Association Brain Food

Association Brain Food: 2.9.24

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

Employers’ job market. TopClass LMS suggests putting a new spin on your membership and education marketing. In this employers’ job market, it’s tougher for members, customers and prospects to find a better position. Make them aware (or remind them) of the positive impact association membership and education can have on their careers.

Online experiences. Michelle Brien at Matchbox shared the results of their research on the value of virtual experiences to associations and their members. It’s encouraging to see associations willing to explore new ways to gather members together on online platforms.

Event trends. eShow predicts five event trends for 2024 and describes how technology can help you stay on top of them. Attendees expect associations to use AI, data analytics and other tools to enhance their event experience.

Data, AI and value propositions. Greg Pollack at Association Analytics recommends three useful strategies to elevate your association’s impact in the new year. His “Fresh Start” suggestions will make data collection much less daunting for associations who normally want to figure everything all out first before even taking a baby step.

Culture. The culture you worked so hard to establish is easily undermined by subpar or stressful working conditions. If you want to attract and retain exceptional talent, Impexium suggests providing a supportive environment where people can achieve both personal and professional fulfillment. They describe how technology can help strengthen your organization’s culture.

AI literacy. Jessica Davies at WorkLife outlines steps you can take to develop the new ‘power skill’: AI literacy. And, yes, she brings up privacy and intellectual property concerns too.

Twitter tips. I’m still tweeting. The usual reasons for abandoning Twitter seem overly hysterical to me. I find good reads there, including many of the articles I share here. Because of the people and accounts I follow, I also enjoy the “serendipity machine” aspect of Twitter. If you don’t see the point, spend a few minutes reading Nabeel S. Qureshi’s notes on using Twitter. His experience, like mine, is a positive one.

You never grow old at the table

Fresh local fish really doesn’t need more than salt and pepper, maybe a little lemon. But if you like lemon, a piccata sauce is a good way to go. And if you want to take that sauce to the next level, make it creamy. It’s pretty swoony on swordfish steaks or any other fish. On the side sautéed kale with bacon, red onion, garlic and chicken broth.

For Sunday soup night, I made a delicious wild rice and mushroom soup from the January/February 2013 issue of Cook’s Illustrated. It was even better two nights later—funny how soup works. If you’re not a subscriber to Cook’s, you’d usually be out of luck because they hide their recipes behind a paywall, but you can find this one on another blog. Copyright infringement? Probably, I didn’t check the details, but I’m not the internet police so…

I had a strange craving for cream of mushroom soup with wild rice but didn’t have a recipe. I could’ve Googled—lots of options there. But I thought I’d check the hundreds of cookbooks I own. After two cross-country moves, I’m down to three shelves, so most of them are on my Kindle. How did I go through them? I searched for a recipe on Eat Your Books, a cookbook index site.

For $40/year, you can add your cookbooks to your EYB online library and quickly find a recipe you already own. You can add magazines and websites too, which is how I found the Cook’s recipe.

Almost forgot… on the side, cauliflower cheesy breadsticks again. Next time, for a change, I’m adding pesto to the mix.

Would you like to subscribe? Please complete the form at the bottom of this post. I won’t share or sell your email address.

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 too product-centric.

Fri 2/9 at 12 p.m.* – Consultant Open House in the Association Marketplace

Come explore this new space for Association Professionals to connect with colleagues, learn about what’s new in the industry, and share their expertise and experience. Bring your ideas for adding value to your professional life. More info/register.

Host: The Association Marketplace

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

Fri 2/9 at 4 p.m. – Networking Discussion about Being an Ally Against Microaggressions

Join us for a facilitated discussion about how white people can be allies against microaggressions of black people at work. More info/register.

Host: Fridays@4

Facilitator: Marjie George, Fridays@4 board member

Mon 2/12 at 8 a.m. – AI Advice for Associations (Radio Free 501c, the podcast of Rogue Tulips Consulting)

Every week Rogue Tulips brings the nonprofit community intriguing guests discussing vital topics affecting nonprofit organizations around the world—and we have fun doing it! Episodes are published Monday mornings in both audio and video format, available on YouTube, Spotify, Amazon Music, iHeart Radio, Apple Podcast, and Google Podcast (to name a few!).

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

Guest: Johanna Snider, CEO, Blue Cypress

Mon 2/12 at 12 p.m. – Membership Mondays

More info/register.

Host: ASAE

Tue 2/13 at 12 p.m. – Price Elasticity Uncovered: Insights from Data

How often are price increase/decrease decisions based on opinion and fear, hampering an association’s ability to extract maximum value from our products because we’re afraid of customer attrition? Using data science, we can model the future state and help make a more informed decision. Hear how the speaker’s team developed a price elasticity forecast. Share your own data modeling stories and learn from in-the-trenches experiences of fellow data scientists. More info/register.

Host: Association Women Technology Champions

Speaker: Denali Carpenter of Inteleos

Tue 2/13 at 12 p.m.- Tech Tuesdays

Were you unable to participate in the recent ASAE AI Summit? Do you still have questions on how AI can help you move the needle with your members and other stakeholders? Whether you attended the summit on Jan 30-31 or not, you won’t want to miss this wrap-up conversation on the summit and all things generative AI. More info/register.

Host: ASAE

Speakers: Reggie Henry, ASAE and Dave Coriale, DelCor

Tue 2/13 at 12 MST – Pop-Up Lunch in Denver, CO

These intimate, informal gatherings are designed to help you build your network and connect with the AWTC community. Location: Denver CO. More info/register.

Organizer: Association Women Technology Champions

Tue 2/13 at 1 p.m. – The Neuroscience of Finding Your Purpose and Creating Meaningful Work

More info/register.

Host: Think and Grow

Speaker: Dr. Britt Andreatta

Tue 2/13 at 2 p.m. – LGBTQIA2+ 2024 Community Call

Share and discuss topics that are current and significant to the LGBTQIA2+ association community. Whether you have burning questions, pressing issues, or insightful experiences to share, this judgment-free zone welcomes your valuable contributions. More info/register.

Host: ASAE

Tue 2/13 at 3 p.m. – Operation Efficiency: Streamlining Processes for Associations

Discover the key to success for associations in today’s fast-paced world by exploring strategies for optimizing operations and improving efficiency. Hear about common mistakes associations make that reduce efficiency, strategies and industry best practices for associations, and how associations can leverage technology. More info/register.

Host: NXUnite/Nexus Marketing Agency

Speakers:

Michelle Brien, Vice President of Marketing at Matchbox Virtual Media
Mark Prevost, SVP of Growth at Billhighway
Todd Tolbert, Director of Associations and Nonprofits at UDig

Wed 2/14 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. – New Year, More Questions

Breakout group topics: #1: Learning Gaps – Leading up to a certification/assessment exam, what areas of learning would you like to see improved and what areas have been beneficial for your learners to utilize? #2: SMEs – What are the biggest challenges you are facing with your SMEs? #3: Value of Credential – How can we better market/promote the value of certification or other credentials, e.g. micro-credentials? #4: DEI – Are you aware of, and prepared to deal with, current and pending regulation and legislation that might affect your credentialing program? More info/register.

Host: Certification Network Group

Facilitators:

Christine DePascale, Psychometrician at Professional Testing
Mark Franco, Counsel at Whiteford, Taylor & Preston LLP
Marybeth Kurland, Chief Executive Officer at Commission for Case Manager Certification
Jake Schoch, Enterprise Account Executive at Benchprep
Amy Scott, Certification Director at Association of Certified Fraud Examiners

Wed 2/14 at 11 a.m. – Beyond Tradition: Association Transformation into Media Empires

Find out how your association’s unique knowledge, vast networks, and compelling stories can be leveraged to drive impactful narratives and shape public discourse. Learn the steps and best practices to transition your association from a traditional convener to a dynamic, content-producing powerhouse. Hear about the potential benefits and challenges of such a transformation, from increased reach and engagement to new revenue streams, while learning how to navigate potential obstacles. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.

Host: UST Education

Speaker: Bill Mcglade, President, Community Leaders Institute & epIQ Creative Group

Wed 2/14 at 12 p.m. – Your Communications Policy: The Easy Playbook to Organize Comms Activities

Learn how to clarify which channels to use for which types of information; state the organization’s expectations for style; affirm communication commitments throughout the organization; educate workers about file organization, nomenclature and storage; and develop an internal communications roadmap that adjusts seamlessly as you grow. Leave with tools you can use today to build a strategy that best fits your organization. More info/register.

Host: Lizabeth Wesely-Casella, Founder and CEO of L-12 Services Corp.

Wed 2/14 at 1 p.m. – Mastering Memorable Online Experiences: A Budget-Friendly Blueprint

Hear about effective strategies for delivering engaging and memorable online experiences, overcoming budgetary constraints and time limitations. Gain insights into adapting traditional activities such as career fairs, interactive events, and award presentations to the online environment. Learn practical tips and actionable steps to create unique, impactful virtual experiences that resonate with your audience and align with your association’s goals. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.

Host: UST Education

Speakers:

Barbara J. Armentrout, CAE, Founder & Key Principal, BJA Solutions for Associations
Lucas Cioffi, CTO and Co-Founder, QiqoChat
Sandra Nam, CEO and Co-Founder, QiqoChat

Wed 2/14 at 1 p.m. – Connection Mindset™: Your Key to Engaging Others and Getting More Done with Less Stress for Everyone

Hear how our desire to help others and solve problems can inadvertently get in the way of connection and create stress and resistance for you and others. Learn a new approach to leading authentically that will allow you to care for and grow others without sacrificing results. Practice a powerful four-step process for deepening your emotional intelligence which has been proven to increase both happiness and business impact. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.

Host: Fonteva

Speaker: Scott David, Owner, Executive Coach, The Authentic Executive

Thu 2/15 at 10 a.m. – Website Redesign Success Story: Featuring ISHLT

How do you successfully redesign your outdated website to provide a superior “member-first” experience and receive a stellar response from leaders, even with a small staff? Hear about the International Society for Heart & Lung Transplantation’s (ISHLT) website redesign project, including how they secured buy-in and invested in change, optimized the experience for mobile, established goals and success measures, empowered staff and created efficiencies, and succeeded with a small team. More info/register.

Host: Results Direct

Speakers:

Jess Burke, Director of Marketing & Communications, International Society for Heart & Lung Transplantation
Laura Graham, Senior Solutions Consultant, Results Direct

Thu 2/15 at 12 p.m. – How AI and Automation are Reshaping the Future for Associations

This educational leadership seminar is designed exclusively for the C-Suite and Director-level executives, seeking to understand the importance of new, emerging technologies and how to effectively weave them into their digital transformation strategy for their association. Learn about the transformative power of AI and automation, how to navigate the tech evolution and position your association for unparalleled success, and key strategies to consider when adjusting your digital roadmap. More info/register.

Host: iMIS by ASI

Speakers:

Rob Wenger, CEO, Higher Logic
Tim Clarke, Chief Revenue Officer, ASI
Troy Stenback, Director of Client Performance Improvement & Client Success, ASI

Thu 2/15 at 12 p.m. – Member ROI Group

The live discussions will be predominately in CAE education domains related to member ROI on the first and third Thursdays of the month with some exceptions. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.

Host: Ed Rigsbee

Thu 2/15 at 1 p.m. – Strategies for Effective Annual Board Planning

Learn how your board can achieve a stellar planning system that accounts for inevitable unknowns. Explore the challenges and considerations that impact annual board planning, best practices for creating an efficient and strategic planning framework, and how technology like board management software and AI can simplify and enhance your planning cycle. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.

Host: ASAE

Speakers:

Erik Hanberg, author of four books on nonprofit management, fundraising, social media, and board governance
Jordan Castel, Association Governance Consultant at OnBoard

Thu 2/15 at 2 p.m. – How Higher Logic Embraced AI While Mitigating Risk

Hear a case study example of how Higher Logic internally explored and adopted AI tools while maintaining security and privacy controls. Learn about the positive potential of AI for staff time-savings, our cautions when approaching AI use, and the goals, guidelines, and results of our staff “AI Month” challenge. Get ideas from what we did for strategies you can try out at your organization. More info/register.

Host: Higher Logic

Speakers: Rob Wenger, CEO and founder, and Daryl Dore, Director of IT, Higher Logic

Thu 2/15 at 2 p.m. – Researchers Reveal Insights Into Communication with Lawmakers and How to Make Them Take Notice

Learn who most effectively reaches Congress and what characteristics they share; major influencers driving the conversation and how the bias operates; insights into the relationship between media coverage and the issues constituents write about; tactics to ensure your advocacy campaigns resonate with the topics your constituents care about the most in a busy election year; and strategies to optimize your advocacy campaigns, ensuring your messages cut through the noise and truly influence policy decisions. More info/register.

Host: VoterVoice

Speakers:

David Broockman, associate professor at UC Berkeley
Kristin St. John, senior manager of coalition and advocacy campaigns at McKesson
Nick Consler (moderator), general manager of advocacy and constituent services at FiscalNote

Thu 2/15 at 2 p.m. – Security By Design

Stay above the fray and maintain security with strategic planning. The security threats on the news may seem new and scarier than ever, but most intrusions capitalize on traditional vulnerabilities. Come learn about planning your company’s IT strategy so security is a design element instead of a problem you react to. More info/register.

Host: Association Technologies Inc.

Thu 2/15 at 4 p.m. – Elevate Your Executive Presence

Whether you’re presenting to a board or an annual conference your presence is what builds trust and respect. Explore what executive presence means for association leaders. Share your thoughts, insights, and observations in breakout groups and learn from each other. Leave with a clearer understanding of executive presence, the impact, and how to elevate your own presence. More info/register.

Host: Reston-Loudon Idea Swap for Associations

Speaker: Diane DiResta, CSP, is Founder and CEO of DiResta Communications, Inc.

Thu 2/15 at 4 p.m. – How To Sell Out Your Association Event With Paid Social

Imagine your next association, membership, webinar, or workshop event filled with your ideal client profile and that registered early without the stress of selling out all seats. Hear about the event business framework we use for our 7-8 figure clients to sell out events every time, four detailed case studies with screenshots and data you can learn from immediately, how to get hyper-targeted traffic that converts visitors to buyers with a profitable ROI, and how we do it all using automation and scaling strategies so you can grow and serve clients hands off. More info/register.

