Association Brain Food: 12.12.25

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

The last Association Brain Food of the year on December 19 will include educational events for the rest of the year and the first two weeks of January since I’m not publishing December 26 or January 2. Please send me information by Wednesday afternoon, December 17, about any educational events you plan to host before January 9.

Good reads for the association community

Awards judging experience. If you still manage awards judging with spreadsheets and email attachments, maybe that’s why judges don’t come back. OpenWater explains what drives volunteers away and how to make judging feel less like a second job. Fix the judging experience instead of begging harder.

Associations’ product development advantage. Mallory Mejias at Sidecar argues associations are better positioned than startups to build AI products for their industries. She shares the example of the Institute of Food Technologists and their AI-enabled platform that helps food scientists accelerate product development. She calls this the ‘right to win’ advantage—the assets, relationships, capabilities, and positioning that give you an edge over startups.

Budgeting. GrowthZone outlines seven practices for building an association budget, from establishing your financial foundation to regular reviews and adjustments. The guide describes ways to protect your budget when things go sideways. The scenario planning section on membership drops and reduced event attendance feels pretty relevant right now.

Agile multi-armed associations. Carolyn Shomali at Professionals for Association Revenue says associations are naturally suited for the model described in The Octopus Organization. Octopus organizations don’t operate like rigid machines. They navigate complexity by empowering each arm to sense and adapt. She points to two Pierre Award finalists as examples: AGU’s cross-departmental innovation sprints and ASNT’s membership model simplification that generated $100,000 in new revenue.

Association consultants to the rescue. You don’t always need to hire a full-time employee for open positions. Mariama Boney, CAE, and Barbara J. Armentrout, CAE, make the case for association consultants to identify and fill talent gaps. Consultants started their careers in associations and now bring experience from dozens of clients to yours.

AMS RFPs and proposals. Dennison & Associates walks you through the RFP and proposal evaluation phase of AMS selection. They describe the six key sections of an effective RFP, common pitfalls that send vendors running, and a three-step proposal evaluation process. The cost comparison section is especially useful—vendors price things differently, so apples-to-apples comparisons get tricky fast.

SHRM’s in the news again. The Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) pisses off its members (and HR professionals who used to be members) every year or so. This time, a Business Insider article by Jack Newsham and Sarah E. Needleman about an $11.5 million verdict in a racial discrimination lawsuit is causing a ruckus on LinkedIn. Then Karen Ehrenberg dug into SHRM’s tax filings to see what they reveal about their internal HR practices—part one and part two. My word, what a cluster. So, what would she see if she looked at your org’s 990?

Disability accommodations. Rose Horowitch at The Atlantic reports that elite universities have seen a dramatic spike in disability accommodations, especially extra time on exams, with some campuses registering up to 34% of students as disabled. You might start seeing more members and industry professionals asking for accommodations for certification exams and educational programs.

Parenting alongside AI. Nate B. Jones offers guidance on helping kids use AI without becoming dependent on it. He describes how AI actually works (prediction, not thinking), why teenage brains are particularly vulnerable to its design, and what skills to teach kids. This practical guide for parents works for everyone else too.

Snacks

Here’s what I’d like for Christmas: a luxurious 12-day holiday train journey that takes you to Europe’s best Christmas markets. | Lydia Price, Travel + Leisure

From Southampton to Sarajevo, urban guerrilla mosaicists are transforming city spaces and bringing communities together one tile at a time. | Sumaiya Motara, The Guardian

If you need CAE credits, check out Ed Rigsbee’s 35 workshops—nine of them are one-hour Ethics workshops. To qualify for the credits, you have to pass a test.

You never grow old at the table

We (okay, maybe just me) have been enjoying winter temperatures here in NC, even though it’s still fall. Knowing this state’s climate, I’m sure the 70s are just around the corner. For a chilly night, I made this baked chicken and mushroom skillet. On the side, Brussels sprouts roasted with bacon, red onion, garlic powder, and smoked paprika, then tossed with a balsamic maple glaze.

Another one-pan meal, Portuguese-style cod skillet with ground chorizo, onion, red bell, jalapeño, broccoli stems, garlic, smoked paprika, white wine, canned diced tomatoes with juice, white beans, kale, lemon juice, and chunks of cod.

Chipotle salmon is easy to put together. You could skip the marinade and pour it over the fillets before baking. On the side, broccoli roasted with red onion and garlic powder, and a nuked sweet potato.

To subscribe to Association Brain Food, please complete the form in the sidebar or at the bottom of this post.

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 12/15 at 8 a.m.* – Crisis Communications (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: Cyndee Woolley

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

Tue 12/16 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 sessions are designed to help you create space in your day and 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 to 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 12/16 at 12 p.m. – Breaking the Third Rail: How to Modernize Association Traditions Without Destroying Your Legacy

Every association has a third rail: traditions that everyone knows are outdated, but no one dares question. These untouchables are quietly driving away the next generation of your members, but honoring your past doesn’t mean being constrained by it. Explore how association leaders can move beyond tradition-bound thinking while preserving their core mission. Get the framework and courage to lead meaningful change that doesn’t erase history but honors it enough to ensure a future. More info/register.

Host: Forj

Speakers:

Barry Schieferstein, Chief Operating Officer, The American Society for Nondestructive Testing
Kurt Heikkinen, Chief Executive Officer, Forj

Tue 12/16 at 12 p.m. – Mission-Driven Leadership: Uniting Governance and Volunteer Engagement (ASAE CRVM Crunch and Munch)

Good governance and strong volunteer leadership go hand-in-hand as they are the foundation on which associations build to achieve their missions and strategic goals. Explore effective practices in fostering mission-driven leadership at every level, from boards to committees to components, and strengthening governance and volunteer structures. Come with your questions, anecdotes, and ideas and learn from your peers from across the association industry. More info/register (ASAE members only).

Host: ASAE Component Relations Volunteer Management Advisory Council

Moderators: Michelle Runge, MA, CAE, and Kelly Ann Gull, CAE

Tue 12/16 at 1 p.m. – The Top 10 AI Tools Every Association Should Be Using Today

AI is more accessible than ever, offering powerful solutions to enhance member engagement, streamline operations, and improve decision-making. Explore the top 10 AI tools that associations can implement immediately to boost productivity, enhance marketing efforts, automate administrative tasks, and personalize member experiences. Take away practical insights and actionable recommendations to start leveraging AI effectively within your organization. More info/register.

Host: re:Members

Speakers: Kevin Ordonez, AAiP, President and Managing Director, Digital Strategy, and Kevin Marlage, Senior Consultant, .orgSource

Tue 12/16 at 1 p.m. – Step into the New Year with Intention

As the new year approaches, this is a meaningful moment to pause, reflect, and begin shaping your intentions. Join your association community to reconnect with what matters most, consider the direction you want to take, and start exploring your word of the year. Leave feeling centered and ready to enter January with clarity and purpose. More info/register (ASAE members only).

Host: ASAE

Speaker: Jen Lewi, Founder & Chief Executive Officer, Design Your Next Step

Tue 12/16 at 1:10 p.m. – Learning Champions with Bradley Davis

Hear about three big themes shaping learning right now: how AI is freeing learning teams from tactical overload, skills-based learning as a workforce necessity, and a renewed push toward collaborative, cross-disciplinary learning experiences. Explore the tension every learning leader knows too well: Who are learning objectives really for — and what happens when our frameworks box us in? More info/register.

Hosts: Tracy King, CEO, InspirEd and Carolyn B. Thompson, President, Training Systems

Guest: Bradley Davis, Vice President of Learning Strategy, IACET

Wed 12/17 at 12 p.m. – Future-Proof Your Community: Trends Shaping the Next Era of Member Engagement

Learn how member expectations have evolved — and what they’ll demand next, strategies to modernize your engagement approach, and how to future-proof your community structure, content, and connection points. More info/register.

Host: GrowthZone AMS

Speaker: community strategist Jessica Rickel

Wed 12/17 at 12 p.m. – Locking in Loyalty: 7 Proven Tactics to Boost Member Renewals

Are you heading into member renewal season? Join association executive Erin Roberts as she unpacks seven proven techniques to increase your retention rate, speed up your cash flow, and sell your member value proposition. More info/register.

Host: Zzeem Consulting

Wed 12/17 at 1 p.m. – Content & Marketing Trends for 2026

Learn how AI-powered search is transforming discovery, visibility, and referral traffic. Explore how technology, behavior, and creativity are reshaping marketing in the year ahead. More info/register.

Host: Content Marketing Institute

Speakers:

Bo Bandy, CMO, Alchemer
Bennie Johnson, Chief Executive Officer, American Marketing Association
Patrick Reinhart, VP of Services & Thought Leadership, Conductor
Justin Turner, Head of Thought Leadership, Reddit
Shannon Vize, Sr. Content Marketing Manager, Conductor
Robert Rose, Chief Strategy Advisor, Content Marketing Institute

Wed 12/17 at 1 p.m. – Mastering Negotiation in a Constantly Evolving Market

Gain tactical, real-world strategies to elevate your negotiation skills, protect your bottom line and maximize the value of your meetings and events in a very challenging environment. Through real-life case studies and practical exercises, explore key contract clauses, explore win-win negotiation approaches and gain insider insights into how hotels evaluate and prioritize business opportunities. Take away with actionable techniques to improve leverage, mitigate risk and create strong, mutually beneficial partnerships. 1 CMP credit. More info/register.

Host: Meetings Today

Speaker: Robyn Mietkiewicz, Innovation Partner, INNOV8 Meetings + Events

Wed 12/17 at 1:30 p.m. – The Future of Association Boards (FAB) Community Dialogue Grand Finale Zoom Meeting

Join this 90-minute session during which we will wrap up our collaborative project. More info/register.

Host: Jeff De Cagna, executive advisor, Foresight First

Wed 12/17 at 2 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

Wed 12/17 at 2 p.m. – Ask the Attorney: Ancillary Contracts

Get answers to your questions concerning A/V, catering and other meeting contracts that must mesh with the main venue agreement. Possible topics to be addressed: hidden pitfalls in speaker agreements, convention center agreements: contract or license; and destination management agreements. 1 CMP credit. More info/register.

Host: Northstar Meetings Group

Speaker: Jonathan T. Howe, Esq., president and founding partner of Howe & Hutton Ltd.

Wed 12/17 at 2:30 p.m. – Event Contracts Exposed

It’s the season for connection and curiousity! Join me for this fun year-end episode where anything goes. Submit your questions about event contracts, negotiations, or the industry in general – or just tune in as I explore quick tips, cautionary tales and practical reminders. This episode will be lighthearted, informative and a little festive – it’s the perfect way to wrap up the year together. More info/register.

Host: Heather Reid, founder, Planner Protect

Thu 12/18 at 12 p.m. – AWTC Meet & Greet

Connect with new faces in the association tech community. Join us for a 30-minute welcome event to forge fresh connections and discover our vibrant Slack community. More info/register.

Host: Association Women Technology Champions

Thu 12/18 at 1 p.m. – What Your CMO Wishes You Knew

Four B2B CMOs will speak openly about the state of marketing in 2025, the shifts that will define 2026, and the common gaps they see between leadership priorities and marketing execution. This isn’t another “trends” panel — it’s an unfiltered conversation straight from the C-suite. More info/register.

Host: Content Marketing Institute

Speakers:

Michael Barber, CMO, StarTech.com
Amanda Cole, CMO, Bloomreach
Cathy McPhillips, CMO, SmarterX
Ilaria Pasquinelli, CMO, LIONS
Robert Rose, Chief Strategy Advisor, Content Marketing Institute

Thu 12/18 at 4 p.m. – The Ethics Edge: Frameworks, Dilemmas, and Decisions

Using the ASAE Ethics Toolkit, updated in 2025, this session will review up to three ethical scenarios for discussion via breakout groups. 1 CAE Ethics credit. More info/register.

Host: ASAE Reston Loudoun Swap

Speakers:

Clarissa Russell, MBA, CAE, IEC, CMP, M.ASCE, Director of Convention & Event Services, ASCE
Ann Link, CAE, Chief Operations Officer, National Association of Regional Councils

Fri 12/19 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

Creative Commons licensed photo by Ann via Unsplash

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Association Brain Food: 12.5.25

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

“It is a most wonderful comfort to sit alone beneath a lamp, book spread before you, and commune with someone from the past whom you have never met.” —Yoshida Kenko

Good reads for the association community

Do employers value your credentials? TopClass LMS makes a convincing case for flipping your credential design process on its head—start with what hiring managers actually need when choosing between candidates, then work backward. With this approach, you’re partnering with employers, instead of trying to convince them to buy.

Career resources. Members with career questions and crises aren’t visiting your website career center. Clowder describes how to put career resources where members actually are—in their phones. They explain how to turn your membership app into a mobile career hub with job boards, mentoring spaces, quick career tips in the news feed, and more. Bonus: members who rely on your app for career support don’t question membership value at renewal time.

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.

Webinar engagement. What cues do webinar hosts give that essentially tell attendees: go ahead and multitask? And, uh oh, might you be giving them? Amanda Lea Kaiser reverse engineers the problem, shows you which mistakes to fix, and helps you earn your attendees’ engagement and loyalty.

The soul forged in friction. We solved scarcity but created something worse: a crisis of significance. Carlo Iacono (a regular in these pages lately) says we’ve stripped away the labor and struggle that create psychological investment and make work meaningful. We mistake fluency for learning. His conclusion? Technology isn’t the problem. We’re the ones removing the conditions that help us grow.

Membership marketing for small associations. YourMembership shares ten membership marketing tactics for small-staff associations. They cover recruitment, onboarding, renewals, communications, feedback, and membership models—the entire member lifecycle. Their advice works regardless of your AMS or tech stack.

Abundant priorities. When two consultants publish posts about managing multiple priorities, you know they’re seeing this problem in their client organizations. Chances are, your plate is just as full. Lindsay Thomas at Event Garde explains how to maintain momentum when every project feels like a priority. Sherry Budziak at .orgSource advises you to start with courageous clarity, then shows you how to bring more focus and impact to your strategy.

Takeaways from the digitalNow conference. Jason King at Accella shares his top five takeaways from digitalNow. They circle around one theme: “AI isn’t just about automation, it’s about enablement.” Sidecar, the company behind digitalNow, profiles four regular associations—not gargantuan ones with deep pockets—experimenting with AI to work smarter, get more strategic clarity, or give members more value.

Snacks

What is wrong with people? Go where you’re invited! Ghosting is neither acceptable nor charming. | Katherine Martinko

This essay about consciousness wanders through left and right brain hemispheres, quantum physics, mysticism, near-death experiences, flying saints, poetry, and God. The thesis? Consciousness is a fundamental property of the universe, not something produced by the human brain. It’s more widely dispersed, perhaps even a field the brain taps into, like a radio finding a frequency. Got all that? | Christian Wiman, Harpers

From darkness to light: slow down and reclaim Advent. | Tsh Oxenreider, Hearth and Field

You never grow old at the table

I’m definitely making this red beans and rice recipe again, it was sooo good. I wondered about using kidney beans but I wonder no more. My only adjustment: adding poblano and jalapeño peppers and serving it over brown rice made in the pressure cooker. I did a manual release, otherwise the rice gets too mushy.

On the side, spicy roasted Brussels sprouts. What a wild flavor combo, too many flavors in my opinion. I’ll make a slimmed-down version next time.

This bratwurst, cabbage, and white beans skillet recipe is a favorite. I use white beans instead of noodles, omit the bacon, and add mushrooms, red bell, poblano, and jalapeño peppers.

I made a half-batch of eggnog to bring over for Thanksgiving happy hour. I’ve been making this recipe for decades. Since my moves across country (twice), fans lament its absence in Arlington VA and Sacramento CA. Best nog ever, that’s what we all say.

My main contribution to the Thanksgiving table was sweet potato cranberry bake. I cut the brown sugar back a bit so it wasn’t overly sweet.

Every Thanksgiving table deserves a bowl of fresh cranberry sauce. This year, I brought cranberry-ginger chutney. My changes: add jalapeño and orange zest, use maple syrup instead of honey and brown sugar instead of sugar, and double the ginger. I also brought my fat separator and flat whisk to make the gravy.

For dessert, Ina Garten’s apple pie bars. Last time I made these, I blind-baked the crust per the recipe but it was too hard. By pulling it out of the oven a few minutes earlier, it was perfect. Highly recommend these bars.

The day after Thanksgiving, we had a bunch of family and framily over to watch the Eagles. Jim made venison chili, and I made smoked gouda and chorizo stuffed jalapeños from Sunny Anderson—one of my go-to apps.

I used the leftover cranberry chutney in another old favorite: cranberry chicken parmesan, strange-sounding, I know, but delicious. On the side, white beans and kale. First, I made Great Northern beans in the pressure cooker. Meanwhile, I sautéed bacon, onion, garlic, and grape tomatoes, then added the beans along with kale, red pepper flakes, fresh sage and rosemary, and chicken broth. I sprinkled it with parmesan before serving. So good.

To subscribe to Association Brain Food, please complete the form in the sidebar or at the bottom of this post.

Fri 12/5 at 12:30 p.m.* – Clause & Effect: Ask a Lawyer (Almost) Anything

Get clear, no-fluff answers to your biggest legal questions—from RFPs to contracts and everything in between. This is your chance to ask anything about event sourcing from legal experts who get the events industry. Take away with practical tips to protect your business and boost your confidence at every stage of the planning process. More info/register.

Host: Hopskip

Speakers: event industry lawyers Barbara Dunn and Kelly Franklin

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

Fri 12/5 at 1 p.m. – Foresight Fridays: Governance Strategy and Foresight

Learn how ASSP successfully modernized its governance model to ensure the organization’s board and leadership are directly informed by strategic foresight and trend research. This shift, which included transitioning to an Advisory Group model, was essential for creating an agile, accountable structure that can swiftly respond to market trends and future challenges, effectively linking the organization’s long-term sustainability to its ability to anticipate the future. More info/register (ASAE members only).

Host: ASAE ForesightWorks Advisory Group

Speaker: Jennifer McNelly, CAE, CEO of the American Society of Safety Professionals (ASSP)

Fri 12/5 at 2 p.m. – Association Rockstars Roundtable

The annual Association Rockstar’s Roundtable features 2025 reflections and projections for 2026. Hear valuable perspectives to help you close the year on a high note and prepare for 2026 with confidence—perfect for association executives, nonprofit leaders, and community builders looking to spark innovation and deepen connections. More info/register.

Host: Lowell Aplebaum, CEO, Vista Cova

Mon 12/8 at 8 a.m. – How to Create a Simple and Effective Nonprofit Content Calendar (Radio Free 501c, the podcast of Rogue Tulips Consulting)

Host: Cecilia Sepp, CAE, ACNP, LPEC, Principal & Founder, Rogue Tulips Consulting

Guest: Lidia Varesco Racoma

Mon 12/8 at 12 p.m. – Membership Mondays: Gold Circle Edition

AANA, winner of the Gold Circle Award in the Member Recruitment Category in 2025, shares their award-winning recruitment campaign that generated nearly $150,000 in new member revenue. More info/register (ASAE members only).

