handful of options that closely align with your specific needs. More info/register.
Host: Talented Learning
Speaker: John Leh, CEO and Lead Analyst at Talented Learning
Wed 4/8 at 12 p.m. – The State of the Mission-Driven Workforce in 2026
Get a deep dive into the new research that reveals what retains, burns out, and energizes the people behind mission-driven organizations. Explore what the data reveals about the experience of the people powering mission-driven organizations and what leaders can do to better support, engage, and retain their teams. More info/register.
Host: Momentive Software
Speakers:
- Nathan Richter, Senior Partner at Wakefield Research
- Tirrah Switzer, CAE, VP of Product Marketing at Momentive Software
Thu 4/9 from 3:30 to 6:30 p.m. CT – Toast to Tech Chicago
Combine wine tasting with an engaging exploration of the latest technology trends shaping associations. Enjoy curated wine flights, with each wine representing a major trend or area of impact, and a relaxed atmosphere that fosters open dialogue, collaboration, and creativity around how these trends can impact association operations, member engagement, and events. Location: Chicago IL. More info/register.
Host: Association Women Technology Champions
Speakers:
- Michelle Wroblewski, Wipfli
- Norma Castrejon, American Osteopathic Association
- Amanda Heberg, Sandstorm Design
Association Brain Food takes about six hours a week to put together. If it saves you time finding good reads and CAE credits—or just makes for a better Friday—I’d love for you to buy me a beer.
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.
Creative Commons licensed photo by Paul Crook via Unsplash
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