Host: Chaosmap

Fri 2/16 at 3 p.m. – The Informal Consultants Networking Extravaganza

More info/register.

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

Fri 2/16 at 4 p.m. – The Rise and Fall of the Chief Diversity Officer

More info/register.

Host: Fridays@4

Speaker: Timothy E. (Tim) Findley Sr, EdD, MBA, CCDP/AP, Assistant Professor at Spalding University

Tue 2/20 at 3 p.m. – Mastering the Art of Email Newsletters: 15 Strategies for Success

Email newsletters are a fantastic medium for sharing relevant content to your members, but it’s crucial to ask: are your newsletters truly resonating with each individual, or are they just another generic email in their inbox? Discover how to leverage email newsletter marketing to captivate your members with the latest industry insights and trends. Hear best practices for elevating your newsletter content, boosting member engagement, curating diverse external content, and harnessing the power of automation. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.

Host: UST Education

Speaker: Erica Salm Rench, MBA, COO, Rasa.io

Wed 2/21 at 12 p.m. – Going Virtual? Key Data from Virtual Associations

The shift towards remote work among associations is a trend expected to continue in 2024 with many associations choosing to go virtual or using a hybrid model. The Virtual Association Network (VAN) conducts an annual survey that collects data about benefits, logistics, and operational concerns and examines today’s post-Covid challenges for associations that are embracing virtual or partial virtual business models. Hear about VAN’s 2023 survey key findings. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.

Host: Association Xchange

Speakers:

Kevin Helm, CAE, Executive Director of ASET-The Neurodiagnostic Society, and Co-Founder/President of VAN
David Westman, CAE, Executive Director, The American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons

Wed 2/21 at 2 p.m. – 5 Ways Your Business Development Team Can Leverage AI

AI is the latest set of tools available to our associations and it has the power to drastically enhance our sales approach. But it can be challenging to approach a rapidly evolving industry like AI to know which tools to use and how to integrate them into our daily work. Discover 5 ways your business development team can incorporate simple AI practices to identify prospects, foster partnerships and drive revenue growth. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.

Host: Professionals for Association Revenue

Speakers:

Jay Blankenship, SVP, Revenue Strategy & Operations, Enterprise, MCI USA
Brittany Shoul, SVP, Revenue Strategy & Operations, MCI USA

Wed 2/21 at 2 p.m. – How to Craft a True Multilingual Strategy for Your Website

Hear an in-depth case study about how the Safe Quality Foods Institute reimagined their multilingual strategy and now have a new website that is available in 9 languages, staff capable of responding to inquiries in 9 languages, and a technology stack that fully supports multilingual. Hear about their goals of being multilingual, how far to take their multilingual presence—brochure site, full site, emails and forms, the languages to provide translations in, what content to have manually translated vs. AI translation, and how to support inquiries and communications in other languages. More info/register.

Host: Matrix Group

Speaker: Joanna Pineda, CEO and Chief Troublemaker of Matrix Group International, Inc.

Thu 2/22 at 2 p.m. – ASAE AI Summit: Continuing the Conversation

Join your association community colleagues to continue the conversation on artificial intelligence and its implications for associations. More info/register.

Host: Jeff De Cagna, Executive Advisor, Foresight First

Association Brain Food Weekly is published Friday mornings. If your organization offers free professional development for the association community, please send me the link via email by Wednesday afternoon the week before it’s scheduled.

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Association Brain Food: 2.2.24

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

Early-career microcredentials. If your association is looking for a sure-fire way to attract young professionals, TopClass LMS has the answer: early-career microcredentials. Microcredentials and digital badges help young professionals differentiate themselves from peers and acquire the skills they need to get hired and promoted.

Member connections. We need another word for networking because the word induces anxiety or eyerolls for many. The truth is, these events don’t always fulfill their purpose. At Sidecar, Amanda Kaiser and Amith Nagarajan describe another approach to helping members connect with each other: AI matching.

Print magazines. m3Magazines shares advice on transforming your magazine into a valuable asset members will love. They explain how to develop a content strategy, know when it’s time for a redesign, decrease costs and increase revenue. They start with the benefits of a well-crafted print magazine, just in case you have to make a case to your leadership team.

Generation Z. Accella encourages you to talk to Gen Z members and non-members so you can better understand what they need from an association and what they can afford. One of the most valuable things you can offer, they say, is the opportunity to network and build relationships in non-traditional ways—sounds like what Amanda and Amith are suggesting too.

Change management. I love the matrix shared in this post about the Knoster Model for Managing Complex Change by Jill Romford at AgilityPortal. It shows what happens when you don’t have all the requirements for change lined up.

Credit card processor. GrowthZone’s guide to selecting a credit card processor is perfect for those of you who need to understand the players and their roles, terminology, fees, rates, hard and soft costs, and security issues. They also suggest topics to discuss with vendors.

Accessibility. In 2022, SHRM paid $221k to settle a disability discrimination suit. I missed this story when it came out, but Samantha Evans linked to it recently on ASAE Collaborate in a discussion about making accommodations for deaf event attendees. SHRM was also dinged for not providing accessible online learning.

You never grow old at the table

The highlight of the week was Ina Garten’s chicken with dried morel mushrooms. I used sherry instead of Madeira because I can’t find Madeira in my local supermarkets, grr. Sadly, I had to use sour cream instead of crème fraîche because I bought vanilla crème fraîche by accident. Who knew there was such a thing! Not me. Figuring the sour cream would provide plenty of tang, I omitted the lemon. But despite all those changes, the chicken was swoony delicious served over egg noodles.

For sides, the ubiquitous roasted broccoli with red onion and garlic powder, and roasted butternut squash sprinkled with cinnamon, paprika and New Mexican ground chile.

I liked the idea of this Sicilian caper tomato salsa with mackerel, but on my terms. I wanted a warm accompaniment, so I sautéed the ingredients with onion and pan-fried the mackerel fillets. On the side, roasted Brussels sprouts and cauliflower with bacon, red onion, garlic powder and New Mexican ground chile.

The next night, blackened red drum with cheesy grits. My ‘blackened’ spice mix includes smoked paprika, oregano, onion powder, garlic powder, ground ancho chile, cayenne, black pepper and salt.

Would you like to subscribe? Please complete the form at the bottom of this post. I won’t share or sell your email address.

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 too product-centric.

Fri 2/2 at 10 a.m.* – How to Amplify Your Team’s Power with Generative AI

Hear about practical, real-world applications of AI to enhance team efficiency and innovation. Tune in for an engaging blend of technology insights and personal stories, all aimed at leveraging AI for effective team empowerment. More info/register.

Host: KiKi L’Italien, Vice President, Marketing and Community Engagement, Big Red M

Guest: Liz Peuster, CAE, Director Of Communications & Public Relations, South Carolina Association of CPAs

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

Fri 2/2 at 4 p.m. – Microaggression at Work

Microaggressions can be directed at members of any marginalized group and are broken down into three categories: microassaults, microinsults, and microinvalidations. Here, we’ll focus on those geared toward the Black community. Our panel will provide examples of microaggressions they have faced in the workplace. Learn why certain comments are offensive and how they make others feel. More info/register.

Host: Fridays@4

Speakers:

Feborah Dixon, CMP, seasoned meetings professional
Grace Dobson, SHRM-SCP, Human Resources Analyst at The City of Frederick
Pamela Williams, MS, PHR, Founder and CEO of CorpEx, LLC

Mon 2/5 at 8 a.m. – Building the Business Case for Digital Transformation (Radio Free 501c, the podcast of Rogue Tulips Consulting)

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

Guest: Robert Barnes, CAE, CEO, bettybot

Tue 2/6 at 12 p.m. – AI Powered Possibilities: Leading Your Association

From reducing manual burdens on staff and streamlining processes, to strengthening member engagement and retention with better utilization of member data, generative artificial intelligence (AI), like OpenAI’s ChatGPT, is changing the way associations work. Hear about the endless possibilities for adopting AI and how generative AI goes hand-in-hand with becoming a learning organization, one that learns from every member interaction leading you to a path of continuous performance improvement. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.

Host: iMIS by ASI

Speakers: Kristina Drosos, Director of Client Experience; Andrea Robertson, Director of Product Management; and Michael Weatherton, Software Architect, iMIS by ASI

Tue 2/6 at 12 p.m. – Generative AI and Analytics, Part 2 (Data Analytics Network)

Join association professionals for peer-led discussions on topics related to data and analytics. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.

Host: Data Analytics Network

Tue 2/6 at 1 p.m. – AI Basics for Today’s Business Leaders

Learn about AI, its capabilities, potential impact on your organization, latest developments in AI technology and how they can benefit your organization. Find out how to avoid common misconceptions and pitfalls of implementing AI, and stay ahead of the competition by utilizing emerging AI strategies to improve your business operations. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.

Host: UST Education

Speakers: Stacey Campbell, Director of Business Development, and Chris Rounds, Senior Solutions Architect, Express Info

Tue 2/6 at 1 p.m. – Ask the Nonprofit Attorney: Featuring Jeff Tenenbaum

Come armed with your questions, as we discuss pressing legal issues facing nonprofit organizations these days. In a Q&A-driven format, ask our speaker about topics such as: legal and other risks and opportunities facing nonprofits today, protections against fraud, mitigating legal risks, and when and how to engage outside legal counsel. 1 CPE credit. More info/register.

Host: CohnReznick

Speakers:

Jeff Tenenbaum, Managing Partner, Tenenbaum Law Group PLLC
John Alfonso, CPA, CGMA, Partner, Not-for-Profit & Education Industry Practice Leader, CohnReznick
Patricia McGowen, CPA, Partner, Not-for-Profit Industry, CohnReznick

Wed 2/7 at 12 p.m. – Ask Me Anything: Content Strategy

Does “content strategy” mean the same thing to everyone in an association? Do associations have a common understanding of the content that staff and members create? What are the biggest challenges associations face in making their content more effective, and how can they overcome those challenges? Bring all your questions to the AMA. More info/register.

Host: Association Women Technology Champions

Speaker: Hilary Marsh, Chief Strategist, Content Company, Inc.

Wed 2/7 at 12 p.m. – The Board’s Duty of Foresight: Ten Years Later

1 CAE credit. More info/register.

Host: Association Insights in Old Town

Speaker: Jeff De Cagna, Executive Advisor, Foresight First LLC

Wed 2/7 at 12 p.m. – Why Do Your Members Need Your Association?

The answer is your unique value proposition, the reason they choose you over YouTube, LinkedIn, or the rest of the internet. Today, It’s not just your industry-leading info, your subject matter experts and your networking opportunities. It’s how you package them all together and serve them to your members that moves you from valuable to invaluable. Learn how to identify what’s valuable to your members, serve it to them in an attractive and engaging way, and get your stakeholders on board. More info/register.

Host: WorkerBee.TV

Speakers:

Dana Otillio, vice president, marketing and communications, Society of Petroleum Engineers
Marcus Leite, director of sales and marketing, WorkerBeeTV

Wed 2/7 at 1 p.m. – Project Success Is Up to You: Taking Your Project to the Next Level

I get it. You have a full-time job, and doing systems projects isn’t it. Yet, here you are. Don’t think it’s just up to your partner to get the job done. You (the client) have critical roles and responsibilities in a project, and I bet no one’s ever sat you down to explain them. Learn about these 10 essential roles and responsibilities and how to do them as efficiently and effectively as possible. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.

Host: UST Education

Speaker: Andrea Hall, Customer Success Manager, Innovia Consulting

Thu 2/8 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. – Event Tech Demo Day

Hear presentations from a limited number of industry partners that offer event tech platforms: EVA Event Tech Hub, Higher Logic, Community Brands Event Technology, eventPower, A2Z Events by Personify, eShow, and Matchbox. More info/register.

Host: ASAE

Thu 2/8 at 9:30 a.m. – Small Staff Percolator

An interactive online coffee break designed for you to discover more peers in our dispersed community, bring up a topic that’s brewing in the daily grind, and have a casual chat with others who know your lingo. More info/register.

Host: Qiqo

Thu 2/8 at 12 p.m. – Member Engagement: The Key to Association Sustainability?

Hear tips and practices to get members engaged in your association. More info/register.

Host: Zzeem

Thu 2/8 at 2 p.m. – AMS/CRM Software Selection Survey 2023: What People Really Think Now

If your association is planning or currently going through an AMS/CRM selection or implementation process, be the first to hear a summary of new data results from the 2023 AMS/CRM System Selection Survey. Get valuable feedback from those who have gone through the process. Gain insights from vendors and consultants who took part in the survey. Ask your questions to experts and peers about what the survey revealed and how it relates to your projects. More info/register.

Host: 501Works

Speaker: Olivia Wilkins, Business Analyst/Project Manager, PerByte

Thu 2/8 at 2 p.m. – No Data Left Behind: Strategies for Transforming Post-Event Data into 2024 Event Success

Learn how to translate insights gained from post-event data into concrete strategies and innovative approaches for 2024 events; use artificial intelligence tools to analyze large datasets, identify trends, and elevate your event plan; and how continuous learning from post-event data can create a cycle of improvement, ensuring events are adaptable and resilient. More info/register.

Host: Bizzabo

Speakers:

Sarah E. Gannon, Director, North America Events and Executive Briefing Center, Dassault Systèmes
Nicola Kastner, Founder, Nicola Kastner: The Event Strategist
Jon Wolff, Global Events Manager, Lenovo

Thu 2/8 at 2 p.m. – How to Avoid Wellness-Washing

We all know incorporating wellness in our agendas is vital for effective events, but to be effective, healthy elements need to be at the forefront, rather than an afterthought. Learn the science behind adding healthy alternatives to events. Find out how to source for venues that promote wellness, empower attendees to pursue their definition of wellness, and harness the power of circadian rhythms to promote healthy sleep on the road. More info/register.