Host: ASAE

Speaker: Martha Smith, American Association of Nurse Anesthesiology

Tue 12/9 at 11 a.m. – Better Mouse, Better Mousetrap: Making the Shift to Phishing-Resistant MFA

Find out why standard multi-factor authentication (MFA) is no longer enough and how organizations can protect their assets with phishing-resistant MFA solutions. Learn about cryptographic authentication methods, such as Passkeys and Windows Hello for Business, that bind credentials to both the device and the user, making stolen credentials useless to attackers. Get a firsthand look via a live demo at how phishing attacks are perpetrated and how phishing-resistant MFA works to thwart these attempts and create a seamless and secure login experience for staff. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.

Host: UST Education

Speakers: Andrew Leggett, Director, Cybersecurity, and Chris Ecker, Chief Technology Officer, DelCor Technology Solutions

Tue 12/9 at 12 p.m. – Tech Tuesday: Year-End Wrap-up – What Did You Resolve in 2025?

Before you set your goals for 2026, let’s celebrate what you and your organization resolved to tackle and triumph over in 2025. This is your moment to share what challenge your team finally resolved, what innovation or process improvement you’re proud of, what Tech Tuesday insight fueled progress in 2025, and what you’re carrying forward with confidence into 2026. More info/register (ASAE members only).

Host: ASAE

Facilitators:

Reggie Henry, Chief Information and Performance Excellence Officer, ASAE
Dave Coriale, President, DelCor Technology Solutions

Tue 12/9 at 1 p.m. – The Audience Advantage: How Well-Crafted Personas Power Smarter Web Strategies

Learn how to craft research-informed personas that bridge what your users need with what your organization provides—then use them to shape your site’s information architecture, content, calls to action, and measurement. Get a practical, lightweight framework, sample questions you can use tomorrow, and real examples that turn “user-centered” from a motto into measurable results. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.

Host: UST Education

Speakers: Marcie Peck, Director of Client Partnerships, and Bree Richmond, Director of Strategy, Yoko Co

Tue 12/9 at 1 p.m. – Learning = Earning: Turn Content into Non-Dues Revenue

Explore how to convert institutional knowledge into profitable education with real case studies from associations that turned a loss-making education department into a thriving profit center. More info/register.

Host: Raffa Investment Advisers

Speaker: Jerry McCoy, Chief Financial Officer, Mission Fuel AI, Inc

Tue 12/9 at 2 p.m. – Component Benchmarking Virtual Meet-Up: Design Session – Turning Insights into Action

Building on the benchmarking insights, this interactive design session invites participants to co-create practical, impactful strategies for component and chapter success. Using a guided process of framing challenges, sharing ideas, and shaping next steps together, we’ll turn data into direction—leaving you with clear, actionable concepts to apply in your organization. More info/register.

Hosts: re:Members and Mariner Management

Tue 12/9 at 2 p.m. – Fit-for-Purpose Association Board Director Course Information Session

Learn about the Fit-for-Purpose Association Board Director Course in January 2026. The Director Course is the association community’s first-ever dedicated learning and development experience specifically for board directors. More info/register.

Host: Association Forum

Speaker: Jeff De Cagna, executive advisor, Foresight First LLC

Tue 12/9 at 2 p.m. – The Future of Job Search and Member Engagement: Panel Discussion for Associations

Hear how AI and innovation are reshaping career development—and what that means for your members. Learn about trends to watch in 2026 from AI-driven recruiting to evolving jobs and association budgets. Explore how to position your association as the go-to career destination, strengthen year-round member engagement, tailor career growth and learning opportunities to meet the needs of every generation, bridge the member–professional gap, and unlock new sources of non-dues revenue. More info/register.

Host: Momentive Software

Tue 12/9 at 4 p.m. – Returning from the Summit: Enduring Lessons from RevUP

Hear an all-star panel of industry leaders cut through the noise and share their most actionable strategies, key takeaways, and highlights from the conference. It’s the perfect way to get the best insights to fuel your association’s growth in the new year. More info/register.

Host: Intuto

Moderator: Jay S. Daughtry, M.Ed., Director of Client Partnerships, North America, Intuto

Speakers:

Lindsay Currie, CAE, Executive Officer, Council on Undergraduate Research
Robb Lee, Vice President, Marketing and Business Development, Council for Advancement and Support of Education
Jen Smith, Executive Director, Professionals for Association Revenue
Nikole TenBrink, MPA, CAE, Chief Membership & Marketing Officer, Society for Corporate Governance

Tue 12/9 at 4:30 p.m. – 2025 End of Year Happy Hour (Washington DC)

Come connect with the AWTC community of women and allies. This in-person opportunity to socialize and network with your industry peers will be filled with holiday spirit and is made possible by the generous support of our sponsors. Location: Washington DC. More info/register.

Organizer: Association Women Technology Champions

Wed 12/10 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. – What You Need to Know to Thrive in 2026 (Washington DC)

Discuss key external factors that will be influencing credentialing programs of all sizes and maturity. Explore the impact of state and federal legislative and regulatory initiatives, and their anticipated impacts on credentialing programs, candidates, and certificants, and key demographic and economic trends organizations need to consider as they plan for the future of their assessments, certification standards, and financial projections. Location: Washington DC. More info/register.

Host: Certification Network Group

Speakers:

Mark Franco, Partner, Rimon Law
Jared Zurn, Chief Programs Officer, National Council of Architectural Registration Board
John Johnson, Director Legislative and Governmental Affairs, NASBA
Missy Pydo, Vice President and Managing Director, Global Strategy, Prometric

Wed 12/10 at 11 a.m. – How Associations Build Self-Running Content Engines That Grows Membership

Learn how forward-thinking associations are transforming member stories into a sustainable content engine that attracts, retains, and engages members—without overloading your team. More info/register.

Host: ContentOvation

Speaker: Jamie Green, Founder & President, ContentOvation

Wed 12/10 at 12 p.m. – Rethinking Retention: Generation-Specific Strategies to Address Lapser Risk and Boost Engagement

Hear findings from Momentive’s associations trends study, revealing insights about lapser risk across generations. In times of economic and political uncertainty, understanding generation-specific patterns is essential to maintaining your membership base. Learn how to identify red flags for lapser risk among your most vulnerable member segments, and generation-specific value offerings that transform satisfied members into loyal, long-term advocates. More info/register.

Host: Momentive Software

Wed 12/10 at 12 p.m. – Member Value, Digital Expectations, and What’s Next (Buzzworthy LIVE)

All year, Buzzworthy LIVE talked with association leaders about shifting expectations, changing communication habits, and what it really means for programs to deliver value. This special December episode brings those insights together—how the “answer economy” is reshaping business models, why messaging must adapt across platforms, and why success can’t be defined by dollars or registrations alone. More info/register.

Host: TaleWind Digital

Wed 12/10 at 1 p.m. – The State of Associations, Part 4

Hear association executives discuss how associations can provide support and connections to members during times of great change, engage younger members, and solve volunteer recruitment and leadership challenges, and why changes in membership structures and local events can instill new vitality. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.

Host: Fonteva and Protech

Speakers:

Holly Koenig, CEO and Executive Director, Metro New York Society of Association Executives
Kendra Pheasant, MS, CAE, Executive Director, New England Society of Association Executives
Tawni Phelan, CAE, CMP, Executive Director, Oklahoma Society of Association Executives

Wed 12/10 at 1 p.m. – AI Tools You Can Use: Get Started Today

Heare about the latest AI developments, must-know tools shaping productivity and marketing, and how organizations can use these innovations to create real impact in 2025. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.

Host: UST Education

Speaker: Erica Salm Rench, MBA, CMO at Sidecar

Wed 12/10 at 1 p.m. – Member Journey Blueprint: Engagement to Loyalty

Loyalty is built over time through meaningful engagement—and associations must be equipped to measure, manage, and magnify it. Learn how to define engagement metrics, use data to segment and support your most loyal members, and implement strategies to nurture advocates who champion your cause and elevate your brand. More info/register.

Host: Causeis

Wed 12/10 at 1 p.m. – The Adaptive Leader: Integrating Values and Strategy to Thrive Under New Leadership

Explore the four major trends reshaping association professionals: generational shifts, AI transformation, flatter organizational structures, and external pressures. Take away with practical strategies to build trust, foster cross-generational work, and empower teams in this complex new environment. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.

Host: ASAE

Moderator: Joseph Watkins, Manager, Business Operations, ASAE

Wed 12/10 at 2 p.m. – Cracking the Event RFP Code: How Associations and Hotels Can Work Together

Get an overview of how the RFP process looks from both the association and hotel perspectives. Explore what goes into drafting the RFP, what both sides are looking to get out of the process, and how the parties can work together so that everyone is getting what they need. We will also hold a Q&A with live participants to address your specific questions and provide answers from experienced professionals on both sides of the process. More info/register.

Host: ASAE

Thu 12/11 from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. – AI in Action Demo Day

Get a firsthand look at how associations are using AI today through live, real-world 30-minute product demos. See practical examples from both AI-first companies and established tech providers who have infused AI features into their offerings—showcasing tools that could enhance member engagement, operations, and strategic initiatives. More info/register.

Host: ASAE

Participants: Betty:AI, VideoRequest, Insight Guide, iMIS by ASI, Aplusify/EVA Event Tech Hub/MapleLMS, Momentive Software, Higher Logic, Blend Interactive, Fonteva/Protech, rasa.io

Thu 12/11 at 11 a.m. – Once Upon an Association: Telling Your Compelling Story

Learn how to tell your organization’s story to raise the visibility of your industry, association, leaders, and members. Find out how to focus your storytelling on your organization’s mission, create a dynamic narrative around why your organization exists, pinpoint how your industry contributes to society, know how to use a variety of storytelling resources, and leverage volunteers to help tell their story. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.

Host: UST Education

Speaker: Sheri Singer, President at Singer Communication

Thu 12/11 at 11 a.m. – Mentorship Audit & Best Practices

Learn about auditing and designing mentorship programs, including what works (and what doesn’t), how to set your program up for success, what data matters and how to use it, and how to sell the idea to internal teams. More info/register.

Host: RhythmQ

Speaker: Dana Robertson, Mentorship Consultant, RhythmQ

Thu 12/11 at 12 p.m. – Modernizing Member Communications: Using Storytelling and AI to Create Member-Centric Content

Hear how to turn your newsletters and publications into storytelling platforms that inspire engagement and build community. Learn how to use audience insights to plan content that truly resonates, repurpose and refresh existing material for greater impact, and apply storytelling and design to transform communications from informational to inspirational. More info/register.

Host: GrowthZone

Speaker: Beth Brodovsky, CEO, Iris Creative Group, Inc.

Thu 12/11 at 12 p.m. – Building Belonging: Using Technology to Improve Member Engagement

Explore how technology can foster authentic connections among members, how digital platforms are redefining the meaning of community engagement, the role of personalization in driving long-term member loyalty, balancing automation with the human touch in member experiences, and how data insights can strengthen trust and inclusivity in communities. More info/register.

Host: Nexus Marketing

Speakers:

Joseph Plagge, Director of Service Delivery at Martus
Josh Linard, Director of Client Development at Urban Insight

Thu 12/11 at 12 p.m. – Vetting and Managing Your MSP: What Every Association Must Know

Learn how to ask the right questions to evaluate your MSP’s performance, spot warning signs that your MSP is falling short, know what questions to ask your MSP, and get your board and leadership aligned on vendor accountability. More info/register.

Host: Brian Scott, founder, 501CISO and ClearTone Consulting

Thu 12/11 at 12 p.m. – How AEO/GEO/AI SEO Actually Works

Your search traffic isn’t coming back. As AI assistants like ChatGPT and Google’s AI Mode begin answering searches directly, your brand’s visibility now depends on whether you’re being cited and mentioned by these AI-driven chatbots. Learn how AI-driven search actually works — and how you can adapt your SEO strategy to influence the answers users see. More info/register.

Host: Bernard Huang, Founder of Clearscope

Thu 12/11 at 1 p.m. – The 2026 Learning Business Landscape

Hear insights from a new survey of learning businesses and expert perspectives on the most important trends for 2026. Find out where investment is shifting and what’s moving the needle—AI, personalization, marketing, and more. Expect to be able to benchmark your plans against peer priorities, identify high-leverage moves for 2026, and pressure-test your roadmap in live Q&A. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.

Host: Leading Learning

Speakers:

Jeff Cobb and Celisa Steele, co-founders of Tagoras and Leading Learning
Ashish Rangnekar, CEO, BenchPrep

Thu 12/11 at 1 p.m. – What Members Really Want: Insights for 2026 and Beyond

Hear brand-new findings from the Association Member Experience Report, which surveyed hundreds of association members across industries to learn what matters to them. Learn what benefits members value most, how they want to connect and learn, what makes them feel seen and supported, and how they perceive their association’s value and use of AI. Find out what strategies can help organizations communicate their value proposition, attract new members, and deliver more personalized, engaging, and lasting value. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.

Host: UST Education

Speaker: Kelly Whelan, Senior Content Marketing Manager at Higher Logic

Thu 12/11 at 2 p.m. – Predictions, Pitfalls and Possibilities

As we close out 2025, we are sitting down with some special IT peeps to talk about some of the challenges we have faced and how you can take charge of your technology in 2026. How will the economy, cyber security issues, AI and even world events impact technology in 2026? What can you do as an organization to keep your tech performing well? If you are looking at big technology projects in 2026 and beyond, what are the things you can do now to start getting your house in order? More info/register.

Host: 501Works

Speaker: James Marquis, CIO, 501Works

Thu 12/11 from 3 to 4:30 p.m. – Digital Workshop: Small Moves, Big Impact

Transform how your organization focuses its energy on impact, learning and measurable progress. Learn to describe your work in outcome terms; identify one validation action to take this week; gain language and frameworks to demonstrate impact through data, not just report on activities; and test assumptions quickly before full commitment. More info/register.

Host: McKinley Advisors

Facilitators:

Tim Hopkins, CAE, Managing Director, McKinley Advisors
Adi Soesan Malishev, Product Thinking and OKR Coach, OKRQuickstart

Thu 12/11 at 3 p.m. – Strategy First, AI Second – Content that Connects: A Simple Framework for Member Engagement

Hear about a simple, repeatable framework to create content that resonates with the members you most want to attract. Learn how to define your ideal member profile, uncover their motivations and pain points, and craft messages that meet them where they are—from event promotions to year-round engagement campaigns. Find out how AI can amplify your efforts by scaling the content you create without losing your brand voice, association value, authenticity, and expertise. More info/register.

Host: Farhad Khan, CEO, Member Lounge

Speakers: Cheri Quinn, Brand and Marketing Strategist, Emily Youngblood, Client Services Director, Mercury Creative Group.

Tue 12/16 at 10:30 a.m. – Meditation Skills for Busy Lives

Host: Association Women Technology Champions

Meditation leader: Moira Edwards, Owner & President, Ellipsis Partners

Tue 12/16 at 1 p.m. – The Top 10 AI Tools Every Association Should Be Using Today

Host: re:Members

Speakers: Kevin Ordonez, AAiP, President and Managing Director, Digital Strategy, and Kevin Marlage, Senior Consultant, .orgSource

Wed 12/17 at 1:30 p.m. – The Future of Association Boards (FAB) Community Dialogue Grand Finale Zoom Meeting

Join this 90-minute session during which we will wrap up our collaborative project. More info/register.

Host: Jeff De Cagna, executive advisor, Foresight First

Thu 12/18 at 12 p.m. – AWTC Meet & Greet

Connect with new faces in the association tech community. Join us for a 30-minute welcome event to forge fresh connections and discover our vibrant Slack community. More info/register.

Host: Association Women Technology Champions

Fri 12/19 at 3 p.m. – Nonprofit Consultants Collaborative Monthly Networking Meeting

Organizer: Cecilia Sepp, CAE, founder, Rogue Tulips Consulting

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Association Brain Food: 11.21.25

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

Because of Thanksgiving, I’m not publishing Association Brain Food next Friday, November 28. See you back here on Friday, December 5.

“Everything that needs to be said has already been said. But since no one was listening, everything must be said again.” ―André Gide

Good reads for the association community

AMS implementation. Most of us have an AMS horror story, but after 400+ implementations, re:Members knows how to turn those forebodings into success. Kristina Jaksatas, their VP of Professional Services, shares how their partnership approach turns the two biggest implementation fears (endless timeline, change-resistant staff) into manageable realities. A must-read if you’re evaluating systems or getting ready for project kick-off.

Disney fan slop. Disney’s letting fans create their own AI-generated content inside its IP universe. Harmless adult child’s play? Mitch Joel laments the fate of stories when they become infinitely customizable. Giving everyone the pen diminishes the magic of shared narrative experiences.

Learning as a revenue stream. D2L explains which types of online learning programs generate the most revenue, how to monetize them effectively, and why three-quarters of associations are increasing their learning budgets this year. They also examine how associations are reworking their membership models around these programs and common implementation challenges. If you’re treating education purely as a member benefit, this data might change your strategy.

The real scoop on Gen Z. Two Gen Z staffers at Mighty Citizen discuss why associations are missing the mark with their generation. They explain how to reach the Zoomers who’ll be sustaining membership ten years from now. Has your association had these discussions? Make a plan to build quarterly conversations with Gen Z into your schedule.

Association SEO course. Want to improve your site’s Google ranking? The SEO for Associations Certificate Course at Association Academy gives you 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.

Member-centric planning. Chris Vaughan at Sequence Consulting says most associations plan for members who already love them, not the ones who almost walked away. He shares seven practical moves for bringing different voices into the room. These activities help prevent the “inward drift” that happens quietly in associations over time.

Event marketing that works. ExpoLogic’s event marketing guide covers research-backed strategies for the entire event lifecycle, like crafting registration pages that convert and post-event surveys that gather useful feedback from attendees, exhibitors, volunteers, and speakers. If you’re tired of generic promotional emails that go nowhere, check out the sections on personalization and data-driven retargeting.

Attracting an audience. Nathan Wahl at Animalz says your goal for effective SEO/AEO should be differentiation. Create something readers can’t get elsewhere, instead of another ‘comprehensive guide’ to the same thing your competitors are writing about. I’ve written these guides because my clients’ agencies insist they publish them. But I agree with Nathan: deeper, niche, opinionated, and/or research-based content is a smarter move and much more enjoyable and informative to read.

Event strategy. Inspired by Sasha Frieze and her book, The Chief Event Officer’s Playbook (which is on sale for 99 cents right now on Kindle), David Adler at GatheringPoint.news discusses what it takes to “lead an event rather than simply execute one.” Events aren’t just productions. They’re “strategic, emotional, political propositions about who gets heard, what gets remembered, and what gets acted on.”

Free CAE workshops. If you need CAE credits, check out Ed Rigsbee’s 36 CAE-relevant workshops—nine of them are one-hour Ethics workshops. To qualify for CAE credits, you have to pass a test.

Snacks

How to discover what you’re actually good at: the 12 points of pleasure at work—a simple framework the author used to go from career crisis to career clarity (without changing fields). | Nathalia Montenegro

Common credentialing myths busted. Did you believe any of them? | Vita Greco, ICE-CCP and A.J. Wolf, Institute for Credentialing Excellence

Is higher education in a long decline, like 15^th century Venice was? | Hollis Robbins

21 facts about throwing good parties—a useful checklist if you’re new at hosting, although he doesn’t mention music (a must). The trick is finding the right mix and volume for your guests. | Uri, Atoms vs Bits

You never grow old at the table

Jim was away on his annual hunting trip last week, so I indulged in gorgonzola, spinach, and mushroom pasta. If you’re a blue cheese fan, this one’s for you. Happy aside: we’ve got two deer heading for the freezer!