Host: Smart Meetings

Speaker: David T. Stevens, PMED, host of “Return on Wellness” podcast

Thu 2/8 at 3 p.m. – Zero-Based Budgeting: An Approach for 21st Century Financial Management

Learn the strategies of zero-based budgeting as a way to begin fiscal year budgeting. Practice implementing zero-based budgeting strategies in sample scenarios. Discuss the steps needed to consider financial planning based on future needs, not current realities. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.

Host: UST Education

Speaker: Lawrence M. Paska, Ph.D., CAE, Executive Director, National Council for the Social Studies

Mon 2/12 at 12 p.m. – Membership Mondays

More info/register.

Host: ASAE

Tue 2/13 at 12 p.m. – Price Elasticity Uncovered: Insights from Data

Host: Association Women Technology Champions

Speaker: Denali Carpenter of Inteleos

Tue 2/13 at 12 p.m.- Tech Tuesdays

Host: ASAE

Speakers: Reggie Henry, ASAE and Dave Coriale, DelCor

Tue 2/13 at 12 MST – Pop-Up Lunch in Denver, CO

These intimate, informal gatherings are designed to help you build your network and connect with the AWTC community. Location: Denver CO. More info/register.

Organizer: Association Women Technology Champions

Tue 2/13 at 2 p.m. – Buyer’s Guides Are Out: Marketplaces Are In

Are you spending a ton of time creating a static published buyer’s guide when you could be hosting a bustling dynamic marketplace instead? Find out how easy it can be to make the transition and earn even more non-dues revenue for your association. Learn how a thriving marketplace can contribute to your association through increased engagement. Hear about the financial benefits of integrating your industry partners into your community through a marketplace. Understand the mind shift change that supports developing you own marketplace. More info/register.

Host: QiqoChat

Speakers:

Barbara Arango, CAE, Executive Director, Association Marketplace by QiqoChat
Sandra Nam, CEO & Co-Founder, Qiqo Inc.

Tue 2/13 at 3 p.m. – Operation Efficiency: Streamlining Processes for Associations

Host: NXUnite/Nexus Marketing Agency

Speakers:

Michelle Brien, Vice President of Marketing at Matchbox Virtual Media
Mark Prevost, SVP of Growth at Billhighway
Todd Tolbert, Director of Associations and Nonprofits at UDig

Wed 2/14 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. – Certifications: New Year, More Questions

Host: Certification Network Group

Facilitators:

Christine DePascale, Psychometrician at Professional Testing
Mark Franco, Counsel at Whiteford, Taylor & Preston LLP
Marybeth Kurland, Chief Executive Officer at Commission for Case Manager Certification
Jake Schoch, Enterprise Account Executive at Benchprep
Amy Scott, Certification Director at Association of Certified Fraud Examiners

Wed 2/14 at 11 a.m. – Beyond Tradition: Association Transformation into Media Empires

Host: UST Education

Speaker: Bill Mcglade, President, Community Leaders Institute & epIQ Creative Group

Wed 2/14 at 1 p.m. – Mastering Memorable Online Experiences: A Budget-Friendly Blueprint

Host: UST Education

Speakers:

Barbara J. Armentrout, CAE, Founder & Key Principal, BJA Solutions for Associations
Lucas Cioffi, CTO and Co-Founder, QiqoChat
Sandra Nam, CEO and Co-Founder, QiqoChat

Thu 2/15 at 12 p.m. – How AI and Automation are Reshaping the Future for Associations

Host: iMIS by ASI

Speakers:

Rob Wenger, CEO, Higher Logic
Tim Clarke, Chief Revenue Officer, ASI
Troy Stenback, Director of Client Performance Improvement & Client Success, ASI

Thu 2/15 at 2 p.m. – How Higher Logic Embraced AI While Mitigating Risk

Host: Higher Logic

Speakers: Rob Wenger, CEO and founder, and Daryl Dore, Director of IT, Higher Logic

Fri 2/16 at 3 p.m. – The Informal Consultants Networking Extravaganza

More info/register.

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

Creative Commons licensed photo by Mike Petrucci via Unsplash

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Association Brain Food: 1.26.24

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

Membership. I’ve used data from Marketing General Inc.’s 2023 Membership Marketing Benchmarking Report in many of the posts I’ve written for clients. Last year, 814 associations participated in MGI’s survey, which benchmarks the practices used by associations to recruit, engage and renew members. The 2024 survey is now open. Please help our community by taking the time to participate or forwarding it to a colleague on your association’s membership team.

Volunteer burnout. It’s scary to think what might happen to chapters if they can’t find enough members to lead them. Billhighway discusses the causes of leadership succession issues and offers strategies for preventing volunteer burnout, a big problem for chapters.

Leadership development for young members. TopClass LMS has a solution for empty volunteer pipelines: leadership development cohort programs. They explain how these educational programs attract young professionals who want to develop in-demand skills and build relationships with peers.

Email marketing news. Make sure staff who have anything to do with IT or email marketing get this critical message: Gmail and Yahoo have new requirements for bulk senders. Higher Logic explains what email marketers and their IT colleagues need to do.

Mentoring. The Art of Mentoring describes the benefits of offering a mentoring program for members. They also provide a checklist for implementing an effective mentoring program or enhancing an existing one.

Facilitation course: I normally don’t feature paid programs here, but this 12-week course is designed by two guys I really respect: Lowell Aplebaum of Vista Cova and Aaron Wolowiec of Event Garde. The spring cohort for their Association Facilitator Certificate Course begins on March 11. If it intrigues you, check it out—12 CAE credits too.

You never grow old at the table

I relied on one of my old standbys for a quick dinner last week, southern pan-fried catfish. Before the fillets hit the pan, dredge them in flour and garlic powder, then buttermilk mixed with lots of hot sauce, and finally cornmeal with your choice of spices. This time, I went with Old Bay and ancho chile powder. On the side, broccoli stems, carrots, red onion and tomatoes al pesto.

Just now I saw a tweet from Alton Brown that gave me an idea for another ingredient to add to that cornmeal: “Finely crushed, fried pork rinds are my new answer for everything.” Oh my, yes.

Another night, I came home with the most brilliantly dark hunk of bluefin tuna, so I made another favorite, pan-seared tuna with avocado, soy sauce, ginger and lime, which also makes a fabulous breakfast. On the side, roasted broccoli with red onion, garlic powder, red chile flakes, and sriracha sea salt—Jim got a little package of this for Christmas and it worked wonders on the broccoli.

I still remember a cup of avgolemono soup I enjoyed at a Greek restaurant several years ago, but had never made it until this past weekend. This chicken, lemon and rice soup enriched with eggs lived up to my memory. I skinned four bone-in chicken thighs so ended up with more chicken than the recipe called for. I didn’t boil the water. Since I didn’t want to buy extra-large eggs just for this recipe, I used two large eggs and two yolks. Excellent.

On the side, incredibly delicious cheesy cauliflower bread sticks. I could eat a whole pan of this, I swear.

Would you like to subscribe? See the form beneath the post.

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 too product-centric.

Fri 1/26 at 12 p.m.* – Unlocking Dahlia’s Secret Vault: Deliver More at Your Events

According to the latest Freeman trends report, 75% of attendees want demonstrations/hands-on activities and 52% want unstructured interactions with experts. Hear about event activations that deliver, such as innovative sponsorship activations that will set your events apart and create unforgettable experiences, engaging and rewarding surprise-and-delight tactics to amaze your participants and exhibitors, and strategies that offer real value, enhancing both the personal and professional lives of your event community. More info/register.

Host: DAHLIA+Agency

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

Fri 1/26 at 12:30 p.m. – Ask Me Anything: Data Analytics

What is data analytics? How can I make the most of the data I have? How can I help my organization be more data driven? Bring all your questions and join the AMA. More info/register.

Host: Association Women Technology Champions

Speaker: Vinnu Deshetty, CEO/Founder, EVA | Event Tech Hub

Fri 1/26 at 1 p.m. – Elevating New Member Engagement

How well are your new members joining and engaging in your community? Learn about the neuroscience behind impactful first impressions, ways to welcome new members and foster a sense of safety and belonging, and designing a culture that elevates new member engagement in your community. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.

Host: Forj

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

Fri 1/26 at 4 p.m. – Association and Nonprofit Trends for 2024: Navigating a Rapidly Evolving Landscape

As we move into 2024, the landscape for associations is rapidly evolving, driven by technological advancements, changing member expectations, and an increasingly global context. Hear about key trends concerning digital transformation and technology, event models, member experience personalization, and evolving membership models. More info/register.

Host: Fridays@4

Speaker: Dan Olson, Director of Business Development & Digital Strategist, ArcStone

Mon 1/29 at 8 a.m. – How to Get that Book Written & Published (Radio Free 501c, the podcast of Rogue Tulips Consulting)

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

Guest: Carl Weaver, Renaissance Man

Tue 1/30 at 11 a.m. – Ascend: Unlocking the Power of AI for Nonprofits

Gain insight into the current AI landscape and how this concerns your nonprofit organization, the power of present AI and where this fast-paced revolution is heading, and how to begin utilizing AI to further your nonprofit’s mission and better serve your community. More info/register.

Host: Sidecar

Speaker: Matthew Van Cleave, author, Ascend: Unlocking the Power of AI for Nonprofits

Tue 1/30 at 12 p.m. – Trends Talk with Sarah Sladek

Join Sarah Sladek and a special guest on the last Tuesday of each month for an engaging series of virtual events exploring NextGen trends. From emerging technologies to evolving societal values, these events promise to offer a deep dive into the forces driving change in the next generation. More info/register.

Host: Sarah Sladek, Founder and CEO, XYZ University

Guest: Beth Ziesenis, Author, Speaker, Nerd

Tue 1/30 at 12 p.m. – ASAE Component Relations and Volunteer Management Book Club

Join the ASAE CRVM Book Club to discuss The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz. We’ll talk about self-limiting beliefs and how to overcome them. Read the book (or an online review) and join us with a cup of coffee and your opinions on the concepts in the book. More info/register.

Host: ASAE Component Relations and Volunteer Management Advisory Council

Facilitators: Vanita Murray and Rachel Grimes

Tue 1/30 at 1 p.m. – What to Consider When Your Association Is Considering a Merger or Acquisition (Part 3: Avoiding the Post-M&A Failure Trap)

70-90% of all M&A transactions ultimately fail. Why? Most organizations do not properly account for challenges such as post-merger integration, cultural fit, and more. Learn about the pitfalls associated with what happens after the deal is signed to help you ensure early- and long-term success. 1 CAE credit. More info/register (Executive Management Professionals Community).

Host: ASAE Executive Management Advisory Council

Speakers:

Ellen Collins, Executive Director, Mississippi Alliance of Nonprofits and Philanthropy
Sherrif Karamat, President & CEO, Professional Convention Management Association
Pietro Macchiarella, Director, Center of Excellence, Young Presidents’ Organization
Rhea Steele (moderator), Chief of Staff and Vice President of Strategy and Governance, School Nutrition Association

Tue 1/30 at 1 p.m. – Elevating Your Leadership: A Call to Learn from Your Team’s Wisdom (Part 1 of 2)

Explore why those being led are an often-overlooked source of invaluable leadership wisdom. Discover practical, low-maintenance methods for leaders to glean meaningful insights without resorting to burdensome practices (large 360 reviews, burdensome surveys, etc.). Uncover the untapped potential of learning from your team and preview key lessons for a more impactful leadership journey. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.

Host: UST Education

Speaker: Ryan MacTaggart, PhD, Associate Director, Professional Learning, EDUCAUSE

Wed 1/31 at 12 p.m. – Revenue Revamp: 5 Game-Changing Fixes Help Chapters Increase Non-Dues Revenue in 2024

If sponsors, exhibitors, and advertisers believe your chapters can positively impact their bottom lines, chapters will convert more customers with less effort. But most chapters (and some associations) inadvertently turn off those buyers because of website navigation, collateral, and messaging that leaves prospects confused and unconvinced. Learn about simple changes that will help chapters attract and convert sponsors, exhibitors, and advertisers efficiently and effectively including: quickly creating a compelling case for investing money with your association, stats and stories that provide the most effective social proof of your value, and information buyers need at various stages of their buying journey. More info/register.

Hosts: Billhighway, Mariner Management and Impexium

Speaker: Carrie McIntyre, founder, Navigate

Wed 1/31 at 12 p.m. – Lead vs Member Scoring: How to Data Mine Effectively

What data points should you use to measure member engagement? More importantly, would your association align and agree upon those indicators across all business units and course-correct accordingly? How about if they were trying to identify candidates that are a good fit for membership? Measuring activity means understanding the customer journey and how audiences interact with all of your programming across all channels. Learn about potential data sets that can help you kick-start your ROE definition within your organization to build your own personalized engagement algorithm for leads as well as members. More info/register.

Host: HighRoad Solutions

Wed 1/31 at 1 p.m. – The Art of Charts: Choosing the Right Visualization to Tell Your Story

Do you have data but struggle with how best to depict the story the data is telling? Get a glimpse into the power of data visualization and take away tips, techniques, and examples of effective storytelling graphics. Learn about the core concepts and essential elements that contribute to effective data visualization and storytelling graphics, different types of commonly used charts, and chart types to select based on the data and the story that needs to be told. More info/register.

Hosts: IMA and Your Part Time Controller, LLC

Speakers: William Schwab and Edwin Harvey, Your Part-Time Controller, LLC

Wed 1/31 at 2 p.m. – Don’t Fall Victim to a Cyberattack or Data Security Breach

No organization, however large or small, is immune to data breaches and cyberattacks, so you need to be prepared with an incident response plan. Plus, board directors are being held liable under various state privacy acts for not taking responsibility for the protection of the data they hold. Hear what can go wrong, what has worked well, what remains uncertain when dealing with the inevitable data breach or security incident, and steps to take to mitigate risk. Walk through a cyber incident response simulation and review the actions taken from the viewpoint of forensic investigation and mitigation, legal, cyber insurance and law enforcement considerations. More info/register.

Host: Meetings Today

Speakers:

Tara N. Cho, CIPP/US, CIPP/E, Partner, Womble Bond Dickinson (US) LLP
David Clarke, FBCS, Chief Technology Officer, The Trust Bridge
Hayden McKaskle, North America Sales Manager, Law Firm Channel, Palo Alto Networks / Unit 4
Bill Mew, Associate Consultant Cyber, The TrustBridge
Penny Heyes (moderator), COO, The TrustBridge

Wed 1/31 at 3 p.m. – Navigating the Member Journey Part 1: Using Your Data to Create a Winning New Member Strategy

In the first session of this 6-part series, learn how to tap into the potential of your non-member audience by breaking down your engaged non-members by demographics and behavior to create targeted new member campaigns, finding individuals who align with your current member demographics but have not yet engaged with your association, understanding why and when converting non-members into members might not matter, and walking through a concrete example of one of these scenarios and seeing what kind of impact this approach can have on your association. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.

Host: Association Analytics

Speakers: Bill Conforti, SVP of Strategy & Solutions, and Greg Pollack, SVP of Sales Enablement, Association Analytics

Thu 2/1 at 11 a.m. – Strategic Partnership Essentials: 7 Key Elements in High Demand by Corporate Sponsors

Gain insights into the evolving corporate sponsorship landscape and how these trends impact sponsorship strategies in 2024. Hear about the seven essential elements that corporate sponsors are seeking and the elements critical for successful sponsorship arrangements. Learn how to apply strategic insights to develop and enhance your own sponsorship strategies. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.

Host: UST Education

Speaker: Lori Zoss Kraska, MBA, CFRE, Founder and Chief Principal, Growth Owl, LLC

Thu 2/1 from 12 to 2 p.m. – Looking Forward 2024 Impact: First Look at Trends and Analysis

Hear about new research about economic, information and technology, workforce, government, global, and stakeholder perception factors affecting the association environment. Hear what associations are doing to strategically adapt and using this research data with their volunteer leaders and staff. 1.5 CAE credits. More info/register.

Host: Association Laboratory

Speakers: Nikki Golden, CAE, strategist; Felicia Kenan, JM, MPA, CAE, CMP, strategist; and Dean West, FASAE, founder and president, Association Laboratory

Thu 2/1 at 12 p.m. – Meeting Your Members: Tips for Conference Engagement

Struggling to stand out in a sea of faces? Hear the secrets for commanding attention and building lasting connections. Learn how to craft unforgettable introductions, project confidence, and leave a memorable impression.

More info/register.

Host: NXUnite / Nexus Marketing Agency

Speakers:

Thorben Grosser, Vice President of Product Marketing at EventMobi
Scott Oser, President at Scott Oser Associates
Adam Robertson, Director of Digital – Marketing, Membership & Sales at Kellen Company
Rusty Williams, Co-Founder at AnswerStage

Thu 2/1 at 12:30 p.m. – SME Relationships: Proven Solutions for Seamless Collaboration and Success

Learn scenario-specific strategies on how to get things back on track with your SMEs when things have gone south. Hear about the basics of building and fostering successful working relationships with your SMEs, so you can minimize or prevent similar problems in the future. More info/register.

Host: Association Universe

Speaker: Tim Buteyn, President of ThinkingKap Learning Solutions

Thu 2/1 at 1 p.m. – Workplace Culture and Employee Wellness: A Rx for Organizational Success

Hear about the importance of workplace culture and employee wellness, how a supportive workplace culture and employee wellness helps organizations succeed, best practices and strategies for building a culture of well-being in the workplace, and key tools and resources to create a more supportive and productive workplace. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.

Host: ASAE

Speaker: Richard Safeer, MD, Chief Medical Director of Employee Health and Well-Being at Johns Hopkins Medicine

Thu 2/1 at 2 p.m. – Grassroots Advocacy Expert Exchange

Our monthly “Ask Me Anything” sessions are designed to provide you with an opportunity to interact with seasoned public affairs experts and ask all of your burning questions. Shake off the norms and engage in an enriching, informal experience that takes your public affairs game to new heights. More info/register.

Host: Quorum

Speaker: Brian Rubenstein, President, Rubenstein Impact Group

Thu 2/1 at 3 p.m. – 3 Scoops and a Mission Statement

From their funky, chunky ice cream flavors to their social impact, the iconic Ben & Jerry’s ice cream brand has reimagined how organizations can make an impact on their communities. Learn how Ben & Jerry’s unique three-part mission statement can be translated into actionable strategies for serving association members while building economic resiliency for the organization. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.

Host: UST Education

Speaker: Pete Zimek, CEO, Novi AMS—and former Ben & Jerry’s franchisee

Fri 2/2 at 4 p.m. – Microaggression at Work

Host: Fridays@4

Speakers:

Feborah Dixon, CMP, seasoned meetings professional
Grace Dobson, SHRM-SCP, Human Resources Analyst at The City of Frederick
Pamela Williams, MS, PHR, Founder and CEO of CorpEx, LLC

Tue 2/6 at 12 p.m. – AI Powered Possibilities: Leading Your Association

Host: iMIS by ASI

Speakers: Kristina Drosos, Director of Client Experience; Andrea Robertson, Director of Product Management; and Michael Weatherton, Software Architect, iMIS by ASI

Tue 2/6 at 12 p.m. – Generative AI and Analytics, Part 2 (Data Analytics Network)

Join association professionals for peer-led discussions on topics related to data and analytics. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.

Host: Data Analytics Network

Tue 2/6 at 1 p.m. – AI Basics for Today’s Business Leaders

Host: UST Education

Speakers: Stacey Campbell, Director of Business Development, and Chris Rounds, Senior Solutions Architect, Express Info

Wed 2/7 at 12 p.m. – Ask Me Anything: Content Strategy

Host: Association Women Technology Champions

Speaker: Hilary Marsh, Chief Strategist, Content Company, Inc.

Wed 2/7 at 12 p.m. – Why Do Your Members Need Your Association?

Host: WorkerBee.TV

Speakers:

Dana Otillio, vice president, marketing and communications, Society of Petroleum Engineers
Marcus Leite, director of sales and marketing, WorkerBeeTV

Wed 2/7 at 1 p.m. – Project Success Is Up to You: Taking Your Project to the Next Level

Host: UST Education

Speaker: Andrea Hall, Customer Success Manager, Innovia Consulting

Thu 2/8 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. – Event Tech Demo Day

Host: ASAE

Thu 2/8 at 9:30 a.m. – Small Staff Percolator

Host: Qiqo

Thu 2/8 at 1 p.m. – Reducing Operational Risk: Security and Continuity

Designed for executives and leaders in association operations, this session offers guidance on how to minimize disruption caused by an attempted or successful cyberattack. Explore realistic repercussions of common threats, and dissect business continuity as a means of preserving the member experience. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.

Host: UST Education

Speaker: Heinan Landa, Founder & CEO, Optimal Networks

Thu 2/8 at 2 p.m. – AMS/CRM Software Selection Survey 2023: What People Really Think Now

Host: 501Works

Speaker: Olivia Wilkins, Business Analyst/Project Manager, PerByte

Thu 2/8 at 3 p.m. – Zero-Based Budgeting: An Approach for 21st Century Financial Management

Host: UST Education

Speaker: Lawrence M. Paska, Ph.D., CAE, Executive Director, National Council for the Social Studies

Association Brain Food Weekly is published Friday mornings. If your organization offers free professional development for the association community, please send me the link via email by Wednesday afternoon the week before it’s scheduled.

Creative Commons licensed photo by Gennady Zakharin via Unsplash

Amazon and AssociationBrainFood.com links allow me to earn a royalty on any sales or leads that result from clicking. Thank you!

Association Brain Food: 1.19.24

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

Association AI survey. Please participate in the ASAE 2024 Survey of Artificial Intelligence Awareness and Adoption. The survey report will benchmark key factors in AI adoption, including budgeting, training and hiring. It will also explore which business functions are leading the way, how leadership is supporting AI efforts, and how policies are affecting adoption.

Post-program campaigns. TopClass LMS explains why you should keep the conversation going and the community gathering after a course, conference or educational program ends. They also describe how your association can strengthen relationships with and between participants.

Membership. Dean West of Association Laboratory explores what dating apps can teach us about membership strategy. Another funny, personal post with life and association lessons along the way.

Membership, again. Your AMS is the utility player on your membership team. Nimble AMS explains how an AMS empowers your association’s recruitment, engagement and retention efforts by helping you better understand members, anticipate their needs, provide a better digital experience and deliver personalized emails and content.

Hybrid/remote teams. Jamie Notter of Propel explains how to make the most of your remote/hybrid team’s time together in person.

Event trends. Josh King of emc3 asked marketing and event leaders to share their event predictions and trends for 2024. I like looking beyond the association world to see what event planners and marketers for brands are thinking about.

Marketing to Gen Z and millennials. Here’s some help for marketing more effectively to younger generations. Mercury Creative Group explains how to build an association brand that attracts and builds the loyalty of young members.

Burnout. “If you burn out, relight the fire.” Clare Ansberry at the Wall Street Journal shares a foolproof formula for staving off burnout from women who are still working in their 80s and 100s, yes, 100s. (gift link)

You never grow old at the table

Man oh man, shrimp tacos are so good. I tossed shrimp with cumin, paprika, chile powder, cayenne, garlic powder and salt, then quickly sautéed them at medium-high heat. For accompaniments, I julienned green cabbage and radishes and tossed them with cilantro and lime juice, and warmed up corn and black beans with sautéed onion, red and orange bell pepper, jalapeño, cilantro, oregano, garlic powder and cumin.

Jim and I popped down to New Orleans for three days to see Elvis Costello since his tour wasn’t coming anywhere near us. We also enjoyed a few other bands in the bars of Frenchmen Street, a few museums, charbroiled oysters, corn-fried oysters, crawfish beignets, roast beef po-boys, muffulettas, red beans and rice, gumbo, jambalaya, alligator bites, hurricanes, frozen Irish coffees, Sazeracs, Ramos gin fizzes, Pimm’s Cups and more. Bon temps.

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 too product-centric.

Fri 1/19 at 1 p.m.* – The Power of Federated Search: Supercharge Member Engagement

Many organizations are not feeling confident in their approach to distributing content and, as a result, are finding it increasingly more difficult to capture the attention of their members and create engagement online. Learn how associations like yours are aggregating their valuable content—whether it’s from your LMS, online community, publications, or any other outside data source—and distributing it in a curated way from a federated index. 0.75 CAE credit. More info/register.

Host: Blue Sky eLearn

Speakers: Johnny Clayton, Co-Founder, and Adam Hostetter, CEO, FUSE Search

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

Fri 1/19 at 3 p.m. – The Informal Consultants Networking Extravaganza

An informal online networking event for the ASAE consultant community. More info/register (Consultant Members Community).

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

Fri 1/19 at 4 p.m. – Networking Session: How to Ask Someone to Be Your Mentor/Your Personal BOD

In this open networking session, participants will discuss how they have been successful in finding a mentor or mentors, how they have maintained their mentor relationships long-term, and how they may have changed mentors or added new mentors over time. We will also discuss the advantages of having a personal “board of directors” as a sounding board for professional career advice and how to create your own. More info/register.

Host: Fridays@4

Facilitator: Shelly Trent, CAE, Fridays@4 President

Mon 1/22 at 8 a.m. – Building Wagtown: A Passion Project (Radio Free 501c, the podcast of Rogue Tulips Consulting)

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

Guest: Beth Miller, Wagtown

Tue 1/23 at 11 a.m. – The United States of Associations

The United States of Associations seeks to assemble association professionals from across the country for a fast-paced exchange of ideas. Representatives from as many as all 50 states (and possibly US territories and other countries as well) will get up to 1 minute each to highlight a trend, resource, book, webinar series, podcast, or new product or conference. The focus will range from online communities to ways to recognize members and from creating engaging events to effective advocacy efforts. Join us and be prepared to take lots of notes and leave with new connections and fresh ideas. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.

Host: UST Education

Speaker: Jay S. Daughtry, M.Ed., Chief Communications Officer/Owner, CQbd

Tue 1/23 at 1 p.m. – What to Consider When Your Association Is Considering a Merger or Acquisition (Part 2: Landing the Plane: From Pursuing M&A to Closing the Deal)

Once you and your association being exploring M&A options, things get complicated very quickly. Who needs to be in the room? What is the right role for outside advisors and legal counsel? How can you best involve your board? Walk through the M&A process and explore key considerations from kickoff through closing a transaction. 1 CAE credit. More info/register (Executive Management Professionals Community).

Host: ASAE Executive Management Advisory Council

Speakers:

Dianna Steinbach, Chief Operations Officer, National Association of Wholesaler-Distributors
Jeff Tenenbaum, Managing Partner, Tenenbaum Law Group
Jay Younger, FASAE, President & CEO, McKinley Advisors
Oyango Snell, CAE (moderator)

Tue 1/23 at 1 p.m. – Building Your 2024 Video Strategy: A Guide for Associations

To acquire and retain your membership and drive non-dues revenue, you need to include member-driven video in your strategy. Hear about video best practices and real-world examples from associations who are already putting these ideas into action. Learn how to assess your organization’s current campaigns to identify areas of opportunity to include more diverse voices and perspectives; and design an actionable strategic plan for creating and distributing member-driven video content. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.

Host: UST Education

Speaker: Michael Hoffman, Co-Founder and CEO, Gather Voices

Wed 1/24 at 9 a.m. – PAR Member Meet-Up: Make Networking an Art, Not an Accident

Unlock the secrets of effective networking and transform it into an art form, not just a random encounter. Gain practical insights into making authentic and mutually beneficial connections. Learn the tools to seamlessly integrate networking into your daily routine to enhance your professional relationships and opportunities. More info/register (PAR members only).

Host: Professionals for Association Revenue

Speaker: Vern Schellenger, President and CEO of Contacts Count

Wed 1/24 at 12 p.m. – Beyond Budget Approval: Next Steps for Successful Software Selection

Taking the next step in acquiring your new software might feel overwhelming, but it doesn’t need to. Learn how to build the right software evaluation team to meet your organization’s needs, create a project summary to identify your technology requirements, and connect with the right vendor to find the best software for your organization. More info/register.

Host: Community Brands

Wed 1/24 at 12 p.m. – Planning for Abundance and Fulfillment in the New Year

Learn more about the Association Executives Network. Hear practical strategies to navigate the challenges of 2024 and cultivate abundance and fulfillment. Discover actionable insights and transformative perspectives that can positively impact your journey in the coming year. More info/register.