One night, I loaded up our usual dinner salad (lettuce and spinach mix, arugula, cuke, celery, radish, carrot, broccoli, red bell pepper, sweet onion, and grape tomatoes) with steamed, chilled snap peas, avocado, pecans, and blackened salmon.

We’ve been eating this on repeat: bratwurst, cabbage, and white bean skillet. The original recipe calls for egg noodles, but white beans are a more nutritious option. I omit the bacon, add red bell, poblano, and jalapeño peppers, and sub ham for chicken broth.

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Fri 11/21 at 3 p.m.* – Nonprofit Consultants Collaborative Monthly Networking Meeting

Organizer: Cecilia Sepp, CAE, founder, Rogue Tulips Consulting

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

Mon 11/24 at 8 a.m. – The Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts: Art for All! (Thankful for the Arts Month on Radio Free 501c, the podcast of Rogue Tulips Consulting)

Host: Cecilia Sepp, CAE, ACNP, LPEC, Principal & Founder, Rogue Tulips Consulting

Guest: Trudy Hughes, Chief Executive Officer, The Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts

Mon 11/24 at 11 a.m. – Cross-Channel Engagement: The Key to Stronger Member Connections

Learn how associations can connect with members across multiple channels. Not with more noise, but with the right message at the right moment. Find out what it takes to show up consistently where members are already paying attention, turn quick interactions into deeper conversations, connect your channels so the experience feels personal, not fragmented, and respond to member signals in real time to guide them forward. Take away simple, actionable tactics you can start using immediately to make every member feel seen, heard, and valued, no tech overhaul required. More info/register.

Host: PropFuel

Speaker: Ryan Graham, Chief Revenue Officer, PropFuel

Tue 11/25 at 11 a.m. – From Batch-And-Blast to 1:1 Messaging: How AI Is Redefining Email Marketing

Learn how AI is reshaping the way marketers build, send, and optimize campaigns, and how to deliver personalized, 1:1 messaging that drives higher opens, clicks, and conversions—without adding manual work.1 CAE credit. Hear about real-world case examples of actionable tactics for improving open rates, click-throughs, and conversions. More info/register.

Host: UST Education

Speaker: Molly Quast, Director of Growth and Strategy, rasa.io

Wed 11/26 at 3 p.m. – Most Webinars Flop. Ours Catch Fire. Here’s the Cheat Code.

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; and shift passive scrollers into active and chatty attendees. Get real examples from webinars that broke the “boring” mold. More info/register.

Host: Member Lounge

Speaker: Farhad Kahn, CEO/Marketing Strategist, Member Lounge

Thu 11/27 at 9 a.m. – Modern Event Tech Marketing Practices

Learn what it really takes to bring an event tech product to market: from positioning and partnerships to timing and trust. Hear how to align your marketing, sales, and product teams to build momentum that lasts. More info/register.

Host: fielddrive

Speakers:

Christine Gow, VP of Marketing, EventMobi
Vignesh Ramalingam, Marketing Head, fielddrive

Tue 12/2 at 8 a.m. – Navigating Through the In-Between with Interim Nonprofit and Association Leadership (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: When an executive leaves, the in-between can become a powerful time for reflection instead of panic. Discover how an interim director can help strengthen association systems, rebuild trust, and set the stage for what’s next. More info.

Host: Carol Hamilton, Principal, Grace Social Sector Consulting

Guest: Erin Stratford Owens

Tue 12/2 at 11 a.m. – Q4 ASAE Consultant Community Call

Based on community feedback, we’re refreshing this quarterly call to put the focus back on networking and genuine connections with fellow consultants. We’ll kick things off with a quick update from the Content Task Force of the Key Consultant Committee (trust us, it’s worth knowing about), then spend most of our time together connecting and collaborating. Get the opportunity to have real conversations, exchange ideas, and build meaningful relationships. More info/register (ASAE members only).

Host: ASAE

Tue 12/2 at 12 p.m. – The Future of Search Isn’t Links: It’s Answers

AI tools like ChatGPT, Perplexity, and Google’s SGE are changing how people search, trust, and consume information. If your website and content aren’t AEO-ready, you could be missing out on visibility and traffic. Hear both the strategic and technical perspectives on how associations can adapt content strategies, enhance member engagement, and stay visible in an AI-driven search environment. More info/register.

Host: Association Women Technology Champions

Speakers:

Charles Smitherman, CEO of Association of Progressive Rental Organizations
Alyssa Hulka, Chief Experience Officer; Kelsey Mills, Website Strategist; and Merrick Kressley, Digital Marketing Strategist, Accella

Tue 12/2 at 12 p.m. – The Fragile Currency: Rebuilding Trust When Everything Feels Uncertain

Trust is the invisible currency that holds every organization together, and it’s never been more fragile than it is today. Explore how leaders and organizations can use technology to build trust rather than break it, turning data into transparency, communication tools into connection, and digital platforms into places where people feel seen. Through real-world stories of trust lost and regained, learn how to identify the moments where confidence fractures, repair them with authenticity, and design systems that make belonging a measurable part of your strategy. More info/register.

Host: GrowthZone

Speaker: KiKi L’Italien, Keynote Speaker, Advisor, Creator & Host, Things Go Sideways Podcast, and Founder, Amplified Growth

Tue 12/2 at 12 p.m. – End of Year Review

More info/register.

Host: Data Analytics Network

Tue 12/2 at 1 p.m. – Upsizing, Downsizing, and Rightsizing: Lease Considerations in Times of Change

Key business shifts—such as return-to-office mandates, work-from-home policies, talent acquisition, workforce reduction, business expansion, and funding cuts—can influence your organization’s lease requirements. Learn about the accounting implications of a changing footprint, including the evaluation of lease modifications under ASC 842, Leases, and other essential considerations when downsizing or upsizing your leased space. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.

Host: UST Education

Speaker: Diana Connolly, Director, Nonprofit Consulting at Aprio Advisory Group, LLP

Tue 12/2 at 1 p.m. – Ethical Facilitation: Upholding Integrity Through Core Competencies

Learn about the ethical dimensions of facilitation. Explore real-world dilemmas and apply the self-assessment framework to evaluate your own practice across eight domains. Uncover strategies to remain neutral, build inclusive environments, balance competing perspectives, and safeguard trust. By connecting facilitation ethics to professional competencies, take away a practical roadmap for upholding integrity and modeling ethical leadership in association and nonprofit contexts. 1 CAE ethics credit. More info/register.

Host: Event Garde

Speakers:

Aaron Wolowiec, Founder & President, Event Garde
Lowell Aplebaum, CEO, Vista Cova

Tue 12/2 at 2 p.m. – Component Benchmarking Virtual Meet-Up: From Data to Direction

Explore the key findings from our Component Benchmarking Research Project and discuss what the data reveals—for today and for the future of your components and associations. Discuss trends, actionable insights, and how these findings can be applied to drive real-world results in your association. More info/register.

Hosts: re:Members and Mariner Management

Tue 12/2 at 4 p.m. – Let’s Chat: Small Staff Associations – Non-Dues Revenue

The discussion focuses on non-dues revenue from the perspective of the small staff association. Share success stories, discuss current challenges, and pose questions to the community. More info/register (ASAE members only).

Host: ASAE Small Staff Advisory Committee

Tue 12/2 at 5 p.m. – NextGen Presents: Young Professionals Meetup (Washington DC)

Attend a fun evening of networking and socializing with fellow young professionals. This in-person event offers a relaxed and casual setting to connect with like-minded peers, exchange ideas, and build meaningful relationships. Location: Washington DC. More info/register.

Organizer: ASAE NextGen Committee

Wed 12/3 at 12 p.m. – The Conversion Truth: Vanity Analytics vs. True ROI Metrics

While open rates, click-throughs, and follower counts might look good in reports, they rarely show the real impact of your marketing efforts. Break free from the illusion of surface-level success and shift focus to the metrics that actually drive conversions, engagement, and ROI. Learn how to track meaningful actions, like content engagement, lead quality, and registration behavior—all of which directly connect to your association’s goals. More info/register.

Host: HighRoad Solutions

Wed 12/3 at 12 p.m. – The Future of Healthcare Associations: Unique Challenges & Opportunities

Discuss how changes and issues in the healthcare landscape today will impact the future of our associations. Exchange insights and share ideas with each another. More info/register (ASAE members only).

Host: ASAE Healthcare Community Advisory Council

Facilitators:

Teresa Fraker, Executive Director of the Obesity Medicine Association
Tina Gordon, CEO of the North Carolina Nurses Association

Wed 12/3 at 12 p.m. – Career Planning & Leadership Goal Setting

About 40 years, 10,000 days, 80,000 hours. Measure it any way you like, but this is about the length of your career. With so much of your life spent working, does it not make sense to also spend time planning your career in an organized, strategic manner? And specifically, how do you set, and execute on, your professional goals? More info/register.

Hosts: Randall Craig and Ronja Francoeur, Braintrust Professional Institute

Wed 12/3 at 1 p.m. – From Data to Decisions: How Associations Can Confidently Manage Their Portfolios

Discover how to approach a portfolio analysis in a way that is feasible, data-informed, and grounded in organizational culture. Learn how to improve your current approach to data, process and strategy to prepare for a portfolio analysis; where to focus your efforts to drive confident decisions that balance financial health with mission impact; and how to make a portfolio analysis an iterative, actionable and strategic part of your organization’s decision-making. More info/register.

Host: McKinley Advisors

Speakers: Caroline Baugher, Practice Director, and Jesús R. Aviña, Analyst, McKinley Advisors

Wed 12/3 at 1 p.m. – Integrating Financial Health Assessments into Your Organization’s Planning Process

Learn about the key elements of financial health and how they respond to changing conditions and unexpected disruptions. Hear how to design and implement procedures to perform a periodic financial health assessment within their organization; analyze the role of operating reserves in organizational sustainability and use them as a strategic indicator of financial health; and apply a financial health assessment template, adapting it to evolving organizational needs and strategic priorities. 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

Wed 12/3 at 1 p.m. – How Smart Associations Are Driving Non-Dues Revenue with Personalization

Engaging, interactive content experiences can drive new subscriptions, enrollments, event registrations, sales, and more—making your organization’s revenue mix stronger and more diverse. Learn how to transform your subscription list into a data-generating revenue stream, drive more sales within your association, increase member engagement, and grow registrations, attendee engagement, and sponsorship sales at your conferences and events. More info/register.

Host: CredSpark

Speakers: Casey Cornelius, Head of Content and Client Services, and Gabi Murphy, Customer Success Manager, CredSpark

Wed 12/3 at 2 p.m. – Finance and Business Operations (FBO) Meet Up

Bring your pressing problems and share experiences and potential solutions in an engaging conversation with your colleagues. Some topics that recently came up include salary increases for 2026, insurance and benefit costs, and end-of-the-year planning. However, we are open to discussing other topics as well. More info/register (ASAE members only).

Host: ASAE Finance and Business Operations Professionals Advisory Council (including HR)

Wed 12/3 at 3 p.m. – Empowering Connection: Where Members and Technology Unite

Learn how to design digital environments that cultivate a strong sense of belonging and vibrant community; achieve the ideal equilibrium between technology solutions and personalized human engagement; transform member interaction with emerging technologies; develop and execute a multi-channel digital communication strategy that captivates and resonates with diverse membership segments; and leverage the power of data analytics and structured feedback mechanisms to customize and enhance the individual member journey. More info/register.

Host: Nexus Marketing

Speakers:

Janna Fiester, Vice President of UX and Creative at Sandstorm
Joe Felperin, Director of Strategic Business Development at Popshap
Tirrah Switzer, Vice President of Product Marketing at Momentive

Thu 12/4 at 11 a.m. – How to Find the Right Fit: What to Know Before Choosing a Technology Vendor

When it comes to the success of member-based organizations, choosing the right technology partner can make all the difference. Hear how to evaluate critical considerations before you sign on the dotted line. From member management systems to learning platforms and beyond, learn how to identify what matters most for your organization. More info/register.

Hosts: Vocalmeet and Ellipsis Partners

Speakers:

Laurelle Jno Baptiste, Chief Implementation Officer, Vocalmeet
Rhoni Rakos, Lead Consultant, Digital Strategy, Ellipsis Partners

Thu 12/4 at 11 a.m. – Responsible AI: From Guidelines to Policies

The pressure on finance teams—and the organizations they serve—to embrace AI is growing stronger every day. Learn best practices for using AI responsibly. Hear about the core concepts of AI—’machine learning,’ ‘reasoning models,’ and ‘AI agents’—data privacy, ethics, and the development of guidelines and policies to govern the use of these technologies within an organization. 1 CAE ethics credit. More info/register.

Host: UST Education

Speaker: Edwin Harvey, PhD, Director, AI Solutions and Training at Your Part-Time Controller LLC

Thu 12/4 at 1 p.m. – Giving Voice: Understanding and Reporting Lobbying, Advocacy, and Political Activities

Learn how to navigate the complex tax and compliance rules for tax-exempt organizations engaging with the political process. Find out how to differentiate between lobbying, advocacy, and political activities, and the reporting requirements and tax consequences of each. Hear about the specific rules for 501(c)(3) organizations, including the no-substantial-part test and the 501(h) election, as well as the rules for 501(c)(4), (5), and (6) organizations regarding non-deductible member dues and the proxy tax. Get practical best practices and strategies for carefully tracking and reporting all political and lobbying expenditures. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.

Host: UST Education

Speakers: Andrew Hassler, CPA, Tax Manager, and J. Calvin Marks, CPA, Tax Principal, Johnson Lambert LLP

Thu 12/4 at 2 p.m. – Predictions, Pitfalls and Possibilities

Host: 501Works

Speaker: James Marquis, CIO, 501Works

Thu 12/4 at 3 p.m. – 2026 Association Trends & Predictions

Get ahead of the biggest shifts in membership, engagement, and revenue: scaling your acquisition efforts and engagement strategies; reshaping your renewal strategy and growing your relationships with current members and beyond; and building the foundation for future readiness—all backed by data and insights from reports from MGI, ASAE, Higher Logic, and more. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.

Host: Higher Logic

Speakers: Reggie Henry (ASAE), Roberta Rosenberg (MGI), Kelly Whelan (Higher Logic) and Brendan Leehe (Higher Logic)

Thu 12/4 at 3 p.m. – The Engagement Code: 5 Powerful Steps Every Association Should Steal

Hear about a simple, powerful framework to turn passive members into active champions. Learn how to activate community champions with clear roles and prompts; build a shared lexicon that aligns staff, leaders, and members; design onboarding that delivers quick wins for new members; post questions that invite replies, stories, and peer-to-peer support; and create a valued community shaped by real member feedback. More info/register.

Host: Farhad Khan, CEO, Member Lounge

Speaker: Catherine Hackney, Principal of Confident Communities Consulting

Fri 12/5 at 1 p.m. – Foresight Fridays: Governance Strategy and Foresight

Host: ASAE ForesightWorks Advisory Group

Speaker: Jennifer McNelly, CAE, CEO of the American Society of Safety Professionals (ASSP)

Fri 12/5 at 1:30 p.m. – Association Rockstars Roundtable

The annual Association Rockstar’s Roundtable discusses 2025 reflections and their projections for 2026. Hear valuable perspectives to help you close the year on a high note and prepare for 2026 with confidence—perfect for association executives, nonprofit leaders, and community builders looking to spark innovation and deepen connections. More info/register.

Host: Lowell Aplebaum, CEO, Vista Cova

Tue 12/9 at 11 a.m. – Better Mouse, Better Mousetrap: Making the Shift to Phishing-Resistant MFA

Host: UST Education

Speakers: Andrew Leggett, Director, Cybersecurity, and Chris Ecker, Chief Technology Officer, DelCor Technology Solutions

Tue 12/9 at 1 p.m. – The Audience Advantage: How Well-Crafted Personas Power Smarter Web Strategies

Host: UST Education

Speakers: Marcie Peck, Director of Client Partnerships, and Bree Richmond, Director of Strategy, Yoko Co

Tue 12/9 at 2 p.m. – Component Benchmarking Virtual Meet-Up: Design Session – Turning Insights into Action

Hosts: re:Members and Mariner Management

Tue 12/9 at 2 p.m. – Fit-for-Purpose Association Board Director Course Information Session

Host: Association Forum

Speaker: Jeff De Cagna, executive advisor, Foresight First LLC

Tue 12/9 at 4:30 p.m. – 2025 End of Year Happy Hour (Washington DC)

Organizer: Association Women Technology Champions

Wed 12/10 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. – What You Need to Know to Thrive in 2026 (Washington DC)

Host: Certification Network Group

Speakers:

Mark Franco, Partner, Rimon Law
Jared Zurn, Chief Programs Officer, National Council of Architectural Registration Board
John Johnson, Director Legislative and Governmental Affairs, NASBA
Missy Pydo, Vice President and Managing Director, Global Strategy, Prometric

Wed 12/10 at 1 p.m. – AI Tools You Can Use: Get Started Today

Host: UST Education

Speaker: Erica Salm Rench, MBA, CMO at Sidecar

Thu 12/11 from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. – AI in Action Demo Day

Host: ASAE

Participants: Betty:AI, VideoRequest, Insight Guide, iMIS by ASI, Aplusify/EVA Event Tech Hub /MapleLMS, Momentive Software, Higher Logic, Blend Interactive, Fonteva/Protech, rasa.io

Thu 12/11 at 11 a.m. – Once Upon an Association: Telling Your Compelling Story

Host: UST Education

Speaker: Sheri Singer, President at Singer Communication

Thu 12/11 at 1 p.m. – The 2026 Learning Business Landscape

Host: Leading Learning

Speakers:

Jeff Cobb and Celisa Steele, co-founders of Tagoras and Leading Learning
Ashish Rangnekar, CEO, BenchPrep

Thu 12/11 at 1 p.m. – What Members Really Want: Insights for 2026 and Beyond

Host: UST Education

Speaker: Kelly Whelan, Senior Content Marketing Manager at Higher Logic

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 Johannes Plenio via Unsplash

Amazon, AssociationBrainFood.com, Association Academy, and Rogue Tulips links allow me to earn a royalty and/or complimentary registration from any resulting leads or sales. Thank you!

Association Brain Food: 11.14.25

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

Good reads for the association community

Your unique learning proposition. If your association is competing with MOOCs by offering cheaper courses or more CE credits, that’s the wrong approach. Instead, flaunt your competitive advantages: industry-specific content, portable credentials employers recognize, and built-in professional communities. TopClass LMS walks you through five differentiation strategies: cohort-based learning, stackable microcredentials, community integration, hybrid models, and AI personalization. They’re worth stealing.

Peer communities. James Young of Product Community previews the future membership value proposition for associations: leveraging peer engagement to create deep belonging. You might think you’re already there, but his vision goes further. He says your sustainable competitive advantage lies in “curating communities where knowledge is actively generated through peer interaction.” Your role “shifts from content creator to ecosystem architect, designing the conditions where peer engagement flourishes naturally.” That certainly beats the typical membership pitch.

Taking the CAE exam? The revised CAE Practice Exam from Rogue Tulips Consulting is here! Authored by CAE expert Cheryl Ronk, CAE, FASAE, this practice exam provides difficult questions to sharpen your thinking skills and test your knowledge. Seriously, don’t take the exam without it. Get $25 off with discount code RTBRAINFOOD.

AMS implementation. re:Members reveals the three requirements AMS vendors don’t stress (or even mention) during the sales process. Their guide shares lessons from thousands of implementations, including why executive buy-in isn’t enough, what needs to go on hold during implementation, and why go-live is just the beginning.

Embracing Boomers. Sidecar’s been on a roll lately with more good posts and podcast episodes than I can share, so I recommend subscribing to both. This post by Mallory Mejias is based on an episode with UX strategist and content designer Bryan Kelly about the longevity economy and unretirement movement. He says associations can lead the way in reskilling lifelong learners in their 60s and beyond. “They’re not intimidated by digital tools—they’re just more deliberate about which ones they choose to use.” Another post featuring Kelly describes the user experience mistakes driving the 50+ group away. Prepare to have your assumptions about this demographic corrected.

Member journey to belonging. “Belonging isn’t built on guesswork. It’s designed through thoughtful, data-informed choices that make members feel seen, valued, and part of something bigger,” says Rhoni Rakos of Ellipsis Partners. She rethinks member engagement using a Settlers of Catan analogy: members as Tourists, Settlers, or Townspeople at different stages in their quest to belong and build a community.

AMS trends. If you’re evaluating AMS options—or just plain curious—Growthzone’s infographic is worth a look. They outline ten AMS trends for 2026, including AI automation, deep integrations, predictive analytics, modular pricing, and enhanced security and privacy protections. Each trend includes practical guidance on what it means for your day-to-day work.

Membership value sweet spot. In Association Forum, Christine Saunders of Halmyre describes four steps to identifying and implementing a unique and differentiated membership value proposition. She suggests aiming for the Red Zone: “the sweet spot where your association’s unique capabilities intersect with your members’ unmet needs, in an area where your competition is not a factor.”

Snacks

Beyond SEO: what you need to know about GEO and AEO. | 360 Live Media

What is antisemitism? The first warning sign of a culture in a state of cognitive collapse. | Rabbi Jonathan Sacks

The innovation that’s killing restaurant culture: delivery has turned America into a nation of order-inners. | Ellen Cushing, The Atlantic (this was a gift link, hopefully, it still is)

You never grow old at the table

I love rediscovering a dish after not making it for a long time, like maple barbecue glazed salmon. So simple, so darn good. Glaze two fillets with a mix of three tablespoons each of barbecue sauce and maple syrup, and one tablespoon each of Worcestershire and hot sauce. It’s great with any bold fish, like bluefish and mackerel.

On the side, kale sautéed with bacon, onion, red bell pepper, garlic, smoked paprika, and a drizzle of sherry vinegar.

Another excellent dish for a cold night—not quite as simple as the salmon but simple enough: Provençal braised chicken thighs. I used four large thighs and a medium onion, went heavy on the olives, and served it over polenta. On the side, collards sautéed with bacon, onion, carrot, poblano, jalapeño, garlic, sundried tomatoes, ham broth, and sherry vinegar.

To subscribe to Association Brain Food, please complete the form in the sidebar or at the bottom of this post.

Mon 11/17 at 8 a.m.* – The Arts are not just those SOBs (Symphonies, Operas and Ballets) (Thankful for the Arts Month on Radio Free 501c, the podcast of Rogue Tulips Consulting)

Host: Cecilia Sepp, CAE, ACNP, LPEC, Principal & Founder, Rogue Tulips Consulting

Guest: Jay Dick, Senior Director-Advocacy and Partnerships, Americans for the Arts

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

Mon 11/17 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

Mon 11/17 at 12 p.m. – Soulless AI: Protecting Your Association’s Voice in the Age of Algorithms

There’s no question that AI use in associations is increasing. According to a 2025 report, 58% of associations are using AI occasionally or frequently—up from 36% last year. But with increased AI use, associations may risk losing their most important asset—the authentic voice of their members and mission. Hear about the hidden challenges of AI adoption: diluted reputation, brand erosion, and member disconnect. Take away practical strategies to keep your association’s identity at the heart of every innovation. More info/register.

Host: Association Xchange

Speaker: Khánh Vũ, former CEO and Executive Director of the Society of Asian Scientists & Engineers

Tue 11/18 at 8 a.m. – Innovation Starts with Nonprofit and Association Culture (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: Innovation tools like Lean Startup and design thinking can only go so far. Learn why association organizational culture ultimately determines whether new ideas take root or stall. More info.

Host: Carol Hamilton, Principal, Grace Social Sector Consulting

Guests: Elizabeth Engel (Spark Consulting) and Jamie Notter

Tue 11/18 at 10:30 a.m. – Meetings That Matter: The Secret to Real Engagement and Connection

With the right facilitation, meetings can be the spark that drives ideas, inclusion, and real change. Learn how to design meetings that generate real ideas (not just more talk); ensure participants feel respected, heard, and included; cut down on meetings that waste time and money; turn “status updates” into momentum; and improve collaboration in your association. More info/register.

Host: Farhad Khan, CEO of Member Lounge,

Speaker: Lee Gimpel, founder of Better Meetings

Tue 11/18 at 12 p.m. – AI Simplified: Practical Tips for Organizations to Get Started

Learn how to explore AI, even without a tech background or large team; use AI-powered tools for email automation, personalized content, and campaign optimization; use AI for content creation, member learning, and improving staff productivity; and how AI can streamline your workflows, eliminate repetitive tasks, and enhance decision-making across your organization. More info/register.

Host: GrowthZone

Speakers:

Erica Salm Rench, Chief Marketing Officer, Sidecar
Erin Hall, Senior Product Marketing Manager, GrowthZone

Tue 11/18 at 12 p.m. – Story Power that Moves Policy

Learn about the power of using supporter content to impact real policy change. Hear how to build a messaging framework to create effective stories, navigate today’s changing algorithm and stand out in noisy online environments, identify what metrics to measure based on your organization’s goals, and go beyond emotion to create measurable impact. More info/register.

Host: AdvocacyAI

Tue 11/18 at 12 p.m. – Your AI Journey: A Nonprofit’s Guide to Getting Started

Get a clear, practical, and people-first AI roadmap to help you move from uncertainty to confident action. Learn how to cut through AI hype and define a clear, people-first path forward by reframing adoption as a structured change-management process; identify early opportunities through staff engagement and empower an internal team to lead innovation; and select secure, enterprise-grade tools while building staff confidence for responsible, mission-driven AI use. More info/register.

Host: PTKO

Speakers:

Mimi Yeh, Engagement Director, PTKO
George Danilovics, Chief Information Officer

Tue 11/18 at 12 p.m. – Managing Volunteer Dynamics: Addressing Disruptive Influences (ASAE CRVM Crunch and Munch)

Discuss tactful, professional approaches for handling volunteers who derail teamwork, share practical solutions for tricky volunteer-management scenarios and explore ways to expand meaningful volunteer engagement. More info/register (ASAE members only).

Host: ASAE Component Relations Volunteer Management Advisory Council

Facilitator: CRVM Council member Elizabeth George

Tue 11/18 at 1 p.m. – Using AI to Improve Productivity and Member Connections

Discover how the South Carolina Association of CPAs is successfully integrating AI to optimize workflows, enhance communication, and deepen member engagement. Learn how they have implemented AI-driven strategies to streamline processes, automate routine tasks, and provide members with more meaningful interactions. Hear about the challenges, successes, and lessons learned, providing valuable takeaways for associations looking to embark on their own AI journey. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.

Host: re:Members

Speakers:

Liz Peuster, CAE, South Carolina Association of CPAs
Sherry Whitaker Budziak, .orgSource

Tue 11/18 from 1 to 6 p.m. – “AI in Action: Transforming Associations for the Future” Summit/Reception (Washington DC)

For C-level association execs: hear from association executives who are already putting AI to work, the tech experts building the tools behind the scenes, and the association strategists helping leaders successfully navigate AI. Sessions will cover: building the case for AI to empower members/staff and demonstrate the value of your association; approaches to piloting/implementing AI; association success stories and use cases; integrating into existing programs/systems; and budgeting, revenue opportunities and measuring ROI. Location: Washington DC. More info/register.

Host: Results Direct | RD Mobile

Speakers: Thad Lurie, CAE, AAiP, Juan Sanchez, Alex Skinner, Russell Magnuson, AAiP, Brittany Carter, Dan Scheeler, CAE, and Benjamin Muscolino

Tue 11/18 at 1 p.m. – Contagious Member Engagement: How Value Loops Create Forever Connection

Learn about value loops and their power for creating sustained engagement that results in deeper connection and new revenue; the conditions that make value loops work; how to develop a value loop that is effective and usable; and how to apply value loops to your association. More info/register.

Host: Forj

Speakers:

James Young, Founder and Chief Learning Officer, Product Community
Terri Herrmann, Chief Marketing Officer, Forj

Tue 11/18 at 1 p.m. – Build It Yourself: AI Agents, No-Code Tools, and Workflow Automations for Associations

Learn how an AI agent produces a complete member newsletter every week—content curation, writing, formatting, and publishing; how to create a custom member feedback tool by simply describing what you need to an AI; how one association built a legislative feedback system that collects member perspectives on specific bills, organizes responses, and delivers actionable insights—simply by describing what they needed; how to create a legislation monitoring system using a no-code platform that tracks only the bills relevant to your members, automatically summarizes key provisions, and alerts you to important developments. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.

Host: Raffa Investment Advisors

Speaker: Evan Hawkins, CAE, Association Executive, W Strategies LLC

Tue 11/18 at 2 p.m. – Building a Culture of Connection: Onboarding and Integrating New Members

Want to keep your members coming back year after year? It all starts with building a strong culture of connection from day one. Learn the proven strategies that will transform your onboarding process into a game-changer for member engagement and retention. More info/register.

Host: ASAE

Speaker: Peter Hodgen, Director of Business Development, GrowthZone

Tue 11/18 at 3 p.m. – Intro to AI Webinar for Associations and Nonprofits

Host: Sidecar

Speakers:

Erica Salm Rench, CMO, Sidecar
Thomas Altman, Co-founder, Tasio

Tue 11/18 at 4 p.m. – Fit-for-Purpose Association Board Director Course Information Session

Host: Association Forum

Speaker: Jeff De Cagna, executive advisor, Foresight First LLC

Wed 11/19 at 12 p.m. – When Members Lead – How Empowerment Builds Stronger Connections

Learn how empowering members to take the lead not only boosts engagement and sparks innovation but also strengthens your organization’s long-term impact. Hear practical strategies for identifying and nurturing the right member leaders, equipping them with the tools and support to succeed, and balancing structure and autonomy to keep your community energized and effective. More info/register.

Host: GrowthZone AMS

Wed 11/19 at 1 p.m. – This Is Your Content. This Is Your Content on Algorithms. Any Questions?

Learn how to stop the scroll with hooks that demand attention in a sea of distractions; why credibility matters and how to prove you’re worth listening to; package it right; ask for the action; test, learn, and adapt to better over time. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.

Host: Fonteva

Speaker: Andrew Hanelly, Chief Strategy Officer, Revmade

Wed 11/19 at 1 p.m. – Quick Wins to Boost Association Revenue: Small Tweaks, Big Impact

When you were a kid, did you ever say, “When I grow up, I want to be in sales!”? Probably not. Most association professionals in revenue-generating roles didn’t plan to wear a sales hat, they just found themselves in one and have been figuring it out as they go. If that sounds like you, and you’d love some practical, right-now tactics to boost results from sponsorships, exhibits, advertising, and other industry partner programs, join this fun, fast “lunch & EARN” workshop. Learn five tactical sales tips you can put into action immediately to help increase revenue in 2026. More info/register.

Host: Carrie McIntyre, Founder & Principal, Navigate

Wed 11/19 at 1 p.m. – Risky Business: Building Safer, Smarter Events Together

Associations and destinations encounter a variety of risks that can impact the success of meetings and events, from safety and accessibility to climate considerations, health measures and community values like social justice and environmental sustainability. Take a comprehensive look at these risks from all perspectives and explore how proactive and collaborative planning can priorities and foster stronger partnerships. 1 CMP credit. More info/register.

Host: Meetings Today

Speakers:

Amy Hissrich, MA, CAE, Vice President, International Affairs, ASAE
Emily Scheiderer, Senior Director of Education, Sales and Services, Destinations International
Stuart Ruff-Lyon, Chief Events and Sales Officer, RIMS

Wed 11/19 at 2:30 p.m. – Event Agendas: Avoiding Contracting Pitfalls

Event contracts are packed with details, but the event agenda often hides the small mistakes that can create big problems onsite. From incorrect dates to unrealistic setup times, overlooking this section can cost both time and money. Learn about the key contract details to always double-check before signing. More info/register.

Host: Heather Reid, CEO/founder, Planner Protect

Thu 11/20 at 11 a.m. – Neurodiverse-Strong Leaders: Empowering Great Minds in Leaders, Volunteers, and Staff

Explore how association professionals can excel as neurodiverse executives while fostering an inclusive environment for neurodiverse staff and volunteer leaders. Gain practical strategies to leverage cognitive differences as strengths, improve communication, and create support systems that enhance collaboration and well-being. Through real-world examples and actionable takeaways, learn to navigate challenges, cultivate psychological safety, and promote a culture of belonging. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.

Host: UST Education

Speakers:

Sharon Kneebone, Executive Director at American Academy of Pain Medicine
Laurie Kulikosky, CEO at Children and Adults with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder
Rhonda M. Payne, CEO at Flock Theory
Sara L. Wood, MBA, CAE, Account Executive at MSP
Cynthia Young, CAE, Executive Director, American Art Therapy Association

Thu 11/20 at 12 p.m. – Beyond the Count: Stop the Cycle and Grow Lifetime Value

See how the Lifetime Value of Members (LVM) impacts retention and your bottom line, and why the number of members is less important than their value. Find out how retention is correlated to member segmentation and using LVM data helps identify which members are most likely to renew and invest. Hear about three strategies to cultivate more long-term and higher-value members, increase the average revenue of members, and track the Lifetime Value of Members. Learn how to recruit for retention and enhance the member experience to develop the loyal, long-term members that support your mission. More info/register.

Host: Cathi Hight, President of Hight Performance Group

Thu 11/20 at 12 p.m. – Leading in the Age of AI

The reality of AI is deeply personal: it’s shaping how we spend our time, how we make decisions, and even how we think about the future of our roles. This session will connect association leaders for a series of 1:1 reflective conversations on the real-life impact of AI using Natter, an AI-powered conversational intelligence tool that connects participants in video conversations, anonymously captures perspectives, intelligently analyzes the responses, and shares the insights and results with all participants. More info/register.

Host: ASAE Executive Management Professionals Advisory Council (EMAC)

Thu 11/20 at 1 p.m. – Marketing on a Shoestring: Smart Planning for Small Teams

Learn to stop running on the hamster wheel of “more, more, more” and instead focus on smart strategies that grow membership. Explore how to better understand your members, nurture them with relevant messages, and create campaigns that attract new members while keeping current ones engaged. Learn how to work smarter by truly understanding your audiences, strengthening current membership communities, optimizing every touchpoint, and building sustainable pathways for growth. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.

Host: UST Education

Speaker: Olena Lima, CAE, Founder at Membership Marketing School

Thu 11/20 at 4 p.m. – Ask the Association Attorney: Everything You Want to Know

In a Q&A-driven format, this is your opportunity to ask our speaker about any association legal topic on your mind. Explore some of the hottest topics and legal risks creating buzz in the association community. Learn the key red flags you need to be able to spot, what you should do when you spot them, and practical tips and suggestions for protecting your association and mitigating legal risk. More info/register.

Host: ASAE Reston Loudoun Swap

Speaker: Jeffrey S. Tenenbaum, Esq, Tenenbaum Law Group PLLC

Fri 11/21 at 3 p.m. – Nonprofit Consultants Collaborative Monthly Networking Meeting

Organizer: Cecilia Sepp, CAE, founder, Rogue Tulips Consulting

Mon 11/24 at 11 a.m. – Cross-Channel Engagement: The Key to Stronger Member Connections

Host: PropFuel

Speaker: Ryan Graham, Chief Revenue Officer, PropFuel

Tue 11/15 at 11 a.m. – From Batch-And-Blast to 1:1 Messaging: How AI Is Redefining Email Marketing

Host: UST Education

Speaker: Molly Quast, Director of Growth and Strategy, rasa.io

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 Ricardo Gomez Angel via Unsplash

Amazon, AssociationBrainFood.com, Association Academy, and Rogue Tulips links allow me to earn a royalty and/or complimentary registration from any resulting leads or sales. Thank you!

Association Brain Food: 11.7.25

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

Good reads for the association community

Necessity for online learning. Apti explains why online learning is essential for association growth and viability. Young people and industry employers have made it clear they want these programs. The post shows how online learning and credentialing programs help you amplify your association’s unique advantages and address membership and market challenges.

Special interest groups. Clowder describes how to use your membership app to help members find their tribe within your association. Your mobile app is the bridge between isolation and connection. Find out how an app can encourage members to participate in special interest groups.

Grow non-dues revenue. YM Careers shares strategies for generating non-dues revenue with services that members actually value. Their guide has advice for optimizing events for sponsorship opportunities, building career centers, and creating publication sponsorship packages. You’ll also find ideas for conferences, job boards, member communications, website advertising, branded merchandise, and vendor partnerships. Each section includes tips for implementation and bundling opportunities to maximize revenue.

Association SEO course. Learn about Search Engine Optimization (SEO) for association websites in the SEO for Associations Certificate Course at Association Academy. Get 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

Trade show staffing for exhibitors. Rich Vallaster at Personify A2Z Events explains why exhibitors should invite more staff to work the booth at trade shows. He argues that exhibiting is ‘the new offsite’ and ‘a crash course in professional development’ that showcases your company culture. Budget for a bigger team presence in the future.

Q4 membership strategy. In Q4, it’s tempting to put off new initiatives. Mark Wallach of Engagement Mobile Strategies warns that doing nothing is a decision—and usually the most expensive one. If your organization stands still, engagement drops, renewals fall, and growth stalls. He explains how to future-proof member growth with the ‘mosaic of the member’ approach.

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 groundwork before your first RFP goes out.

Post-conference marketing. It’s good to see Scott Oser, a long-time membership and marketing consultant, back in print. He shares four post-event marketing tactics on the Member Lounge blog. Is your association doing all four?

Snacks

Any Wolf Hall trilogy fans out there? Watch Hans Holbein’s portrait of Thomas Cromwell come to life. | Wolf Hall Weekend

I think the whole point of 67 is to make anyone over 25 feel hopelessly clueless. Dictionary.com’s 2025 Word of the Year | Dictionary.com

You never grow old at the table

Life doesn’t get much sweeter than a big cookout on the deck on a sunny Saturday in November. Jim made pulled pork and BBQ chicken, and I made German potato salad. Lots of other dishes came with our guests. I made these recipe adjustments: omitted the carrot, used beef broth instead of water, reduced the sugar a bit, added diced pickles, and went heavy on the herbs.

Since there was a bit of a nip in the air, I filled up a crockpot with glühwein (mulled wine). Wow. I forgot how good it is. Thankfully, before it ran out, I stashed a glass away to enjoy after everyone left. I’ll need to make an additional pot on the stove next time since it was clearly a hit.