Host: Lori Parrish

Wed 1/24 at 12 p.m. – Comms for Culture Types: Meet Your Workforce Where They Are

Find out how to effectively communicate with your deskless/hybrid workers and inspire increased engagement throughout the workforce. Learn how to identify chaos vs order tolerance in your teams, craft your comms and reach people the right way, why tailored internal communications create higher engagement, and how to work through change and challenges in a productive manner. More info/register.

Host: Lizabeth Wesely-Casella, Founder & CEO, L-12 Services Corp

Speaker: Dr. Rachel MK Headley, CEO of Rose Group Int’l and President of Helix

Wed 1/24 at 1 p.m. – The End of Expertise and How Associations Must Adapt

Associations have long been trusted organizations for knowledge, research, and yes, political advocacy. Learn how industries are being disrupted by the public’s lack of trust in our institutions, how associations are being affected by these same trends, how associations are modifying their services to maintain their credibility and retain members’ trust, and what organizations are doing to keep their organizations safe spaces for facts, open discussion, and expertise. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.

Host: UST Education

Speakers:

Melanie Gottlieb, Executive Director, The American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers
Joanna M. Pineda, CEO & Chief Troublemaker, Matrix Group International
Tara Puckey, Executive Director, The Radio Television Digital News Association

Wed 1/24 at 1 p.m. – Google Ad Grants for Associations: What, Why, and How

Learn about Google Ad Grants, eligibility requirements, application process, and how to use the Grant to supplement your association’s marketing. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.

Host: Fonteva

Speakers:

Jessica King, Business Lead, Getting Attention
Erin Lemons, Vice President of Marketing, Association Solutions, Fonteva & Protech

Wed 1/24 at 1 p.m. – Planning Your Stakeholder Mapping Strategy

Mapping stakeholders is a vital strategy to kick off the year. Learn how to set yourself up with clean data and have a mechanism to measure your impact on your organization’s issues. We’ll share five strategies for mapping stakeholders. More info/register.

Host: Quorum

Wed 1/24 at 2 p.m. – 2024 Trends in Events: Innovations, Insights, and Strategies for Success

From confusing economic indicators and uneven growth across events to the explosion of AI and new threats, there is a reason why being in the events business is one of the world’s top 10 most stressful jobs. So, what do you need to consider in your strategic planning for 2024? Hear how the landscape is changing and what you should consider, what’s essential to all your audiences (exhibitors, sponsors and attendees), how AI will impact events in 2024, and how attendee acquisition and retention is taking center stage. More info/register.

Host: Personify

Speakers:

Rich Vallaster, the Tradeshow Wonk
Stephanie Selesnick, President of International Trade Information, Inc.

Wed 1/24 at 2 p.m. – 2024 Event Trends Forecast

There are still lingering questions about what the new year may bring. Will costs finally come down? Will budgets come out of the deep freeze? And how are successful teams navigating rising attendee expectations? Hear predictions on the importance of reimagining event engagement, the emerging role of AI, why sustainability and accessibility are essential, and how venues will support experience-first events. 1 CMP credit. More info/register.

Host: Meetings Net

Speakers: Felicia Asiedu, Director, Europe Marketing, and Alex Platia, Director, Product Marketing, Cvent

Wed 1/24 at 2 p.m. – Hot Topics in Site-Selection Decisions

What site-selection considerations and concerns are event profs mulling over for 2024? Hear about trends and concerns that planners need to be aware of when choosing the locations and venues for their next meetings, such as: safety; political, diversity and ethical factors; market conditions, including the availability hotels and air travel, and rising costs; best destinations and venues for availability and affordability in 2024; and top resources for researching destinations, such as CVBs and AI. More info/register. 1 CMP credit.

Host: Northstar Meetings Group

Speakers:

Michael Hudson, CEO, Site Search & Select
Jennifer C. Squeglia, Owner, RLC Events
Alexandra Zapple, CMP, CEM, DES, Senior Director of Meetings, American Society of Nephrology
Lisa Grimaldi (moderator), Editor, Incentives and Destinations, Northstar Meetings Group

Thu 1/25 at 9:30 a.m. – Association Percolator

Host: Qiqo

Thu 1/25 at 11 a.m. – The New Rules of Engagement

Hear from planners who have successfully adapted their tried-and-true programs and session formats to get (and keep) their audiences excited and engaged. Learn how to fuel anticipation (and early registrations) with pre-event promo that makes your speakers and sessions sizzle, develop a value-packed event program and amplify the impact of your onsite experiences, create networking experiences and moments that resonate with a younger audience, build upon your success instead of starting from scratch for every new event, and use event tech hacks so you can do more with the tools you already use. More info/register.

Host: EventMobi

Speakers:

Karen Hill, Director, Meetings and Events & Engagement, Barcami Lane, Inc.
Kelly Legris, Owner, KEL Consulting Services and Events Services Consultant
Amenah Rizwan, Founder & Operations Director, Picnics Toronto
Thorben Grosser, VP of Product Marketing, EventMobi

Thu 1/25 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. – 4 Core Topics of Cutting-Edge Importance to Your Association

An innovative approach to provide essential learning content that is easily accessible to association management professionals in discreet components—come for one, come for all—4Core will be of interest to many associations and their staff, but particularly to those who may be struggling with the limited resources of time and staff. We’ll focus on the following topic areas: next-level event and community technology, the future for healthcare and disruptive approaches that are reshaping care and cost, rebranding, a taste and tour virtual FAM of Canada. More info/register.

Host: Small Association Leadership Alliance

Thu 1/25 at 11:30 p.m. – Why Do Your Members Need Your Association?

Your answer is your unique value proposition, the reason they choose you over YouTube, LinkedIn, or the rest of the internet. Today, It’s not just your industry-leading info, your subject matter experts and your networking opportunities. It’s how you package them all together and serve them to your members that moves you from valuable to invaluable. Learn how to identify what’s valuable to your members, serve it to them in an attractive and engaging way, and get your stakeholders on board. More info/register.

Host: WorkerBee.TV

Speakers:

Dana Otillio, vice president, marketing and communications, Society of Petroleum Engineers
Marcus Leite, director of sales and marketing, WorkerBeeTV

Thu 1/25 at 12 p.m. – How AI and Automation are Reshaping the Future for Associations

Host: iMIS by ASI

Speakers:

Rob Wenger, CEO, Higher Logic
Tim Clarke, Chief Revenue Officer, ASI
Troy Stenback, Director of Client Performance Improvement & Client Success, ASI

Thu 1/25 at 12 p.m. – Mastering Revenue Growth: A Strategic Framework for Supporting the Lifetime Learning Journey

Learn about the exciting growth opportunity in the professional learning market. Explore how the framework will help you identify and prioritize growth opportunities. Delve into real-world examples of how organizations have effectively utilized this approach to transform their education programs into significant revenue drivers. More info/register.

Host: BenchPrep

Speaker: Ashish Rangnekar, CEO of BenchPrep

Thu 1/25 at 12:30 p.m. – AI Unleashed: Real-World Solutions and Results in Today’s Associations

Learn how contemporary associations are harnessing the power of AI to drive unprecedented change and efficiency. Hear a comprehensive overview of AI, its evolving role in associations, fundamental concepts and the latest trends. Learn how associations of various sizes and sectors have effectively implemented AI solutions, from membership engagement, personalized communication, to data-driven decision-making. 0.75 CAE credit. More info/register.

Host: .orgCommunity

Speakers:

Laura Lewis, Director, Technology Development, Society of Critical Care Medicine
Luke Vidacovich, Director or Digital Strategy & IT, American Animal Hospital Association
Brian Willard, CAE, MBA, Director of Information Technology, CCIM Institute
Sherry Budziak (moderator), CEO, .orgSource & Co-Founder, .orgCommunity

Thu 1/25 from 1 to 2:30 p.m. – Member Engagement Lab: Engage Your New Members

Join us for a new series of three interactive virtual events, all focused on member engagement. New member engagement might be the most crucial stage because this is our opportunity to set members up for a successful member journey. In this session, we will explore tried and true strategies and tactics from the New Member Engagement Study AND play with some exciting new ideas so you can easily onboard. More info/register.

Hosts: Impexium and Billhighway

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

Fri 1/26 at 12:30 p.m. – Ask Me Anything: Data Analytics

What is data analytics? How can I make the most of the data I have? How can I help my organization be more data driven? Bring all your questions and join the AMA. More info/register.

Host: Association Women Technology Champions

Speaker: Vinnu Deshetty, CEO/Founder, EVA | Event Tech Hub

Fri 1/26 at 1 p.m. – Elevating New Member Engagement

Host: Forj

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

Tue 1/30 at 11 a.m. – Ascend: Unlocking the Power of AI for Nonprofits

Host: Sidecar

Speaker: Matthew Van Cleave, author, Ascend: Unlocking the Power of AI for Nonprofits

Tue 1/30 at 12 p.m. – ASAE Component Relations and Volunteer Management Book Club

Host: ASAE Component Relations and Volunteer Management Advisory Council

Facilitators: Vanita Murray and Rachel Grimes

Tue 1/30 at 1 p.m. – What to Consider When Your Association Is Considering a Merger or Acquisition (Part 3: Avoiding the Post-M&A Failure Trap)

Host: ASAE Executive Management Advisory Council

Speakers:

Ellen Collins, Executive Director, Mississippi Alliance of Nonprofits and Philanthropy
Sherrif Karamat, President & CEO, Professional Convention Management Association
Pietro Macchiarella, Director, Center of Excellence, Young Presidents’ Organization
Rhea Steele (moderator), Chief of Staff and Vice President of Strategy and Governance, School Nutrition Association

Tue 1/30 at 1 p.m. – Elevating Your Leadership: A Call to Learn from Your Team’s Wisdom (Part 1 of 2)

Host: UST Education

Speaker: Ryan MacTaggart, PhD, Associate Director, Professional Learning, EDUCAUSE

Wed 1/31 at 12 p.m. – Revenue Revamp: 5 Game-Changing Fixes Help Chapters Increase Non-Dues Revenue in 2024

Hosts: Billhighway, Mariner Management and Impexium

Speaker: Carrie McIntyre, founder, Navigate

Wed 1/31 at 12 p.m. – Lead vs Member Scoring: How to Data Mine Effectively

Host: HighRoad Solutions

Wed 1/31 at 3 p.m. – Navigating the Member Journey Part 1: Using Your Data to Create a Winning New Member Strategy

Host: Association Analytics

Speakers: Bill Conforti, SVP of Strategy & Solutions, and Greg Pollack, SVP of Sales Enablement, Association Analytics

Thu 2/1 from 12 to 2 p.m. – Looking Forward 2024 Impact: First Look at Trends and Analysis

Host: Association Laboratory

Speakers: Nikki Golden, CAE, strategist; Felicia Kenan, JM, MPA, CAE, CMP, strategist; and Dean West, FASAE, founder and president, Association Laboratory

Thu 2/1 at 11 a.m. – Strategic Partnership Essentials: 7 Key Elements in High Demand by Corporate Sponsors

Host: UST Education

Speaker: Lori Zoss Kraska, MBA, CFRE, Founder and Chief Principal, Growth Owl, LLC

Thu 2/1 at 12 p.m. – Meeting Your Members: Tips for Conference Engagement

More info/register.

Host: NXUnite / Nexus Marketing Agency

Speakers:

Thorben Grosser, Vice President of Product Marketing at EventMobi
Scott Oser, President at Scott Oser Associates
Adam Robertson, Director of Digital – Marketing, Membership & Sales at Kellen Company
Rusty Williams, Co-Founder at AnswerStage

Creative Commons licensed photo by Alex Belogub via Unsplash

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Association Brain Food: 1.12.24

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

Free education. If you’re a regular reader of Association Brain Food, this post from TopClass LMS will be familiar ground for you. They share sources of free education for association professionals, including niche membership organizations, events, webinars and podcasts for the association community.

Inspiration. Have you forgotten you have a job and career with purpose? Need to reignite your spark? Read this post by Peter Houstle of Mariner Management about The Power of “A”—this time, “A” refers to Association People.

Scientific society events. ExOrdo shares key findings from their interviews with 27 scholarly societies about event goals, programs and challenges. They discuss the growth of international online audiences, challenges with online networking and engagement, online content libraries and more.

AI bubble. At Locus, Cory Doctorow says, “Of course AI is a bubble.” But the question is: what kind? He describes the two kinds of tech bubbles—the ones that leave something behind and the ones that leave nothing behind—and where AI fits. His interesting perspective is one I hadn’t seen before, well worth a read.

Team questions. I love seeing questions that are meant to knock everyone off balance and look at situations in a new light. Karin Hurt and David Dye at Let’s Grow Leaders share seven assumption busters to propel your team’s strategic thinking.

Young member engagement. I know you see a lot of posts about young professionals, but this one from Belinda Moore at Strategic Membership Solutions is worth your time. She shares strategies for enhancing engagement and fostering a more inclusive environment for younger members.

Member mobile app. Bulletin describes how a member app helps you nurture member engagement by providing a centralized communication channel for your members. Unlike social media platforms, your association controls your mobile app platform—a tangible reminder of membership benefits.

Dirty data. Bill Conforti at Association Analytics shares six tips to transform your association’s dirty data in 2024. You might not have given serious thought to these doable ideas, but you definitely should take the advice of people who live and breathe data every day.

Wait, there’s more

WTF is the fediverse? (Kimeko McCoy, Digiday)

The rules have changed. Starting in 2024, Google will require bulk senders to authenticate their emails, allow for easy unsubscribes and stay under a reported spam threshold. (Neil Kumaran, Google)

All futurism is Afrofuturism: Though overlooked now, Africa will shape the 21st century due to its expanding population and current poverty. (Noah Smith)

What’s the best time to eat dinner? Your sleep and work quality/productivity depend on the right answer. (Julie Jargon, Wall Street Journal—gift link)

You never grow old at the table

Buying cheese and deli meat at Costco means finding ways to use the surplus, which is why I made Goat Cheese and Prosciutto Stuffed Chicken Breasts. I pounded the breasts so they were easier to roll around the filling. But they’re really easy to overcook, so be careful. On the side, a sauté of Brussels sprouts with bacon, mushroom and red bell pepper.