I made a casserole out of the leftover German potato salad with cooked boneless chicken thighs, onion, mushrooms, red bell pepper, poblano, jalapeños, and garlic. I topped it with cheddar, Gruyère, and Swiss cheese, plus Dijon mustard, sour cream, and parsley.

To subscribe to Association Brain Food, please complete the form in the sidebar or at the bottom of this post.

Fri 11/7 from 11 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.* – GURU Conference 2025

An email marketing conference designed to help exceed your current strategies with actionable advice you can deploy same-day, informed by a deep pool of real-time user data. Hear about the very latest digital trends, email best practices and emerging tools you’ll need to step up your email marketing performance today. Join us for two days of virtual sessions from industry experts that will take your email marketing programs to the next level. More info/register.

Host: GURU Media Hub

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

Mon 11/10 at 8 a.m. – Art Therapy (Thankful for the Arts Month on Radio Free 501c, the podcast of Rogue Tulips Consulting)

Host: Cecilia Sepp, CAE, ACNP, LPEC, principal and founder, Rogue Tulips Consulting

Guest: Cynthia Young, Executive Director, American Art Therapy Association

Mon 11/10 from 10 a.m. to 4:15 p.m. – Fall Symposium 2025 (Washington, DC)

A unique opportunity to engage with thought leaders and subject-matter experts who will guide us through the intricate and fascinating world of personal and professional development. Sessions—see descriptions in the online versions below: Bridging the Gap: How Associations Can Win the Next Generation; Security by Design: Protecting Your Payments and Reputation; Putting AI to Work for Your Members: Practical Applications You Can Start Using Today; Overcoming Technology Trauma: Learning from Successes and Failures in Technology Projects; and Navigating the Future: Innovation, Security, and Member-Centric Strategies for Associations. 5 CAE credits. Location: Washington, DC. More info/register.

Host: UST Education

Speakers:

Trevor Whyte, Vice President, Strategic Partnerships, Multiview
Wade Tetsuka, CPA, President, U.S. Transactions Corporation
Arden Winner, Senior Salesforce Consultant, Fíonta
Olivia Wilkins Business Analyst/ Project Manager, PerByte & Josh Carlson Founder & Chief Innovator, PerByte

Mon 11/10 at 10 a.m. – Bridging the Gap: How Associations Can Win the Next Generation (Fall Symposium 2025)

Grounded in Multiview’s latest research, Voice of the Member, explore how associations can close the awareness-value gap, embrace digital fluency, and revive in-person connection to attract and retain Gen Z and Millennial members. Hear about real data and actionable strategies that unpack what young professionals truly want from associations: tangible career outcomes, authentic digital engagement, and meaningful community. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.

Host: UST Education

Speaker: Trevor Whyte, Vice President, Strategic Partnerships, Multiview

Mon 11/10 at 11:15 a.m. – Security by Design: Protecting Your Payments and Reputation (Fall Symposium 2025)

From PCI compliance and tokenization to secure vaulting and gateway redundancy, learn how to create a payment ecosystem that is resilient, trustworthy, and built to handle evolving cyber threats. Using real-world scenarios from associations and nonprofits, hear how proactive security not only protects your data but also strengthens member and donor confidence. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.

Host: UST Education

Speaker: Wade Tetsuka, CPA, President, U.S. Transactions Corporation

Mon 11/10 at 12 p.m. – Membership Mondays: DIY Member Engagement Index

Learn about the Mortgage Bankers Association’s Member Engagement Index (MEI) Dashboard, which allocates points based on a set of member activities to identify and prioritize outreach to members with poor engagement who might be at-risk for not renewing. The MEI also enables them to identify gaps in engagement for member segments, longitudinal trends in engagement by segment or member, highly engaged members that could be a source of candidates for leadership roles, and engagement values by type of engagement. More info/register (ASAE members only).

Host: ASAE

Speakers: Ciara Durkan, Associate Vice President, Membership, and Peter Grace, SVP, Membership, Education, Technology and Strategy, Mortgage Bankers Association.

Mon 11/10 at 12:45 p.m. – Putting AI to Work for Your Members: Practical Applications You Can Start Using Today (Fall Symposium 2025)

Explore three realistic ways associations are already using AI to streamline operations and improve the member experience: guided onboarding, predictive renewals, and smarter self-service. This session is designed for a non-technical audience. We’ll walk through each example with real-world context, simple visuals, and a focus on what is possible today. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.

Host: UST Education

Speaker: Arden Winner, Senior Salesforce Consultant, Fíonta

Mon 11/10 at 2 p.m. – Overcoming Technology Trauma: Learning from Successes and Failures in Technology Projects (Fall Symposium 2025)

Learn about the psychological and financial impacts of failed technology projects on teams and organizations; the value of openly sharing project outcomes—including failures—with peers to foster collective learning; strategies to rebuild team resilience and confidence following project setbacks; retrospective tools such as post-mortems to improve outcomes in future technology initiatives; and the role of organizational leaders in mitigating burnout, managing stress, and motivating teams during and after challenging tech projects. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.

Host: UST Education

Speakers: Olivia Wilkins Business Analyst/ Project Manager, PerByte & Josh Carlson Founder & Chief Innovator, PerByte

Tue 11/11 at 11 a.m. – AI Isn’t Built for AMS Selection Decisions. Here’s Why (and What Works Instead)

In this session, we’ll separate where AI helps from where human judgment is non-negotiable. Learn a modern, practical approach to AMS selection that leads with strategy (not feature lists), compares vendors apples-to-apples, and earns real buy-in across teams and leadership. We’ll also show how to blend research and expertise so you make a confident decision that works for staff, members, and the next 3–5 years. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.

Host: UST Education

Speakers: Vanessa Dennison and David Schulman, Co-Founders at Beacon Tech Research

Tue 11/11 at 11:30 a.m. – The Event Pro’s AI Masterclass: Live, Guided Practice in Prompting & AI Agent Creation

Learn how to craft prompts that deliver consistent, on-brand outputs, build lightweight AI agents to streamline repetitive tasks, and bring ideas to life faster with tools that support everything from campaign briefs to post-event analysis. Walk through real use cases across the full event lifecycle, helping you apply AI in ways that make your work more efficient, creative, and scalable. More info/register.

Host: Bizzabo

Speaker: Chris Duke, Head of Brand Experiences, Glean

Tue 11/11 at 12 p.m. – Reimagining the Future of Healthcare Associations: Building Trust and Competency in a Digital Era

Healthcare associations are being called upon to lead the AI transformation, equipping members to use AI responsibly while ensuring equity and human-centered care remain at the forefront. Explore how associations can serve as both ethical stewards and innovation enablers in the AI revolution. Learn about the barriers to AI adoption, including digital illiteracy, fragmented data systems, and misinformation, and identify solutions that promote trust, education, and interoperability. Hear how associations can help bridge the gap between innovation and implementation. More info/register.

Host: Association Laboratory

Speakers:

Elizabeth Schumacher, CEO/Founder, Affinity Strategies
Nikki Golden, CAE, Managing Director, Association Laboratory

Wed 11/12 at 11 a.m. – Passiontivity: Aligning Career Pathing With Career Motivators

Today’s association staff want more than an opportunity to excel at their jobs. They want to do work they love. Yet too often leaders hire and promote based only on a person’s competencies, rather than considering their intrinsic career motivators. Learn about a tool, Passiontivity, that can revolutionize the way you recruit, engage, and career path your staff. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.

Host: UST Education

Speaker: Shira Lotzar, Chief Engagement Officer at Purposeful Hire

Wed 11/12 at 12 p.m. – Building Non-Dues Revenue Through Stronger Partnerships (Buzzworthy LIVE)

Tired of transactional sponsorships? Explore how associations can turn sponsorship sales into mission-driven partnerships that deliver lasting member value and sustainable non-dues revenue. Hear about real-world strategies to shift from sponsorships to partnerships, strengthen member impact while growing revenue, and keep partners engaged beyond one-time campaigns. More info/register.

Host: TaleWind Digital

Speakers:

Bruce Rosenthal, corporate partnership expert and author of Mastering Association Corporate Sponsorships
Marcus Leite, Director of Sales & Marketing at TaleWind Digital

Wed 11/12 at 12 p.m. – Board Governance, Board Development

Is your board operating at the highest level? Are you using your board meetings most effectively? Are all board members aware of their fiduciary responsibilities and conflicts of interest? Are they working effectively with the CEO? Are they up to date on timely issues, such as cybersecurity, IP protection, and risk? Learn how to build more effective boards with practical thinking on board governance, and best practices. More info/register.

Host: Randall Craig and Ronja Francoeur, Braintrust Professional Institute

Wed 11/12 at 1 p.m. – Changing Perceptions About Audit Committees: How to Better Position to be Value-Added

Learn about the core purpose, structure, and operating cycle for an audit committee. Explore what has shaped general perceptions related to audit committees and the underlying causes leading to wide-ranging misconceptions related to audit committees. Hear about actions 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, Fiscal Strategies 4 Nonprofits
Paul Preziotti, CPA, Partner, Johnson Lambert LLP

Wed 11/12 at 1 p.m. – How Smart Associations Are Driving Non-Dues Revenue with Personalization

Host: CredSpark

Speakers: Casey Cornelius, Head of Content and Client Services, and Gabi Murphy, Customer Success Manager, CredSpark

Wed 11/12 at 2 p.m. – What Were They Thinking?

Hear from two AMS co-founders about their start-up journey, how they create customer advocates, and how customers determine their roadmap. More info/register.

Host: Element AMS

Speakers: Vishal Shah, co-founder/CEO, and Chris Gorgoroso, co-founder/CPO, Element AMS

Wed 11/12 at 2 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. Gain insights into how your association can safeguard financial stability, amplify impact, and position itself for long-term success in a rapidly changing environment. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.

Host: ASAE

Speaker: Bill Sheehan, Global Head, Association Strategy, D2L

Wed 11/12 at 5 p.m. – DC Launch Event: Elevating Women in Association Leadership (Arlington VA)

The Alliance for Women in Associations is bringing together women across the association community for our very first 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: Arlington VA. More info/register.

Organizer: The Alliance for Women in Associations

Thu 11/13 at 11 a.m. – Turning Chaos Into Opportunity: Staffing Strategies for Associations in a Shifting Labor Market

The labor market is changing rapidly—layoffs, government shutdowns, and AI-driven hiring are creating both challenges and opportunities for associations. Learn how to turn staffing chaos into a strategic advantage. Discover how to streamline resume review, leverage technology effectively, and bring in flexible talent exactly when and where you need it. Take away practical strategies to keep your organization nimble, make smarter hiring decisions, and thrive in today’s evolving workforce. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.

Host: UST Education

Speaker: Jaime Hirschfeld, Director of Client Sales and Services at FlexProfessionals LLC

Thu 11/13 at 11 a.m. – Backstage Briefing – Designing Events that Matter: Sustainability Insights from TED

Explore how TED has transformed sustainability into a core operational value, rethinking food systems, materials, travel, and community partnerships, while setting new industry benchmarks. Take away actionable strategies to design events that make a meaningful and positive difference. 1 CMP credit. More info/register.

Host: Skift Meetings

Speakers:

Shawna McKinley, Principal at Clear Current Consulting
Kyle Shearer, Director of Event Operations at TED

Thu 11/13 at 12 p.m. – Reimagining the Future of Healthcare Associations: Strengthening the Workforce for the Future

The healthcare workforce stands at a crossroads, facing critical challenges of burnout, retirements, and evolving skill demands. Healthcare associations are uniquely positioned to respond with strategies that promote well-being, build resilience, and ensure that professionals are prepared for the future of care delivery. Examine the human and organizational dimensions of workforce reform. Explore initiatives that support mental health, career development, and workforce reentry, as well as the association’s role in policy advocacy, leadership development, and cultural transformation. More info/register.

Host: Association Laboratory

Speakers:

Stephanie Mercado, CAE, CPHQ, CEO of the National Association for Healthcare Quality
Nikki Golden, CAE, Managing Director, Association Laboratory

Thu 11/13 at 12 p.m. – How Event Professionals Are Using AI: Case Studies, Tools and Tactics

Hear about the most exciting case studies of how eventprofs use AI on the field. No BS fluff, no trends, just practical applications. More info/register.

Host: BoldPush

Speakers:

Julius Solaris, founder, BoldPush
Palash Soni, co-founder/CEO, Goldcast

Thu 11/13 at 12 p.m. – Board Governance That Works: From Floundering to Focused

Does your board sometimes struggle to stay in their lane? Are they inclined to dive into operations when you need them to focus on strategy? Or do they sometimes have their heads in the sand when a critical decision is needed? Hear what your directors must have to perform their role and how to take your board from “OK” to excellent. More info/register.

Host: Zzeem Consulting

Thu 11/13 at 12 p.m. – Tech Tuesday (on a Thursday!) – The Great Innovation Debate

What does innovation really mean in today’s associations? Is it disruption, steady improvement, a mindset shift, or something else entirely? Hear unique perspectives on how innovation takes shape—how it begins, what sustains it, and what often holds it back. This session is designed to challenge assumptions, uncover practical examples, and build a shared understanding of how innovation can thrive within associations. More info/register (ASAE members only).

Host: ASAE

Facilitators: Reggie Henry (ASAE) and David Coriale (DelCor)

Guests: Rebecca O’Brien (Institute of Real Estate Management), Carlos Cardenas (DelCor Technology Solutions) and Evan Reid (American Speech-Language-Hearing Association)

Thu 11/13 at 12 p.m. – AWTC Meet & Greet

Connect with new faces in the association tech community. Join us for a 30-minute welcome event to forge fresh connections and discover our vibrant Slack community. More info/register.

Host: Association Women Technology Champions

Thu 11/13 at 1 p.m. – Smart, Safe, and Strategic: The New Rules of AI for Associations

AI is no longer an emerging concept, it’s reshaping how associations operate, engage members, and make decisions. Yet success with AI isn’t just about adoption; it’s about leading responsibly. Drawing on insights from the latest Association Trends Study by Momentive Software, explore how associations are using AI today, the hurdles that arise with association operations, and why establishing and maintaining a strong AI policy is essential. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.

Host: UST Education

Speakers:

David Park, Director of Data & Business Analytics at National League of Cities
Tirrah Switzer, VP of Product Marketing at Momentive Software
Brian Chignoli, VP of AI and Product Experience at Momentive Software

Thu 11/13 at 1 p.m. – What Leading Associations Did Differently with Learning in 2025 (and Why It Worked)

Find out what worked in 2025—from rethinking how learning fits into the overall member value proposition to leveraging emerging technologies and experimenting with new business models. Learn how forward-looking associations are transforming their learning programs into growth engines; the role of technology, data, and innovation in creating more impactful and engaging experiences; and new approaches to credentialing, partnerships, and business models that expand reach and revenue. More info/register.

Host: BenchPrep

Speaker: Ashish Rangnekar, CEO/Co-founder, BenchPrep

Thu 11/13 at 1 p.m. – Associations Driving Digital Transformation with LMS

Learn how associations are stepping up to meet workforce reskilling demands by embracing scalable digital education strategies. Hear how AI, instructional innovation, and modern LMS platforms are changing the landscape—and how your organization can lead the way. More info/register.

Host: Momentive Software

Speakers:

Dan Streeter, Chief Executive Officer, Mission Fuel
Jesse Shorts, Learning Programs Expert, Momentive Software

Thu 11/13 at 2 p.m. – The Future of Association Boards (FAB) Community Dialogue Report @ 90 Days

It’s been about 90 days from the release of the FAB Report. What have we learned? What new questions has the report raised? What more can we do to help association boards strengthen their performance. This webinar will consider these and other questions, including your most important inquiries. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.

Hosts: re:Members and Jeff De Cagna, Foresight First

Thu 11/13 at 2 p.m. – IT Essentials: Free and Low-Cost Tools Used by the Pros

Learn about free and budget-friendly tools that IT professionals rely on daily to diagnose issues, optimize systems, and streamline their workflow—practical utilities that deliver enterprise-level capabilities without the enterprise price tag. More info/register.

Host: 501Works

Speaker: James Marquis, CIO, 501Works

Thu 11/13 at 2 p.m. – How to Market Association Events People Look Forward to Attending in 2026

Schedules and resources for meeting professionals are tighter than ever. Efficiently managing marketing for associations is crucial. Hear about best practices for motivating attendance, including how AI is impacting association event marketing and how to measure success. More info/register.

Host: Smart Meetings

Speaker: Sue Marchese, CAE, ASAE’s Vice President of Marketing

Thu 11/13 at 3 p.m. – Trust the Process: How Growth Leaders Get Clarity and Scale with Confidence

Most businesses are stuck in chaos—reacting to problems, stuck in the weeds, and struggling to grow despite everyone working overtime. Why? Because what they call a “process” is really just reacting on repeat. Learn how to create reliable, repeatable systems that allow your business to run without your constant involvement. This isn’t red tape. It’s not bureaucracy. It’s clarity—on who’s doing what, when, and why—so you can scale with confidence. More info/register.

Host: Jon Bassford, JD, MBA, CAE, Lateral Solutions

Thu 11/13 at 5 p.m. – Richmond Launch Event: Elevating Women in Association Leadership (Richmond VA)

The Alliance for Women in Associations is bringing together women across the association community for our very first Richmond-area 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: Richmond VA. More info/register.

Organizer: The Alliance for Women in Associations

Thu 11/13 at 5:30 p.m. – DMV Association Connect: Inaugural Event (Alexandria VA)

Are you an association professional looking to expand your network, build meaningful connections, and have fun while doing it? DMV Association Connect is a social networking group for professionals in the Washington DC, Virginia and Maryland areas— who work for, or collaborate with associations. Location: Alexandria VA. More info/register.

Organizer: DMV Association Connect

Mon 11/17 at 10:30 a.m. – Meditation Skills for Busy Lives

Host: Association Women Technology Champions

Meditation leader: Moira Edwards, Owner & President, Ellipsis Partners

Mon 11/17 at 12 p.m. – Soulless AI: Protecting Your Association’s Voice in the Age of Algorithms

Host: Association Xchange

Speaker: Khánh Vũ, former CEO and Executive Director of the Society of Asian Scientists & Engineers

Tue 11/18 at 1 p.m. – Using AI to Improve Productivity and Member Connections

Host: re:Members

Speakers:

Liz Peuster, CAE, South Carolina Association of CPAs
Sherry Whitaker Budziak, .orgSource

Tue 11/18 at 4 p.m. – Fit-for-Purpose Association Board Director Course Information Session

Host: Association Forum

Speaker: Jeff De Cagna, executive advisor, Foresight First LLC

Wed 11/19 at 2:30 p.m. – Event Agendas: Avoiding Contracting Pitfalls

Host: Heather Reid, CEO/founder, Planner Protect

Thu 11/20 at 11 a.m. – Neurodiverse-Strong Leaders: Empowering Great Minds in Leaders, Volunteers, and Staff

Host: UST Education

Speakers:

Sharon Kneebone, Executive Director at American Academy of Pain Medicine
Laurie Kulikosky, CEO at Children and Adults with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder
Rhonda M. Payne, CEO at Flock Theory
Sara L. Wood, MBA, CAE, Account Executive at MSP
Cynthia Young, CAE, Executive Director, American Art Therapy Association

Thu 11/20 at 1 p.m. – Marketing on a Shoestring: Smart Planning for Small Teams

Host: UST Education

Speaker: Olena Lima, CAE, Founder at Membership Marketing School

Fri 11/21 at 3 p.m. – Nonprofit Consultants Collaborative Monthly Networking Meeting

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.

Creative Commons licensed photo by Nick Fewings via Unsplash

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Association Brain Food: 10.31.25

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

Good reads for the association community

Marketing advice for education programs. This post is every association marketer’s dream. Jeff Cobb of Leading Learning explains how to increase market awareness and sales of your online learning products. Seriously, you’d pay a hefty sum to a marketing consultant for this level of advice.

Career development resources. A job board is just table stakes, says Chris Johnson at Naylor Association Solutions. If you want to attract and maintain the loyalty of professionals in your industry, you need to upgrade your career growth programs and resources because that’s what people need and want, especially the young ones.

Vendor contracts. Ellipsis Partners shows you how to negotiate more wisely and avoid surprises that could cost your association thousands or lock you into unfavorable terms. Their contract checklist covers project management, deliverables, intellectual property, data security, confidentiality, fees and payments, contract renewal, disputes, exit strategy, and more. Learn which red flags to watch for, what language to negotiate, and how to protect your organization from scope creep, unexpected costs, and vendor lock-in.

AI-generated headaches. Given what I’ve seen, I shouldn’t have been surprised by the number of hours people waste cleaning up AI-generated ‘workslop’ produced by their direct reports and co-workers. Harvard Business Review describes the social and emotional costs of mediocre AI slop and ways to avoid getting in that situation.

Event budgeting. At PCMA Convene, Michelle Russell’s collection of event budgeting advice is definitely worth reading. Bill Reed of the American Society of Hematology cautions “against focusing solely on ‘addressing the expense side of a ledger’ without balancing that against how to ‘grow revenues.’” My (non-original) idea: bring in sponsors to help you design educational and/or social activities for attendees that generate new revenue and add value to the attendee and sponsor experience.

Membership marketing for small associations. For lean teams who need big membership results on a small budget, this guide from YourMembership explains how to personalize member communications, simplify joining and renewal processes, create effective onboarding experiences, leverage online communities, enlist member help with recruitment, rethink membership models, automate manual processes, gather member feedback, and use data for better decisions.

Snacks

Long live rock! The Who has been part of my life since 7^th grade, so it’s bittersweet to see them age out, finally, and probably for real this time… The Who’s farewell tour marks the end of an era—the band never lost sight of what first made them great, and what made rock ’n’ roll great. | Isaac Sligh, The Spectator

WTF is job hugging? (spoiler: clinging to outdated processes in the attempt to protect standing) | Tony Case, WorkLife

Ignore the pessimists. We are living through a literary golden age. Literature is booming. Literary culture needs to catch up. | Henry Oliver, Common Reader

You never grow old at the table

When I saw a pic of this jägerschnitzel (thin, pan-fried, boneless pork chops) with a dark mushroom gravy, I thought Sunday dinner couldn’t get here soon enough. Deeeelish. Serve it with German-style red cabbage from the same blog—fantastic. On the side, sweet potato/cranberry bake, which we loved, but only because I reduced the brown sugar by half, that’s the Yankee in me. Next time, I’ll use the whole bag of cranberries. Yes, cranberry season has arrived! Joy!

Boursin was on sale, so what else could I do but make creamy sausage Boursin egg noodles again. Oh my, so good. I added onion to the mushroom mix and stirred in chives at the end. On the side, roasted cauliflower with garlic powder, smoked paprika and parmesan.

On the healthier side, Portuguese-style cod skillet made with Portuguese chouriço (What? Pork’s not healthy?), onion, poblano, jalapeño, broccoli stems, garlic, smoked paprika, red pepper flakes, bay leaves, white wine, canned diced tomatoes with juice, white beans, spinach, lemon juice and chunks of cod.

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Mon 11/3 at 8 a.m.* – Dance! (Thankful for the Arts Month on Radio Free 501c, the podcast of Rogue Tulips Consulting)

Host: Cecilia Sepp, CAE, ACNP, LPEC, principal and founder, Rogue Tulips Consulting

Guest: Shana Corrada, Executive Director, Dance Tampa Bay

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

Mon 11/3 at 11 a.m. – Planting Seeds, Building Movements: The Future of Associations (Association Rockstars)

What started as a small group of association professionals who recognized a huge cultural gap in the association profession has grown into Association Latinos—a nonprofit powered by 40+ volunteer leaders, stapled community and professional development events, and a vision for the future of associations. Hear how they stayed rooted in culture, scaled with purpose, and are now shaping what the association of tomorrow looks like. More info/register.

Host: Lowell Aplebaum, Vista Cova

Tue 11/4 at 8 a.m. – Designing Nonprofits for Impact (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, move beyond simple restructuring to intentional association organizational design that aligns strategy, structure, and process to strengthen impact and sustainability. More info.

Host: Carol Hamilton, Principal, Grace Social Sector Consulting

Guest: Julian Chender, Founder, 11A Collective

Tue 11/4 at 11 a.m. – Mastering Memory for Professional Success & Peak Performance

Hear how to develop life changing memory skills that you can immediately apply to better retaining and recalling valuable information from conference sessions, training classes, and other professional development activities. Learn how to become a master at remembering names to get more out of the wonderful experience of networking at business events. Find out how to leverage how human memory works to make your company’s messaging and event programming more memorable. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.

Host: UST Education

Speaker: Chester Santos, U.S. Memory Champion

Tue 11/4 at 12 p.m. – Leadership Retreat Role Modeling: The Role of the CEO

What should the CEO (and other key senior leaders) be doing at a leadership retreat? What should their intentions be? Are they showing up differently from their day-to-day? And how do you get the best from your team at the offsite? Your leadership retreat is a huge investment, and the opportunities are endless. Learn about the impact of the habits and mindsets of senior leaders to maximize the impact of your executive offsite. More info/register.

Hosts: Randall Craig and Ronja Francoeur from the Braintrust Professional Institute

Tue 11/4 at 1 p.m. – Comprehensive Financial Practices for Effective Reporting: Fostering Ownership and Clarity

Learn how to enhance the effectiveness of your nonprofit organization’s financial reporting, messaging and budgeting processes, addressing topics such as purpose-built financial messaging; engage staff and the board in the financial planning and performance management processes; and use segregation of duties to enhance inclusive financial management planning and strategies. Hear about adding pre-month-end closing meetings with department managers and finding opportunities for small financial teaching moments. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.

Host: Raffa Investment Advisers

Speakers:

Michael Gellman, CPA, CGMA, Co-Founder, Fiscal Strategies 4 Nonprofits
Paul Preziotti, CPA, Partner, Johnson Lambert LLP

Wed 11/5 at 11 a.m. – The 3 Shifts of AI for Associations

Learn how to recognize and lead the three major AI shifts affecting associations. Hear about ways to apply AI to strengthen engagement, sponsorship, and member value. Get a roadmap for evaluating, experimenting with, and communicating AI initiatives within your organization. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.

Host: UST Education

Speaker: Sandra Nam, CEO and Co-Founder at Qiqo Inc. (Creator of The Association Marketplace)

Wed 11/5 at 12 p.m. – A Decade of Lean Startup: Lessons Learned

After ten years of working with lean startup methodology one of the main things we’ve learned is that it’s not the concepts, tools, and techniques that are the hard part – it’s the culture change. Association execs are always on the lookout for good ideas for new programs, products, and services, and once we think we have one, we want to build it as quickly and efficiently as possible. What are the challenges associations face in developing their ideas? How can lean startup methodology help? What is the role of organizational culture in successful innovation? 1 CAE credit. More info/register.

Host: AIOT

Speakers: Elizabeth Weaver Engel, Jamie Notter, Tiffany Dyar and Chrissy Bagby

Wed 11/5 at 12 p.m. – Innovative Uses in AI: Maintaining Exam Relevancy & Improving Instructional Integrity

Learn how LLMs are being used to monitor changes (new developments) in domains on which global certifications are based and create instructional elements such as good and bad examples with commentary, performance support tools, case studies, and formative evaluations. Hear how panelists wrestled with the challenge of designing assessments that measure problem solving, hands-on skills, and domain knowledge and the insight they gained. More info/register.

Host: Certification Network Group

Wed 11/5 at 12 p.m. – Why Aren’t They Registering? Using Data & Martech to Drive Event Sign-Ups

Hear about data-driven strategies and marketing technology that help uncover what’s stalling your audience and how to lead them confidently across the finish line. From email engagement to landing page behavior and beyond, learn how to identify friction points, personalize outreach, and automate the right nudges to turn interest into action. Take away practical tactics to increase conversions and prove the ROI of your event marketing efforts. More info/register.

Host: HighRoad Solutions

Wed 11/5 at 12 p.m. – Deliver Tech Projects On Time, On Budget & With Impact

Get a clear, repeatable framework for delivering tech projects with measurable business impact. Learn how to lead digital transformation with clarity, even without a technical background. Hear what makes vendor selection successful (and what costly pitfalls to avoid). More info/register.

Hosts: Stratford Group and 108 ideaspace

Speakers:

Rana Chreyh, Practice Leader, Stratford Management Consulting
Ashish Malik, Chief Executive Officer, 108 ideaspace

Wed 11/5 at 12 p.m. – How AI is Driving Cybercrime

Cybercriminals are getting smarter. AI is now helping attackers write flawless phishing emails, clone executive voices, and create deepfake videos convincing enough to fool anyone. Learn how AI is powering new phishing, malware, and impersonation attacks; what deepfake audio and video mean for your organization’s trust and reputation; and what practical steps associations can take right now to protect staff, members, and data. More info/register.

Host: Brian Scott, nonprofit cybersecurity expert and founder of 501CISO

Wed 11/5 at 12 p.m. – Building Stronger Associations: Where Mission Meets Technology

Explore innovative digital strategies for enhancing long-term member engagement and retention. Learn about the key technological investments associations should prioritize for scalable operational efficiency; developing a data-driven culture to inform strategic decision-making and personalize member experiences; the role of virtual and hybrid events technology in expanding an association’s geographic reach and influence; and which emerging technologies offer the greatest potential for disrupting traditional association models. More info/register.

Host: Nexus Marketing

Speakers:

Frank Paterno, SVP Growth at Click
Kristofer Harrison, Director of IT at AVFX

Wed 11/5 at 1 p.m. – Data-Driven Insights to Strengthen New Member Engagement

Nearly 70% of association staff are worried about the number of members who join but never use their benefits. Members don’t ghost because they’re lazy. They ghost because the welcome didn’t click. Fresh data from the 2025 New Member Engagement Study shows how small shifts in onboarding can spark lasting engagement (and keep those renewals rolling in). Dig into the data and uncover what’s working for associations. Hear about best practices and common mistakes, and how your peers are adapting the research insights. More info/register.

Host: re:Members

Speaker: Amanda Lea Kaiser, keynote speaker and author of Elevating Engagement: Uncommon Strategies for Creating a Thriving Member Community

Wed 11/5 at 1 p.m. – Creating Emails Members Actually Want

Email marketing continues to be the workhorse of marketing, but member conversions are declining. Learn four strategies to improve your email marketing: how to manage “we send too many emails!”; connecting with members as if they are the hero of the story; favorite AI prompts to make your emails great with little effort; and email design and content that are working well right now. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.

Host: UST Education

Speaker: Amber Worthen, CEO at Email Maven

Wed 11/5 at 1 p.m. – Member Journey Blueprint, Part 2: Retention

Discover how to optimize your renewal campaigns, activate year-round value, and learn from associations that have seen real growth. Learn how to build renewal campaigns grounded in data, develop member value that extends year-round, and apply success stories from other associations that have turned retention into revenue stability and member loyalty. More info/register.

Host: Causeis

Wed 11/5 at 2 p.m. – How to Market Your Association’s Educational Content for Success in 2026

Learn why less than half of members feel content is targeted to their needs—and how to fix it; how to leverage your LMS and marketing tools to drive course registrations and revenue; and how to increase member engagement and retention through better content promotion. More info/register.

Host: Momentive Software

Thu 11/6 at 11 a.m. – Adventure Leadership: Key Leadership Principles from Expeditions

Learn key leadership principle learned from expeditions in the Himalayas and Andes; how to bring these lessons to the world of business, with examples from their experiences in coaching entrepreneurs and business management teams; and the science behind these winning strategies, exploring these principles at their fundamental level. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.

Host: UST Education

Speaker: Don Schmincke, Author and Speaker at Saga Leadership

Thu 11/6 at 11 a.m. – AI and the Global Association: Adapting, Advancing, and Leading Together

In this interactive World Café, learn how AI is transforming association strategy and member value globally, with practical examples from the accounting, education, and international development sectors. Gain actionable insights on how associations can balance innovation with trust by using AI responsibly to strengthen programs, professional development, and mission impact across diverse cultural and regional contexts. More info/register.

Host: ASAE

Speakers:

Stephen Rosenlund, CAE, IOM, Director, Association Development, Center for International Private Enterprise
Travis Willard, Chief Product and Technology Officer, Institute of Management Accountants
Ginger Ausloos, PMP, AAiP, VP of Technology Solutions and Data Strategy, AACSB International

Thu 11/6 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. – GURU Conference 2025

Host: GURU Media Hub

Thu 11/6 at 12 p.m. – Reimagining the Future of Healthcare Associations: Building Agile and Responsive Governance Systems

As healthcare associations face disruption and shifting stakeholder expectations, traditional governance structures are being tested. Learn about transforming governance to support strategic agility, rapid decision-making, and adaptability in an uncertain environment. Gain insight into how associations can create governance systems that align with mission-driven priorities, empower leadership to act quickly, and support continuous learning and innovation. More info/register.

Host: Association Laboratory

Speakers:

Paul Pomerantz, FASAE, FACHE, CEO, Pomerantz Consulting
Nikki Golden, CAE, Managing Director, Association Laboratory

Thu 11/6 at 12 p.m. – Beyond the Platform: How Your Approach Can Have Long-Term Impact

For event professionals, registration is more than a form—it’s the start of your participant experience and a lever for long-term organizational impact. Hear how to look past the feature checklist and build a smarter, outcome-driven event tech strategy. Discover how to choose technology that supports your association’s goals , turn event data into insights that fuel marketing and ROI, and align teams around a tech approach that delivers long-term value. More info/register.

Host: PCMA Institute

Speakers: Vinnu Deshetty (PCMA Institute Instructor) and Matt Dodson (A2Z Events)

Thu 11/6 at 1 p.m. – Belonging, Beyond Boundaries: How Mission-Driven Organizations Build Connection and Community

Learn how to foster community among fundraising professionals facing high-pressure year-end campaigns; keep teams, volunteers, and donors connected during Giving Tuesday and peak fundraising season; strengthen belonging without losing the human touch; and how partnerships between associations, nonprofits, and service providers can amplify impact. More info/register.

Host: Momentive Software

Speakers:

Art Taylor, CEO, Association of Fundraising Professionals
Renee Croteau, Senior Director, Distinguished Events, American Cancer Society
Cara Dickerson, VP of Client Success, Momentive Software (Moderator)

Thu 11/6 at 1 p.m. – From Metrics to Money: How to Win Your CFO’s Confidence (and Your Next Budget)

Learn how to translate marketing outcomes into the financial metrics that matter most to your CFO, use data to tell a business impact story that earns executive buy-in, build stronger alignment between marketing and finance for smarter budgeting, and confidently prove ROI and make the case for continued investment. More info/register.

Host: Content Marketing Institute

Speakers: Jove Oakley, CFO, and Bo Bandy, CMO, Alchemer

Thu 11/6 at 2 p.m. – The November 2025 CIO Hour

Join us for fresh insights from leading CIOs as we explore the biggest challenges and opportunities shaping the future of technology leadership. Don’t miss practical strategies you can put into action right away. More info/register.

Host: 501Works

Speaker: James Marquis, CIO, 501Works

Thu 11/6 at 2 p.m. – Meetings That Matter: The Secret to Real Engagement and Connection

Meetings can make or break momentum. Too often they drain energy, exclude voices, and fail to produce results. But with the right facilitation, meetings can be the spark that drives ideas, inclusion, and real change. Learn how to design meetings that generate real ideas (not just more talk); ensure participants feel respected, heard, and included; cut down on meetings that waste time and money; facilitation techniques that turn “status updates” into momentum; and why meetings are the fastest way to improve collaboration in your association. More info/register.

Hosts: Farhad Khan, CEO of Member Lounge, and Bruce Rosenthal, strategic advisor and consultant, Bruce Rosenthal Associations

Guest: Lee Gimpel, founder of Better Meetings

Thu 11/6 at 3 p.m. – The Culture That Fuels Breakthroughs

Behind every breakthrough is a culture that gives people permission to think differently. And behind every stalled initiative? A culture of hesitation, habit, or fear. Explore how the most effective organizations build cultures that reward experimentation, encourage autonomy, and create space for innovation. Whether you’re running a nonprofit, a small business, or a fast-scaling team, this is your blueprint for building a culture that doesn’t just adapt to change—but drives it. More info/register.

Host: Jon Bassford, JD, MBA, CAE, Lateral Solutions

Fri 11/7 from 11 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. – GURU Conference 2025

Host: GURU Media Hub

Mon 11/10 from 10 a.m. to 4:15 p.m. – Fall Symposium 2025 (Washington, DC)

Host: UST Education

Speakers:

Trevor Whyte, Vice President, Strategic Partnerships, Multiview
Wade Tetsuka, CPA, President, U.S. Transactions Corporation
Arden Winner, Senior Salesforce Consultant, Fíonta
Olivia Wilkins Business Analyst/ Project Manager, PerByte & Josh Carlson Founder & Chief Innovator, PerByte

Mon 11/10 at 10 a.m. – Bridging the Gap: How Associations Can Win the Next Generation (Fall Symposium 2025)

Grounded in Multiview’s latest research, “Voice of the Member,” explore how associations can close the awareness-value gap, embrace digital fluency, and revive in-person connection to attract and retain Gen Z and Millennial members. Hear about real data and actionable strategies that unpack what young professionals truly want from associations: tangible career outcomes, authentic digital engagement, and meaningful community. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.