The other big dish this past week was flounder and vermilion snapper with collards in a coconut green curry sauce, served over 90-second jasmine rice. It’s originally based on this Cooking Light recipe, but I’ve been making it so long I have my own version that includes red bell pepper, garlic, collards, mint and cilantro.

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 too product-centric.

Fri 1/12 at 12:30 p.m.* – Conversations with Champions

Each conversation features an AWTC leader or AWTC Award winner, followed by breakout rooms with topics selected by our featured guest. This month’s topic is: conducting a tech inventory: do the pieces fit? These intimate, virtual conversations are a chance to form meaningful connections with other women and allies in the association technology community. More info/register.

Host: Association Women Technology Champions

Guest: Cecilia Sepp, Principal & Founder, Rogue Tulips Consulting

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

Fri 1/12 at 4 p.m. – Masterful Mentoring for Organizations

Within the next 5 to 10 years, more than 76 million baby boomers are scheduled to retire. Is your organization prepared for the exodus? Mentoring is one way organizations can successfully transition employees through this change. Today, organizations are challenged to not only identify the “high potentials” for specific leadership positions, but also to retain them. For this reason and many others, mentoring is rapidly becoming recognized as a highly effective worldwide human resource development process. Learn how to establish, administer, and evaluate an effective mentoring program. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.

Host: Fridays@4

Speaker: Hope Zoeller, Ed.D., who did her dissertation research project on mentoring programs

Mon 1/15 at 8 a.m. – The 5 Steps to a Successful Marketing Plan (Radio Free 501c, the podcast of Rogue Tulips Consulting)

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

Guest: Lisa Claydon, CAE

Tue 1/16 at 12 p.m. – Component Relations and Volunteer Management Crunch and Munch

Join a casual conversation on hot topics relevant to the component relations and volunteer management community. Come prepared to share your successes, challenges and ideas. More info/register (Component Relations and Volunteer Management Professionals Community).

Host: ASAE Component Relations and Volunteer Management Council

Tue 1/16 at 12 p.m. – Revolutionizing LinkedIn Strategies: AI & Automation in Action

Learn how to post engaging, quality content on LinkedIn effortlessly using AI and automation that not only saves time but also elevates your organization’s online presence. Find out how leveraging AI can take the burden of writing content and gathering images off your shoulders, and how integration and low-code platforms like Airtable and Make.com can automate the process from approval to posting. More info/register (ASAE Marketing Professionals Community).

Host: ClearTone Consulting

Speaker: Brian Scott, founder of ClearTone Consulting

Tue 1/16 at 1 p.m. – What to Consider When Your Association Is Considering a Merger or Acquisition (Part 1)

From looking to broaden their reach to acquiring new capabilities to expand their value propositions, associations are increasingly turning to M&A (and other strategic transactions) for new ways to drive greater value and social impact in today’s increasingly competitive landscape. Hear about important M&A factors to consider such as structure, financial capabilities, partnership strategy, culture, risk profile, and history, and the nuances between the merger of two associations and other types of association mergers and strategic transactions. 1 CAE credit. More info/register (Executive Management Professionals Community).

Host: ASAE Executive Management Advisory Council

Speakers:

Lynn Gangone, President & CEO, American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education
Francisco Gomez, Founder & CEO, Factum Global
Tori Miller Liu, President & CEO, Association for Intelligent Information Management
Brian Weiss, Vice President, Emerging Business Growth, American Management Association
Tommy Goodwin (moderator), Vice President, Exhibitions & Conferences Alliance

Wed 1/17 at 12 p.m. – How to Run the World’s Best Board Meeting

Learn about strategies and tools to streamline association board meetings, ensuring that time is used effectively; encouraging a culture of active participation among board members, so diverse perspectives contribute to informed decision-making; and tools to improve the quality of decision-making during board meetings, emphasizing the importance of clear objectives. More info/register.

Host: Ewald Consulting

Speakers:

Eric Hauth, Executive Director, International Concrete Repair Institute
Tip Tucker Kendall, CAE, Executive Director, National Grants Management Association

Wed 1/17 at 12 p.m. – Antitrust: What It Means, Why It Matters

Hear about the brave new world of antitrust enforcement by the DOJ, FTC, and state attorneys general, as well as cases brought by the private plaintiffs’ bar, and how the new developments affect programs and services of nonprofit associations. Learn about expanding areas of antitrust enforcement: labor markets and information sharing and the role of industry associations; practical advice for your team and important considerations for legal teams; and recent major corporate and individual prosecutions, fines, and settlements. More info/register.

Host: Venable LLP

Speakers: Lisa Jose Fales, Partner, Antitrust; Danielle Foley, Partner, Commercial Litigation; and William Vigen, Partner, Antitrust, Venable LLP

Wed 1/17 at 1 p.m. – Price Elasticity Uncovered: Insights from Data

How often are price increase/decrease decisions based on opinion and fear, hampering an association’s ability to extract maximum value from our products because we’re afraid of customer attrition? Using data science, we can model the future state and help make a more informed decision. Hear how the speaker’s team developed a price elasticity forecast, share your own data modeling stories and learn from in-the-trenches experiences of your peers. More info/register.

Host: Association Women Technology Champions

Speaker: Denali Carpenter, Data Scientist, Inteleos

Wed 1/17 at 1 p.m. – Cheap Mobile Community Platforms and Business Process Automation for Small Associations

See real-life examples of small associations automating their processes and freeing up their staff to service their members and focus on more valuable and creative tasks. Learn how to automate time consuming manual tasks across a variety of systems (AMS, LMS, CMS, CRM, Email, Community, O365, etc.) with Zapier. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.

Host: UST Education

Speaker: Michael Getter, CSM, CSPO, ITIL v4, CEO and IT Ecosystems Architect, 501evolved

Wed 1/17 at 2 p.m. – PAR GOAT Awards: Advancing Association Business

Join association revenue producers from across the globe as we celebrate 12 months of great conversation, learning, and subject matter leadership. PAR presenters will reflect on their year and share ideas for revenue performance in 2024 and beyond. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.

Host: Professionals for Association Revenue

Speakers:

Michelle Brien, VP, Marketing, Matchbox Virtual Media
Jeff Cobb, Managing Director, Tagoras
Carrie Hartin, President, Sales Solutions & Services, MCI USA
Park Howell, Founder, Business of Story
Dana Johnston, Director, Corporate Strategic Partnerships, American Gastroenterological Association
Carrie McIntyre, Principal, Navigate

Thu 1/18 at 11 a.m. – Maximizing the Power of Google Analytics 4: A Marketer’s Guide

With the launch of Google Analytics 4, marketers now have more powerful and detailed data tracking and measurement capabilities to better understand their audiences, campaigns, and conversions. Understand the key differences between Google Analytics 4 and the previous version, and how they impact your data tracking and measurement strategies. Learn how to navigate the new reporting dashboard and its various features to gain deeper insights into your marketing performance. Master advanced techniques for setting up and optimizing your data tracking in Google Analytics 4 to track conversions and attribution more effectively. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.

Host: UST Education

Speakers: Frank Rosenstern, VP of Client Services; Jon Smith, Vice President, Strategic Partnerships; and Tim Tsafaridis, VP of Client Services, Multiview

Thu 1/18 at 11 a.m. – ICCA/Destination Canada Sustainability Report Webinar

In collaboration with Destination Canada, ICCA launched an industry-spanning survey regarding sustainability in June 2023, which concluded in September 2023. Discover the valuable insights, trends and best practices that will help our industry drive a more sustainable future, and bring positive change to the communities and businesses we work with. More info/register.

Hosts: Destination Canada and ICCA

Thu 1/18 at 11:30 a.m. – Cybersecurity & More (Tapas Talks)

Explore the evolution of cybercrime—from its industrialization to the growing need for cyber expertise in organizations. Uncover the impact of BEC (Business Email Compromise) and the looming threats posed by AI. Hear about insurance and financial protections against cyber threats. Don’t miss this opportunity to fortify your cyber defense. Tapas Talks are always conversational and lively, a mixture of planned content and virtual f2f discussions with subject matter experts, plus the serendipity of talking through challenges with your peers. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.

Host: Qiqo’s Association Marketplace

Speakers:

Brian Haney, Founder & CEO of The Haney Company.
Brian Scott, President & CIO of ClearTone Consulting and 501CISO

Thu 1/18 at 12 p.m. – Own Your Data, Own Your Future: Unlock the Full Potential of Your Association’s Data and be 100% Ready for AI

With countless proprietary systems, it’s no wonder association data becomes siloed. Looking to break free of vendor dependencies and truly own your data for on-demand use? Data lays the foundation for innovation, but what good is data that you can’t access? Learn why you don’t truly own your data today, why owning your data is critical in the age of AI and how it can be a game-changer for your association. Explore how a robust data strategy directly impacts your association’s ability to adapt and thrive in a rapidly changing environment. Learn how to build the foundation for successful AI applications. More info/register.

Host: Sidecar

Speaker: Amith Nagarajan, Chairman of Blue Cypress

Thu 1/18 at 12 p.m. – AI Questions, Myths, and Mysteries

Enjoy nerdy humor mixed with practical tips, as the enigmatic world of AI becomes a tad less intimidating and a lot more intriguing. Learn about the ways AI can help you save time, related data privacy issues, the newest AI tools, and how to stay on top of new AI technology and opportunities. More info/register.

Host: GrowthZone

Speaker: Beth Ziesenis, Your Nerdy Best Friend

Thu 1/18 at 12 p.m. – Making Associations a Sector of Choice for Hispanics and Latinos

In today’s competitive landscape, standing out requires building a diverse and inclusive team. By recruiting and retaining Latino and Hispanic employees, associations will build a workforce that is better equipped to achieve success. Learn more about recruitment, retention, and leadership development to attract Hispanics/Latinos to expand your talent pool. Hear guidance and recommendations for mentoring, sponsoring, and coaching to foster increased Hispanic/Latino leadership in associations. CAE credit. More info/register.

Host: Association Xchange

Speakers:

Norma Castrejon, CAE, Senior Consultant, Technology Consulting, DelCor Technology Solutions
Celia Chomón Zamora, PhD, CAE, Director, Professional Learning and Certification, ACTFL
Danielle Duran Baron, FASAE, CAE, Vice President, Marketing, Communications and Industry Relations, School Nutrition Association

Thu 1/18 at 1 p.m. – Adding Value to Skills-Based Credentials with Digital Standards

Offering your credentials with trusted, verifiable, and interoperable digital credentials increases the value and usability of your credentials through open standards. Learn how Open Badges and the Comprehensive Learner Record Standard™ (CLR Standard™) can enhance learner and employment records, and provide a comprehensive view of learners’ achievements. Hear how these standards empower learners to take control of their credentials, the new opportunities they can unlock for your organization and employers, and why it’s important to integrate them into your digital ecosystem. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.

Host: Tagoras

Speakers:

Rob Coyle, Technical Program Manager, 1EdTech
Darin R. Hobbs, VP of Learning & Employment Records, Western Governors University
Kelly Hoyland, Director of Higher Education Programs, 1EdTech
Kymberly Lavigne-Hinkley, Director, Community of Care Ecosystem, Western Governors University
Jeff Cobb and Celisa Steele (facilitators), founders, Tagoras

Thu 1/18 at 3 p.m. – Professional Ethics in Volunteer Administration

Learn about the difference between personal, organizational and professional ethics, and the core values and principles identified by the Council for Certification in Volunteer Administration. Hear about a process for ethical decision-making that can be applied in any situation, and practice this using real-life scenarios related to volunteers. Learn strategies for increasing awareness of ethics within an organization and helping both volunteers and staff become more effective at handling ethical dilemmas. More info/register.

Host: Tennessee Commission on Aging and Disability

Thu 1/18 at 4 p.m. – Unleashing the Dynamic Potential of Professional Development in Membership Associations

Learn about the key factors for influencing and delivering unparalleled value to members, shaping educational strategies, leveraging AI for enhanced learning experiences, elevating the impact of education and professional development to members, and why some association leaders may not fully grasp the value of the professional development or education department. More info/register.

Host: Reston-Loudon Idea Swap for Associations

Speakers:

Clayonia Colbert-Dorsey
Enid-Mai Jones, MA, MSEd, CVEP, CDE, CAE

Fri 1/19 at 1 p.m. – The Power of Federated Search: Supercharge Member Engagement

Host: Blue Sky eLearn

Speakers: Johnny Clayton, Co-Founder, and Adam Hostetter, CEO, FUSE Search

Fri 1/19 at 3 p.m. – The Informal Consultants Networking Extravaganza

An informal online networking event for the ASAE consultant community. More info/register (Consultant Members Community).

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

Fri 1/19 at 4 p.m. – Networking Session: How to Ask Someone to Be Your Mentor/Your Personal BOD

Host: Fridays@4

Facilitator: Shelly Trent, CAE, Fridays@4 President

Tue 1/23 at 11 a.m. – The United States of Associations

Host: UST Education

Speaker: Jay S. Daughtry, M.Ed., Chief Communications Officer/Owner, CQbd

Tue 1/23 at 1 p.m. – What to Consider When Your Association Is Considering a Merger or Acquisition (Part 2: Landing the Plane: From Pursuing M&A to Closing the Deal)

Host: ASAE Executive Management Advisory Council

Speakers:

Dianna Steinbach, Chief Operations Officer, National Association of Wholesaler-Distributors
Jeff Tenenbaum, Managing Partner, Tenenbaum Law Group
Jay Younger, FASAE, President & CEO, McKinley Advisors
Oyango Snell, CAE (moderator)

Tue 1/23 at 1 p.m. – Building Your 2024 Video Strategy: A Guide for Associations

Host: UST Education

Speaker: Michael Hoffman, Co-Founder and CEO, Gather Voices

Wed 1/24 at 9 a.m. – PAR Member Meet-Up: Make Networking an Art, Not an Accident

Host: Professionals for Association Revenue

Speaker: Vern Schellenger, President and CEO of Contacts Count

Wed 1/24 at 1 p.m. – The End of Expertise and How Associations Must Adapt

Host: UST Education

Speakers:

Melanie Gottlieb, Executive Director, The American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers
Joanna M. Pineda, CEO & Chief Troublemaker, Matrix Group International
Tara Puckey, Executive Director, The Radio Television Digital News Association

Thu 1/25 at 11 a.m. – The New Rules of Engagement

Host: EventMobi

Speakers:

Karen Hill, Director, Meetings and Events & Engagement, Barcami Lane, Inc.
Kelly Legris, Owner, KEL Consulting Services and Events Services Consultant
Amenah Rizwan, Founder & Operations Director, Picnics Toronto
Thorben Grosser,VP of Product Marketing, EventMobi

Thu 1/25 at 12 p.m. – How AI and Automation are Reshaping the Future for Associations

Host: iMIS by ASI

Speakers:

Rob Wenger, CEO, Higher Logic
Tim Clarke, Chief Revenue Officer, ASI
Troy Stenback, Director of Client Performance Improvement & Client Success, ASI

Thu 1/25 at 12:30 p.m. – AI Unleashed: Real-World Solutions and Results in Today’s Associations

Host: .orgCommunity

Speakers:

Laura Lewis, Director, Technology Development, Society of Critical Care Medicine
Luke Vidacovich, Director or Digital Strategy & IT, American Animal Hospital Association
Brian Willard, CAE, MBA, Director of Information Technology, CCIM Institute
Sherry Budziak (moderator), CEO, .orgSource & Co-Founder, .orgCommunity

Thu 1/25 from 1 to 2:30 p.m. – Member Engagement Lab: Engage Your New Members

Hosts: Impexium and Billhighway

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

Fri 1/26 at 12:30 p.m. – Ask Me Anything: Data Analytics

What is data analytics? How can I make the most of the data I have? How can I help my organization be more data driven? Bring all your questions and join the AMA. More info/register.

Host: Association Women Technology Champions

Speaker: Vinnu Deshetty, CEO/Founder, EVA | Event Tech Hub

Fri 1/26 at 1 p.m. – Elevating New Member Engagement

Host: Forj

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

Creative Commons licensed photo by Ainārs Cekuls via Unsplash

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Association Brain Food: 1.5.24

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

Reflection time. It’s never too late to review and reflect upon the past year and make plans and promises to yourself for the year ahead. To help you along, Britt Andreatta shares ten reflective questions to launch 2024.

Predictions for 2024. What’s on the horizon for associations in 2024? TopClass LMS describes what they see in their crystal ball, particularly for professional development programs.

AMS requirements. Impexium shares the requirements most likely found on the AMS wish list of association executives. I’m glad most of these deal with strategic considerations that position associations for the future, rather than technical functionality offered by most systems.

Member segmentation. Dave Will at PropFuel has a lot to say about the low bar of member data segmentation. If you want a meaningful connection or relationship with members, you have to get more granular—and he explains how.

Learning about AI. A post with curated resources is right up my alley, so I’m happy to highlight this one from Amith Nagarajan at Sidecar. He shares five resources for getting up to speed and staying informed about AI.

Non-dues revenue. The State Bar of Texas partnered with Lead Marvels to provide an online resource library for members that generated $160,000 in revenue for the association—plus lots of leads for their sponsors.

Hot association topics. TopClass LMS analyzed their social media analytics to find out which of their posts resonated most with the association community in 2023. If any of these topics are on your mind, you’ll find lots of good reads on their blog.

You never grow old at the table

Good times for me in the kitchen over the holidays. I made my eggnog with bourbon this year instead of brandy and dark rum—and loved it. I’ve been making this nog recipe for decades, but change is good, right?

Right before Christmas, I bought Nigella Lawson’s Christmas cookbook, which inspired many dishes on my Christmas Eve menu. The ladies enjoyed Poinsettias to start the evening—the guys stuck with beer. I’ll definitely make her party prosciutto bundles and double blue canapés again.

I was going to make Nigella’s cranberry- and soy-glazed cocktail sausages for New Year’s Eve snacking, but we were too full from our seafood dinner, so I made them as a New Year’s afternoon snack for me and Jim. I’ll make them again when I need a potluck app.

On Christmas Eve, I served garlic bread, tortellini with sausage in a tomato cream sauce, and roasted broccoli with red onion and garlic powder.

For dessert, sticky toffee pudding (wow) and modern mince pie (a favorite of me and my mum). My cookie assortment included pecan butter balls, my favorite chocolate chip cookies and molasses crinkles.

On Christmas morning, I made brioche French toast. I’m looking forward to the leftovers in the freezer.

New Year’s Day is Jim’s birthday, so I made one of his favorites (and mine), coq au vin with mashed potatoes and roasted broccoli, again. It only takes 1-1/2 hours in the oven compared to many more in the slow cooker and tastes just as good.

Lightening things up, finally, we had blackened red drum one night. My spice mix included smoked paprika, oregano, onion powder, garlic powder, ground ancho chile, cayenne, black pepper and salt. Another night, I prepared two chipotle salmon salads. I coated the fish in chipotle powder, cumin, cinnamon, allspice, salt and pepper. I warmed up corn and black beans with southwest spices and cilantro. My other salad toppings were avocado, roasted red bell pepper, sweet onion, broccoli, tomatoes, radish, celery and carrot.

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 too product-centric.

Fri 1/5 at 4 p.m. – Achieving Our 2024 Goals

It is a New Year’s tradition to set goals for the year, in our personal lives and for our organizations. Let’s kick off the new year by discussing how we can help each other be successful in reaching our established goals. More info/register.

Host: Fridays@4

Facilitator: Kenjie Davis, founder, AMS Guru

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

Mon 1/8 at 8 a.m.* – Associations and Climate Change (Radio Free 501c, the podcast of Rogue Tulips Consulting)

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

Guests:

Shelly Alcorn, Principal Futurist, Michelle Alcorn and Associates, and convener, Association Climate Action Coalition
Elizabeth Weaver Engel, M.A., CAE, Chief Strategist, Spark Consulting

Mon 1/8 at 12 p.m. – ASAE Membership Mondays

The topic will be announced before the start of the session. More info/register.

Host: ASAE

Tue 1/9 at 12 p.m. – ASAE AI Summit Kick-off (Tech Tuesdays)

Are you—or your staff—currently using Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools to advance your organization’s mission and vision, or are you unsure as to where to start? Curious about how other associations are putting this cutting-edge technology to use in better serving their members? the inside scoop on ASAE’s inaugural AI Summit taking place Jan. 30-31. More info/register.

Host: ASAE Technology Professionals Advisory Council

Moderators: Reggie Henry, ASAE, and Dave Coriale, DelCor

Tue 1/9 at 12 p.m. – LGBTQIA2+ Community Call

Please join us for this opportunity for association professionals (of all career levels) to come together to share lunch time and discuss topics that are relevant and timely. Come prepared to join this judgment-free group with questions and issues that are top of mind for you in the LGBTQIA2+ association community. More info/register.

Host: ASAE LGBTQ Association Executives and Supporters

Tue 1/9 at 1 p.m. – Rethinking the Way We Source Venues

Choosing just the right venue is the result of experience and skills honed over many years, even decades. The venue can make or break the successful experience of an important event. Learn what you need to consider in seeking the right venue. Get an insiders perspective on navigating through the top issues event professionals face in 2024/2025 and beyond. More info/register.

Host: BlaueXperiential Event Services

Speakers: Joan Eisenstodt and Exhibitor Magazine’s Charles Pappas

Wed 1/10 at 11 a.m. – Sales is Not Evil: Effective Sales for NonSales Professionals

With proven sales thinking, you can effectively engage your members and achieve your organization’s goals in an ethical manner. Learn how to unlock the power of sales thinking in your membership development efforts, increase member engagement and attendance at events with proven sales techniques that have helped other associations, leverage better speakers for your events and get members to take action in their community, make a more impactful connection with members through persuasive communication strategies, and be successful without the slimy sales tactics. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.

Host: UST Education

Speaker: Mark Bullard, Founder, BrainSquall

Wed 1/10 at 1 p.m. – Measure What Matters: Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Accessibility and Belonging

When it comes to measuring success in the realm of diversity, equity, inclusion, accessibility, and belonging (DEIAB), it’s important to “measure what matters.” Learn what success looks like in terms of DEIAB initiatives, explore metrics organizations use to measure DEIAB success, and identify key obstacles in DEIAB success measurement and best practices for moving forward with practical action plan to make meaningful progress. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.

Host: UST Education

Speaker: Tim Hopkins, CAE, Chair, ASAE Diversity + Inclusion Committee, and practice director, McKinley Advisors

Thu 1/11 at 12 p.m. – What’s in Store for Associations in 2024?

Hear what you need to know to plan for 2024. More info/register.

Host: Zzeem

Thu 1/11 at 1 p.m. – 3 Rules to Building an Outstanding Digital Member Experience

Learn essential insights into how to optimize your organization’s digital member experience and bolster sustainable revenue growth. In this course, we delve into key strategies and methodologies to elevate your member engagement, refine value propositions, and foster a symbiotic relationship between organizational revenue and member value. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.

Host: UST Education

Speakers: Marcus Leite, Director, Sales & Marketing, and Dan Stevens, President, WorkerBee.TV

Thu 1/11 at 1 p.m. – Future Focused: What’s Ahead for Associations in 2024

Associations have been immersed in rapid change for the last several years and it doesn’t look like it’s letting up anytime soon. Hear about upcoming trends, potential roadblocks and areas for opportunity in the new year so that you’re able to effectively align strategic priorities and resources in a meaningful way. More info/register.

Host: Wipfli LLP

Speakers:

Shelly Alcorn, Co-Convener, Association Climate Action Coalition
Kelli Baxter, Executive Director, American Translators Association
Richard Yep, Client Partner, Vetted Solutions
Julie Cox, Senior Manager, Wipfli LLP

Thu 1/11 at 2 p.m. – 2024 Forecast: What to Expect From All 3 Branches of Government

2024 is poised to be a busy one, amid the rapid growth of artificial intelligence, impeachment efforts, a presidential election, and rising global tensions. Heart he top five things you should know about Congress in 2024, such as funding priorities and how they could impact your strategic planning, Supreme Court decisions and the dynamics to watch, and what the executive branch will seek to accomplish this year. More info/register.

Host: CQ

Speakers:

John Bennett, editor at large, CQ and Roll Call
Caroline Coudriet, reporter covering defense and national security developments in Congress, CQ and Roll Call
Todd Ruger, editor for immigration and legal affairs, CQ and Roll Call
Jason Dick (moderator), editor-in-chief, CQ and Roll Call

Thu 1/11 at 3 p.m. – Tech Change Can Do You Good!

If you’re about to embark on implementing a new tool or are struggling with adoption for an existing tool, learn how to develop and accelerate staff adoption of new technologies, make technology implementations successful, and unleash the hidden potential of your teams with effective change management strategies. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.

Host: UST Education

Speaker: Justin Burniske, MBA, Principal Consultant, Co-Owner, Meta-Dao

Tue 1/16 at 12 p.m. – Component Relations and Volunteer Management Crunch and Munch

Join a casual conversation on hot topics relevant to the component relations and volunteer management community. Come prepared to share your successes, challenges and ideas. More info/register.

Host: ASAE Component Relations and Volunteer Management Council

Tue 1/16 at 1 p.m. – What to Consider When Your Association Is Considering a Merger or Acquisition (Part 1)

Host: ASAE Executive Management Advisory Council

Speakers:

Lynn Gangone, President & CEO, American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education
Francisco Gomez, Founder & CEO, Factum Global
Tori Miller Liu, President & CEO, Association for Intelligent Information Management
Brian Weiss, Vice President, Emerging Business Growth, American Management Association
Tommy Goodwin (moderator), Vice President, Exhibitions & Conferences Alliance

Wed 1/17 at 1 p.m. – Price Elasticity Uncovered: Insights from Data

How often are price increase/decrease decisions based on opinion and fear, hampering an association’s ability to extract maximum value from our products because we’re afraid of customer attrition? Using data science, we can model the future state and help make a more informed decision. Hear how the speaker’s team developed a price elasticity forecast, share your own data modeling stories and learn from in-the-trenches experiences of your peers. More info/register.

Host: Association Women Technology Champions

Speaker: Denali Carpenter, Data Scientist, Inteleos

Wed 1/17 at 2 p.m. – PAR GOAT Awards: Advancing Association Business

Host: Professionals for Association Revenue

Speakers:

Michelle Brien, VP, Marketing, Matchbox Virtual Media
Jeff Cobb, Managing Director, Tagoras
Carrie Hartin, President, Sales Solutions & Services, MCI USA
Park Howell, Founder, Business of Story
Dana Johnston, Director, Corporate Strategic Partnerships, American Gastroenterological Association
Carrie McIntyre, Principal, Navigate

Thu 1/18 at 11:30 a.m. – Cybersecurity & More (Tapas Talks)

Tapas Talks are always conversational and lively, a mixture of planned content and virtual f2f discussions with subject matter experts, plus the serendipity of talking through challenges with your peers. More info/register.

Host: Qiqo’s Association Marketplace

Speaker: Brian Scott of ClearTone Consulting and 501CISO

Thu 1/18 at 1 p.m. – Adding Value to Skills-Based Credentials with Digital Standards

Host: Tagoras

Speakers:

Rob Coyle, Technical Program Manager, 1EdTech
Darin R. Hobbs, VP of Learning & Employment Records, Western Governors University
Kelly Hoyland, Director of Higher Education Programs, 1EdTech
Kymberly Lavigne-Hinkley, Director, Community of Care Ecosystem, Western Governors University
Jeff Cobb and Celisa Steele (facilitators), founders, Tagoras

Fri 1/19 at 3 p.m. – The Informal Consultants Networking Extravaganza

An informal online networking event for the ASAE consultant community. More info/register.

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

Creative Commons licensed photo by Jack Blueberry via Unsplash

Amazon and AssociationBrainFood.com links allow me to earn a royalty on any sales or leads that result from clicking. Thank you!

Association Brain Food: 12.22.23

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

Since webinars are winding down, this will be the last Association Brain Food for the year. I’ll be back on Friday, January 5. Until then, thank you for spending time with me here. I wish you and your loved ones a most joyful, loving, cozy and relaxing holiday season. Merry Christmas!

12 Days of Staycation. Are you taking time off during the holidays? If so, consider dedicating a day or more to a staycation as described by TopClass LMS. They explain how to plan and prepare for a staycation that’s more enjoyable and rewarding than normal days off. I particularly recommend Days 6, 7, 9 and 12.

Sponsorships. Bruce Rosenthal and Lori Zoss Kraska recommend scheduling regular conversations with your sponsors. In this post, they suggest questions to ask sponsors in the first quarter of 2024 and information you should share with them about your association. This cheat sheet of sorts helps you move from transactional sponsorships to transformational partnerships.

Event gamification. EventMobi explains the psychology behind gamification. They describe strategies for applying game mechanics to influence attendee behavior, including incentives and technology that help you achieve event goals.

Member onboarding. Tracy King of InspirEd describes the advantages of microlearning for your new member onboarding process. She says, “Microlearning can deliver a personalized choose-your-adventure experience incentivizing calls to action that help new members access their member benefits and feel the belonging within your professional community.”

AI for associations. Fíonta provides a recap of a recent UST webinar in which their co-founder Dr. Lisa Rau described ways associations can leverage AI, risks of using AI and guidelines for implementing AI responsibly.

AMS selection checklist. GrowthZone put together an AMS buyer’s guide with a feature/functionality checklist to help you decide what you need vs. what would be nice to have. The guide also describes vendor, training/support, data access and software issues to consider before signing a contract.

Industry analysis for members. Per MGI’s membership benchmarking survey, members rely on their associations for in-depth industry analysis. Bill Sheehan at Multiview explains the basics of creating valuable industry reports.

You never grow old at the table

Here’s an extremely satisfying dish for a cozy chilly night: coq au vin. You can make it in a slow cooker as the recipe instructs or do it on the stovetop, which is what I did for 1-1/2 hours—probably didn’t need that long. On the side, mashed potatoes and steamed green beans.

For leftover coq au vin and potatoes, I enhanced the green beans with sautéed red onion, mushrooms, tomatoes, garlic, and chicken broth.

Trying to make room in the freezer, I grabbed a pound each of yellowfin and bigeye tuna for my kicked-up tuna pasta casserole. I know it’s a travesty to freeze amazingly fresh tuna. But when I’m out of town and can’t pick up my weekly seafood share, they freeze it. What better excuse to use it than for this retro comfort-food casserole? Yeah, way better than mum’s.

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 too product-centric.

Wed 1/3 at 12 p.m.* – What Were You thinking? Ethics in Association Management

Join a scenario-based session about how to recognize an ethical issue, understand how to apply ASAE’s Ethical Decision Making Model, and work through the ethical issues in the workplace. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.

Host: Association Insights in Old Town (AIOT)

Facilitator: Rhea M. Steele, FASAE, CAE, ODCP, Chief of Staff and VP of Strategy & Governance for The School Nutrition Association

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

Wed 1/3 at 12 p.m. – Creating Content Calendars: Prevent the TLDR Response

Learn how to build an effective content strategy and cadence, prevent inbox overwhelm and encourage interest in your initiatives, map out critical resources for each messaging campaign, reduce workloads and streamline your comms processes, and develop an internal communications roadmap that adjusts seamlessly as you grow. Leave with tools you can use today to build a strategy that best fits your organization. More info/register.

Host: L-12 Services Corp

Speakers:

Meagan Camp, CEO, The Modern Take
Lizabeth Wesely-Casella, Founder & CEO, L-12 Services Corp

1/4 at 12 p.m. – The Community Check-In

A weekly community chat on Slack for black professionals working in the events industry. More info/register.

Host: Black In Events Network

Thu 1/4 at 2 p.m. – The Elephant in the Room: A Discussion of PE/VC in Association Technology

The association industry has undergone a significant transformation with the acquisition of association software systems by Private Equity (PE) and Venture Capital (VC) firms. This not only affects the products themselves but also the support services provided to associations. Gain a better understanding of PE and VC’s role in the private sector and association space. Recognize the significance of considering these issues when selecting a new software system for your association. Engage in a discussion about the current implications for the association ecosystem and how to effectively navigate them moving forward. More info/register.

Host: 501 Works

Speaker: Brendan Ballou, federal prosecutor who served as Special Counsel for Private Equity in the Justice Department’s Antitrust Division, and author, Plunder: Private Equity’s Plan to Pillage America

Mon 1/8 at 8 a.m. – Associations and Climate Change (Radio Free 501c, the podcast of Rogue Tulips Consulting)

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

Guests:

Shelly Alcorn, Principal Futurist, Michelle Alcorn and Associates, and convener, Association Climate Action Coalition
Elizabeth Weaver Engel, M.A., CAE, Chief Strategist, Spark Consulting

Mon 1/8 at 12 p.m. – ASAE Membership Monday

The topic will be announced before the start of the session. More info/register.

Host: ASAE

Tue 1/9 at 1 p.m. – Beyond Tradition: Association Transformation into Media Empires

Associations are no longer just conveners; they have the potential to become media empires themselves. Learn how your association’s unique knowledge, vast networks, and compelling stories can be leveraged to drive impactful narratives and shape public discourse. Explore strategies, steps and best practices to transition your association from a traditional convener to a dynamic, content-producing powerhouse. Hear about the potential benefits and challenges of such a transformation, from increased reach and engagement to new revenue streams, while learning how to navigate potential obstacles. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.

Host: UST Education

Speaker: Bill Mcglade, President, Community Leaders Institute & epIQ Creative Group

Wed 1/10 at 11 a.m. – Sales is Not Evil: Effective Sales for NonSales Professionals

Host: UST Education

Speaker: Mark Bullard, Founder, BrainSquall

Wed 1/10 at 1 p.m. – Measure What Matters: Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Accessibility and Belonging

Host: UST Education

Speaker: Tim Hopkins, CAE, Chair, ASAE Diversity + Inclusion Committee, and practice director, McKinley Advisors

Thu 1/11 at 3 p.m. – Tech Change Can Do You Good!

Host: UST Education

Speaker: Justin Burniske, MBA, Principal Consultant, Co-Owner, Meta-Dao

Creative Commons licensed photo by Nubia Navarro via Pexels

Amazon and AssociationBrainFood.com links allow me to earn a royalty on any sales or leads that result from clicking. Thank you!

Association Brain Food: 12.15.23

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

Association management. I’ve been dipping into Associations Evolve 2024—find it on the front page of Answers for Associations. Editor Belinda Moore describes it as including “more than 50 association thought leaders from around the world [who] have contributed inspirational insights, practical tips, and motivational stories to get you fired up for 2024.” So far, reading an article here and there, I’m liking it.

Career flux. TopClass LMS describes how assumptions about careers don’t always hold up now. With constant change and uncertainty, we need a flux mindset to survive and thrive. They explain what that means and how associations can help members adopt a flux mindset and a portfolio approach to their careers.

Mentoring program. “While starting a mentoring program isn’t rocket science, there’s certainly an art to it.” With 20 years of experience developing mentoring programs, Art of Mentoring knows both the art and science. They describe the seven steps of starting a successful association mentoring program from pre-evaluation and research to planning, design, recruitment, matching, training, support, and evaluation.

Board responsibilities. At Naylor, Jeff De Cagna of Foresight First describes three actions that boards, CEOs, and other decision-makers should implement “over the next 12 months to begin addressing the challenges facing their associations, stakeholders, and successors in the decade ahead.” He says these initiatives will have an immediate beneficial impact on your association.

Lives of Gen Z and millennials. Juliana Kaplan at Business Insider describes how Gen Z and millennial parents are struggling right now. Make sure your association’s messaging and expectations reflect their reality.

Online communities. Since associations are communities, it’s good to know what community experts believe is on the horizon. This Guild report on online community trends put together by Michelle Goodall focuses on brands, but many of the trends pertain to associations and their communities too.

Online communities, again. Research tells us over and over that members join associations primarily to connect with and learn from other members. It’s the primary reason I belong to ASAE, which is why I think online communities are a must for associations—plus they’re extremely popular with younger audiences too. Nimble AMS explains how an online community helps you attract, engage, and retain members. The guide also provides a useful plan for launching and managing a community.

Membership experience. Our approach to membership needs something radically different—and the approach suggested by Amanda Lea Kaiser is not so hard. You just have to take time to pause and think about it the way she suggests.

Event networking. At Texas SAE’s Association Leadership, Miguel Neves of Skift Meetings describes a human way to boost event networking: networking ambassadors. He saw the idea in action at the Social Media Market World conference.

Gen Z and subscriptions. PYMNTS reports that Tinder is promoting short-term subscriptions for Gen Z. If Gen Z is hesitant to invest in year-long association memberships, maybe a short-term subscription is a better option.

Off-topic

On Twitter, I found this lovely, heart-warming story about Jimmy Stewart’s WWII service and performance in It’s A Wonderful Life, one of our favorite Christmas movies. In case you’re wondering, White Christmas tops my list.

During the holiday season, let’s not forget the Israelis who are missing the company of their loved ones held hostage by Hamas. I think about Naama Levy every single day. Is she dead or alive? Who knows, but once you’ve seen the video of her being dragged around by Hamas terrorists, it’s impossible to get her out of your mind. Her mother, Ayelet Levy-Shachar, wrote a heart-rending article about Naama and the other hostages for The Free Press. Please pray for these poor souls.

You never grow old at the table

My seafood share is on holiday break, so I’ve had the chance to enjoy wild salmon—not an NC fish so never sold by my fish shop. One of my favorite salmon dishes is chipotle salmon. On the side, I fried up the last of our green tomatoes before an overnight freeze decimated the plants.

A fairly quick one-pot dish for a cozy night: tortellini with Italian sausage in a tomato cream sauce. My version was originally inspired by this recipe. You cook the tortellini in the sauce so there’s no need to dirty another pot. I doubled the recipe except for the canned tomatoes and tortellini. I used sweet and hot Italian sausage; added red and orange bell pepper, mushrooms, basil, and oregano; used homemade marinara sauce; and omitted the chicken broth. Sometimes I add spinach but forgot this time.

On the side, an asparagus sauté with green onions, lemon zest, and parmesan cheese.

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 too product-centric.

Fri 12/15 at 1 p.m.* – From Intuition to Insight: Transitioning to Data-Driven Learning Strategies

Learn the art of presenting compelling data to secure executive buy-in through success metrics. Discover streamlined methods for accurately obtaining data without investing excessive time and resources. Uncover the meaningful insights behind your collected data and leverage them to refine your eLearning strategies effectively. Explore innovative approaches to gathering valuable feedback and optimizing course evaluations. 0.75 CAE credits. More info/register.

Host: Blue Sky eLearn

Speaker: Dr. Kristen Wall, MA, EdD, Director of Learning and Development, Blue Sky eLearn

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

Fri 12/15 at 2 p.m. – Consultant Community Virtual Networking Event

More info/register.

Organizer: Cecilia Sepp, founder, Rogue Tulips Consulting

Fri 12/15 at 3 p.m. – Ready24: How Your Association Can Stay Ahead in 2024

The challenges facing associations are significant: technology, competition, funding and fatigue. But so are the opportunities. New and impactful solutions can empower your association to deepen human connections, automate personalized membership experiences and accelerate growth. Learn why strategy, leadership and technology are imperative for your membership in associations; strategies to build and maintain a high-performing team; and how to check your cybersecurity measures to help ensure your data is secure. More info/register.

Host: Wipfli

Speakers: Caroline Nuttall, Manager; Ryan Peasley, Senior Technology Manager; and Chad Stewart, Senior Manager, Wipfli

Fri 12/15 at 3:30 p.m. – The Role of Ethics in Volunteer Engagement

Host: Volunteer Managers of Central Iowa

Fri 12/15 at 4 p.m. – Open Networking: F@4 Year End Highlights

F@4 President Shelly Trent will provide a “year in review,” discussing our successes in 2023 and plans for 2024. Please attend to provide ideas for next year and feedback about this past year. More info/register.

Host: Fridays@4

Mon 12/18 at 8 a.m. – Influencing Board Culture (Radio Free 501c, the podcast of Rogue Tulips Consulting)

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

Guest: Cheryl Ronk, CAE, FASAE, President/Owner, So Right, LLC

Mon 12/18 at 11 a.m. – Communicating with Authors: How Do Societies Stay Connected with Their Authors?

Hear from three people who have extensive experience in building communication strategies to ensure societies stay connected with their authors. Find out how and why that is different from wider society communications and outreach, and how and why those activities should overlap. More info/register.

Host: Society Street

Speakers:

Sara Killingworth, Head of Marketing, Institution of Engineering and Technology
Mithu Lucraft, Senior Consultant, TBI Communications
Jennifer Regala, Director of Publications and Executive Editor, American Urological Association

Tue 12/19 at 12 p.m. – How AI and Automation are Reshaping the Future for Associations

Discover the transformative power of AI and automation. Learn how to navigate the tech evolution and position your association for unparalleled success. Uncover key strategies to consider when adjusting your digital roadmap. Jump-start your association’s planning with interactive Q&A, explore crucial insights and more. More info/register.

Host: iMIS by ASI

Speakers:

Rob Wenger, CEO, Higher Logic
Tim Clarke, CRO, ASI
Troy Stenback, Director of Client Performance Improvement Client Success, ASI

Tue 12/19 at 12 p.m. – Component Affiliation Structures (Crunch ‘n’ Munch)

Are your components structured as affiliates of the parent organization or independent entities? Are you working towards a centralized model? What are the structural, operational, and financial considerations of these changes? 1 CAE credit. More info/register.

Host: ASAE Component Relations and Volunteer Management Advisory Council

Facilitators: Rachel Grimes and Michelle Runge

Creative Commons licensed photo by Frede Langlois via Unsplash

Amazon and AssociationBrainFood.com links allow me to earn a royalty on any sales or leads that result from clicking. Thank you!

You never grow old at the table

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You never grow old at the table

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