Host: UST Education

Speaker: Trevor Whyte, Vice President, Strategic Partnerships, Multiview

Mon 11/10 at 11:15 a.m. – Security by Design: Protecting Your Payments and Reputation (Fall Symposium 2025)

Host: UST Education

Speaker: Wade Tetsuka, CPA, President, U.S. Transactions Corporation

Mon 11/10 at 12:45 p.m. – Putting AI to Work for Your Members: Practical Applications You Can Start Using Today (Fall Symposium 2025)

Host: UST Education

Speaker: Arden Winner, Senior Salesforce Consultant, Fíonta

Mon 11/10 at 2 p.m. – Overcoming Technology Trauma: Learning from Successes and Failures in Technology Projects (Fall Symposium 2025)

Host: UST Education

Speakers: Olivia Wilkins Business Analyst/ Project Manager, PerByte & Josh Carlson Founder & Chief Innovator, PerByte

Tue 11/11 at 12 p.m. – Reimagining the Future of Healthcare Associations: Building Trust and Competency in a Digital Era

Host: Association Laboratory

Speakers:

Elizabeth Schumacher, CEO/Founder, Affinity Strategies
Nikki Golden, CAE, Managing Director, Association Laboratory

Wed 11/12 at 11 a.m. – Passiontivity: Aligning Career Pathing With Career Motivators

Host: UST Education

Speaker: Shira Lotzar, Chief Engagement Officer at Purposeful Hire

Wed 11/12 at 1 p.m. – Changing Perceptions About Audit Committees: How to Better Position to be Value-Added

Host: UST Education

Speakers:

Michael Gellman, CPA, CGMA, Co-Founder, Fiscal Strategies 4 Nonprofits
Paul Preziotti, CPA, Partner, Johnson Lambert LLP

Thu 11/13 at 12 p.m. – Reimagining the Future of Healthcare Associations: Strengthening the Workforce for the Future

Host: Association Laboratory

Speakers:

Stephanie Mercado, CAE, CPHQ, CEO of the National Association for Healthcare Quality
Nikki Golden, CAE, Managing Director, Association Laboratory

Wed 11/12 at 12 p.m. – Board Governance, Board Development

Host: Randall Craig and Ronja Francoeur, Braintrust Professional Institute

Thu 11/13 at 11 a.m. – Turning Chaos Into Opportunity: Staffing Strategies for Associations in a Shifting Labor Market

Host: UST Education

Speaker: Jaime Hirschfeld, Director of Client Sales and Services at FlexProfessionals LLC

Thu 11/13 at 12 p.m. – AWTC Meet & Greet

Connect with new faces in the association tech community. Join us for a 30-minute welcome event to forge fresh connections and discover our vibrant Slack community. More info/register.

Host: Association Women Technology Champions

Thu 11/13 at 1 p.m. – Smart, Safe, and Strategic: The New Rules of AI for Associations

Host: UST Education

Speakers:

David Park, Director of Data & Business Analytics at National League of Cities
Tirrah Switzer, VP of Product Marketing at Momentive Software
Brian Chignoli, VP of AI and Product Experience at Momentive Software

Thu 11/13 at 2 p.m. – The Future of Association Boards (FAB) Community Dialogue Report @ 90 Days

Hosts: re:Members and Jeff De Cagna, Foresight First

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 fr0ggy5 via Unsplash

Amazon, AssociationBrainFood.com, and Association Academy links allow me to earn a royalty and/or complimentary registration from any resulting leads or sales. Thank you!

Association Brain Food: 10.24.25

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

Good reads for the association community

Online course completion. I had no idea online course completion rates were so low, yikes. But not to worry, Apti shares five research-backed strategies for increasing completion rates by improving course design and the learner’s experience.

Member engagement. Clowder explains how to use your association’s membership app as a retention and renewal tool. They share mobile engagement tactics rooted in behavioral science that motivate members to regularly interact with your app.

Making the case for a new AMS. This guide from re:Members gives you the information and arguments you need to make a compelling case for a new AMS. Get a customizable letter template, pain points to communicate, and the benefits of modern AMS solutions. Be the change agent your association needs and start the conversation about researching a new system.

Association marketing. Brianne Wheeler of Levitate Marketing encourages you to adopt SaaS-inspired strategies that will transform your association’s marketing department from a cost center into a growth engine. She suggests using data-driven marketing strategies focused on recurring revenue growth rather than emotional decision-making and outdated approaches.

AI-assisted cohorts. Mallory Mejias at Sidecar points out a problem experienced by most associations: you might have 300,000 members, but “individual members feel completely alone in their professional journey.” With cohort programs, members don’t have to feel isolated. AI helps you analyze member and learner profiles to create cohorts. She describes what that looks like and how to get started.

Membership marketing benchmarks. Marketing General’s 17th annual Membership Marketing Benchmarking Report reveals what’s driving membership growth and what’s holding it back. Learn how associations are navigating value proposition challenges, generational shifts, and the rise of AI in marketing. See which recruitment, engagement, and renewal tactics are working and benchmark your results against more than 450 associations.

GoFundMe’s low-ball strategy. I’ve recently seen mentions of GoFundMe on LinkedIn but didn’t stop to investigate until a post from Dennis Fois of Bloomerang caught my attention. GoFundMe created more than 1.4 million donation pages for nonprofits without their consent, pages that are “outranking nonprofit websites, diverting donors and damaging the SEO that organizations have worked years to build.” Wow, what selfish, low-integrity jerks. I’m sure they used AI to create them without worrying about the implications. Someone should get fired.

Data strategy. Matthew Ott of Momentum Association Management identifies five categories of data with the highest potential to influence growth, retention and strategic clarity. He describes how to turn data insights into action and the habits and technology stack to speed you along.

Sponsorships. Lead Marvels explains what sponsors really want and what some associations are doing to build stronger, more valuable revenue partnerships. The main point: offer sponsors a platform for thought leadership. They dispel some misperceptions about sponsored content and explain how to distinguish valuable thought leadership from thinly veiled marketing.

Snacks

How to host virtual networking people actually love. | Amanda Kaiser

The three biggest event marketing mistakes associations make. | Bill Zimmer, 360 Live Media

ChatGPT is already stalling out on new subscribers. | Victor Tangermann, Futurism

95% of generative AI implementations in enterprise “have no measurable impact on P&L,” says MIT. Flawed integration cited as why AI projects underperform. | Jowi Morales, Tom’s Hardware

You never grow old at the table

You will never order shrimp and grits at a restaurant again once you’ve made my version. I’ve adapted the recipe over the years, so I suppose I can claim it. I made these in our motel room’s kitchenette earlier this week—we snuck away for a few days at the coast in Salter Path. On the side, roasted broccoli with red onion, garlic powder and smoked paprika.

This recipe for gochujang-glazed salmon came together quickly. I had plenty of time for the chopping required for cauliflower faux fried rice. The base was frozen cauliflower rice from BJ’s added to a sauté of red onion, red bell pepper, poblano, jalapeño, broccoli stems, carrots, garlic chives, ginger, soy sauce, red pepper flakes, eggs and cilantro.

To subscribe to Association Brain Food, please complete the form in the sidebar or at the bottom of this post.

Mon 10/27 at 8 a.m.* – Future of Associations Board Report (Radio Free 501c, the podcast of Rogue Tulips Consulting)

Host: Cecilia Sepp, CAE, CNP, principal and founder, Rogue Tulips Consulting

Guest: Jeff De Cagna, executive advisor, Foresight First LLC

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

Mon 10/27 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. – The Executive Learning Lab: Monsters, Myths, and Machine Learning (Vienna VA)

This one-day, in-person conference built for and by association leaders, is focused on demystifying AI, aligning it with your mission, and giving your team the tools to confidently explore what’s next. Walk away with actionable training and change management ideas, candid insights from peers already using AI (and those still figuring it out!), and fun, practical breakouts tailored to your stage of AI adoption. Location: Vienna VA. 5 CAE credits. More info/register.

Host: designDATA

Tue 10/28 at 10 a.m. – The Dark Funnel: A Haunted Look at Association Buyer Journeys

Learn the eerie truth about today’s B2B buying behavior, including the ‘dark funnel’ and its implications on member acquisition and engagement in the association space; the hidden signals of intent that traditional analytics and CRM systems fail to surface; shadow buyer behavior among prospective members, sponsors, and partners; and intent-driven strategies to illuminate the hidden journey of decision-makers in member and sponsor acquisition funnels. More info/register.

Host: ASAE

Tue 10/28 at 11 a.m. – Combating the Increase of Cyber and Fraud Threats

Fraud is on the rise and impacts organizations worldwide, regardless of size, mission, or revenue. Changes in the control environment, implementation of new technologies, and hybrid workforces have contributed to an increase in the opportunity to commit fraud at all levels and statistics show perpetrators are seizing these opportunities. Learn about fraud and cyber risks and actionable strategies for risk mitigation. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.

Host: UST Education

Speakers: GRF CPAs & Advisors

Tue 10/28 at 12 p.m. – Reimagining the Future of Healthcare Associations: The Evolving Value of Membership

Healthcare associations are experiencing rapid change as member expectations evolve across generations and organizational models. Traditional benefits are being reevaluated in an environment where information and community are available beyond association walls. Explore how associations can re-imagine membership to deliver compelling value, engagement, and relevance in a shifting landscape. Examine the factors driving membership transformation—from changing practice models and privatization trends to technology-enabled personalization. More info/register.

Host: Association Laboratory

Speakers:

Krista Barnes, CAE, Vice President of Member Engagement, American Society of Clinical Oncology
Nikki Golden, CAE, Managing Director, Association Laboratory

Tue 10/28 at 1 p.m. – Using Affiliates to Expand Your Nonprofit Reach

Nonprofit organizations are increasingly looking for ways to maximize their reach and generate new sources of funding. Whether you are forming affiliate nonprofits to expand your advocacy efforts or establishing a for-profit enterprise to increase revenue, managing and working with affiliated entities, each with its own tax status and mission, creates complex compliance challenges and operational needs. Explore different affiliate structures, and their unique challenges, to help your organization pursue its goals with confidence. More info/register.

Host: Venable LLP

Tue 10/28 at 3 p.m. – Fit for Purpose Information Session

Host: Association Forum

Speaker: Jeff De Cagna, executive advisor, Foresight First LLC

Wed 10/29 from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. – AI+IM Regional Forums: Local Solutions for Industry Challenges (Washington DC)

This one-day program brings together information management professionals to tackle today’s biggest challenges from AI adoption and data governance to digital transformation and compliance. Learn from local experts and peers. Participate in interactive roundtables and discussions. Explore innovative tools and technologies. Location: Washington DC. More info/register.

Host: Association for Intelligent Information Management (AIIM)

Wed 10/29 at 10 a.m. – Speaking Up Strategically: When Association Leaders Should Step Forward

While most associations are apolitical and work across the aisle, they also have obligations to their mission and members to determine when to make statements and what those statements should communicate. Hear how to know when we’re using our leadership voices to make a difference rather than just making a statement, and how we can build on the principles of civil discourse to ensure we’re building bridges and not inflaming an already challenging environment. More info/register (ASAE member association CEOs only).

Host: ASAE

Moderator: Philip Bell, CAE, President of the Steel Manufacturers Association

Wed 10/29 at 12 p.m. – re:Make Your Chapters

The world we live in today is not the world that gave birth to chapters. Your structure may be from another century, which is why you see challenges in working with local leaders. Learn when to pay attention to the need for change, where to put your time and money for the most impact, and how groups can create a new way of doing things. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.

Host: re:Members

Speaker: Cecilia Sepp, CAE, ACNP, founder, The Rogue Tulips Story — Rogue Tulips Consulting

Wed 10/29 at 12:30 p.m. – No Tricks, Just Tactics: Using Data to Drive Learning Program Success

Associations are sitting on a wealth of learning data but too often, it’s fragmented, underutilized, or simply overwhelming. Learn how to capture the right data from across your learning programs; analyze and segment insights to surface what’s working and what’s not; transform findings into testable, strategic improvements; and share results through data storytelling that builds buy-in and momentum. 0.5 CAE credit. More info/register.

Host: .orgCommunity

Wed 10/29 at 1 p.m. – Unlock Hidden Profits: 3 Game-Changing Secrets for Association Success

Learn how to gain essential CEO buy-in that sparks organizational momentum, use data to instantly elevate your sponsor and partner programs, and revamp and re-energize your revenue approach. Walk away with fresh insights and immediately usable tools to revolutionize your non-dues revenue—and discover the hidden profit opportunities your association may be overlooking. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.

Host: UST Education

Speakers:

Barbara Armentrout, Founder & Key Principal at BJA Solutions for Associations
Bruce Rosenthal, Principal at Bruce Rosenthal Associates, LLC
Vinnu Deshetty, Speaker/Instructor at Event ROI Coach

Wed 10/29 at 1 p.m. – How to Productize Your Annual Meeting

Learn how to turn a once-a-year event into a longitudinal experience while increasing belonging, learning, and revenue; apply a high-level product framework to your annual meeting so it becomes a key milestone in a membership journey; and identify, leverage, componentize, and translate your meeting’s value so it can be reused in ways that grow revenue, deepen connection with existing members, and attract new members. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.

Host: Fonteva

Speaker: James Young, Founder and Chief Learning Officer of Product Community

Wed 10/29 at 1 p.m. – Tapping the Latest F&B Trends: Reflecting on 2025 and Forecasting 2026

Hear expert insights on the evolution of event dining in 2025 and what’s next for 2026. From sustainable sourcing and dietary innovations to the creative culinary concepts expected to dominate 2026 menus, learn how to elevate your F&B planning for the future and ensure you are on top of your cuisine game. 1 CMP credit. More info/register.

Host: Meetings Today

Speaker: Tracy Stuckrath, CMM, CSEP, founder of thrive! meetings & events and host of the Eating at a Meeting podcast

Wed 10/29 at 2 p.m. – The 365-Day Conference: Strengthening Contact Before and After Events

A conference doesn’t need to end with the final keynote: Participants should want to keep networking and learning long after they’ve headed home. Hear strategies for building a robust community around your meeting that engages attendees all year long. 1 CMP credit. More info/register.

Host: Northstar Meetings Group

Moderator: Elise Schoening, Editor, Meeting News; Senior Editor, Northstar Meetings Group

Wed 10/29 at 2 p.m. – Finance and Business Operations (FBO) Meet Up

Bring your pressing problems and share experiences and potential solutions in an engaging conversation with your colleagues. More info/register (ASAE members only).

Host: ASAE Finance and Business Operations Professionals Advisory Council (including HR)

Thu 10/30 at 1 p.m. – What Works (And Why) in New Member Acquisition Campaigns

Hear what makes an effective member acquisition strategy and how to put it into practice. Learn how to combine website engagement, email outreach, and timely follow-ups to capture interest, personalize the experience, and guide prospective members toward joining. Walk through best practices for designing cross-channel campaigns that meet prospective members where they are and deliver value at every step. To bring these strategies to life, hear how two associations have successfully implemented them in real-world campaigns. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.

Host: UST Education

Speaker: Brittany Lancor, Senior Marketing Manager at PropFuel

Thu 10/30 at 1 p.m. – Rethinking Conference Sponsorship & Exhibitor Engagement

Listen in on a candid conversation about what’s working—and what’s not—when it comes to conference sponsorship and exhibitor engagement. As sponsor expectations shift and traditional exhibitor models lose traction, associations are under pressure to deliver more meaningful, measurable value. Hear real-world insights into reimagining how sponsors and exhibitors connect with attendees. More info/register.

Host: Lori Zoss Kraska, Founder/CEO, Growth Owl LLC

Guest: Alan DeYoung, Executive Director and President of the Wisconsin EMS Association

Thu 10/30 at 2 p.m. – The Association of the Future? What Established Associations Can Learn from a Brand-New Association

What if you could create a brand-new association today? What would it look like? What would its governance model be? How would it embrace AI and other emerging technologies? What would it do? Perhaps more importantly, what wouldn’t it do? Hear the staff and volunteer leadership of the Outsourced Professionals Association share the story of this brand-new association and highlight what established associations can learn from their future-forward vision of delivering value for the freelancers, fractional executives, and consultants who are redefining the future of work. 1 CAE credit. More info/register (ASAE members only).

Host: ASAE

Speakers:

Matthew Ott, MS, FASAE, CAE, CMP, AAiP, Executive Director, Outsourced Professionals Association
Grant Covalt, Founding Board Chair, Outsourced Professionals Association
Necoya Tyson, Founding Board Member, Outsourced Professionals Association
Tommy Goodwin (moderator), Executive Vice President, Exhibitions & Conferences Alliance

Thu 10/30 at 2 p.m. – Make Associations Fun Again: Build for Fun & Value

Your content isn’t the problem. Your connection is. Learn how to build trust, spark energy, and make your members and team feel something again. No fluff. Just real, human strategies that drive action and make the work more meaningful for everyone involved. More info/register.

Host: Member Lounge

Speaker: Ginger Johnson, Chief Connecting Officer

Thu 10/30 at 3 p.m. – Leading for What’s Next

Hear about the hidden patterns keeping even high-capacity leaders stuck—and how to break through. Learn how to challenge assumptions, foster growth-focused environments, and stop being the bottleneck to your own team’s potential. Whether you’re leading a company, a department, or an initiative, this is your invitation to lead forward—on purpose. More info/register.

Host: Jon Bassford, JD, MBA, CAE, Lateral Solutions

Mon 11/3 at 11 a.m. – Planting Seeds, Building Movements: The Future of Associations (Association Rockstars)

Host: Lowell Aplebaum, Vista Cova

Tue 11/4 at 11 a.m. – Mastering Memory for Professional Success & Peak Performance

Host: UST Education

Speaker: Chester Santos, U.S. Memory Champion

Tue 11/4 at 12 p.m. – Leadership Retreat Role Modeling: The Role of the CEO

Hosts: Randall Craig and Ronja Francoeur from the Braintrust Professional Institute

Wed 11/5 at 11 a.m. – The 3 Shifts of AI for Associations

Host: UST Education

Speaker: Sandra Nam, CEO and Co-Founder at Qiqo Inc. (Creator of The Association Marketplace)

Wed 11/5 at 12 p.m. – A Decade of Lean Startup: Lessons Learned

Host: AIOT

Speakers: Elizabeth Weaver Engel, Jamie Notter, Tiffany Dyar and Chrissy Bagby

Wed 11/5 at 1 p.m. – Data-Driven Insights to Strengthen New Member Engagement

Host: re:Members

Speaker: Amanda Lea Kaiser, keynote speaker and author of Elevating Engagement: Uncommon Strategies for Creating a Thriving Member Community

Wed 11/5 at 1 p.m. – Creating Emails Members Actually Want

Host: UST Education

Speaker: Amber Worthen, CEO at Email Maven

Thu 11/6 at 11 a.m. – Adventure Leadership: Key Leadership Principles from Expeditions

Host: UST Education

Speaker: Don Schmincke, Author and Speaker at Saga Leadership

Thu 11/6 at 12 p.m. – Reimagining the Future of Healthcare Associations: Building Agile and Responsive Governance Systems

Host: Association Laboratory

Speakers:

Paul Pomerantz, FASAE, FACHE, CEO, Pomerantz Consulting
Nikki Golden, CAE, Managing Director, Association Laboratory

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 Camille Minouflet via Unsplash

Amazon, AssociationBrainFood.com and Association Academy links allow me to earn a royalty and/or complimentary registration from any resulting leads or sales. Thank you!

Association Brain Food: 10.17.25

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

Good reads for the association community

AI training for members. Associations have an opportunity to offer AI training programs that help members adapt to workplace changes, but they need to take action before competitors own that niche. TopClass LMS describes the employer and employee demand for these programs, benefits for associations offering them, types of programs to consider (with association examples), and steps to get started.

AI as exocortex. Carlo Iacono shares a story about a writer who gradually let AI take over more and more of his work. “The worst part is that he did not notice it happening. The descent was gradual, frictionless, helpful.” Iacono implores us not to become a passenger while AI puts your mind on autopilot. Instead, stay in the captain’s chair. Let AI augment, not replace, your thinking. Use AI as an “exocortex, an external cognitive layer you learn to wear and wield.”

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

Learning as an engagement strategy. D2L explains how associations can use education programs to deepen member connections and create new revenue streams. Their guide describes four essential qualities of effective learning—flexible, relevant, lasting, and amplifying—with real examples from associations. Learn how to tailor learning experiences to diverse member needs, create opportunities that facilitate genuine connections, and scale your impact without overwhelming staff.

Association inflection point. Jeff Hanlan describes how quickly member expectations have changed and new organizations have captured their attention, loyalty, and wallets. Competitors are solving your members’ problems by delivering the information, community, and education they need. To counter this gloominess, he points out opportunities for associations, shares stories about associations using AI effectively, and offers a roadmap for the future.

Attendee research. I’ve been impressed by Freeman’s research, although I haven’t read their most recent Trends Report described by Michael Hoffman of Gather Voices. He shares highlights from an IMEX session where the new report was discussed, along with his recommendations. When attendees make even a single meaningful new contact, their intent to return spikes dramatically—yet nobody’s in charge of networking. The celebrity keynote lift is negligible in the data (just what I thought). Stop asking registration questions that help you, not them. Instead, ask about their outcomes.

Association benchmarks. If you’re wondering whether your association’s struggles are unique, this benchmarking data will offer reassuring or unsettling clarity. GrowthZone AMS’s survey exposes inconvenient truths about how associations operate. Member engagement tops the list of challenges, yet most associations lack written plans to tackle it. The disconnect gets worse: while nearly all associations say they want to innovate and grow membership, the majority admit they have no strategy for attracting younger members. The report covers membership trends, revenue, operational realities, and more.

AI shortcomings. Noor Al-Sibai at Futurism says companies that tried to save money with AI are now spending a fortune hiring people to fix its mistakes. Given AI’s typical output, this does not surprise me at all. I’ve seen similar stories shared on LinkedIn by writers. Fixing AI-generated content is not a simple editing job, as I originally thought. These drafts need a complete overhaul because the original prompts didn’t provide enough context or direction.

Association workflows. Sherry Budziak at .orgSource makes a bold diagnosis: “You’re not understaffed—you’re operationally inefficient.” Ouch, but you know it’s true. She explains how the muck you’re in came about, shows you how to spot inefficiencies, and then how to get processes in order and working as they should.

Snacks

AI adoption has been declining among companies with more than 250 employees, per Census data. | Torsten Sløk, Apollo Academy

The AI backlash begins. Per the Upwork monthly hiring report, high-value work grew 31% among large businesses as AI amplifies demand for human skills. | Upwork

You never grow old at the table

Italian vinegar chicken—the name doesn’t sound that appetizing, but OMG, is it ever so good. I omitted the sugar—the onions and wine give it enough sweetness. Serve it over cheater microwave polenta with broccoli roasted with red onion, garlic powder, and smoked paprika.

This week, I stripped my basil plants of all their leaves for the last harvest of the year and made a big batch of pesto for the freezer. But I reserved some for this easy recipe: pesto parmesan crusted amberjack. On the side, kale sautéed with bacon, onion, red bell pepper, and garlic with a drizzle of sherry vinegar at the end, and nuked ‘roasted’ sweet potatoes.

Another simple and excellent fish recipe: lemon garlic herb salmon. Don’t get too caught up in the folding instructions, just make a packet. I put chives and a bunch of lemon thyme in the packet with the fish while it was cooking, then sprinkled the fillets with Italian parsley before serving. On the side, steamed green beans tossed with sautéed onion, bacon, garlic, sundried tomatoes, and parmesan, with sweet potatoes.

To subscribe to Association Brain Food, please complete the form in the sidebar or at the bottom of this post.

Fri 10/17 at 3 p.m.* – Nonprofit Consultants Collaborative Monthly Networking Meeting

Organizer: Cecilia Sepp, CAE, founder, Rogue Tulips Consulting

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

Mon 10/20 at 8 a.m. – Partnering with CVBs and Convention Centers for Groups and Conventions (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. Episodes are published Monday mornings in both audio and video format, available on YouTube, Spotify, Amazon Music, iHeart Radio, Apple Podcast, Google Podcast, and others.

Host: Cecilia Sepp, CAE, CNP, principal and founder, Rogue Tulips Consulting

Guest: Dave Esslinger, Vice President Sales & Marketing with Gatlinburg CVB

Mon 10/20 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. – Association Consultants Open House

Similar to a virtual exhibit hall, you can connect with consultants in real time via Zoom, ask questions, and make connections. It’s a great way to meet consultants in a time-friendly way. Find the Consultants Open House in the Association Marketplace. If you have not visited the Association Marketplace before, you will be asked to set up a no-fee account for access. While you are there, explore what else the Marketplace has to offer.

Host: Nonprofit Consultants Collective

Mon 10/20 at 12 p.m. – Membership Monday: Cybersecurity + AI = Member Confidence

Cybersecurity isn’t just an IT issue—it’s a member trust issue. With AI becoming part of everyday association work, your members need to know their data and community are safe. Learn how cybersecurity safeguards member confidence, the opportunities and risks AI introduces for associations, and strategies to balance innovation with protection. More info/register (ASAE members only).

Host: ASAE

Mon 10/20 at 2 p.m. – Not Just a Win Count: Proving ROI for Public Affairs Teams

Learn how to communicate the value of public affairs work in ways that resonate with executives and stakeholders. Hear about real examples that helped secure organizational support and protect critical resources. More info/register.

Host: Quorum

Speaker: Steven Fenaroli, Director of Political Affairs at the California Farm Bureau Federation

Mon 10/20 at 8 p.m. – Using Peer-to-Peer Engagement To Drive Retention & Revenue

Learn how community engagement isn’t just a ‘nice to have’ — it’s a game-changer for retention, non-dues revenue, and member experience. Hear how an Australian association is using member-generated data and conversations to fuel a targeted marketing and event strategy. More info/register.

Host: Higher Logic

Speakers:

Sophie McGregor, Online Communities Coordinator, Australian Dental Association
Brendan Leehe, Customer Marketing Manager, Higher Logic
Shristi Khanal, Strategic Advisor, Higher Logic

Tue 10/21 at 10:30 a.m. 10 Minute Meditation

Introducing mindfulness into your work day helps you cope with stress and reduce the feelings of burnout. Join us for 10 minutes of pure space in your busy day. We’ll start with 5 minutes of arriving, a 10-minute meditation, and a 5-minute check-out. Open to all, with no prior meditation experience needed. More info/register.

Host: Association Women Technology Champions

Meditation leader: Moira Edwards, Owner & President, Ellipsis Partners

Tue 10/21 at 12 p.m. – From Questions to Clarity: Quick Research That Drives Smarter Association Decisions

Hear about everything you need to design, conduct, and analyze meaningful member research independently—no consultants, no advanced degrees, no massive budgets required. Kearn how to choose the best research method for your questions, create engaging pulse surveys and social media polls, conduct fast and effective phone interviews with key stakeholders, and analyze your findings and turn them into action. More info/register.

Host: Marketing General Inc. (MGI)

Tue 10/21 at 12 p.m. – Working with International Volunteers (ASAE CRVM Crunch and Munch)

Explore the nuances, lessons learned, and leading practices when recruiting and working with international volunteers. Everyone is welcome—you do not need to be an ASAE member to attend. More info/register.

Host: ASAE Component Relations Volunteer Management Advisory Council

Facilitators: Sylvia Gonner, CAE and Michiel Gen

Tue 10/21 at 1 p.m. – Practical Ways to Get Started with AI Today

Walk through a no-jargon-needed roadmap to begin leveraging AI today. Drawing on real-world examples from associations, nonprofits, and small teams, learn how leaders can adopt AI tools to save time, enhance member experiences, and unlock new levels of creativity and productivity. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.

Host: UST Education

Speaker: Erica Salm Rench, MBA, CMO at Sidecar

Tue 10/21 at 1 p.m. – Prepared, Not Panicked: A Guide for Nonprofits Facing Market Volatility

Gain perspective on today’s market environment in the context of historical trends to support informed, balanced decision-making. See how structured investment policies create clarity and consistency in times of uncertainty. Explore guidelines for incorporating downside protection into your investment strategy. Learn how a disciplined rebalancing approach can help you stay on course through market ups and downs. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.

Host: Raffa Investment Advisors

Tue 10/21 at 2 p.m. – Show Me the (Non-Dues) Money: Financial Wins for Association Expos

Learn how to elevate sponsorship programs with new opportunities that resonate; streamline event and expo budgets to stretch limited resources; drive non-dues revenue while keeping members and sponsors engaged; and build a long-term roadmap for sustainable, profitable conferences and expos. More info/register.

Host: Personify A2Z Events

Speakers:

Michelle Mobley, Exhibits and Sponsorship Manager, American Society of Landscape Architects
Rich Vallaster, DES, CEM, Senior Director of Industry Relations and Community Engagement, Personify

Wed 10/22 from 8:45 a.m. to 4:50 p.m. – AMS Demo Days

Hear presentations from a limited number of industry partners that offer AMS platforms. AMS experts will be showcasing platforms and sharing their knowledge with the association market. More info/register.

Host: ASAE

Participants: Fonteva, Nimble Powered by Momentive, Element AMS, Aplusify, GlueUp, Cobalt Powered by Momentive, Protech, iMIS by ASI, NetForum Powered by Momentive, re:Members AMS Formerly Impexium, Personify MC Professional

Wed 10/22 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. – CMEpalooza Fall

Participate in a series of sessions relevant across the CME/CE spectrum. Broadcasts will stream live and be available for viewing shortly after their conclusion. More info/register.

Hosts:

Derek Warnick, continuing healthcare education professional, founder of CMEpalooza
Scott Kober, MBA, Managing Partner, Excalibur Medical Education

Wed 10/22 at 11 a.m. – Building Your Leadership Brand

Learn how to identify your unique strengths, understand what differentiates you from other leaders, align your personal capabilities with organizational needs. Hear how to ensure your actions match your stated values, build trust through predictable, genuine behavior, and let your true leadership style shine through. Find out how to connect your leadership approach to tangible results, show how your brand drives organizational success, and continuously evolve based on feedback and performance. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.

Host: UST Education

Speaker: Jennifer Dalton, Founder, Brand Mirror

Wed 10/22 at 11 a.m. – Cost-Cutting Idea Exchange

Prices were rising from inflation even before the tariffs were introduced. Budgets have not kept pace. Everyone is searching for solutions. Share and discuss the best money-saving event solutions in these areas: Sourcing, Contracting, Food and Beverage, Transportation, and Labor. More info/register.

Host: Skift Meetings

Wed 10/22 at 12 p.m. – re:Evaluate Your Current Chapter Structure

Are you feeling pain points in your chapter network? Have your volunteers been complaining? Then it’s time for an evaluation of your chapters and whether or not the structure you have in place works in today’s fast-moving environment. Learn how to analyze your organization’s chapter structure to find ways to improve the member experience, develop a rating system for your volunteer leader relationships, create a two-way communications system with your chapters, and identify steps to adjust your current system to enhance outcomes. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.

Host: re:Members

Speaker: Cecilia Sepp, CAE, ACNP, The Rogue Tulips Story — Rogue Tulips Consulting

Wed 10/22 at 12 p.m. – Budgeting with Confidence: Practical Tips for Boards

Learn how to help boards approach their budgets with clarity, discipline, and foresight. Explore common pitfalls that lead to reactive or unrealistic budgets and instead highlight methods to create budgets that support both financial health and organizational impact. More info/register.

Host: Ewald Consulting

Speaker: Jacquie Strebe, Accounting Manager, Ewald Consulting

Wed 10/22 at 1 p.m. – AI in Practice: Strategy, Pitfalls, and the Tools to De-Risk Adoption

Artificial intelligence is no longer optional but adopting it without a plan can introduce costly risks. Explore how associations can develop a practical AI strategy that balances innovation with safeguards. Hear about common missteps, highlight milestones for a thoughtful rollout, and share proven tactics and tools to de-risk adoption. Hear about a clearer path to implementing AI responsibly and effectively in your own organization. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.

Host: UST Education

Speakers: Heinan Landa, Founder & CEO, and Chris Abel, Manager of Consulting Services, Optimal Networks

Wed 10/22 at 1 p.m. – Empowering Women in the Meetings Industry: An Open Conversation

Hear female meeting and incentive planners share their personal stories, insights, and experiences with gender-specific challenges in the meetings and events industry. This is not just another webinar; it’s a candid conversation aimed at bringing real issues to light and fostering a supportive community. 1 CMP credit. More info/register.

Host: Prevue Meetings

Speakers:

Samantha T. Marie, Founder & Chief Experience Officer of OmniEra Events & Travel
Megan Warzeniak, Sales & Strategy Director at streamlinevents, inc.
Tracy Wallach, Event Planner at JM Family Enterprises

Wed 10/22 at 2 p.m. – Future of Association Boards (FAB) Community Dialogue

More info/register.

Host: Jeff De Cagna, executive advisor, Foresight First LLC

Wed 10/22 at 2 p.m. – Membership Momentum: Engaging Today, Growing Tomorrow

Hear the latest findings from the 2025 Association Benchmarking Report, highlighting the state of engagement, shifting member expectations, and strategies for reaching the next generation. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.

Host: Naylor Association Solutions

Speakers:

Tamara Perry-Lunardo, Vice President of Content Services, Naylor Association Solutions
Cody Czmyr, Director of Member Services, International Interior Design Association

Wed 10/22 at 3 p.m. – Intro to AI Webinar for Associations and Nonprofits

Host: Sidecar

Speakers:

Erica Salm Rench, CMO, Sidecar
Thomas Altman, Co-founder, Tasio

Wed 10/22 at 4 p.m. – Healthcare Hot Topic: Workforce Issues

Explore workforce issues in healthcare and what associations are doing to solve workplace challenges. Key discussion points include: working with HR to optimize recruitment and retention, advancing workforce stability through healthy work environments, developing a culture of inquiry, developing academic-practice partnerships, and developing workforce tools for members. This interactive opportunity encourages peer dialogue, knowledge exchange and shared solutions. Bring your challenges, questions and best practices. More info/register (ASAE members only).

Host: ASAE’s Healthcare Community Advisory Committee

Thu 10/23 from 9 a.m. to 4:50 p.m. – AMS Demo Days

Host: ASAE

Participants: MemberSuite by GrowthZone, re:Members AMS Platform, Personify MC Trade, YourMembership Powered by Momentive, Naylor Association Solutions, Altai Systems, Mem360, Personify WildApricot, GrowthZone, Wicket, Aptify Powered by Momentive

Thu 10/23 at 11 a.m. – Beyond the Hype: How AI Assistants Are Transforming Event ROI

Learn how to leverage hyper-personalized AI to resolve up to 80% of participant queries instantly, increase satisfaction, and prove undeniable value to your participants. More info/register.

Host: Grip

Speakers:

Igor Palka, Senior Vice President, Messe Berlin
Lizzy Evans, CPO, Grip
Fadi El Khoury, Founder, ZETA

Thu 10/23 at 12 p.m. – Advocacy for Non-Advocates: Ensuring ALL Voices Are Heard

The IRS recognizes 58,600 associations and 13,000 federally registered lobbyists. But here’s the truth: whether you’re officially registered or not, every association executive and member is an advocate—often without even realizing it. Learn how to prepare members to engage with elected officials, ensure your voice is heard, and avoid common advocacy pitfalls. More info/register.

Host: Association Xchange

Speaker: Dr. David Rehr, professor at George Mason University’s Schar School of Policy and Government

Thu 10/23 at 12 p.m. – AWTC Meet & Greet

Connect with new faces in the association tech community. Join us for a 30-minute welcome event to forge fresh connections and discover our vibrant Slack community. More info/register.

Host: Association Women Technology Champions

Thu 10/23 at 1 p.m. – Strategic Design for Engaged Online Learning

Learn how intentional course design—paired with community-driven technology—can transform participation, deepen connections, and reduce faculty workload. Hear real-world stories of how faculty have reimagined discussion, fostered genuine peer-to-peer learning, and built sustainable engagement strategies that support students and instructors. More info/register.

Host: Online Learning Consortium

Speakers:

John Bellotti, Instructional Designer, University of Wisconsin Oshkosh
Scott Standifer, Ph.D., Instructional Designer, Southern California University of Health Sciences
Jill Anderson, Senior Instructional Technologist, NC State University
Debra Olberding, Success Manager, Yellowdig

Wed 10/29 from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. – AI+IM Regional Forums: Local Solutions for Industry Challenges (Washington DC)

Host: Association for Intelligent Information Management (AIIM)

Wed 10/29 at 12 p.m. – re:Make Your Chapters

Host: re:Members

Speaker: Cecilia Sepp, CAE, ACNP, founder, The Rogue Tulips Story — Rogue Tulips Consulting

Wed 10/29 at 12:30 p.m. – No Tricks, Just Tactics: Using Data to Drive Learning Program Success

Host: .orgCommunity

Wed 10/29 at 1 p.m. – Unlock Hidden Profits: 3 Game-Changing Secrets for Association Success

Host: UST Education

Speakers:

Barbara Armentrout, Founder & Key Principal at BJA Solutions for Associations
Bruce Rosenthal, Principal at Bruce Rosenthal Associates, LLC
Vinnu Deshetty, Speaker/Instructor at Event ROI Coach

Thu 10/30 at 1 p.m. – Rethinking Conference Sponsorship & Exhibitor Engagement

Host: Lori Zoss Kraska, Founder/CEO, Growth Owl LLC

Guest: Alan DeYoung, Executive Director and President of the Wisconsin EMS Association

Thu 10/30 at 2 p.m. – The Association of the Future? What Established Associations Can Learn form a Brand-New Association

Host: ASAE

Speakers:

Matthew Ott, MS, FASAE, CAE, CMP, AAiP, Executive Director, Outsourced Professionals Association
Grant Covalt, Founding Board Chair, Outsourced Professionals Association
Necoya Tyson, Founding Board Member, Outsourced Professionals Association
Tommy Goodwin (moderator), Executive Vice President, Exhibitions & Conferences Alliance

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 Janusz Walczak via Unsplash

Amazon, AssociationBrainFood.com, and Association Academy links allow me to earn a royalty and/or complimentary registration from any resulting leads or sales. Thank you!

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

Good reads for the association community

Snacks

You never grow old at the table

To subscribe to Association Brain Food, please complete the form in the sidebar or at the bottom of this post.

Share this:

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

Good reads for the association community

Snacks

You never grow old at the table

To subscribe to Association Brain Food, please complete the form in the sidebar or at the bottom of this post.

Share this:

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

Good reads for the association community

Snacks

You never grow old at the table

To subscribe to Association Brain Food, please complete the form in the sidebar or at the bottom of this post.

Share this:

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

Good reads for the association community

Snacks

You never grow old at the table

To subscribe to Association Brain Food, please complete the form in the sidebar or at the bottom of this post.

Share this:

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

Good reads for the association community

Snacks

You never grow old at the table

To subscribe to Association Brain Food, please complete the form in the sidebar or at the bottom of this post.

Share this:

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

Good reads for the association community

Snacks

You never grow old at the table

To subscribe to Association Brain Food, please complete the form in the sidebar or at the bottom of this post.

Share this:

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

Good reads for the association community

Snacks

You never grow old at the table

To subscribe to Association Brain Food, please complete the form in the sidebar or at the bottom of this post.

Share this:

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

Good reads for the association community

Snacks

You never grow old at the table

To subscribe to Association Brain Food, please complete the form in the sidebar or at the bottom of this post.

Share this: