Association Brain Food

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

Gen Z membership. MemberSuite explores why new membership communities are so popular with Gen Z. They describe what associations need to offer to compete with these new membership groups.

Employee retention. Professional development is a highly valued employee benefit, according to dozens of research reports, especially by early-career professionals. WBT Systems provides strategies for offering professional development as an employee retention tool.

Non-dues revenue partners. Navigate CES describes how your association can improve the customer journey for sponsors, exhibitors and advertisers. They share tactics for the six stages of that journey and for dealing with churn (boo!) and expansion (yay!).

Tool implementation. What do you do when employees are begging for new timesaving tools or want to adopt modern systems to replace under-performing ones? Achurch Consulting describes how to take an intentional approach to tool implementation.

Sponsorships. Bruce Rosenthal shares his findings from interviews with 100 corporate sponsors and Lori Zoss Kraska provides commentary on those findings. What they share might go against the assumptions you have about sponsors and sponsorships.

Conference/abstract management. Ex Ordo explains how to implement conference and abstract management software for medical, technical, scientific and academic events. Their guide covers configuring software for abstract submission and peer review, issuing the call for papers, designing the conference program and more.

Change and culture. When change is a constant, it’s easy to use it as an excuse to avoid working on your association’s culture. But Jamie Notter at Propel says, “Your culture is already having a direct impact on every other project [you] are doing, and in many cases, the culture is making it harder for [you] to achieve success in those projects.”

Good listens

If, like me, Patti Smith is one of your heroes, check out her conversation on The Active Voice, a podcast featuring Substack writers.

Quick hits

How to make your event habit-forming. (Michelle Bruno, DAHLIA+ Agency)

We’re all bored with culture. Anglo-Calvinist moralism has turned the American arts into something strenuously polite and deadly dull. (William Deresiewicz, Tablet)

Good eats

Skip down to the list of free educational events if you prefer takeout.

Comfort food recommendation: braised chicken thighs with prosciutto, olives, lemon and a vermouth-infused sauce. I increased the amount of olives, prosciutto and chicken broth suggested in the recipe. On the side, mashed potatoes and green beans with caramelized red onions, mushrooms, garlic, tomatoes and chicken broth.

In the fish department, blackened mahi mahi with cheesy grits and roasted broccoli with red onion, garlic powder and cayenne. The next night, Mummy Lorraine triggerfish with a topping of crushed Ritz crackers, lemon zest, garlic powder and melted butter.

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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.

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Fri 6/30 at 4 p.m.* – Culture in Chaos: Nurturing Workplace Culture During Turbulent Times

Learn about strategies and practical approaches to maintain a positive and cohesive culture, even amid chaos, and engage employees and promote collaboration. More info/register.

Host: Fridays@4

Speaker: Rodneikka Scott, MSC, CAE

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

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Wed 7/5 at 12 p.m. – Financial Sustainability for Associations: 10 Simple Metrics

Find out how to assess your short and long-term financial health with ten simple KPIs your board and management can easily follow. More info/register.

Host: Zzeem

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Thu 7/6 at 12 p.m. – Corporate Partner Engagement for Nonprofits: Getting Started

Corporate partnerships offer a significant source of funding and other resources, but they require careful planning, consistent communication, and a willingness to collaborate to achieve shared outcomes. Hear about the benefits of corporate partnerships, how to identify potential partners, and strategies for building and maintaining successful partnerships. Learn how to establish valuable and mutually beneficial relationships with corporate partners. More info/register.

Host: Nexus Marketing Agency

Speakers:

• Mackenzie Burckbuchler, Partnership Success Specialist at Double the Donation
• Jessica King, Business Lead at Getting Attention
• Patrick Larkin, Nonprofit & Business Consultant at CSR – Consulting. Solutions. Results.
• Bruce Rosenthal, Consultant at Bruce Rosenthal Associates
• Patrick Sampson, CEO at Cogeo
• Colleen Carroll (moderator), Content Publishing Coordinator at Nexus Marketing Agency

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Thu 7/6 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

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Thu 7/6 at 1 p.m. – Whiplash: Communication Changes in a Post-COVID World

Like whiplash, COVID-19 changed the way we work, live, and play—on hyperdrive. Our dependence on technology increased, resulting in a need to develop communication techniques that work by Zoom. The lack of in-person meetings created a need to connect with our internal and external audiences in new ways. Learn about these post-COVID communication changes, the myths of post-pandemic communications, the next generation of videoconferencing etiquette, what’s new with social media, and how these changes open the door for you to tell your story. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.

Host: UST Education

Speaker: Sheri Singer, Owner, Singer Communications

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Thu 7/6 at 2 p.m. – Hired Guns: Using Fractional C-Suite Executives

Learn from three C-Suite fractional experts how fractional or part-time experts can help transform finance, IT, and cyber security within your organization. Hear how to harness the potential of outsourced resources to ensure maximum value for your organization; the best tasks and responsibilities to outsource to a fractional CIO, CFO or CISO; how to select an outsourced resource tailored for your association needs; and how to integrate and manage these resources seamlessly within your staff and organization. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.

Host: 501 Works

Speakers:

• Rick Bawcum, CEO, Cimatri
• Brian Scott, Founder, ClearTone Consulting
• Nadine Witchel, Founder & CEO, Zen Zero

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Fri 7/7 at 10 a.m. – Association Products | Coffee with Innovators: Association Design Circle

Every month, an association leader leads a conversation on an association innovation topic. Our topic this month is product development. More info/register.

Host: Product Design Community

Facilitator: James Young, founder of the Product Community

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Mon 7/10 at 12 p.m. – ASAE Membership Monday

Per the ASAE Collaborate web page, a poll will be sent to determine this month’s topic. No other description available. More info/register.

Host: ASAE

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Tue 7/11 at 11:30 a.m. – Ascend Author Talk: A Conversation with Amith Nagarajan (Washington DC)

Let’s get together to talk about AI for Associations specifically through the lens of Amith Nagarajan’s new book, Ascend: Unlocking the Power of AI for Associations? Join us for lunch to discuss concepts from the book with the author himself and connect with other AI enthusiasts. Location: Washington DC. More info/register.

Host: Sidecar

Speaker: Amith Nagarajan, CEO, Blue Cypress

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Tue 7/11 at 12 p.m. – ASAE Tech Tuesday

The description and registration link aren’t on the Collaborate Events webpage yet, but it’s usually scheduled for this day/time.

Host: ASAE

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Tue 7/11 at 1 p.m. – 15 Ways To Take Your Email Newsletter To The Next Level: Marketing Artificial Intelligence in Action

Learn how to use email newsletter marketing to engage your members about current topics and industry trends. Hear about newsletter best practices to increase engagement and curate outside content. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.

Host: UST Education

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

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Tue 7/11 at 2 p.m. – Discover What Your Members Truly Value

Get ready for an insightful journey into the world of ‘Belonging’ with bestselling author David Allison. Hear about the core values your community cherishes, paving the way for genuine engagement and lasting connections. Join us for a fresh perspective on membership value that can transform your understanding of what it truly means to ‘Belong’. More info/register.

Host: KiKi L’Italien, senior consultant, Tecker International

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Wed 7/12 at 9 a.m. – PAR Member Meet-Up: Sales Tactics that Association Teams Use to Win

Email subject lines, purposeful outreach and unique follow-ups: join this PAR Member Meet-Up to learn and share how association revenue producers are managing customer engagement and guiding their clients to great investment choices. 0.5 CAE credit. More info/register (PAR members only).

Host: Professionals for Association Revenue

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Wed 7/12 at 1 p.m. – Functional Expense Reporting

Functional expense reporting is one of the more complicated areas of nonprofit U.S. GAAP. Learn about the elements of the statement of functional expense, how to make it meaningful to your audience, and the difference between program services, supporting activities, and what expenses get allocated in accordance with U.S. GAAP. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.

Host: UST Education

Speaker: Mark Robins, CPA, Partner, Aprio LLP

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Wed 7/12 at 5 p.m. CDT – Ascend Author Talk: A Conversation with Amith Nagarajan (Chicago IL)

Let’s get together to talk about AI for Associations specifically through the lens of Amith Nagarajan’s new book, Ascend: Unlocking the Power of AI for Associations? Join us for lunch to discuss concepts from the book with the author himself and connect with other AI enthusiasts. Location: Chicago IL. More info/register.

Host: Sidecar

Speaker: Amith Nagarajan, CEO, Blue Cypress

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Thu 7/13 at 9:30 a.m. – Small Staff Percolator

A new interactive online coffee break format 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: QiqoChat

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Thu 7/13 at 11 a.m. – Next Generation, Networked-Based Marketing

With so many tools for email marketing, social media, CRM, graphic design and generative AI, marketing efforts are often frantic and scattered. That’s why marketing often falls prey to the classic spray and pray model. How can you begin to think holistically about taking your marketing strategies and focus on one marketplace in which to target your audience? Learn how an online, association-specific marketplace can allow you to stay relevant, target your audience, and continue to build awareness about your brand while deepening relationships over time. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.

Host: UST Education

Speakers: Lucas Cioffi, CTO and Co-Founder, and Sandra Nam, CEO and Co-Founder, QiqoChat

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Thu 7/13 at 12 p.m. – Get Sponsored: How to Make 6-Figures in Digital Sponsorship for Your Association

Learn how to capitalize on the huge opportunities to grow digital revenues to 6-figures or more. Hear about strategies for consolidating your content, orchestrating packages to meet buyers’ needs, providing education and product/service information, bundling solutions, and controlling content for member experience. 0.5 CAE credit. More info/register.

Host: .orgCommunity

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Thu 7/13 at 1 p.m. – A Walk Through Form 990

Get a high-level overview of Form 990, with a focus on the most common parts and sections, including compensation reporting, financial information, lobbying political activity, and more. Learn about common errors and misunderstandings surrounding Form 990. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.

Host: UST Education

Speakers:

• Andrew Hassler, Senior Tax Associate, Johnson Lambert LLP
• Calvin Marks, CPA, Principal, Johnson Lambert LLP

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Thu 7/13 at 1 p.m. – Brand Matters: How to Build a Personal Brand with Professional Impact

Learn how to establish a personal brand that increases your visibility and opportunities for professional growth; select ideal communication channels to reach your target audience; use your personal brand to help deliver positive, impactful results for your organization, and other useful considerations including maintaining personal privacy and handling controversy. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.

Host: ASAE

Speakers:

• Scott Conley, Vice President, Naylor Association Solutions
• Natasha Bethea Goodwin, MS, CAE, Senior Director, Marketing and Membership, Information Technology Industry Council
• Carol Vernon, Principal, Communication Matters: Executive Coaching and Training
• Camille Sanders (moderator), CAE, PCM, Senior Director, Career and Workforce Solutions, ASAE: The Center for Association Leadership

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Fri 7/14 at 12:30 p.m. – Conversations with Champions

Each conversation features an AWTC leader or AWTC Award winner, followed by breakout rooms with changing topics (selected by our featured guest). 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, Rogue Tulips

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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, Twitter or LinkedIn by Wednesday afternoon the week before it’s scheduled.

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Creative Commons licensed photo by Ries Bosch via Unsplash

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

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

“It was only a sunny smile, and little it cost in the giving, but like morning light it scattered the night and made the day worth living.” ―F. Scott Fitzgerald

ChatGPT. Nearly seven months ago, ChatGPT entered our world. WBT Systems goes over some ChatGPT basics, brings up some concerns—like why you shouldn’t rely upon it to do all your work, and explains how association professionals, including education teams, are using ChatGPT to save time and jump-start the creative process.

Our AI future. Marc Andreessen, venture capitalist and founder of the original web browsers, says AI will not destroy the world and, in fact, may save it. Amidst the prevalent doom and gloom about everything these days, I appreciate his hopeful (anti-Skynet) vision for the future, although I know we’ll encounter challenges along the way.

Culture. Impexium says culture frays under the stress of subpar working conditions. If you want to attract and retain exceptional talent, you must provide a supportive environment where people achieve both personal and professional fulfillment. They describe how technology can help your association do this by strengthening your organization’s culture.

AI usage policy. Avenue M and ASAE polled associations about their AI usage policy for staff. Only 54% have a policy or plan to develop one. And this kills me: 40% say they have no plans for developing one. What the heck? Head in the sand? As Sheri Jacobs and Lisa Boylan say, AI policies “serve as essential guardrails, guiding associations on how to manage and harness the power of AI technology effectively.”

Marketing benchmarks. Mighty Citizen assessed the marketing maturity of 450 mission-driven organizations. The resulting benchmark report shares key trends, benchmarks within six marketing categories (research/analytics, branding/strategy, marketing/SEO, UX design/content, technology and team dynamics)—with breakout benchmarks for associations, and recommendations for increasing your association’s marketing effectiveness.

Event apps. You’d think every attendee would use your event app, but that’s not always the case. However, their event experience—and your sponsors’ satisfaction—would improve if they did. EventMobi explains how to increase event app usage, including a plan for roll-out, understanding attendee personas, value-focused messaging, and engagement. Good stuff.

Next gen and traditional institutions. “To understand why we are in this moment with religion is to recognize that younger generations feel traditional institutions have been full of judgment, exclusivity, rigidity, and uninspiring contradictions. It’s why they’re seeking alternatives offering the exact opposite: tolerance, flexibility, remix, choice, and a bit of levity,” said Matt Klein at Lens. Do they feel the same way about traditional associations? Are associations too rigid, uninspiring and serious? I hope not.

Quick hits

Treat your to-read pile like a river from which you pluck items here and there, not like a bucket you must empty. I treat my inbox like this too. (Oliver Burkeman)

Every self-help book boiled down to 11 simple rules. (Chris Taylor, Mashable)

Good eats

Skip down to the list of free educational events if you prefer takeout.

We never tire of this southwest skillet—shorthand for a mix of ground chorizo and chicken, sweet potato, spinach and chard, onion, poblano, red bell, jalapeño, garlic, black beans, corn, chipotle en adobo, spicy spices and cheese.

Simple fish dish: pan-fry fillets of blueline tilefish (or whatever your local fishing community is serving up), when done, add white wine, butter, parmesan, fresh basil and let it reduce/bubble a bit. On the side, sauté asparagus with lemon zest and parmesan. Done.

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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.

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Fri 6/23 at 12 p.m. – Exam Development Session-III*

Learn how to design and administer exams that are valid and reliable while incorporating best practices in assessment design. Gain an understanding of the principles of good test construction, explore the different types of exams, and get hands on experience in constructing exams. Hear about the importance of item analysis, the role of feedback in exam development, and the need for test security. More info/register.

Host: Leverage Assessments, Inc.

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

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Fri 6/2 at 2 p.m. – Decoding Belonging: The Global Belonging Index Transforming Events (Association Chat)

If the value of belonging is so important to association members, why don’t we understand it better? The Belonging Index identifies what Belonging means to people based on 750,000+ surveys in 152 languages across 180 countries. For now, it is a tool to help planners around the world to make inclusive events that resonate deeply with participants. Learn more about the Belonging Index, what it means for associations, and why association executives should care about it. More info/register.

Host: KiKi L’Italien, senior consultant, Tecker International

Guests:

• Naomi Clare Crellin, Founder and CEO of Storycraft Lab
• Megan Henshall, Global Events Strategic Solutions Lead at Google

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Fri 6/23 at 4 p.m. – Nonprofit Management Series: Fundraising Fundamentals

This course designed for new fundraisers or those interested in learning about fundraising will will include an overview of the development process for securing private contributions (including individual giving, major gifts, events, foundations, and corporate giving) and where your best opportunities come from to raise money. More info/register.

Host: Fridays@4

Speaker: Carolyn Nopar, former Chief Development Officer for the YWCA Metro Chicago and Director of Development & Communications for Family Focus

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Mon 6/26 at 8 a.m. – Implementing the Idea (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: Joy Duling, Founder & CEO, The Joy of Membership

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Tue 6/27 at 9 a.m. – Events + Community Best Practice

The Covid-19 pandemic changed events forever. One legacy of the transformation has been the rise of community. Everybody’s talking about it and how great event communities are. But who is actually doing it and, more importantly, who is doing it well? What’s the secret of aligning events to community? Should you opt for a pop-up event community or a 365, year-round community to support your event? More info/register.

Host: Guild

Speakers:

• Carolyn Morgan, Founder, Speciall Media
• Ashley Friedlein, Founder, Guild

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Tue 6/27 at 12 p.m. – ASAE Component Relations and Volunteer Management (CRVM) Book Club

The Q2 CRVM Book Club selection is The Art of Gathering: How We Meet and Why It Matters by Priya Parker. Whether you’ve finished, are just a couple of chapters in, or want to hear what the book is about and how it applies to associations, we’d love for you to join us. More info/register.

Host: ASAE Component Relations and Volunteer Management Council

Facilitators: Elisa Pratt and Brian Calvary

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Tue 6/27 at 3 p.m. – From Raw Data to Real Insights: Preparing Your Association for AI

Learn about the importance of prompt engineering and creating successful prompts, how to use AI to increase member value and revenue streams, and what to do with your data for AI to work most effectively. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.

Host: Association Analytics

Speaker: Conor Sibley, CTO (and AI expert), Association Analytics

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Wed 6/28 at 12 p.m. – Accessibility and Event Technology: A Beginner’s Guide

16% of people worldwide and 26% in the US have some type of disability. As an event organizer, you can expand your attendee base, create richer customer connections, and drive your business goals further by creating an accessibility-friendly experience for your events. Learn about accessibility facts, figures and definitions; specific types of disabilities and how these can influence your event planning; and the surprising consequences of not incorporating accessibility concepts for your attendees. 1 CMP credit. More info/register.

Host: MPI

Speaker: Stephen Cutchins, Sr. Product Manager – Accessibility, Cvent

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Wed 6/28 at 1 p.m. – Renew: Is Your Member Renewal Journey Magical or Miserable?

Learn how to draw insights from your data, use personalization and automation to create a compelling, cohesive and frictionless member experience through the renewal process. Hear how to unlock a deeper understanding of the journey members go through to engage with your association and renew. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.

Host: iMIS by ASI

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Wed 6/28 at 1 p.m. – Design Win-Win Virtual Experiences by Putting Member Needs First

Hear examples of the inventive ways associations and their industry partners are designing virtual experiences to help solve challenges, dive deeper into conversations and learning, and create unexpected value for both members and industry partners. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.

Host: Fonteva

Speakers:

• Michelle Brien, Vice President, Marketing, Matchbox Virtual Media
• Arianna Rehak, CEO, Matchbox Virtual Media

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Wed 6/28 at 1 p.m. – The Strategy & ROI of Supplier Diversity

While DEI best practices are improving the way we do business, supplier diversity is an untapped strategy that not only impacts the bottom line but ensures a more sustainable commitment to the purpose of diversity which is economic equity. Learn how to synthesize supplier diversity history, terminology and purpose; examine the demographics of current supplier network to help make informed decisions to increase diversity of businesses; explore collaborative opportunities to strengthen capacity and communication with suppliers, vendors and service providers; and develop a supplier diversity strategy to strengthen ROI and improve innovation. 1 CMP credit. More info/register.

Host: Meetings Today

Speaker: Zoe Moore, president, Grow With Zomo

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Wed 6/28 at 2 p.m. – Mission-Driven Leadership with a Former NASA Astronaut

Learn how taking an “orbital perspective” can illuminate the path toward true servant leadership and a holistic systems approach can lead to effective problem solving. Hear how to successfully engage with disruptive change and uncertainty, foster unity in business strategy and cohesive growth, and leverage the power of awe and wonder for action and progress. More info/register.

Host: Big Think+ Book Club

Speaker: Ron Garan, former NASA astronaut, keynote speaker, and author of The Orbital Perspective, Floating in Darkness and the children’s book, Railroad to the Moon

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Thu 6/29 at 12 p.m. – The Diversity Lens

Hear about the importance of diverse representation in media and advertising, across companies and teams, and how it impacts the perceptions and actions across various communities. Learn what to do…and what not to do…when choosing the right images for your association’s marketing and branding materials. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.

Host: Association Exchange (AXC)

Speaker: Steve Jones, Founder and CEO, pocstock.com

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Thu 6/29 at 12 p.m. – Summer House Social

Join us for our quarterly Open House. Meet the community, hear what is happening and how you can be involved. This is a great opportunity for prospective community members to explore our platform, meet with peers, and experience our vibrant community. We are excited to celebrate three of our Q2 Community Spotlight members who will be recognized for their contributions and support of the Black in Events Network Community. More info/register.

Host: Black In Events Network

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Thu 6/29 at 1 p.m. – June Think Tank

It’s been a busy month for us all! Let’s take this opportunity to get together to discuss our wins, challenges and questions. During this meetup, we’ll get together as a group to workshop each other’s questions and situations. More info/register.

Host: Sidecar

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Thu 6/29 at 2 p.m. – Accreditation Checklists for Dummies: How to Complete Them Effectively

Learn best practices for completing checklists with a focus on the ISO/IEC 17025:2017 standard, although the concepts and tips can be applied to any type of requirements checklist. Hear about the various uses of checklists, documenting objective evidence and comments on conformance, and common pitfalls in using checklists. More info/register.

Host: ANSI National Accreditation Board (ANAB)

Speakers:

• Paul Matera, leads the Inspection Body program, ANAB
• David Feist, Lead Accreditation Assessor, ANAB Accreditation Manager, and manages the ANAB Training Business

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Thu 6/29 at 2 p.m. – Winning the Race for Relevance Through Innovation

Learn how to approach technology planning, how technology can be a revenue driver, the importance of considering the user experience as part of the plan, how to implement innovation at your association, and how to stay relevant in a competitive environment. More info/register.

Host: Grype

Speaker: Mary Byers, CEO coach, MasterMind facilitator, founder and host of The Successful Associations Today Podcast, and author, Race for Relevance: 5 Radical Changes for Associations and Road to Relevance: 5 Strategies for Competitive Associations

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Thu 6/29 at 3 p.m. – Online and On Trend: The Hybrid or Virtual Association Conference in 2023

Hear about emerging association conference trends, tools and strategies associations can use when running events, and challenges in running hybrid and virtual events, and how to overcome them. More info/register.

Host: NXUnite/Nexus Marketing Agency

Speakers:

Heather Hughes, Event Marketing Manager at Fonteva & Protech

Patti Schutte, CEO/Founder & Principal Coach at Be Brilliant Presentation Group

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Fri 6/30 at 4 p.m. – Culture in Chaos: Nurturing Workplace Culture During Turbulent Times

Learn about strategies and practical approaches to maintain a positive and cohesive culture, even amid chaos, and engage employees and promote collaboration. More info/register.

Host: Fridays@4

Speaker: Rodneikka Scott, MSC, CAE

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Thu 7/6 at 2 p.m. – Hired Guns: Using Fractional C-Suite Executives

Learn from three C-Suite fractional experts how fractional or part-time experts can help transform finance, IT, and cyber security within your organization. Hear how to harness the potential of outsourced resources to ensure maximum value for your organization; the best tasks and responsibilities to outsource to a fractional CIO, CFO or CISO; how to select an outsourced resource tailored for your association needs; and how to integrate and manage these resources seamlessly within your staff and organization. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.

Host: 501 Works

Speakers:

• Rick Bawcum, CEO, Cimatri
• Brian Scott, Founder, ClearTone Consulting
• Nadine Witchel, Founder & CEO, Zen Zero

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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, Twitter or LinkedIn by Wednesday afternoon the week before it’s scheduled.

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Creative Commons licensed photo by Lynne via Unsplash

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

The weekly list of free educational events and resources for the association community…“The main hope of a nation lies in the proper education of its youth.” —Erasmus

Podcasts. In the past few editions of Association Brain Food, I included a Good Listens section featuring association-focused podcasts. I left it out this week because I didn’t think you’d care about freelance writing, 18^th century British writers, medieval nuns or creativity—but maybe I’m wrong!

I’d bet every industry has seen a growing number of podcasts like ours has, maybe even the industry your association serves. WBT Systems explains what associations need to know about launching a podcast and how a podcast can contribute to the success of your professional development programs.

Event planning. Is your event planning to-do list still up to snuff? Whether you’re new to the business or have been planning events forever, take a look at the post-pandemic event checklist put together by Impexium.

Workplace culture. We all know how much an organization’s culture influences its success. But where and how do you even begin to improve your culture? Propel explains how a culture assessment can reveal your organization’s change readiness and its place on the cultural spectrum from traditional to contemporary to futurist.

Team dynamics. Don’t let your team get consumed by an obsession with productivity. They should spend time developing the relationships and space for knowledge sharing, reflection and constructive conflict. Otherwise, says Sebastian Kowalski at Post*Shift, they have no chance of continuously improving.

Changing attendee profile. Surveys conducted by Freeman have uncovered the most dramatic shift in B2B event attendee demographics in three decades: attendees are getting younger. Barbara Palmer at PCMA Convene says these Next Gen Event Goers won’t settle for the standard event experience—they expect to be captivated.

Event marketing. Another finding from the Freeman survey: people are registering much later for events. Your marketing plan must work extra hard to convince your audience they should make the trip. GrowthZone explains what to do before, during and after an event to help increase registrations and attendance.

AI watch

With the release of generative AI tools, like ChatGPT, it’s an exciting time to be a writer—a human one. ChatGPT can definitely help professionals with tasks, but its output still requires a human touch. AI conversations continue to bubble up in our community as we grapple with its potential and risks. AI was the focus of ASAE’s Tech Tuesday discussion this week hosted by Reggie Henry (ASAE) and Tobin Conley (DelCor). You should also check out Sidecar’s online community dedicated to AI and Amith Nagarajan’s (Blue Cypress/Sidecar) new book, Ascend: Unlocking the Power of AI for Associations—I’m reading it now.

Thanks to subscribing to god-knows-how-many newsletters, my inbox is full of AI articles. This first one by Hailey Mensik at WorkLife raises an interesting and serious question: Will AI spur a loss of craft among Gen Z and early career professionals? We develop expertise from researching, thinking and writing. Don’t give that up!

PCMA is partnering with Gevme on the AI-based Project Spark for the events industry, which is free now, but I can see revenue potential. Think about ways AI can help your association monetize its knowledge base.

Quick hits

Good news! Much of America’s political divide is an illusion. Reducing fear between America’s tribal factions is the first step to alleviating the destructive effects of our polarization. (Michael Baharaeen, Persuasion)

Bad news! The “Nation’s Report Card” shows the sharpest ever decline in history and civics knowledge for 4th, 8th and 12th grade students. Ignorant kids becoming ignorant adults doesn’t bode well for our country’s future. (Paul du Quenoy, City Journal)

Pathetic news! Eat, pray, cringe: Elizabeth Gilbert cancels herself. She no longer has the courage of her convictions to write imaginatively, wildly and unapologetically, as she exhorted us to do in her book, Big Magic. (Kat Rosenfield, The Free Press)

Turn off the news! The “Tribe of One” mentality is spiritually and psychologically destructive. “Embrace what makes us different without losing sight of what binds us together.” (Julian Adorney and Mark Johnson, Foundation Against Intolerance & Racism/FAIR)

Good eats

Skip down to the list of free educational events if you prefer takeout or can’t stand fish.

Lots of fish on the menu this past week, starting with spiced southern fried flounder and bluefish with a veggie pesto on the side. Always satisfying.

Next, pan-seared almaco jack with avocado, soy, ginger and lime served alongside a cauliflower rice and veggie (red bell, red onion, broccoli floret/stems, jalapeño, carrot) stir fry with ginger, garlic, chile paste, Thai basil, mint and Vietnamese coriander. Yum.

I had two pounds of yellowfin tuna in the freezer and an extra container of olives in the frig so I created a one-skillet Mediterranean-style dish with onion, herbes de Provence, hot red pepper flakes, garlic, olives, roasted red bell, sun-dried tomatoes, pepperoncini, chickpeas, white wine, Ouzo and feta cheese. On the side, frozen asparagus sautéed with garlic powder, fennel pollen and Parmesan cheese. What a meal!

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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.

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Fri 6/16 at 4 p.m.* – Smart Brevity in the Association World (Book Discussion)

The power of saying more with less. Is it a system, a process, a style, a tool, or software? In Smart Brevity: The Power of Saying More with Less, Axios co-founders Jim VandeHei, Mike Allen, and Roy Schwartz teach readers how to say more with less in virtually any format. They also share communications lessons learned from their decades of experience in media, business and communications. More info/register.

Host: Fridays@4

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

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Mon 6/19 at 8 a.m. – The 200th Episode (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: On this special 200^th episode, Michael Butera, president and CEO, Association ActiVision, interviews Cecilia

Guest: Cecilia Sepp, CAE, CNP, principal and founder, Rogue Tulips Consulting, gives up her hosting chair to Michael

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Tue 6/20 at 12 p.m. – CRVM June Crunch and Munch

This month we’ll be focusing on affinity groups—how your organization manages these relationships, the challenges and the opportunities. More info/register.

Host: ASAE Component Relations and Volunteer Management Council (CRVM)

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Tue 6/20 at 12 p.m. – Do You Run Successful Postmortems?

Whenever you end a project or a client engagement, you probably do a retrospective analysis. You meet, examine and assess how it went. In many of these meetings, however, people spend most time assessing what worked well and what didn’t. They’re looking in the rear view, leaving little room to focus on what they will do differently. Learn about the most important aspect of any postmortem—and how, if you don’t seek to gain wisdom for future projects, the meeting might as well not even happen. More info/register.

Host/speaker: Charlene Li, Chief Research Officer, PA Consulting

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Tue 6/20 at 3 p.m. – Leveraging AI in Government Affairs

It’s time to demystify Artificial Intelligence (AI) and unlock the power of AI in government affairs. Get a crash course on how AI functions and practical tips for integrating AI into your government affairs work. More info/register.

Host: Quorum

Speaker: Jonathan Marks, Co-Founder & CTO, Quorum

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Tue 6/20 at 3 p.m. – Knowledge Transfer and Succession Planning Strategies for Your Event Tech

Don’t wait until people start resigning to implement a knowledge transfer strategy. A panel of former event technology clients, who are now members of the Cadmium staff, share insights on how knowledge transfers were implemented within their organizations. Learn how to prevent knowledge loss and equip your team with the necessary skills to leverage new event tech effectively. More info/register.

Host: Cadmium

Speakers: Alee Navarro, CMP, DES, Project Manager, EventTech, and Jennifer Vitek, Project Manager, EventTech, Cadmium

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Wed 6/21 from 9:30 to 11:45 a.m. – Generative AI (Silver Spring MD)

What is generative AI and how can it disrupt and transform credentialing and credentialing testing? What is the current state and the future outlook for content ownership and intellectual property for AI-generated content? What issues in psychometrics and measurement should we be exploring now with respect to generative AI in high stakes assessment? Hear how these new technologies might change our ways of working. Location: Silver Spring MD. More info/register.

Host: Certification Network Group

Speakers:

• Ken Alba, Director of Product, Trivie
• Kirk Becker, Senior Research Scientist, Pearson VUE
• Jennifer Semko, Chair of Washington DC Litigation and Government Enforcement Practice, Baker & McKenzie LLP
• Eric D’Astolfo (moderator), Vice President of Professional Business Development, Pearson VUE

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Wed 6/21 at 12 p.m. – Financial Straight Talk: Answers to Top Association Questions in Uncertain Times. (Alexandria VA)

Hear how today’s financial uncertainty affects your financial strategies, bank failures and the risk of potential reserve loss, emerging risks that should be on every association executive’s radar, federal grants, financial governance and more. Location: Alexandria VA. More info/register.

Hosts: Alexandria Association Senior Executive Session and AIOT

Speaker: Julie Jones, CPA, Marcum LLP

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Wed 6/21 at 12 p.m. – Engage Your Audience Everywhere: Onsite, Online, On Demand

Everyone’s busy. So busy, in fact, that they’re registering later than ever for events. Learn how to make events more engaging so your audience can’t afford to miss them onsite, online, or on demand. Hear how to maximize your event ROI and deliver great results for your sponsors. More info/register.

Host: PCMA

Speakers:

• Joshua Butler, co-founder, Falcon Events
• Brian Monahan, vice president of business development, Prestige AV & Creative Services

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Wed 6/21 at 2 p.m. – How to Sell More by Saying Less With the ABT Agile Narrative Framework

Your association and its membership are the source of amazing stories for your content marketing. But storytelling is hard to get right. Learn the proven ABT (And, But, Therefore) agile narrative framework that makes storytelling easy. Hear how to hack through the noise and hook the hearts of your prospects, members, colleagues and the communities you serve using the “The DNA of story,” the ABT… three words that will rock your world. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.

Host: Professionals for Association Revenue

Speaker: Park Howell, founder, Business of Story

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Wed 6/21 at 2 p.m. – How to Protect Your Organization from Cyber Threats

Cyber attacks are becoming more sophisticated, frequent, and destructive than ever before. No organization, regardless of size or industry, is immune. Learn about the most popular cyber attacks and threats in today’s world, the areas that are most vulnerable to hacks and attacks, top 5 ways to keep your organization safe from cyber threats, top 5 things that you can do as an individual to keep you and your family cyber safe, and our favorite tools to help protect against hacks. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.

Host: Matrix Group

Speakers: Dave Hoernig, Director of Software Engineering; Jessica Parsley, Associate Director; and Joanna Pineda, CEO, Matrix Group

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Wed 6/21 at 2 p.m. – Crisis Averted: How Advocacy Organizations Can Respond to Sudden Policy Shifts & News Events

Learn how to create a proactive strategy for managing uncertainty, seizing opportunities and effectively responding to unforeseen developments. Find out how to rally supporters and mobilize resources during a crisis, and hear timely examples from recent headlines about navigating the current landscape. More info/register.

Host: VoterVoice

Speakers:

• Jenna DiPaolo, Chief Communications Officer, Greenpeace USA
• Susan Lagana, Principal, Invariant
• Kate Tremont, Director of Community Advocacy, Razom For Ukraine
• Sue Zoldak, Founder & Owner, The Zoldak Agency
• Sherry Whitworth (moderator), Managing Director, Public Affairs and Advocacy, FiscalNote

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Wed 6/21 at 3 p.m. – How AI will Impact Digital Marketing in 2023

Description not on website at publication time. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.

Host: UST Education

Speakers: Mitch Eisen, Owner, CTO, and Tom Pines, CEO, Contentware

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Thu 6/22 at 8 a.m. – Associations & Artificial intelligence (AI): Part 2

At our webinar on Associations & AI in April, we promised we would provide the opportunity for associations to continue the discussion and keep sharing best practices on the fast development of AI and how associations learn to use it. Let’s keep learning about how we can best utilize AI in our organizations and how we get on with using tools and platforms. More info/register.

Host: Association World

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Thu 6/22 at 11 a.m. – Harness the Power of AI in Community Management

Recalibrate your understanding of AI in community management. Learn how to elevate your productivity levels as a community manager with AI, enhance member experiences and foster deeper engagement, make smarter, data-driven decisions with AI insights, streamline your operations with efficient AI-powered tools, and understand why AI won’t take your job, but someone using AI might. More info/register.

Host: Hivebrite

Speakers:

• Todd Nilson, Community Strategist, Clocktower Advisors
• Morgan Wood, Head of Community, Hivebrite

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Thu 6/22 at 12 p.m. – The Power of Tiers: Maximizing Growth and Member Engagement

Hear from chamber executives who have successfully implemented a tiered membership model. Learn about the process they followed, challenges they encountered during the rollout, outcomes achieved, and the valuable advice they have for other organizations considering a similar journey. More info/register.

Host: Hight Performance Group

Speakers:

• Margie Donnell, Operations Manager, Lancaster/Fairfield County (OH) Chamber of Commerce
• Missy Evans, President and CEO, Hartselle (AL) Area Chamber of Commerce
• Rich Millard, Executive Director, Royal Gorge (CO) Chamber Alliance
• Dawn Mushill, Executive Director, Troy/Maryville/St. Jacob/Marine (IL) Chamber of Commerce
• Barbara Rivera-Holmes, President and CEO, Albany (GA) Area Chamber of Commerce
• Cathi Hight (moderator), President, Hight Performance Group

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Thu 6/22 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

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Thu 6/22 at 12:30 p.m. – Managing Nonprofit Affiliated Entities

Managing and working with affiliated entities—with different tax statuses and different missions—is seldom easy. Executives and counsel must grapple with maintaining the requisite separateness among the related entities while maximizing the efficiencies that should go along with having multiple entities under one umbrella. Hear important tips on managing tax exemption, legal, and operational risks through appropriate policies, agreements, and training. More info/register.

Host: Venable LLP

Speakers: Lindsay Nathan, Partner, and Ryan Kasdin, Counsel, Venable LLP

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Thu 6/22 at 2 p.m. – Why Member Benefits Matter as Much as Punctuation

When’s the last time you double-checked your member benefit programs and how they align with your membership and the non-dues revenue needs of your organization? In this Expert Series, we will discuss how to create the right mix of member benefit options that keep your members coming back, and which ones provide your organization substantial non-dues revenue year over year. More info/register.

Host: Teri Carden, founder, Non Dues-a-Palooza

Guest: Tim McNichols, executive director, Partnerships at LIG Solutions

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Thu 6/22 at 2 p.m. – Event Contract Negotiation Secrets from a Sourcing Pro

When space availability is compressed and the economy is uncertain, negotiating a contract that accounts for the risks of all parties requires a pro. Learn how the current marketplace affects a planner’s strategy during negotiations, specific clauses to help better protect your organization, ways to reduce your overall risk, and strategies to enhance your overall contracts and experience. More info/register.

Host: Smart Meetings

Speaker: Cheryl M. Payne, CMP, CMM, Strategic Partner at INNOV8 Meetings + Events

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Thu 6/22 at 2 p.m. – Building a More Diverse Board

A diverse board brings a variety of perspectives and experiences to the table, which can lead to better decision-making and innovation. Learn about traditional blockers that keep boards from reaching diversity goals, best-practice actions boards can take to increase diversity, and building better board talent development pipelines. More info/register.

Host: OnBoard

Speakers: Breen Sullivan and Kat de Haën, co-founders of the Fourth Floor

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Fri 6/23 at 12 p.m. – Exam Development Session-III

Learn how to design and administer exams that are valid and reliable while incorporating best practices in assessment design. Gain an understanding of the principles of good test construction, explore the different types of exams, and get hands on experience in constructing exams. Hear about the importance of item analysis, the role of feedback in exam development, and the need for test security. More info/register.

Host: Leverage Assessments, Inc.

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Fri 6/2 at 2 p.m. – Decoding Belonging: The Global Belonging Index Transforming Events (Association Chat)

If the value of belonging is so important to association members, why don’t we understand it better? The Belonging Index identifies what Belonging means to people based on 750,000+ surveys in 152 languages across 180 countries. For now, it is a tool to help planners around the world to make inclusive events that resonate deeply with participants. Learn more about the Belonging Index, what it means for associations, and why association executives should care about it. More info/register.

Host: KiKi L’Italien, senior consultant, Tecker International

Guests:

• Naomi Clare Crellin, Founder and CEO of Storycraft Lab
• Megan Henshall, Global Events Strategic Solutions Lead at Google

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Fri 6/23 at 4 p.m. – Nonprofit Management Series: Fundraising Fundamentals

This course designed for new fundraisers or those interested in learning about fundraising will will include an overview of the development process for securing private contributions (including individual giving, major gifts, events, foundations, and corporate giving) and where your best opportunities come from to raise money. More info/register.

Host: Fridays@4

Speaker: Carolyn Nopar, former Chief Development Officer for the YWCA Metro Chicago and Director of Development & Communications for Family Focus

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Tue 6/27 at 12 p.m. – DEI of Non-Parents in the Workplace

How does pronatalism—the promotion of the reproduction of human life—Influence our workplace? How do we create welcoming workplaces for non-parents? Learn about pronatalism and its impact. Take away tools you can use to address pronatalism in the workplace. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.

Host: Association Women Technology Champions

Speaker: Ruth Berkowitz MA, Well-being Coach, Meditation Teacher and Group Facilitator

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Tue 6/27 at 12 p.m. – ASAE Component Relations and Volunteer Management (CRVM) Book Club

The Q2 CRVM Book Club selection is The Art of Gathering: How We Meet and Why It Matters by Priya Parker. Whether you’ve finished, are just a couple of chapters in, or want to hear what the book is about and how it applies to associations, we’d love for you to join us. More info/register.

Host: ASAE Component Relations and Volunteer Management Council

Facilitators: Elisa Pratt and Brian Calvary

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Wed 6/28 at 1 p.m. – Renew: Is Your Member Renewal Journey Magical or Miserable?

Learn how to draw insights from your data, use personalization and automation to create a compelling, cohesive and frictionless member experience through the renewal process. Hear how to unlock a deeper understanding of the journey members go through to engage with your association and renew. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.

Host: iMIS by ASI

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Thu 6/29 at 1 p.m. – June Think Tank

It’s been a busy month for us all! Let’s take this opportunity to get together to discuss our wins, challenges and questions. During this meetup, we’ll get together as a group to workshop each other’s questions and situations. More info/register.

Host: Sidecar

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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, Twitter or LinkedIn by Wednesday afternoon the week before it’s scheduled.

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Creative Commons licensed photo of Moki Dugway (now that’s a fun drive!) in UT by Emily Campbell via Unsplash

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

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

Woke up this morning with
a terrific urge to lie in bed all day
and read. Fought against it for a minute.

Then looked out the window at the rain.
And gave over. Put myself entirely
in the keep of this rainy morning.

Would I live my life over again?
Make the same unforgivable mistakes?
Yes, given half a chance. Yes.

—Raymond Carver, “Rain”

Non-dues revenue. Associations have a tough road ahead of them. Glass half full: you’ll need a lot more money to invest in new programs and services, hire more staff, and better fulfill your mission. This challenge occupies my mind. I want to share better advice and ideas in the blog posts I write on behalf of clients. That’s one of the many reasons I’m looking forward to attending Non Due$-a-Palooza in early September. Check it out.

Adult learners. This week, WBT Systems focuses on seven practices that can help associations create a learning environment in which adult learners can flourish. They pulled these recommendations from a report by the Council for Adult and Experiential Learning.

Audience personas. Mercury Creative Group explains why you should have an ideal buyer in mind when crafting marketing content. Actually, this is a good idea when writing any content. They guide you through the steps for creating a persona or avatar who represents a segment of your ideal audience.

Change management. Gartner research says we’re much more resistant to change than we were before the pandemic. MemberSuite explores the reasons behind this resistance. They also share change management strategies for change-fatigued association professionals. Some of these strategies are new to me but look very promising.

Event marketing. This PCMA Convene article by Vanessa Page of mdg is essential and fascinating reading. She says it’s time to retire outdated and insider event marketing jargon. Associations need to speak the same language as their target audiences. We all know that and think we do it, but her examples show us how often we don’t.

Membership engagement. Your AMS should be a utility player on your membership team. Nimble AMS explains how an AMS can help your association recruit, engage and retain members by helping you better understand members, anticipate their needs and deliver personalized emails and content.

Creativity. Never underestimate your power to be creative, intentionally or unintentionally. Every smart person is creative. And since only smart people read this blog, yes, you’re creative. Own it! Dean West at Association Laboratory describes the many paths to creativity you walk every day—paths grounded in competency, experience, competition and dumb luck.

Good listens

On episode 27 of Associations Thrive podcast, Joanna Pineda of Matrix Group spoke with Sharon Kneebone, IOM, FASAE, CAE, a self-described governance geek. They talk about the American Academy of Pain Medicine’s focus on the human aspects of governance, membership model changes to reflect the multi-disciplinary nature of pain medicine, and a cool new program they’re doing in partnership with MIT’s Hacking Medicine.

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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.

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Fri 6/9 at 10 a.m.* – Volunteer Engagement Best Practices for Chapter-Based Organizations | Coffee with Innovators: Association Design Circle

You will be interested in this topic if you engage with volunteers in any way. Mike has a unique perspective as an attorney, a certified scrum product owner, and Manager of Community Platforms for the Project Management Institute, the world’s leading project management organization with over 500,000 global members and over 300 local chapters internationally. More info/register.

Host: Product Design Community

Facilitator: Mike Liddy, Global Chapter Platform Lead for the Project Management Institute

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

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Fri 6/9 at 12:30 p.m. – Conversations with Champions

Each conversation features an AWTC leader or AWTC Award winner, followed by breakout rooms with changing topics (selected by our featured guest). 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: Nicole Araujo, CAE, Client Engagement Director, Mighty Citizen

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Fri 6/9 at 4 p.m. – Career Coach Series: Shifting Leadership Style

There’s not one leadership style that works for all contexts. Adjusting your style based on the people you’re managing, the context in which you’re leading, and the outside pressures you’re under requires a good deal of self-awareness. Learn about the business case for leadership style flexibility, whether you tend to be more of a traditional leader or have a more adaptive fluid style, and micro-behaviors you can employ when situations demand you use a different style. More info/register.

Host: Fridays@4

Speaker: Dr. Nicole A. Bryan, certified leadership career strategist, executive coach, organizational consultant and psychotherapist

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Mon 6/12 at 8 a.m. – Sustainability  (Radio Free 501c)

Radio Free 501c, the podcast of Rogue Tulips Consulting (formerly Nonprofit Conversations) features guests from across the nonprofit community and the business world to share expertise on a variety of topics related to the practice of nonprofit management. Episodes are published Monday mornings in both audio and video format on most podcast services.

Guest: Joost Hasperhoven

Host: Cecilia Sepp, CAE, CNAP, principal and founder, Rogue Tulips LLC

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Mon 6/12 at 12 p.m. – Membership Mondays

This month’s discussion will be focused on driving engagement for associations with limited budgets and resources, a problem that plagues us all regardless of staff size. More info/register.

Host: ASAE

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Tue 6/13 at 11 a.m. – Reaching “Best in World” Status for the Content You Need to Attract and Retain Members

Learn how to shift from an article-first to a multimedia publishing organization. Hear about tools to make multimedia publishing possible and affordable, how to determine what mediums to publish your content, and when to use all mediums. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.

Host: UST Education

Speakers: Jeff Baker, Association Solutions, and Dan Stevens, President, WorkerBee.TV

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Tue 6/13 at 12 p.m. – Introduction to Wellbeing in the Workplace

How are you focusing on your own wellbeing? How do you create a culture of wellbeing for yourself and your team in the workplace? Hear about wellbeing concepts and take part in a discussion around wellbeing in the workplace. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.

Host: Association Women Technology Champions

Speaker: Ruth Berkowitz MA, Well-being Coach, Meditation Teacher, and Group Facilitator

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Tue 6/13 at 12 p.m. – AI and Tech Strategy. What is IT’s Role and Responsibility? (ASAE Tech Tuesdays)

Come join your colleagues to discuss: What are people experimenting with? What is/should be IT’s role and/or responsibility in their organization’s AI strategy? More info/register.

Host: ASAE

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Tue 6/13 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

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Tue 6/13 at 1 p.m. – Engagement Revolution Panel: Transforming Your Association’s Approach to Outshine the Competition

Associations have fierce competition when gaining the attention of members and potential members, like nimble AI and for-profit membership models. Your association must stay digitally savvy to the latest tech and trends and be able to quickly adapt to meet members where they are. Learn about new ways to define and measure engagement in today’s fast-paced digital landscape, untapped opportunities most associations miss when it comes to engaging their audiences, and five things your association should be doing to boost engagement right now. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.

Host: Association Analytics

Speakers:

• Aidan Augustin, CRO & President, Feathr
• Alexa Kade, Chief Executive Officer, Clowder
• Dan Stevens, President, Workerbee.TV
• Brianne Wheeler, Director of Marketing, Propfuel
• Bill Conforti, SVP of Strategy & Solutions, Association Analytics

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Tue 6/13 at 1 p.m. – No Soliciting! But We Want Your Sponsorship

How can an association build non-dues revenue and member engagement all at once? Hhear how an online marketplace can help you build non-dues revenue and member value through year-round relationships with your industry partners without adding so much as a chick pea to your already full plate. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.

Host: UST Education

Speakers:

• Barbara J. Armentrout, CAE, Managing Partner, Mesa Group
• Lucas Cioffi, CTO and Co-Founder, QiqoChat
• Sandra Nam, CEO and Co-Founder, QiqoChat

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Tue 6/13 at 4:30 p.m. – AWTC Happy Hour at AMS Fest (Chicago IL)

Join AWTC for happy hour at AMS Fest. Come network with the AWTC community of women and allies. You don’t have to be registered for AMS Fest to attend. All are welcome! Location: Chicago IL. More info/register.

Host: Association Women Technology Champions

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Tue 6/13 at 5 p.m. – Summer Social

Get ready to mix and mingle with fellow nonprofit and association professionals at a complimentary networking happy hour co-hosted by the ASAE FBO Council and FAR. More info/register.

Host: ASAE FBO Council & FAR

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Wed 6/14 at 11 a.m. – Sales Enablement for Associations

Legacy strategies and mindsets have aligned association sales teams with traditional sponsorship and advertising goals, leaving membership acquisition and other programs out of the sales function altogether. It’s time to dispel the common myths about sales in associations and learn how to use the right marketing technology to collect insights and develop strategies to power up your sales capabilities, all while aligning your membership, marketing and sales to work in concert, together. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.

Host: UST Education

Speaker: Maneesha Manges, Director of Services, HighRoad Solutions

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Wed 6/14 at 11:30 a.m. – Innovating for Impact: The Power of OKRs in Non-Profit Organizations (OKR Champions Roundtable #25)

Learn why defining ‘second-order OKRs’ that speak to the impact of your mission is critical, how to disrupt legacy processes and foster a culture of innovation in long-standing organizations, and why defining big picture themes before OKRs helps create greater executive alignment. More info/register.

Host: Dreams with Deadlines / Quantive

Speakers:

• Juan Sanchez, Chief Information Officer, Inteleos
• Jenny Herald, VP of Product Evangelism, Quantive

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Wed 6/14 at 1 p.m. – Credentialing: Virtual Coffee/Lunch

An opportunity to connect over coffee/lunch. More info/register.

Host: ASAE Credentialing community

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Wed 6/14 at 1 p.m. – Leadership Lessons from Martial Arts

Hear five leadership lessons learned from studying two martial arts (TaeKwonDo and HapKiDo): When it’s important to trade your black belt for a white belt. How to take a punch. How to lead and how to follow. Always define the next level of achievement (the next belt). Sometimes, you just have to “do something.” 1 CAE credit. More info/register.

Host: UST Education

Speaker: Joanna M. Pineda, CEO & Chief Troublemaker, Matrix Group International, Inc.

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Wed 6/14 at 1 p.m. – Finance & Business Operations Workshop: Finance/HR

Join a conversation about steps association executives are taking to address issues related to the debt ceiling, banking crisis, looming recession concerns, and any other finance topics of interest that may be on the top of your mind in the current environment. More info/register.

Host: ASAE Finance & Business Operations Section Council

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Wed 6/14 at 2 p.m. – How To Make Social Advertising Work For Your Nonprofit

Learn how to maximize results on your social advertising campaigns, raise awareness, inspire action, and cultivate real connections. More info/register.

Host: Feathr

Speakers:

• Anne Hamming, Executive Director at Crossroads
• Chloe O’Rourke, Meta Senior Digital Specialist at Community Boost

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Wed 6/14 at 2 p.m. – Accessibility and Event Technology: A Beginner’s Guide Webinar

As an event organizer, you can expand your attendee base, create richer customer connections, and drive your business goals further by creating an accessibility friendly experience for your events. Gain a deeper understanding of accessibility with facts, figures and definitions; develop an increased awareness of specific types of disabilities and how these can influence your event planning; and learn the surprising consequences of not incorporating accessibility concepts for your attendees. 1 CMP credit. More info/register.

Host: MeetingsNet

Speaker: Stephen Cutchins, Senior Product Manager – Accessibility, Cvent

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Wed 6/14 at 2 p.m. – Selecting the Right Convention City Based on Costs, Safety and More

Get an exclusive, behind-the-scenes look at the data for the 2023 Convention Cities Index, the all-in-one resource to help planners of large events evaluate top cities that are ideally suited to hosting large conventions. Find out which 25 U.S. cities and 25 global cities scored the highest on this year’s list and how key factors like hotel costs and airlift are changing. 1 CMP credit. More info/register.

Host: Northstar Meetings Group

Speaker: Elise Schoening, Senior Editor, Northstar Meetings Group

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Wed 6/14 at 5:30 p.m. – Black Association Executives Meet & Greet

If you’re in town for the Conscious Inclusion Summit, come and join us for a bite to eat. More info/register.

Host: ASAE Black Association Executives

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Thu 6/15 at 11 a.m. – Culture Change Made Easy: Part 2, Lagging Transparency

Learn about transparency, something most cultures embrace, yet fail to implement with enough speed. Explore concrete actions you can take that will speed up your information flow both vertically and horizontally and improve decision-making organization wide. Get details from a case study organization that has turned this pattern around. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.

Host: UST Education

Speakers: Maddie Grant, CAE, Culture Designer and Digital Strategist, and Jamie Notter, Co-Founder and Culture Strategist, PROPEL

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Thu 6/15 at 11:30 a.m. – Tapas Talks for Small Staff Association Executives

Associations often need specialists for essential functions, but the ongoing dedicated time required does not defend the hiring of an FTE. Visit with fractional service specialists in conversational, informative sessions, not a pitch party: “Secret Sauce to Spice Up Non Dues Revenue” with Barbara Armentrout (Mesa Group), “Talent with a Twist” with Jaime Hirschfeld (FlexProfessionals), and “Small, Nimble & Effective: How Smart Nonprofits Outperform the Big Guys” with Misha Getter (501evolved). Then in the Association Marketplace, digital marketing and technical experts, including Allegra Tasaki (National Association of Bond Lawyers), explain how to lead with effective content marketing. 0.5 CAE credit. More info/register.

Hosts: Sandra Nam and Lucas Cioffi, QiqoChat

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Thu 6/15 at 12 p.m. – The Power of Personalization: Tips and Tricks for Driving Member Participation and Retention

Learn about the importance of personalization, especially as it relates to member engagement and building meaningful relationships with members; how to face challenges like limited member engagement, changing member needs, lack of personalization, and competition for attention; and best practices and practical tips for personalizing the member experience, such as segmenting member data and targeting messaging with personalization tokens and smart content. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.

Host: Sidecar

Speakers:

• Allison Kral, Senior Consultant, Ready North
• Tony Paille, Former Chief Marketing Officer, AIIM

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Thu 6/15 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

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Thu 6/15 at 1 p.m. – Reboot Your In-Person Events

Learn how attendee expectations have changed—and ideas you can use to wow attendees; the five pillars of effective, measurable engagement; and ways event tech can support you in navigating social pressures on your events (sustainability, DEI, accessibility). More info/register.

Host: Meetings Today

Speaker: Angel Santiago, Director of Sales, Cvent

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Thu 6/15 at 2 p.m. – Blockbuster on an Indie Budget: How the Film Festival Alliance Uses Their Tech Stack to Maximize Small Staff Efficiency

Hear how this association maximizes efficiency and achieves blockbuster results, all while operating on a limited staff (and budget). More info/register.

Host: Higher Logic

Speakers:

• Gray Rodriguez, Director of Communications at Film Festival Alliance
• David Jovel, Director of Sales at Higher Logic

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Thu 6/15 at 2 p.m. – Association Investments: What’s the Secret Sauce?

No investor is happy with their returns for 2022 and now we have regional banks failing. Is there any place to put your association’s (or personal investments, for that matter) that is safe from the possible recession ahead? Tune in to hear from advisers who know our industry well talk about where to invest to take advantage of where the market is today. More info/register.

Host: ASAE

Speakers:

• Ahmed Farruk, CIMA, Principal, Regional Director and Senior Consultant, Fiducient Advisors
• Dennis Gogarty, CFP, AIF, President, Raffa Investment Advisers
• Dirk Hofschire Senior Vice President, Asset Allocation Research
• Mark Murphy, CFA, Chief Investment Officer, Raffa Investment Adviser
• Betsy Piper/Bach, JD, CFP, CIMA, President, ASAE Investment Services

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Fri 6/16 at 4 p.m. – Smart Brevity in the Association World (Book Discussion)

The power of saying more with less. Is it a system, a process, a style, a tool, or software? In Smart Brevity: The Power of Saying More with Less, Axios co-founders Jim VandeHei, Mike Allen, and Roy Schwartz teach readers how to say more with less in virtually any format. They also share communications lessons learned from their decades of experience in media, business and communications. More info/register.

Host: Fridays@4

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Tue 6/20 at 12 p.m. – CRVM June Crunch and Munch

Come prepared to engage, participate and listen as we discuss current topics. More info/register.

Host: ASAE Component Relations and Volunteer Management Council (CRVM)

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Tue 6/20 at 2 p.m. – Decoding Belonging: The Global Belonging Index Transforming Events (Association Chat)

If the value of belonging is so important to association members, why don’t we understand it better? The Belonging Index identifies what Belonging means to people based on 750,000+ surveys in 152 languages across 180 countries. For now, it is a tool to help planners around the world to make inclusive events that resonate deeply with participants. Learn more about the Belonging Index, what it means for associations, and why association executives should care about it. More info/register.

Host: KiKi L’Italien, senior consultant, Tecker International

Guests:

• Naomi Clare Crellin, Founder and CEO of Storycraft Lab
• Megan Henshall, Global Events Strategic Solutions Lead at Google

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Wed 6/21 from 9:30 to 11:45 a.m. – Generative AI (Silver Spring MD)

What is generative AI and how can it disrupt and transform credentialing and credentialing testing? What is the current state and the future outlook for content ownership and intellectual property for AI-generated content? What issues in psychometrics and measurement should we be exploring now with respect to generative AI in high stakes assessment? Hear how these new technologies might change our ways of working. Location: Silver Spring MD. More info/register.

Host: Certification Network Group

Speakers:

• Ken Alba, Director of Product, Trivie
• Kirk Becker, Senior Research Scientist, Pearson VUE
• Jennifer Semko, Chair of Washington DC Litigation and Government Enforcement Practice, Baker & McKenzie LLP
• Eric D’Astolfo (moderator), Vice President of Professional Business Development, Pearson VUE

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Wed 6/21 at 2 p.m. – How to Sell More by Saying Less With the ABT Agile Narrative Framework

Your association and its membership are the source of amazing stories for your content marketing. But storytelling is hard to get right. Learn the proven ABT (And, But, Therefore) agile narrative framework that makes storytelling easy. Hear how to hack through the noise and hook the hearts of your prospects, members, colleagues and the communities you serve using the “The DNA of story,” the ABT… three words that will rock your world. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.

Host: Professionals for Association Revenue

Speaker: Park Howell, founder, Business of Story

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Wed 6/21 at 2 p.m. – How to Protect Your Organization from Cyber Threats

Cyber attacks are becoming more sophisticated, frequent, and destructive than ever before. No organization, regardless of size or industry, is immune. Learn about the most popular cyber attacks and threats in today’s world, the areas that are most vulnerable to hacks and attacks, top 5 ways to keep your organization safe from cyber threats, top 5 things that you can do as an individual to keep you and your family cyber safe, and our favorite tools to help protect against hacks. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.

Host: Matrix Group

Speakers: Dave Hoernig, Director of Software Engineering; Jessica Parsley, Associate Director; and Joanna Pineda, CEO, Matrix Group

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Thu 6/22 at 2 p.m. – Why Member Benefits Matter as Much as Punctuation

When’s the last time you double-checked your member benefit programs and how they align with your membership and the non-dues revenue needs of your organization? In this Expert Series, we will discuss how to create the right mix of member benefit options that keep your members coming back, and which ones provide your organization substantial non-dues revenue year over year. More info/register.

Host: Teri Carden, founder, Non Dues-a-Palooza

Guest: Tim McNichols, executive director, Partnerships at LIG Solutions

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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, Twitter or LinkedIn by Wednesday afternoon the week before it’s scheduled.

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Creative Commons licensed photo by Les Argonautes via Unsplash

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

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

“Almost everything will work again if you unplug it for a few minutes, including you.” ―Anne Lamott

If I could teach one marketing lesson. Listen up, my sales and marketing friends. Someone who fills out a form to download content is NOT a lead. They’re interested in the content, that’s it. Don’t have a salesperson call them. Instead, nurture them with related content. That’s my PSA and here’s Erika Heald’s poll and post on the topic.

Analytics. WBT Systems says learning analytics can answer all kinds of questions about your education programs, including their market performance, effectiveness, and value to learners and your association. You can also use this data to find gaps in your educational portfolio and improve member acquisition and retention.

Technology decisions. Achurch Consulting provides guidance for deciding when to add new technology to your staff’s toolkit. They also suggest what to do when you discover staff using tools that have flown under IT’s radar.

Change readiness. Nine times out of ten, humans are to blame when technology doesn’t live up to expectations. Starkweather Association Services shares best practices for change readiness that will help you understand and minimize the complications people bring to technology or any other change project. I’m telling you, change management chops will make a tremendous difference for projects and your career.

AMS. When Impexium describes their latest post as the ultimate guide to association management software (AMS), they’re not kidding. If you plan to shop for a new AMS in the near future, make sure you check this out first.

Membership. Although Amanda Kaiser says this post is about how her book came to be, it’s really a valuable lesson about defining membership value and engagement.

Mentoring. The Art of Mentoring explains why you should consider a mentoring program for your members. They also provide a checklist for implementing or improving a mentoring program.

Good listens

On episode 11 of The Association Mashup, Maddie Grant (Propel) and Rick Bawcum (Cimatri) talk with Amith Nagarajan (Blue Cypress/Sidebar) about his new book, Ascend: Unlocking the Power of AI for Associations. Their conversation goes beyond ChatGPT as they discuss the themes in his book and the potential AI can unlock for associations. Amith encourages association professionals to use and discuss AI so your organization can understand and appreciate its impact. He shared the results of a poll: 40% of people use AI at work but 70% of them don’t admit it. Don’t ignore it. It’s here and it’s going to stay, so figure it out.

On the May 30 episode of Reboot IT, DelCor’s Dave Coriale discusses AMS Fest and AMS selection with his colleagues Norma Castrejon and Gretchen Steenstra. If you plan to select a new AMS in the next year, make plans to attend AMS Fest—it’s held twice a year, once in Chicago and once in the DC areas. You should also listen to these three DelCorians whenever and wherever you spot them talking about requirements and selection. Otherwise, your chance of choosing the wrong system goes way up.

Quick hits

Success is a lagging indicator. (Billy Oppenheimer)

There’s a surprising benefit of a daily nap that has nothing to do with your energy levels. Have I ever told you how much I love naps? (Lauren Geall, Stylist)

Good eats

Skip down to the list of free educational events if you prefer takeout.

If you like crab cakes, you’ll like (or maybe love, like me) Sam Sifton’s fish cakes. He’s the guy behind the New York Times recipe section, so you can consider him a reliable culinary source.

As a side, reward yourself with creamed greens with mushrooms and linguiça (or a sausage of your choice).

Emptying a couple of condiment jars, I sprinkled black drum fillets with cumin, ancho chile powder, smoked paprika and garlic powder, topped them with leftover salsa verde and put them in the oven to bake. Another night, I topped fillets of speckled sea trout with a mix of mild curry sauce/paste (sort of halfway between), heavy cream, Kashmiri coconut hot sauce and cilantro. Wow, I impressed myself.

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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.

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Fri 6/2 at 1 p.m.* – Dissecting the Chat GPT/Generative AI Disruption: Use Cases, Concerns, Threats & Opportunities for Event Profs

Hear about the top AI use cases for event profs; broader shifts and implications for our industry; 25 smart ways event profs can use ChatGPT & other Generative AI tools; challenges, concerns, and opportunities; and an overview of the top platforms. 1 CMP credit. More info/register.

Host: PCMA

Speakers:

• Nick Borelli, Marketing Director, Zenus
• Matthias Clock, Marketing Director, RX
• Anh Nguyen, Founder, Spark Event Management
• Jen Santos, Founder & CEO, Smart Event Academy
• Howard Givner (moderator), SVP Knowledge & Innovation, PCMA | Founder, Event Leadership Institute

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

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Fri 6/2 at 1 p.m. – Virtual Events 101 for Associations: A Guide to Choosing the Best Technology

Hear about the latest trends in virtual event technology, benefits and drawbacks of various platforms, how to choose the right tools to achieve your desired learning outcomes, how to navigate common challenges in virtual event planning, such as technical issues and learner engagement, and best practices for delivering memorable and engaging virtual experiences. 0.75 CAE credit. More info/register.

Host: Blue Sky eLearn

Speakers: Ronnie Dudek, Director of Streaming & Production Services; Jesse Pitzler, Senior Virtual Events Producer; and Robbie Shedd, Director of Live Events, Blue Sky eLearn

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Fri 6/2 at 4 p.m. – Diversity Discussion Series: Pride Panel

Join us as we celebrate Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer (LGBTQ) Pride Month with a moderated diversity panel discussion. More info/register.

Host: Fridays@4

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Mon 6/5 at 8 a.m. – Can DEI Save the World?  (Radio Free 501c)

Radio Free 501c, the podcast of Rogue Tulips Consulting (formerly Nonprofit Conversations) features guests from across the nonprofit community and the business world to share expertise on a variety of topics related to the practice of nonprofit management. Episodes are published Monday mornings in both audio and video format on most podcast services.

Guest: Francesco Leboffe

Host: Cecilia Sepp, CAE, CNAP, principal and founder, Rogue Tulips LLC

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Tue 6/6 from 10 a.m. to 2:15 p.m. – SURGE Ignite

The only virtual conference for fearless association pros, the goal of SURGE 2023 is to learn from the unfamiliar and go beyond the boundaries of what we think is possible. With lessons learned from two years of a pandemic, the Great Resignation and plenty of new technologies changing the way we work, you’ll be prepared for what comes next. Instead of listening to speakers for hours, you’ll be chatting with our keynotes in Q&As or networking with like-minded association pros—our live chat is known to be a hotbed for new ideas. 4 CAE credits. More info/register.

Host: Sidecar

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Tue 6/6 at 12 p.m. – DIY Engagement Modeling (Association Analytics Network)

Get a step-by-step walk-through of ASHA’s new engagement framework, including a deep dive into the intricacies of collecting business logic, aggregation models, and a wealth of hands-on tips on technical implementation and utilization. Hear their first-hand experiences, practical insights, and lessons learned. Take away the knowledge to apply this powerful engagement model within your own organization. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.

Host: Association Analytics

Speakers: Avneet Matta, Data Architect; Evan Reid, Director of Data Analytics; and Julia Reilly-Edwards, Data Scientist, ASHA

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Tue 6/6 at 12 p.m. – Cultivating AI: Sowing the Seeds for Thriving Events

Learn about the secrets of nurturing event success with artificial intelligence, innovative AI tools to enhance event organization and attendee engagement, potential pitfalls of AI and how to address them effectively, best practices for integrating AI into your event management strategy, data sharing, incomplete data, testing, bias, and the essential role of human supervision. More info/register.

Host: Grip

Speakers:

• Abi Cannons, Senior Product Marketing Manager, Grip
• Matt Coyne, Chief Content Creator, Waves Connects
• Panos Moutafis, CEO & Co-Founder, Zenus Inc.
• James Swingland, Lead Data Scientist, Grip

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Tue 6/6 at 2 p.m. – Addressing AI’s Future Role in the Boardroom

Learn about the potential for AI to fundamentally transform the role of board directors, executives, and professionals; how boards and directors can evaluate the risks and benefits of AI, including data and cybersecurity concerns; best practices for new technology adoption, including readiness, integration planning, training and adoption, and monitoring; and strategic use cases for AI in the boardroom and the organizations they serve, including time-saving automation, benefits of large language model (LLM) computing, and other novel use cases. More info/register.

Host: OnBoard

Speakers: OnBoard CEO Paroon Chadha and Chief Product Officer Martyn Chapman

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Tue 6/6 at 2 p.m. – Creating Diversity, Equity & Inclusion in Events: More than Words

Using the lens of DEI to color all event decisions will elevate attendee satisfaction, increase brand affinity, and improve your risk mitigation. Learn the real importance of adding diversity, equity, and inclusion considerations to your events and take home 30 DEI actionable items that you can do today in any event. 1 CMP credit. More info/register.

Host: MeetingsNet

Speaker: Angie Senter, Adjunct Faculty, Washington State University

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Wed 6/7 from 10 a.m. to 1:45 p.m. – SURGE Ignite

The only virtual conference for fearless association pros, the goal of SURGE 2023 is to learn from the unfamiliar and go beyond the boundaries of what we think is possible. With lessons learned from two years of a pandemic, the Great Resignation and plenty of new technologies changing the way we work, you’ll be prepared for what comes next. Instead of listening to speakers for hours, you’ll be chatting with our keynotes in Q&As or networking with like-minded association pros—our live chat is known to be a hotbed for new ideas. 3.5 CAE credits. More info/register.

Host: Sidecar

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Wed 6/7 at 11 a.m. – Fully Human Leadership with Propel

What are the hidden cultural patterns that are preventing your organization from evolving to meet a rapidly transforming world? Explore the dimensions and aspects of a healthy culture and why that matters. Learn how integrating culture, strategy, and execution can make things happen in associations that are, frankly, long overdue—like being wildly profitable, attracting the best talent in the world, and being nimble and agile. More info/register.

Host: Kent Frazier, Fully Human

Speakers: Maddie Grant and Jamie Notter, co-founders, Propel

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Wed 6/7 at 11 a.m. – The State of B2B Event Technology

Hear about the B2B event tech landscape, industry trends, and key considerations to future-proof your event tech stack. More info/register.

Host: Bizzabo

Speakers:

• Conrad Mills, Principal Analyst, Forrester Research and author of The Forrester Wave™: B2B Event Management Technology, Q1 2023 report
• Lauren McCullough, VP of Marketing, Bizzabo

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Wed 6/7 at 12 p.m. – AI in Action for Professional Development Products in Associations

Learn how your peers are harnessing the power of generative AI to transform their association learning products. See examples of how this technology is revolutionizing the creation and editing of audio, writing compelling marketing copy, transcribing and summarizing meetings, and providing AI-generated feedback to learners. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.

Host: ASAE Professional Development Advisory Council

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Wed 6/7 at 12 p.m. – The Chicken or the Egg? Which Is First: Technology or Content?

Which comes first—the chicken or egg is a metaphor for which comes first in associations–content or technology? In this session, a seasoned mar/comm pro and an IT expert debate how both components need to work together strategically to deliver the best communications to its target audiences. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.

Host: Association Insights in Old Town

Speakers:

• Adam Hostetter, CEO of FuseSearch
• Sheri Singer, president of Singer Communications

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Wed 6/7 at 12 p.m. – Fyre and Ice: A Candid Conversation with Billy McFarland

Hear about the strategies and missteps behind one of the most controversial events of the decade, the Fyre Festival. Billy explains the influencer campaign that lit the Fyre, the critical failures in execution, and the lessons he learned from the fallout. More info/register.

Host: Boldpush

Speakers:

• Billy McFarland, co-founder, Fyre
• Cindy Lo, CEO and Chief Event Strategist, Red Velvet
• Dave Stevens, Director of Field Marketing, data.world
• Keneisha Williams, founder, Black In Events
• Julius Solaris (moderator), founder, Boldpush

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Wed 6/7 at 1 p.m. – 7 Steps for Selecting a New Association Management System

Learn a time-proven process for helping you identify which association management system will serve you best. Determine what your organization needs, how to prioritize those needs, how to review the products available, and how to select the right system. Walk away with solutions to these issues and more faced by associations of all sizes. More info/register.

Host: Aplusify

Speakers:

• Wes Trochlil, President, Effective Database Management, LLC
• Paul Burke, Senior Account Executive, Aplusify

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Wed 6/7 at 1 p.m. – Events Reimagined: How Digital Transformation is Revolutionizing the Event Industry

Discover the latest trends in blending physical and digital experiences at events, including how people consume content and information. Digital marketing professionals can capitalize on this newly digitized channel to create personalized, engaging experiences that drive business growth. By leveraging the power of events, digital marketers can build personal connections with attendees that drive revenue and achieve digital transformation goals. More info/register.

Host: American Marketing Association

Speaker: Alyssa Peltier, Director, Cvent

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Wed 6/7 at 2 p.m. – Powerful Negotiating Techniques for Engaging Your Counterpart

Association professionals negotiate on a daily basis—externally with customers, internally with colleagues, in the room, on a call and over video. But when negotiating with counterparts in real life, how do you use your preparation to the best effect? Learn how to leverage authentic curiosity to create maximum value for you and your counterpart, know where to place focus in a negotiation, specific techniques for engaging more effectively with your counterpart, and how to develop a practice plan to transform concepts into habits. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.

Host: Professionals for Association Revenue

Speaker: Susan Borke, Principal, BorkeWorks

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Thu 6/8 at 9:30 a.m. – Small Staff Percolator

A new interactive online coffee break format 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

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Thu 6/8 from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. – Summer Symposium: Innovations | Insights | Trends (Washington DC)

Sessions include (see descriptions in online events below): The Future of Associations: 4 Ways to Adapt and Thrive; From Legacy to Modern: Updating Systems for New Technology and AI; The Ultimate Guide to Salesforce for Association Management: Implement, Enable and Engage; Yours, Mine and Ours: Exploring the Many Facets of Cybersecurity Awareness. Location: Washington DC. 4 CAE credits. More info/register. (I’m making an exception to list this $25 event because lunch and happy hour are included in the price.)

Host: UST Education

Speakers:

• Bill Sheehan, VP, Strategic Partnerships, Multiview
• Ali Niroo, Managing Partner, Bridgepointe Technologies and George Breeden, CAE, MBA, NREMT, CIO, Investment Company Institute
• Sarah Irwin, Solutions Director, Fionta
• Andrew Leggett, CEH, CSSA, CISSP, Director of Cybersecurity Operations, DelCor

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Thu 6/8 at 10 a.m. – The Future of Associations: 4 Ways to Adapt and Thrive

How do you grab the attention of your members in a world of decreasing attention span? Learn about the attention economy and how to benefit from integrated media plans; how media companies engage, and how it can benefit your association; and how to change your mindset to always think boldly and evolve with your industry, including members and vendors. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.

Host: UST Education

Speaker: Bill Sheehan, VP, Strategic Partnerships, Multiview

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Thu 6/8 at 11 a.m. – Developing International Markets: ASAE World Cafe Panel 1

While no association pursues international growth following the exact same pathway, there are some strategic and tactical considerations each one should consider. Members of the ASAE International Associations Advisory Council will share their experience and lessons learned in what worked and what didn’t when they developed international markets for their associations. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.

Host: ASAE International Associations Advisory Council

Speakers:

• Jakub Konysz (host), Global Navigators
• Kristin Hodgson (moderator), Project Management Institute
• Sylvia Gonner, CAE (moderator), CultureWiz
• Joanne H Joham, CMP, CMM, DES (moderator), J Joham Associates
• Pietro Macchiarella, Young Presidents’ Organization
• Jim Piechowski, HOCK International

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Thu 6/8 at 11 a.m. – Early Career Members: Recruitment, Retention and Engagement (Fireside Chat)

Hear about recruiting, retaining and engaging early career members, initiatives associations have either initiated or witnessed, the importance of getting it right for this particular group, and the challenges of doing so. More info/register.

Host: Society Street

Speakers:

• Josel Fritz, Senior Manager of Career Development and Services, American Society for Hematology
• Celena NuQuay, Vice President of Constituency Programs and Governance, American Gastroenterological Society
• Rodneikka Scott, Vice President of Member and Stakeholder Engagement, National Society of Professional Engineers
• Erin Landis (moderator), Managing Director, Origin Editorial

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Thu 6/8 at 11:15 a.m. – From Legacy to Modern: Updating Systems for New Technology and AI

By utilizing modern technology and AI, you can take your organization from Legacy to Modern with the results of cost savings, increased efficiency and enablement so that you have more time for tasks at hand. Learn how AI/Machine Learning can do more with less and help move your organization from Legacy to Modern, how to transition from legacy systems while remaining cost efficient and increasing productivity, and how to create efficiencies and demystify your options in modernizing legacy platforms. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.

Host: UST Education

Speakers:

• Ali Niroo, Managing Partner, Bridgepointe Technologies
• George Breeden, CAE, MBA, NREMT, CIO, Investment Company Institute

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Thu 6/8 at 12 p.m. – Tools to Improve Your Marketing Reach

Promoting your organization’s programs and events is time-consuming and expensive work. Whether you have a comprehensive team or are a department of one, it’s hard to get beyond your audience and reach new people. Learn how to identify great candidates for ambassadors to share your story, choose what types of tools to provide them, and decide what format to deliver your ambassador toolkit. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.

Host: GrowthZone

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

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Thu 6/8 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

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Thu 6/8 at 1 p.m. – Legal Aspects of Associations Working Internationally : ASAE World Cafe Panel 2

From intellectual property to taxation laws, associations working internationally can face much more complicated legal issues than in a purely domestic operation. Learn about strategic and tactical legal considerations associations working internationally should consider. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.

Host: ASAE International Associations Advisory Council

Speakers:

• Jakub Konysz (host), Global Navigators
• Matt Riley (moderator), ICS International Conference Services
• Sylvia Gonner, CAE (moderator), CultureWiz
• Joanne H Joham, CMP, CMM, DES (moderator), J Joham Associates
• Kerry Cosby, American Association for Clinical Chemistry
• Jefferson C. Glassie, FASAE, Partner, Whiteford Law

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Thu 6/8 at 1 p.m. – Become Future Ready (and How Your AMS Can Help)

Learn how to harness data to deliver exceptional value to your members, how your AMS can be a driving force for simplifying complex tasks and streamlining operations, how to unlock the power of a growth mindset, and how to prepare for what’s next—whatever that may be. More info/register.

Host: Impexium

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Thu 6/8 from 2 to 4 p.m. – Evolve 23

A space for B2B marketers to come together, prepare, and navigate this monumental shift and a new era with confidence. Industry titans like April Dunford, Rand Fishkin, and Melissa Rosenthal will share relevant insights and strategies on positioning, creative, and content, helping you transform your marketing approach and stay ahead of the curve. Connect with fellow marketers, exchange ideas, and learn how to embrace change and adapt to the evolving B2B landscape. More info/register.

Host: Welcome

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Thu 6/8 at 2:30 p.m. – Yours, Mine and Ours: Exploring the Many Facets of Cybersecurity Awareness

Are you feeling paralyzed by all of the cybersecurity buzz in the industry? Hear the nerd word demystified and practical strategies to mitigate, transfer or accept cybersecurity risks. Learn how to evaluate your current security architecture against industry standards, possible next steps in advancing your organization’s IT security, and “IT Tradeoffs” to reduce technical management in exchange for vendor management. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.

Host: UST Education

Speaker: Andrew Leggett, CEH, CSSA, CISSP, Director of Cybersecurity Operations, DelCor

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Thu 6/8 at 3 p.m. – Advancing DEI in Highly Intricate Nonprofit Associations: Impact Stories & Lessons Learned

Learn from association leaders who have successfully advanced their DEI strategies and goals, including their challenges and successes in navigating complex structures. Hear about best practices for developing and building inclusive cultures across the organization, ensuring equitable representation of all stakeholder communities throughout the journey. Explore different approaches and tools associations use to assess their DEI progress and track their impact over time. More info/register.

Host: Nonprofit HR

Speakers:

• Pro Brewer, Sr. Manager, DEI Leadership and Development, Office of Equity and Inclusion, BECU
• Antonio Cortes, PhD (moderator) Managing Director, EDIJ
• Steven Krzanowski, MA, Senior Consultant, EDIJ
• Sonya G. Smith, Ed.D, J.D., M.Ed., M.A, Chief Diversity Officer, American Dental Education Association
• Bert Ruiz, MS, Managing Director, Impact Search Advisors by Nonprofit HR

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Fri 6/9 at 10 a.m. – Volunteer Engagement Best Practices for Chapter-Based Organizations | Coffee with Innovators: Association Design Circle

Every month, an association leader leads a conversation on an association innovation topic. Our topic this month is association chapters. More info/register.

Host: Product Design Community

Facilitator: Mike Liddy, Global Chapter Platform Lead for the Project Management Institute, with over 300 local chapters internationally

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Fri 6/9 at 12:30 p.m. – Conversations with Champions

Each conversation features an AWTC leader or AWTC Award winner, followed by breakout rooms with changing topics (selected by our featured guest). 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: Nicole Araujo, CAE, Client Engagement Director, Mighty Citizen

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Mon 6/12 at 12 p.m. – Membership Mondays

Welcome to the second year of Membership Monday. A poll will be sent to determine this month’s topic. More info/register.

Host: ASAE

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Tue 6/13 at 11 a.m. – Reaching “Best in World” Status for the Content You Need to Attract and Retain Members

Learn how to shift from an article-first to a multimedia publishing organization. Hear about tools to make multimedia publishing possible and affordable, how to determine what mediums to publish your content, and when to use all mediums. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.

Host: UST Education

Speakers: Jeff Baker, Association Solutions, and Dan Stevens, President, WorkerBee.TV

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Tue 6/13 at 12 p.m. – Introduction to Wellbeing in the Workplace

How are you focusing on your own wellbeing? How do you create a culture of wellbeing for yourself and your team in the workplace? Hear about wellbeing concepts and take part in a discussion around wellbeing in the workplace. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.

Host: Association Women Technology Champions

Speaker: Ruth Berkowitz MA, Well-being Coach, Meditation Teacher, and Group Facilitator

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Tue 6/13 at 12 p.m. – Tech Tuesdays

Keep an eye out for more information. I thought it was going to be the second Tuesday of each month, but nothing is posted yet.

Host: ASAE

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Tue 6/13 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

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Tue 6/13 at 1 p.m. – Engagement Revolution Panel: Transforming Your Association’s Approach to Outshine the Competition

Associations have fierce competition when gaining the attention of members and potential members, like nimble AI and for-profit membership models. Your association must stay digitally savvy to the latest tech and trends and be able to quickly adapt to meet members where they are. Learn about new ways to define and measure engagement in today’s fast-paced digital landscape, untapped opportunities most associations miss when it comes to engaging their audiences, and five things your association should be doing to boost engagement right now. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.

Host: Association Analytics

Speakers:

• Aidan Augustin, CRO & President, Feathr
• Alexa Kade, Chief Executive Officer, Clowder
• Dan Stevens, President, Workerbee.TV
• Brianne Wheeler, Director of Marketing, Propfuel
• Bill Conforti, SVP of Strategy & Solutions, Association Analytics

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Tue 6/13 at 1 p.m. – No Soliciting! But We Want Your Sponsorship

How can an association build non-dues revenue and member engagement all at once? Hear how an online marketplace can help you build non-dues revenue and member value through year-round relationships with your industry partners without adding so much as a chick pea to your already full plate. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.

Host: UST Education

Speakers:

• Barbara J. Armentrout, CAE, Managing Partner, Mesa Group
• Lucas Cioffi, CTO and Co-Founder, QiqoChat
• Sandra Nam, CEO and Co-Founder, QiqoChat

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Tue 6/13 at 4:30 p.m. – AWTC Happy Hour at AMS Fest (Chicago IL)

Join AWTC for happy hour at AMS Fest. Come network with the AWTC community of women and allies. You don’t have to be registered for AMS Fest to attend. All are welcome! Location: Chicago IL. More info/register.

Host: Association Women Technology Champions

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Wed 6/14 at 11 a.m. – Sales Enablement for Associations

Legacy strategies and mindsets have aligned association sales teams with traditional sponsorship and advertising goals, leaving membership acquisition and other programs out of the sales function altogether. It’s time to dispel the common myths about sales in associations and learn how to use the right marketing technology to collect insights and develop strategies to power up your sales capabilities, all while aligning your membership, marketing and sales to work in concert, together. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.

Host: UST Education

Speaker: Maneesha Manges, Director of Services, HighRoad Solutions

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Wed 6/14 at 1 p.m. – Credentialing: Virtual Coffee/Lunch

Just an opportunity to connect over lunch coffee/lunch. More info/register.

Host: ASAE Credentialing community

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Wed 6/14 at 1 p.m. – Leadership Lessons from Martial Arts

Hear five leadership lessons learned from studying two martial arts (TaeKwonDo and HapKiDo): When it’s important to trade your black belt for a white belt. How to take a punch. How to lead and how to follow. Always define the next level of achievement (the next belt). Sometimes, you just have to “do something.” 1 CAE credit. More info/register.

Host: UST Education

Speaker: Joanna M. Pineda, CEO & Chief Troublemaker, Matrix Group International, Inc.

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Wed 6/14 at 5:30 p.m. – Black Association Executives Meet & Greet

If you’re in town for the Conscious Inclusion Summit, come and join us for a bite to eat. More info/register.

Host: ASAE Black Association Executives

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Thu 6/15 at 11 a.m. – Culture Change Made Easy: Part 2, Lagging Transparency

Learn about transparency, something most cultures embrace, yet fail to implement with enough speed. Explore concrete actions you can take that will speed up your information flow both vertically and horizontally and improve decision-making organization wide. Get details from a case study organization that has turned this pattern around. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.

Host: UST Education

Speakers: Maddie Grant, CAE, Culture Designer and Digital Strategist, and Jamie Notter, Co-Founder and Culture Strategist, PROPEL

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Thu 6/15 at 11:30 a.m. – Tapas Talks for Small Staff Association Executives

The first half-hour is about fractional services. Associations often need specialists for essential functions, but the ongoing dedicated time required does not defend the hiring of an FTE.  You can visit with several fractional service specialists and pick the topics that interest you. Each session will be conversational and informative, not a pitch party. Then, get set up in The Association Marketplace with a team of digital marketing and technical experts. More info/register.

Host: Qiqo

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Thu 6/15 at 12 p.m. – The Power of Personalization: Tips and Tricks for Driving Member Participation and Retention

Learn about the importance of personalization, especially as it relates to member engagement and building meaningful relationships with members; how to face challenges like limited member engagement, changing member needs, lack of personalization, and competition for attention; and best practices and practical tips for personalizing the member experience, such as segmenting member data and targeting messaging with personalization tokens and smart content. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.

Host: Sidecar

Speakers:

• Allison Kral, Senior Consultant, Ready North
• Tony Paille, Former Chief Marketing Officer, AIIM

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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, Twitter or LinkedIn by Wednesday afternoon the week before it’s scheduled.

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Creative Commons licensed photo by Ramsha Asad via Unsplash

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

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

Reflection. “To navigate change, companies need fear-free cultures of diverse people and mindsets led by leaders who continuously learn, incentivize and train for change and worship no sacred cows.” ―Rishad Tobaccowala

Competing for members’ time. Good intentions are nice, but they mean nothing if they don’t turn into action. WBT Systems shares strategies for convincing people to commit time to their own professional development.

501Works acquires ReviewMyAMS. Big news! Teri Carden, founder of Non-Dues-A-Palooza, sold the AMS review site ReviewMyAMS to 501Works. “Through this acquisition, 501Works will leverage and re-energize the ReviewMyAMS experience and extend the existing platform with new tools and resources that will help associations through the challenging task of selecting, implementing, and adopting AMS solutions.”

In other news, Forj acquired community platform Mobilize after gobbling up LMS platform Web Courseworks earlier in the year.

Websites. Brightfind’s guide to association websites is loaded like a baked potato with advice on essential web elements for acquiring, engaging, retaining and converting users into loyal website visitors and members.

Education. Rex Woodbury looks at the shortcomings of the U.S. educational system—”still designed for an Industrial Revolution-era world,” not an AI-empowered one. He sees potential in educational trends such as edutainment, reskilling and upskilling; skill-based learning outside of the university system—hello, associations; and personalized learning.

ChatGPT. Jose Triana at Sidecar describes concerns with ChatGPT as well as ways associations can use this tool.

Conference/abstract management. Ex Ordo takes you through the steps of implementing conference and abstract management software for medical, technical, scientific, and academic events. They discuss configuring software for abstract submission and peer review, issuing the call for papers, designing the conference program and more.

Good listens

Sean Soth, chair of the Leadership Advisory Board for Professionals for Association Revenue (PAR), talks with Jeff Cobb, co-host of the Leading Learning podcast, about revenue issues, the need for a business development role in associations, and why people join PAR.

Dave Coriale, president of DelCor and host of the Reboot IT podcast, says a fired-up Jeff De Cagna is his favorite Jeff De Cagna. That’s what we get in Revisiting AI parts 1 and 2 (March 16 and April 4) as Jeff, executive advisor of Foresight First, talked about the very real limitations of and big picture concerns about ChatGPT.

I agree with Jeff that we’re at a crucial moment here. As representatives for the industries and professions they represent, associations (volunteer leaders, members and staff) should put the Power of A to work. Find mutual places of agreement and concern—and put a deadline on that. I can already imagine the jokes about slow deliberation. Then, be a collective voice for their millions of human employees and stakeholders.

If you’re a ChatGPT enthusiast, I get it. I’ve heard and read many stories about how it helps jumpstart tasks and comes up with creative feedback. But understand its limitations. For example, it lies (“hallucinates”). ChatGPT doesn’t “know” things, it just links likely word sequences together. Understand what you’re playing with and always provide the final human touch. Don’t let your intellectual muscles atrophy.

Quick hits on time wasters

Office brainstorms are a waste of time. Research says alone time could yield more innovation. (Callum Borchers, Wall Street Journal)

Meet context switching, the number one productivity killer in the workplace, and find out how to overcome it (Danielle Ezell, TechSmith)

Good eats

Skip down to the list of free educational events if you prefer takeout.

A simple fish recipe, like garlic parmesan crusted sheepshead, never disappoints as long as your fish is fresh. Garlic powder works just fine.

We enjoy Taco Fridays on occasion in this house—not Tuesdays so no trademark concerns there. I dredge chunks of monkfish in a mix of spices: ground ancho chile pepper, cumin, paprika, oregano, garlic powder and onion powder. Top each taco with coleslaw (made with slaw mix, sweet onion, jalapeno, cilantro, lime juice, rice wine vinegar and grapeseed oil), salsa verde and avocado. So good.

For a Sunday potluck dinner, I brought over a veggie and pearl couscous pesto dish. Make it with sautéed zucchini, broccoli stems and florets, carrot, onion, and red bell pepper tossed with pearl couscous, homemade basil pesto and extra parmesan cheese.

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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.

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Fri 5/26 at 12:00 p.m.* – Exam Development Session-II

Learn how to design and administer exams that are valid and reliable, while incorporating best practices in assessment design. Hear about good test construction, types of exams, item analysis, the role of feedback in exam development, and test security. Get hands-on experience in constructing exams. More info/register.

Host: Leverage Assessments, Inc.

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

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Tue 5/30 at 12 p.m. – How to Contract with and Manage State Lobbyists

Does your organization have a strong grassroots presence or is your board a team of grasstops influencers? Do you work in a state, a region or across the country? Learn the right questions to ask and the best practices to put in place to set your association up for success. Hear the most common pitfalls and how to avoid them. Find out how to identify, hire and manage the professional lobbying presence that works best for your association. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.

Host: ASAE Government Relations and Advocacy Professionals Community

Speakers:

• Jim Leahy, CAE, Managing Director, Regional & Federal Programs for Liberty Square Group
• Lorrie Trogden, CAE, President/CEO of the Arkansas Bankers Association
• David Lusk (moderator), Founder of Key Advocacy

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Thu 6/1 at 7:30 a.m. – Leading with Inclusion: How to Build Impactful & Resilient Associations | Global Virtual CollabSphere

Hear the insights of leaders, trailblazers, and change-makers who champion diversity, equity, and inclusion through their daily work. Start building on our shared know-how in one of four break-out sessions focusing on: inclusive secretariats, inclusive member engagement, inclusive governance, or inclusive advocacy and outreach. More info/register.

Host: DGA Association Labs

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Thu 6/1 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

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Thu 6/1 at 1 p.m. – Leadership & Learning: Leadership Development at the Executive Level

While many organizations have leadership development programs for their staff or partners, few have dared to venture into the world of executive-level leadership. And even fewer have succeeded in a program that enlightens and empowers executive-level leaders. Drawing from our experience developing and implementing our new Executive Leaders Academy, we will share the lessons we’ve uncovered, insights and practical strategies for connecting with these leaders exactly where they are and uncover what to look for when creating or participating in high-level leadership. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.

Host: UST Education

Speakers: Ryan MacTaggart, PhD, Associate Director, Professional Learning, and Sarah Brinker-Good, Manager, Professional Learning, EDUCAUSE

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Thu 6/1 at 2 p.m. – AMS or CRM: A Candid Conversation

Hear about the different approaches between platforms, key features that all associations need in their AMS/CRM and tips for a successful selection regardless of the platform you choose. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.

Host: 501Works, LLC

Speakers:

• Moira Edwards, President, Ellipsis Partners
• Jennie Koss, Senior Consultant, Cooper Consulting
• Wes Trochlil, Founder, EDM – Effective Database Management

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Fri 6/2 at 10 a.m. – Association Chapters | Coffee with Innovators: Association Design Circle

Every month, an association leader leads a conversation on an association innovation topic. Our topic this month is association chapters. More info/register.

Host: Product Design Community

Facilitator: Mike Liddy, Global Chapter Platform Lead for the Project Management Institute, with over 300 local chapters internationally

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Fri 6/2 at 1 p.m. – Dissecting the Chat GPT/Generative AI Disruption: Use Cases, Concerns, Threats & Opportunities for Event Profs

Hear about the top AI use cases for event profs; broader shifts and implications for our industry; 25 smart ways event profs can use ChatGPT & other Generative AI tools; challenges, concerns, and opportunities; and an overview of the top platforms. 1 CMP credit. More info/register.

Host: PCMA

Speakers:

• Nick Borelli, Marketing Director, Zenus
• Matthias Clock, Marketing Director, RX
• Anh Nguyen, Founder, Spark Event Management
• Jen Santos, Founder & CEO, Smart Event Academy
• Howard Givner (moderator), SVP Knowledge & Innovation, PCMA | Founder, Event Leadership Institute

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Fri 6/2 at 1 p.m. – Virtual Events 101 for Associations: A Guide to Choosing the Best Technology

Hear about the latest trends in virtual event technology, benefits and drawbacks of various platforms, how to choose the right tools to achieve your desired learning outcomes, how to navigate common challenges in virtual event planning, such as technical issues and learner engagement, and best practices for delivering memorable and engaging virtual experiences. 0.75 CAE credit. More info/register.

Host: Blue Sky eLearn

Speakers: Ronnie Dudek, Director of Streaming & Production Services; Jesse Pitzler, Senior Virtual Events Producer; and Robbie Shedd, Director of Live Events, Blue Sky eLearn

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Fri 6/2 at 4 p.m. – Diversity Discussion Series: Pride Panel

Join us as we celebrate Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer (LGBTQ) Pride Month with a moderated diversity panel discussion. More info/register.

Host: Fridays@4

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Tue 6/6 from 10 a.m. to 2:15 p.m. – SURGE Ignite

The only virtual conference for fearless association pros, the goal of SURGE 2023 is to learn from the unfamiliar and go beyond the boundaries of what we think is possible. With lessons learned from two years of a pandemic, the Great Resignation and plenty of new technologies changing the way we work, you’ll be prepared for what comes next. Instead of listening to speakers for hours, you’ll be chatting with our keynotes in Q&As or networking with like-minded association pros—our live chat is known to be a hotbed for new ideas. 4 CAE credits. More info/register.

Host: Sidecar

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Tue 6/6 at 12 p.m. – DIY Engagement Modeling (Association Analytics Network)

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

Host: Association Analytics

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Wed 6/7 from 10 a.m. to 1:45 p.m. – SURGE Ignite

The only virtual conference for fearless association pros, the goal of SURGE 2023 is to learn from the unfamiliar and go beyond the boundaries of what we think is possible. With lessons learned from two years of a pandemic, the Great Resignation and plenty of new technologies changing the way we work, you’ll be prepared for what comes next. Instead of listening to speakers for hours, you’ll be chatting with our keynotes in Q&As or networking with like-minded association pros—our live chat is known to be a hotbed for new ideas. 3.5 CAE credits. More info/register.

Host: Sidecar

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Wed 6/7 at 12 p.m. – AI in Action for Professional Development Products in Associations

Learn how your peers are harnessing the power of generative AI to transform their association learning products. See examples of how this technology is revolutionizing the creation and editing of audio, writing compelling marketing copy, transcribing and summarizing meetings, and providing AI-generated feedback to learners. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.

Host: ASAE Professional Development Advisory Council

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Wed 6/7 at 12 p.m. – The Chicken or the Egg? Which Is First: Technology or Content?

Which comes first—the chicken or egg is a metaphor for which comes first in associations–content or technology? In this session, a seasoned mar/comm pro and an IT expert debate how both components need to work together strategically to deliver the best communications to its target audiences. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.

Host: Association Insights in Old Town

Speakers:

• Adam Hostetter, CEO of FuseSearch
• Sheri Singer, president of Singer Communications

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Wed 6/7 at 2 p.m. – Powerful Negotiating Techniques for Engaging Your Counterpart

Association professionals negotiate on a daily basis—externally with customers, internally with colleagues, in the room, on a call and over video. But when negotiating with counterparts in real life, how do you use your preparation to the best effect? Learn how to leverage authentic curiosity to create maximum value for you and your counterpart, know where to place focus in a negotiation, specific techniques for engaging more effectively with your counterpart, and how to develop a practice plan to transform concepts into habits. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.

Host: Professionals for Association Revenue

Speaker: Susan Borke, Principal, BorkeWorks

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Thu 6/8 at 9:30 a.m. – Small Staff Percolator

A new interactive online coffee break format 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

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Thu 6/8 from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. – Summer Symposium: Innovations | Insights | Trends (Washington DC)

Sessions include (see descriptions in online events below): The Future of Associations: 4 Ways to Adapt and Thrive; From Legacy to Modern: Updating Systems for New Technology and AI; The Ultimate Guide to Salesforce for Association Management: Implement, Enable and Engage; Yours, Mine and Ours: Exploring the Many Facets of Cybersecurity Awareness. Location: Washington DC. 4 CAE credits. More info/register. (I’m making an exception to list this $25 event because lunch and happy hour are included in the price.)

Host: UST Education

Speakers:

• Bill Sheehan, VP, Strategic Partnerships, Multiview
• Ali Niroo, Managing Partner, Bridgepointe Technologies and George Breeden, CAE, MBA, NREMT, CIO, Investment Company Institute
• Sarah Irwin, Solutions Director, Fionta
• Andrew Leggett, CEH, CSSA, CISSP, Director of Cybersecurity Operations, DelCor

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Thu 6/8 at 10 a.m. – The Future of Associations: 4 Ways to Adapt and Thrive

How do you grab the attention of your members in a world of decreasing attention span? Learn about the attention economy and how to benefit from integrated media plans; how media companies engage, and how it can benefit your association; and how to change your mindset to always think boldly and evolve with your industry, including members and vendors. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.

Host: UST Education

Speaker: Bill Sheehan, VP, Strategic Partnerships, Multiview

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Thu 6/8 at 11 a.m. – Developing International Markets: ASAE World Cafe Panel 1

While no association pursues international growth following the exact same pathway, there are some strategic and tactical considerations each one should consider. Members of the ASAE International Associations Advisory Council will share their experience and lessons learned in what worked and what didn’t when they developed international markets for their associations. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.

Host: ASAE International Associations Advisory Council

Speakers:

• Jakub Konysz (host), Global Navigators
• Kristin Hodgson (moderator), Project Management Institute
• Sylvia Gonner, CAE (moderator), CultureWiz
• Joanne H Joham, CMP, CMM, DES (moderator), J Joham Associates
• Pietro Macchiarella, Young Presidents’ Organization
• Jim Piechowski, HOCK International

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Thu 6/8 at 11:15 a.m. – From Legacy to Modern: Updating Systems for New Technology and AI

By utilizing modern technology and AI, you can take your organization from Legacy to Modern with the results of cost savings, increased efficiency and enablement so that you have more time for tasks at hand. Learn how AI/Machine Learning can do more with less and help move your organization from Legacy to Modern, how to transition from legacy systems while remaining cost efficient and increasing productivity, and how to create efficiencies and demystify your options in modernizing legacy platforms. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.

Host: UST Education

Speakers:

• Ali Niroo, Managing Partner, Bridgepointe Technologies
• George Breeden, CAE, MBA, NREMT, CIO, Investment Company Institute

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Thu 6/8 at 1 p.m. – Legal Aspects of Associations Working Internationally : ASAE World Cafe Panel 2

From intellectual property to taxation laws, associations working internationally can face much more complicated legal issues than in a purely domestic operation. Learn about strategic and tactical legal considerations associations working internationally should consider. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.

Host: ASAE International Associations Advisory Council

Speakers:

• Jakub Konysz (host), Global Navigators
• Matt Riley (moderator), ICS International Conference Services
• Sylvia Gonner, CAE (moderator), CultureWiz
• Joanne H Joham, CMP, CMM, DES (moderator), J Joham Associates
• Kerry Cosby, American Association for Clinical Chemistry
• Jefferson C. Glassie, FASAE, Partner, Whiteford Law

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Thu 6/8 at 1 p.m. – Become Future Ready (and How Your AMS Can Help)

Learn how to harness data to deliver exceptional value to your members, how your AMS can be a driving force for simplifying complex tasks and streamlining operations, how to unlock the power of a growth mindset, and how to prepare for what’s next—whatever that may be. More info/register.

Host: Impexium

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Thu 6/8 from 2 to 4 p.m. – Evolve 23

A space for B2B marketers to come together, prepare, and navigate this monumental shift and a new era with confidence. Industry titans like April Dunford, Rand Fishkin, and Melissa Rosenthal will share relevant insights and strategies on positioning, creative, and content, helping you transform your marketing approach and stay ahead of the curve. Connect with fellow marketers, exchange ideas, and learn how to embrace change and adapt to the evolving B2B landscape. More info/register.

Host: Welcome

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Thu 6/8 at 2:30 p.m. – Yours, Mine and Ours: Exploring the Many Facets of Cybersecurity Awareness

Are you feeling paralyzed by all of the cybersecurity buzz in the industry? Hear the nerd word demystified and practical strategies to mitigate, transfer or accept cybersecurity risks. Learn how to evaluate your current security architecture against industry standards, possible next steps in advancing your organization’s IT security, and “IT Tradeoffs” to reduce technical management in exchange for vendor management. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.

Host: UST Education

Speaker: Andrew Leggett, CEH, CSSA, CISSP, Director of Cybersecurity Operations, DelCor

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Fri 6/9 at 12:30 p.m. – Conversations with Champions

Each conversation features an AWTC leader or AWTC Award winner, followed by breakout rooms with changing topics (selected by our featured guest). 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: Nicole Araujo, CAE, Client Engagement Director, Mighty Citizen

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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, Twitter or LinkedIn by Wednesday afternoon the week before it’s scheduled.

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

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

Reflection. “I expect to pass through life but once. If therefore, there be any kindness I can show, or any good thing I can do to any fellow being, let me do it now, and not defer or neglect it, as I shall not pass this way again.” ―William Penn

Chapter events. Here’s a conundrum: How can members ever feel like part of their chapter community if they don’t attend chapter events? Billhighway explains how to get reacquainted with post-pandemic chapter members and design a chapter event experience that’s worth their time.

Leadership training. Members aren’t willing to dedicate as many volunteer hours as they once did—that’s the word on the street. WBT Systems suggests offering something valuable in exchange for their time: free leadership training they can apply at work and at your association.

Event apps. You’d think every attendee would use your event app, but that’s not always the case. However, their event experience—and your sponsors’ satisfaction—would improve if they did. EventMobi explains how to increase event app usage, including a plan for roll-out, understanding attendee personas, value-focused messaging, and engagement. Good stuff.

Users group. Wes Trochlil of Effective Database Management points out the power of users groups—a must-read if you work regularly with an AMS. He compares them to associations: both are designed to “bring together like-minded people to address similar challenges.”

Chat GPT. Tiffany Moule at Higher Logic explains what associations should know about ChatGPT. She warns that “careful human oversight, editing, and institutional knowledge is still required,” but suggests how to use it for research and content creation.

Non-dues revenue partners. Navigate CES describes how to improve the customer journey for sponsors, exhibitors and advertisers. They share tactics for the six stages of that journey and for dealing with churn (boo!) and expansion (yay!).

Association growth mindset. Association executives want their organizations to evolve and take advantage of new opportunities, but something is holding them back. Amith Nagarajan at Sidecar makes the diagnosis: they need to build a growth mindset into their culture—and he explains how to do that.

Community censoring. Aaron Terr at Persuasion makes a free speech case for Section 230, which prevents owners of social media platforms and online communities from being sued for user-generated content. However, the SAFE TECH Act would eliminate this protection. Will this legislation have consequences for risk-averse associations and their communities? Politicians want to beat up on social media platforms because people are saps, but what are the downstream effects? And, yes, I wrote to ASAE about it last weekend, but haven’t heard back.

Good listens

Earlier this year, Amanda Kaiser was on the Radio Free 501c podcast hosted by Cecilia Sepp. She talked about elevating engagement, including what’s going on in members’ heads during the six stages of member engagement.

Quick hits

Improve responsiveness to your emails by implementing these four principles. (Gino Silva-Payne, Email Meter)

For goodness’ sakes, do not use your credit card with Venmo. (Saving Money with Andrew)

What a story. How Christopher Burney discovered mindfulness in a Nazi solitary confinement cell. (Ted Gioia)

Good eats

Skip down to the list of free educational events if you prefer takeout.

I’m cooking again! Here’s an easy one: pan-seared yellowfin tuna with avocado, soy, ginger and lime. Add a little sesame oil too.

On the side, sweet and spicy zucchini. Cross hatch squash halves, then brush them with a glaze of honey, rice vinegar, soy sauce and sambal oelek (hot chili paste). Bake until softened, brushing with glaze every now and then.

I adapted my Portuguese fish skillet recipe from UK and US recipes. I make mine with linguiça. This time, I used ribbonfish and sheepshead, a strange combo, I know, but they were in a bag together in the freezer.

On the side, sautéed Brussels sprouts greens—yes, you read that correctly. We had a sad sprout harvest because Jim thinks he planted them too close together, but we love the greens. They remind us of frost-kissed (sweeter) collards. I added red onion, red bell pepper, carrots, garlic, slivered dried figs and chicken broth to the greens.

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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.

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Fri 5/19 at 11 a.m.* – Do This, Not That! Q2 Email Marketing Tips

Hear insights from six of the industry’s leading email marketing experts. Discover the latest email tips, trends and tactics for both business and consumer markets that will take your campaigns to the next level. More info/register.

Host: GURU Events

Speakers:

• Chase Dimond – Top Ecommerce Email Marketer, EmailUp
• Nancy Harhut – Chief Creative Officer, HBT Marketing
• Brian Minick – Chief Operating Officer, ZeroBounce
• Steffen Schebesta- CEO & VP of Corp Development, Sendinblue
• Jay Schwedelson, Founder of SubjectLine.com
• Pierce Ujjainwalla – Co-founder & CEO, Knak

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

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Fri 5/19 at 4 p.m. – Hope, Inclusion, Support, & Strategies to Maximize Mental Health

Learn about the resources and strategies available to boost our mental wellbeing and support our colleagues, friends, and family members, and

mental health awareness month and how to participate. More info/register.

Host: Fridays@4

Speaker: Mental Wellness Coach Sarah Larrabee

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Mon 5/22 at 8 a.m. – Consuming Research Responsibly (Radio Free 501c)

Radio Free 501c, the podcast of Rogue Tulips Consulting (formerly Nonprofit Conversations) features guests from across the nonprofit community and the business world to share expertise on a variety of topics related to the practice of nonprofit management. Episodes are published Monday mornings in both audio and video format on most podcast services.

Guests:

• Elizabeth Engel, M.A., CAE, Chief Strategist, Spark Consulting, LLC
• Polly Karpowicz, MBA, CAE, Nonprofit Consultant

Host: Cecilia Sepp, CAE, CNAP, principal and founder, Rogue Tulips LLC

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Mon 5/22 at 1 p.m. – Community Connect Panel Continuation

Join us for the 30-Minute Monday series where a subject matter expert and moderator sit down for a hard-hitting, jam-packed 30-minute conversation about the topics you need to know to start your week. No slides, no long lectures, just facts, tips, and tricks to help you take your events and business to the next level. Last month we had our first Community Connect. Join us back with our panelist as we continue the conversation. 0.5 CMP credit. More info/register.

Host: MPI

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Tue 5/23 at 11 a.m. – Membership Experience: What’s Cloud Got to Do with It?

For many years, association technology teams have been talking about move to the cloud. Learn what the cloud is, how member expectations have been transformed by the cloud, and how your association can leverage cloud technologies to deliver a superior membership experience. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.

Host: UST Education

Speaker: Alex Mouw, Principal Strategic Advisor, Amazon Web Services

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Tue 5/23 at 2 p.m. – Diverse Leadership in Associations: Strategies for Overcoming Systemic Barriers to CEO and C-Suite Roles

Learn how systemic biases, discriminating practices and antiquated policies and structures limit opportunities for BIPOC professionals to access leadership roles within associations; best practices for building more inclusive and equitable leadership pipelines, including recruitment, mentorship and professional development programs; and strategies for fostering a culture of equity, diversity, inclusion and justice within associations and promoting accountability and transparency in leadership pipelines. More info/register.

Host: Nonprofit HR

Speakers:

• Antonio Cortes, PhD, Managing Director, EDIJ
• Steven Krzanowski, MA, Senior Consultant, EDIJ
• Danisha Martin, MBA, CSC, Team Leader & Senior Consultant, Impact Search Advisors by Nonprofit HR
• Bert Ruiz, MS, Managing Director, Impact Search Advisors by Nonprofit HR

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Tue 5/23 at 2 p.m. – Navigating the Complex World of Event Technology: Strategies for Choosing the Right Tech for Your Event Needs

Explore the best practices and strategies for selecting the right event tech for your specific event needs. Learn how to navigate the complex world of event tech and select the right tools for your event needs. More info/register.

Host: Smart Meetings

Speaker: Huong Nguyen, CEO and Head of Client Services at Shiloh Events

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Wed 5/24 at 7 a.m. – Negotiating Contracts: Essentials for Associations

Learn about the key elements of contract negotiation, such as contract terms, indemnification, force majeure, and dispute resolution. Hear about best practices for preparing for negotiations, identifying and assessing potential risks, and establishing effective communication and negotiation strategies, insights into negotiating contracts, and practical guidance on how to protect the interests of their association and avoid common pitfalls. More info/register.

Host: Association of Association Executives

Speakers:

• Nadia Rubtsova, Founder, Business & Events Academy
• Paul Walsh, EMIAM (Seminar Chair), Seminar Programme Manager, Association of Association Executives

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Wed 5/24 at 9:30 a.m. – Small Staff Percolator

A new interactive online coffee break format 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

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Wed 5/24 at 12 p.m. – Corporate Sponsorship Brainstorming Session

Ever wished you had a roundtable of association leaders and experts to brainstorm corporate sponsor support for your members’ needs? Bring a specific project you are trying to find corporate support for—or a challenge your members face—for a brainstorming discussion to generate ideas you can put to use. More info/register.

Hosts: Alexandria Association Execs with AIOT

Speaker: Corporate Partnership & Sponsorship Consultant Bruce Rosenthal

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Wed 5/24 at 12 p.m. – 2023 Event Trends Study: Advancing the Next Generation of Events

Hear about the findings of the 2023 Event Trends Study, a study of 500+ professionals who plan events for corporations, government organizations, nonprofits, and associations. Learn about planners’ outlooks, goals, and concerns about the future of their organizations’ events; how they use event technology and how technology adoption impacts event strategies; technology’s impact on driving event growth; and action items for big-time event growth. More info/register.

Host: Community Brands

Speakers: Jason Daiger, Vice President of Product & Client Services, Events, and Tirrah Switzer, Senior Director of Product Marketing, Community Brands

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Wed 5/24 at 1 p.m. – Let’s Talk About… Your Monthly Chance to Connect with Association Peers

During this meetup, you’ll have the chance to break into tables based on the topics that you’re interested in. This month, we’re covering: volunteer management and creating a culture of volunteerism, artificial intelligence and how we’re implementing it, and event planning and contracting. More info/register.

Host: Sidecar

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Wed 5/24 at 1 p.m. – Hybrid Board Meetings Are Here to Stay

While hybrid meetings offer advantages, they also come with potential challenges. Learn from experts in governance and technology solutions about best practices for maintaining engagement and purpose in hybrid meetings, structuring them effectively, and leveraging the virtual component to increase productivity. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.

Host: ASAE

Speakers:

• Jordan Castel, Nonprofit and Association Consultant, OnBoard Meetings
• Matthew McEwan, Vice President, Minute Solutions
• Eileen Murray, American Epilepsy Society
• David Bergeson, PhD, CAE (noderator), Vice President, Association Management Center

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Wed 5/24 at 1 p.m. – Future of Work from Anywhere

Learn how to define the role of hybrid-work in your organization and the best technology approaches to ensure security, productivity, collaboration and cost-effectiveness. Hear about the “why” behind unified communications (UC), key features and benefits as well as the top considerations when selecting a UCaaS or collaboration platform. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.

Host: UST Education

Speakers:

• Dave Hopper, Solution Architect, Bridgepointe Technologies
• Adam Kuhn, Director of IT for FIA (Futures Industry Association)
• Ali Niroo, Managing Partner, Bridgepointe Technologies

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Wed 5/24 at 1 p.m. – Prepare for the AI Revolution: Tips, Trends, and Strategies for Event Profs

Learn about the benefits and limitations of AI-powered chatbots and how you can leverage data insights to maximize their impact on your event marketing efforts. Hear about real-world examples of successful AI-driven event marketing campaigns and explore the tough questions about what artificial intelligence means for the events industry. More info/register.

Host: Bizzabo

Speakers:

• Liz Caruso, CEO, techsytalk, Inc
• Dahlia El Gazzar, Tech Evangelist + Idea Igniteur, Dahlia+ Agency
• Oren Berkovich, Head of Experience Lab, Bizzabo

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Wed 5/24 at 1 p.m. – Grow, Engage, Delight! Creating Content On LinkedIn to Grow Our Brands and Influence

Learn the formula for creating a healthy balance of content on LinkedIn, three effective content formats that will “stop the scroll” and engage with your audience, and  LinkedIn algorithm hacks that will get more eyes on your content. 1 CMP credit. More info/register.

Host: Meetings Today

Speaker: Leanne Calderwood, CMP, LinkedIn Expert

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Wed 5/24 at 3 p.m. – 5 Changes that Will Expand Your Content’s Reach

Learn how to turn your association’s content into effective drivers of engagement. Find out how to create a Content Hub that ties together disparate content into a more cohesive presentation with more context, control, and analytics; how content visualizations can “up” your engagement game and drive discovery across all your bases of knowledge; and  how to know what your “customers” want and ensuring you’re delivering the right content to the right people at the right time. More info/register.

Host: Aplusify

Speaker: Paul Burke, Senior Account Executive, Aplusify

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Thu 5/25 at 11 a.m. – Taking Charge of Your Digital Transformation Strategy

Hear about the importance of leading and implementing an effective digital transformation strategy for your association. Learn how effective digital transformation is led from the top and what strategies to consider when starting your journey. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.

Host: iMIS by ASI

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Thu 5/25 at 11 a.m. – A Not So Quiet Conversation About Quiet Hiring

Quiet hiring is when employers fill talent gaps by shifting employees around and hiring contractors or part-time workers. Learn how to gain in-demand talent and utilize part-time and contract workers as a critical workforce development strategy. Get specific tools and templates to help you manage the hiring process, including How to Create a Great Job Description, Situational Interview Questions, and a sample assessment/interview scorecard. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.

Host: UST Education

Speaker: Jaime Hirschfeld, Director of Client Sales, FlexProfessionals, DC

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Thu 5/25 at 12 p.m. – Looking Forward 2023 Solutions: The Association Strategies Essential to Success

Looking Forward® 2023 Solutions is yearly research that tests 120 strategies currently implemented by associations. Get a first look at research data and learn about strategies that associations believe are critical to success, principal challenges facing association strategy as the sector continues to change in relation to current events, and how to access and filter the Looking Forward Dashboard for the specific information and reports you need. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.

Host: Association Laboratory

Speakers:

• Leo Baran, Director of Membership and SEA Engagement, National Council of Structural Engineers Associations
• Jeanette Gass, Senior Program Manager, Global Market Development, International City/County Management Association
• Nikki Golden, CAE, strategist, Association Laboratory
• Dean West, FASAE, founder and president, Association Laboratory

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Thu 5/25 at 12 p.m. – Enhance the Board Member Lifecycle: Experiences Create Impact

Learn how the Board Member Lifecycle prepares new board members for successful leadership; how to create pathways for effective, continuing board leadership; how to maximize your board’s contribution to your organization; and how to leverage past presidents, chairs, and board members as a powerful resource for years to come. More info/register.

Host: Hight Performance Group

Speakers:

• Michael Gellman, CPA, CGMA, co-founding principal partner for Fiscal Strategies 4 Nonprofits, LLC and co-founder for Sustainability Education 4 Nonprofits
• Cathi Hight, President of Hight Performance Group

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Thu 5/25 at 12 p.m. – Beat the Burnout

According to a study, event planning is the third-most stressful job in the world for 2023. Hear strategies to beat burnout and achieve a better approach to our workload. Learn tips to manage stress, prioritize self-care, and set boundaries that will help you stay energized and focused. More info/register.

Host: Black In Events Network

Speakers: The Health Institute

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Thu 5/25 at 1 p.m. – Cybersecurity: A Team Sport

We all know how crucial cybersecurity is in today’s digital world, but are you fully aware of the risk and legal ramifications of a breach? Hear how to assess and mitigate cybersecurity risks in your organization. Get a better understanding of the cybersecurity risks your organization faces, the tools available to manage those risks, the knowledge necessary to make informed decisions about cybersecurity risk management, and to communicate those risks to stakeholders. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.

Host: UST Education

Speakers:

• David DeCillis, CISSP, Senior Product Specialist, ARG
• David Kuchar, Managing Partner, ARG, Inc.
• Trey Mauck, CEO & Founder, Integrated Insurance Solutions

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Thu 5/25 from 1:30 to 3 p.m.– CEX 2.0 Virtual: Building Component Success

Explore three critical challenges for component relations professionals (CRPs): helping chapter leaders be CEOs (Chief Engagement Officers); getting chapter leaders’ attention; and data, data, data. Come for the content and go home with a community. 1.5 CAE credits. More info/register.

Hosts: Billhighway and Mariner Management

Speakers:

• Peggy Hoffman, Mariner Management
• Peter Houstle, Mariner Management
• Sarah Robertson, Billhighway
• Sheri Singer, Singer Communications

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Thu 5/25 at 2 p.m. – Findings from Interviews with 100 Corporate Sponsors That Can Help Associations Improve Their Sponsorship Program Success

Learn the top trends Bruce learned from interviews with corporate sponsors, including actual quotes from sponsors. Understand how to use what we learn from corporate sponsor interviews to improve association sponsorship programs. Hear about best practices you can use to interview your sponsors, plus five key questions to ask. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.

Host: Non-Dues-a-Palooza

Speaker: Bruce Rosenthal, corporate sponsorship consultant and co-founder of the Partnership Professionals Network

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Thu 5/25 at 2 p.m. – Key Contact Programs

Hear advice on effectively identifying, educating, and mobilizing your grasstops advocates. More info/register.

Host: Aristotle

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Fri 5/26 at 12:00 p.m. – Small Staff Percolator

A new interactive online coffee break format 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

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Tue 5/30 at 12 p.m. – How to Contract with and Manage State Lobbyists

Does your organization have a strong grassroots presence or is your board a team of grasstops influencers? Do you work in a state, a region or across the country? Learn the right questions to ask and the best practices to put in place to set your association up for success. Hear the most common pitfalls and how to avoid them. Find out how to identify, hire and manage the professional lobbying presence that works best for your association. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.

Host: ASAE Government Relations and Advocacy Professionals Community

Speakers:

• Jim Leahy, CAE, Managing Director, Regional & Federal Programs for Liberty Square Group
• Lorrie Trogden, CAE, President/CEO of the Arkansas Bankers Association
• David Lusk (moderator), Founder of Key Advocacy

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Thu 6/1 at 2 p.m. – AMS or CRM: A Candid Conversation

Hear about the different approaches between platforms, key features that all associations need in their AMS/CRM and tips for a successful selection regardless of the platform you choose. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.

Host: 501Works, LLC

Speakers:

• Moira Edwards, President, Ellipsis Partners
• Jennie Koss, Senior Consultant, Cooper Consulting
• Wes Trochlil, Founder, EDM – Effective Database Management

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Fri 6/2 at 1 p.m. – Dissecting the Chat GPT/Generative AI Disruption: Use Cases, Concerns, Threats & Opportunities for Event Profs

Hear about the top AI use cases for event profs; broader shifts and implications for our industry; 25 smart ways event profs can use ChatGPT & other Generative AI tools; challenges, concerns, and opportunities; and an overview of the top platforms. 1 CMP credit. More info/register.

Host: PCMA

Speakers:

• Nick Borelli, Marketing Director, Zenus
• Jen Santos, Founder & CEO, Smart Event Academy
• Howard Givner (moderator), SVP Knowledge & Innovation, PCMA | Founder, Event Leadership Institute

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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, Twitter or LinkedIn by Wednesday afternoon the week before it’s scheduled.

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Creative Commons licensed photo by Lukasz Szmigiel via Unsplash

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

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

Non Dues-a-Palooza (NDP). It’s not until early September, but put NDP on your radar. I’m tired of experiencing FOMO for this one, so I’ve already got my flight booked for Denver. I love the idea of a small, focused conference where you can actually get to know people, so I hope to meet many of you there.

Learning business. WBT Systems describes how for-profit learning platforms, like the MOOCs Coursera and EdX, make their money. The corporate market is a growing profit center for them—and could be for your association too. WBT shares seven MOOC business model strategies you should definitely steal.

Membership tiers. Impexium explains how your association and members could benefit from offering a tiered membership model. They describe several examples of general and specialized membership tiers and discuss factors to consider before moving forward, like your AMS and market research.

Newsletters. I bet members interact with your newsletters more regularly than any other product or service, which means your association should carefully plan and design each edition. But do you? Rasa.io shares 15 ways to improve your newsletter content and delivery.

Virtual for in-person attendees. Arianna Rehak at Matchbox Virtual Media encourages you to design engaging virtual experiences that strengthen your in-person events. She shares examples of a pre-event virtual program and one that takes place after an in-person event, both adding more value to the attendee experience.

Demystifying API. Wow. If you’re selecting any type of technology that relies on integration, you must read this non-technical guide on API for association leaders. Amith Nagarajan at Sidecar explains the basics of API—“the communication bridge between different software applications”—the problem with misleading “integrates with anything” claims and questions to ask vendors during the software evaluation process.

State of the association industry. There’s no lack of survey reports in our industry, but a few challenges stand out in the 2023 Association Survey Results Report from GrowthZone: non-renewals by members who don’t have time to participate and the lack of plans or processes for goals such as member engagement, lapsed member reengagement, young professional recruitment and retention, and membership value innovation. No plan, no progress. 

Good listens

I love listening to smart people having interesting conversations. With podcasts, I’m like a ghost in the room. Think about that when you hit “record,” boo.

Jeff De Cagna joined the hosts of The Association Podcast—Ben Muscolino (AMS Geek, Breezio, Data Sangria), Gretchen Steenstra (DelCor) and Jake Toohey (Adage)—to talk about boards and flawed governance systems, the return to complacency, the low bar of relevance, and generative AI.

On episode 32 of the Association Thrive podcast, host Joanna Pineda of Matrix Group shares the mic with Dan Berger, CEO of the National Association of Federally-Insured Credit Unions (NAFCU). NAFCU made the decision to focus only on advocacy, compliance and education—their members’ priorities. They stopped doing everything else. As you might suspect, that didn’t go over too well with everyone on staff. He mentioned this cool member benefit: peer-to-peer learning networks for people in the same job role, for example, CEOs, CFOs, HR, marketing, etc.

Good eats

Skip down to the list of free educational events if you prefer takeout.

This past week, I was still on a “softer” foods diet thanks to periodontal surgery, so nothing outstanding to report. If you missed my PSA for irregular flossers in last week’s edition, take a moment, please, to read it.

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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.

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Fri 5/12 at 12:00 p.m.* – Small Staff Percolator

A new interactive online coffee break format 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

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

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Fri 5/12 at 12:30 p.m. – Conversations with Champions

Each conversation features an AWTC leader or AWTC Award winner, followed by breakout rooms with changing topics (selected by our featured guest). 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: Elizabeth Santana, MBA, CAE, ICE-CCP, CPTD, Director, Conceptual Research & Design, Inteleos

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Fri 5/12 at 4 p.m. – Elevating Engagement: Uncommon Strategies for Creating a Thriving Member Community (Book Discussion)

Members’ needs are changing—they require more than value to engage with your association; they also want memorable, positive experiences. Learn how engagement builds from our member’s points of view. No matter the size or type of your association, and no matter your current role, see how you, too, can distinguish and propel your organization. Using uncommon strategies from her book Elevating Engagement, learn how to create an energized and highly motivated membership. More info/register.

Host: Fridays@4

Speaker: Amanda Lea Kaiser

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Mon 5/15 at 8 a.m. – The Endless Search for Program Funding (Radio Free 501c)

Radio Free 501c, the podcast of Rogue Tulips Consulting (formerly Nonprofit Conversations) features guests from across the nonprofit community and the business world to share expertise on a variety of topics related to the practice of nonprofit management. Episodes are published Monday mornings in both audio and video format on most podcast services.

Guest: Gail Kulp, Sea Tow Foundation

Host: Cecilia Sepp, CAE, CNAP, principal and founder, Rogue Tulips LLC

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Mon 5/15 at 2 p.m. – Artificial Intelligence Idea-Thon: Building the Association of the Future

Imagine the power of multiple brains collaborating and innovating with one goal in mind: solving the most pressing association challenges using Artificial Intelligence (AI). We’re bringing this vision to life with our first ever Idea-thon. Participants will brainstorm the biggest challenges that associations face today and then team up to create a pitch for an AI-fueled solution to one of those challenges. More info/register.

Host: Blue Cypress

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Tue 5/16 at 11 a.m. – Membership Engagement and the Power of Transitioning Suppliers and Vendors to Thought Leaders

Your members likely view you as the authority on your industry. But for them to continue to look to you as a thought leader, you need to keep your finger on the pulse of the latest developments and trends. One way to do this is by transitioning your suppliers and vendors into thought leaders. Learn what becoming a thought leader entails for your suppliers, what the benefits are of turning them into thought leaders, and how to begin the process of transition for them. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.

Host: UST Education

Speaker: Alfred McKelvy III, Executive Vice President of Strategic Partnerships, Multiview

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Tue 5/16 at 11:30 a.m. CDT – AWTC Pop-Up Lunch: Chicago

Join AWTC for our new, nationwide monthly pop-up lunch! Each month, we’re planning a pop-up lunch in various locations around the U.S. on the same day. These intimate, informal gatherings are designed to help you build your network and connect with the AWTC community. Space is limited so RSVP soon. Lunch costs are on your own. All are welcome, including our allies. Location: Chicago IL. More info/register.

Organizer: Association Women Technology Champions

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Tue 5/16 at 12 p.m. – Component Relations and Volunteer Management May Crunch and Munch

Come prepared to engage, participate and listen as we discuss current topics. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.

Host: ASAE Component Relations and Volunteer Management Professionals Community

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Tue 5/16 at 12 p.m.  – AWTC Pop-Up Lunch: Fairfax VA

Join AWTC for our new, nationwide monthly pop-up lunch! Each month, we’re planning a pop-up lunch in various locations around the U.S. on the same day. These intimate, informal gatherings are designed to help you build your network and connect with the AWTC community. Space is limited so RSVP soon. Lunch costs are on your own. All are welcome, including our allies. Location: Fairfax VA. More info/register.

Organizer: Association Women Technology Champions

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Tue 5/16 at 1 p.m. – Writing an RFP for Merchant Services

When releasing an RFP to evaluate new merchant service providers, knowing how the credit card industry works is crucial. Your fiduciary obligation and reputation are on the line. Learn about the credit card processing flow, players, terminology, and musts to consider. Become prepared to write your RFP and evaluate your perspective merchant service providers based on the criteria most important for your organization. Learn how to identify the gaps in your current payments ecosystem and what to ask to reduce these issues in your future state. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.

Host: UST Education

Speakers:

• Julie Duncan, Association Practice Leader, US Transactions Corporation
• Jenni Glaze, COO, US Transactions Corporation

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Tue 5/16 at 3 p.m. – Current Trends in Policy and Politics

Hear the latest quarterly analysis of trends in policy and politics. More info/register.

Host: Quorum

Speaker: Bruce Mehlman, Founding Partner at Mehlman Consulting

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Wed 5/17 at 9 a.m. CDT – How Do Credentialing Organizations Enhance Their Value to the Professions They Serve? (Chicago IL)

Learn about options for adding to your certification a workforce skills program or a more durable maintenance of certification program; best practices for implementing models that enable partnerships with higher education to start candidates on the path to your credentials and profession sooner; ways to prove the value of your program in ways business understands, increasing relevance to the profession you serve; and possibilities for creating lifelong relationships with certificants. Location: Chicago IL. More info/register.

Host: Certification Network Group

Speakers:

• Katie Hall, Founder and CEO of Claira
• Jasmine Rockett, Deputy Director of the Inteleos Point-of-Care Ultrasound Certification Academy
• Bill West, MBA, ICE-CCP, EVP, Global Skills X-Change, and Chief Credential Services Officer, Cornerstone Strategies
• David Wilcox, M.S., P.E., founder, President & CEO of Global Skills X-Change

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Wed 5/17 from 9 a.m. to 2:45 p.m. – Healthcare Day 2023: From Local Policy to Global Markets

A day of insights, discussions, and analysis on global issues, federal policy, advocacy, and state and local policy, global leaders, policymakers, and healthcare experts examine the latest trends and strategies for navigating the healthcare landscape in 2023 and beyond. More info/register.

Host: FiscalNote

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Wed 5/17 at 11 a.m. – How to Boost Productivity by Overcoming Conflict Avoidance

Associations tend to run lean, which means we’re doing more with less, all while striving to meet the high standards of our members. Yet, we often fall short of our own expectations. It’s not due to a lack of effort or expertise—it’s because we’re avoiding our conflicts. Hear the most common ways conflict avoidance gets in the way of performance. Learn concrete tips and approaches for dealing with conflict directly and without all the drama, including some ideas on how to build conflict resolution capacity inside your culture so productivity gains stick around. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.

Host: Sidecar

Speaker: Jamie Notter, growth strategist, Propel

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Wed 5/17 at 11 a.m. – Creating Actual Exciting Engagement – Virtually!

Conferences and meetings are vital to our arsenal to inspire change, to advance mission, and to support the individuals and organizations we serve. While we are experiencing a boomerang to in-person events, it is likely that both funding and accessibility will drive us back to the screen. Learn what connections mean in a virtual context so as to define HOW we can create those authentically, how to support sponsors and vendors in a virtual space that results in achieving their goals and expectations, and how to find a tech partner that understands what it means to advance mission and support individuals and organizations respectively. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.

Host: UST Education

Speakers:

• Lucas Cioffi, CTO and Co-Founder, QiqoChat
• Peggy McElgunn, CEO and Founder, Global Professional Services PC
• Sandra Nam, CEO and Co-Founder, QiqoChat

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Wed 5/17 at 12 p.m. – Facets of Diversity

Discuss a variety of topics on diversity in the meeting and events industry, including: DEI fatigue; women, particularly Black and Brown women, leading the way; and diversifying your employee base. 1 CMP credit. More info/register.

Host: MPI

Moderator: Dani Kloap, Manager of Curriculum, Meeting Professionals International

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Wed 5/17 at 12:30 p.m. – 8 Tips for Turning Trade Show Content into Marketing Gold

In just 8 minutes, learn how to give your trade show content a new life, extend the reach and ROI of your event beyond the show dates, save valuable time and resources better spent elsewhere, and maintain momentum in-between scheduled events. More info/register.

Host: Swapcard

Speaker: Megan Saad, Senior Account Executive at Sessionboard

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Wed 5/17 at 1 p.m. – The New Age of Analytics: How to Successfully Transition to GA4

Google Analytics is the Holy Grail for many organizations, giving them the data they need to make more informed and strategic business decisions. But big changes are coming in just a couple of months with the forced switch to Google Analytics 4 (GA4), which turns Google Analytics as we know it, on its head. Hear about GA4 and how to navigate the new GA4 interface, the questions you should ask to identify your organization’s key metrics and how to track them in GA4, our recommendations for the top reports associations should build in GA4 and how to do it, how to track and report on your most important member journeys in GA4, and how to identify the many other places you collect analytics. More info/register.

Host: Matrix Group

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Wed 5/17 at 1 p.m. – From Boomer to Zoom-er: Leading 4 Generations in the Workplace

Hear about strategies for relationship building across generations, including communication strategies for remote/hybrid environments that bridge generational divides. Learn how to build trust across generations through clarity, communication, and belonging. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.

Host: Fonteva

Speakers:

• Rebecca Achurch, PgMP, PMP, CSM, CAE, Chief Executive Officer, Achurch Consulting
• Erin Lemons, Vice President, Marketing, Fonteva & Protech

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Wed 5/17 at 1 p.m. – How to Generate Revenue for Advocacy Efforts

Learn about strategies and best practices for generating revenue for association advocacy efforts. Hear about various revenue streams, including sponsorships, advocacy funds, and events, and tips on how to optimize each of these revenue channels. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.

Host: ASAE Government Relations and Advocacy Professionals Community

Speakers:

• Michelle Ly, Director of Advocacy Programs for NTCA-The Rural Broadband Association
• John Nothdurft, Director of Government Affairs for ISSA

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Wed 5/17 at 1 p.m. – Creativity in the Time of AI

Learn techniques to inspire your teams’ creativity. Hear about the intersection of innovation and artificial intelligence; how to leverage creativity to achieve business goals; the main ingredients for creative success; the power of inquiry, improvisation and intuition; and the role of creativity in the hybrid workplace and the future of work. More info/register.

Host: Big Think+ Book Club

Speaker: Natalie Nixon, PhD., author of The Creativity Leap: Unleash Curiosity, Improvisation, and Intuition at Work

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Wed 5/17 at 2 p.m. – In or Out: Staffing and Managing a Successful Sales Team

32% of associations say their greatest obstacle to sales performance is staffing/resources. Deciding on a sales team that is in-house, outsourced or a combination is an important step toward finding success. Learn about the pros and cons of each staffing option, how to ensure teams are set up to succeed, and how to measure performance. Receive tactical checklists to support the session’s learning objectives. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.

Host: Professionals for Association Revenue

Speakers:

• Jodi Ashcraft, Director of Media & Event Sales, American Psychological Association
• Addy Kujawa, CAE, CEO, American Alliance of Orthopedic Executives
• Carrie McIntyre, Principal, Navigate

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Wed 5/17 at 2 p.m. – Reboot Your In-Person Events

Learn how attendee expectations have changed and get ideas you can use to wow attendees. Hear about the five pillars of effective, measurable engagement, and ways event tech can support you in navigating social pressures on your events (sustainability, DEI, accessibility). 1 CMP credit. More info/register.

Host: MeetingsNet

Speaker: Angel Santiago, Director of Sales, Cvent

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Wed 5/17 at 3 p.m. – Beyond Basic Learning Metrics: Using Analytics to Uncover Insights & Education Gaps

Pulling reports and getting basic learning metrics from your LMS can be a struggle. Besides the time it takes to pull data from different systems, the reports are often limited in the insights they can offer. Learn how to use analytics to uncover education gaps you didn’t know you had, discover which course topics do better live or online, and know if learners have a positive or negative tone in course reviews. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.

Host: Association Analytics

Speakers: Bill Conforti, SVP of Strategy & Solutions; Rachel Mace, Sr. Developer, Data Visualizations; and Greg Pollack, Vice President of Sales, Association Analytics

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Thu 5/18 at 7 a.m. – Dangers and Dealing with False Information Online

Nearly all associations manage online communities, either on common platforms (e.g., LinkedIn or Facebook) or private ones for members. Defamation or libel against an organization or member on your platforms is potentially very harmful and costly in defending litigation and compensation. Learn about the challenges of combating false information and disinformation; best practices for identifying, verifying, and responding to false information; and media literacy, fact-checking, crisis communications and online reputation management. More info/register.

Host: Association of Association Executives

Speakers:

• Andy Burman, Managing Director, SEBCO Consulting
• Paul Walsh EMIAM (seminar chair), Seminar Programme Manager
• Association of Association Executives

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Thu 5/18 from 9 a.m. to  3:10 p.m. – Community Platforms Demo Day

Community experts will showcase platforms and share their knowledge with the association market. More info/register.

Host: ASAE

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Thu 5/18 at 11 a.m. – 15 Ways To Take Your Email Newsletter To The Next Level

Learn how to use email newsletter marketing to engage your members about current topics and industry trends, newsletter best practices, increasing engagement, curating outside content, and automation. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.

Host: UST Education

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

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Thu 5/18 at 11:30 a.m. – Spring Tapas Talk: Been There Done That

Through (virtual) f2f conversations, connect with peers at other small-staff associations, and chat with supportive professionals who understand and excel at working with smaller teams. Partners will provide free resources for you to grab as well as hosting small conversations in breakout rooms. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.

Host: Qiqo

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Thu 5/18 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

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Thu 5/18 at 1 p.m. – How to Grow Your Credentialing Business: Protect, Expand, Diversify

Growing your credentialing business means more revenue and more impact for the learners you serve and fields and industries they work in. Learn about three core strategic actions—protecting your base, expanding your base, and diversifying your offerings—that position you for growth. Hear about creating an accurate competitive awareness, aligning with workforce and employer needs, positioning for price increases, entering new markets, and developing new products and services. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.

Host: Leading Learning

Speakers: Jeff Cobb and Celisa Steele, co-founders of Tagoras and Leading Learning

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Thu 5/18 at 1 p.m. – Workshop: Build a Video Campaign to Promote Your Upcoming Event

Learn best practices for developing a member-driven content strategy, gathering the video content you need at in-person events, and using it across your communication channels to improve performance of campaigns as varied as: advocacy, membership renewal and acquisition, event promotion, and more. Walk away with an actionable, step-by-step workbook you can use to get started building your campaigns. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.

Host: UST Education

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

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Thu 5/18 at 1 p.m. – New Kid on the Block: The Event Technologist

Technology use at events has exploded in recent years, bringing about a new role within many event organizations–the event technologist. Whether the role is staffed internally or externally through an agency, 47% of organizations now have a clearly defined job description within their team. Hear about the roles and responsibilities of the event technologist, measurements of success around event technology, and expectations for the future of the event technologist. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.

Host: Meetings Today

Speakers: Julie Haddix, Senior Director, Solutions Marketing, and Taylor Bohn, Event Technology Lead, Cvent

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Thu 5/18 at 1 p.m. – Site Selection & Contract Negotiation in a Seller’s Market

In this unprecedented era of disruption, we will share strategies to help you cope with rising costs from inflation, supply chain issues, and hotel staffing challenges. 1 CMP credit. More info/register.

Host: Prevue Meetings

Speakers:

• Anne Gorman, Vice President, Sales & Marketing, streamlinevents
• John Klukan, CHA, Market Director of Sales + Marketing, JW Marriott Dallas Arts District
• Terry Matthews-Lombardo, CMP, TML Services Group, LLC

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Thu 5/18 at 2 p.m. – Get More from Your Board’s Committees

Learn how to make committees the workhorse of the board, leverage the executive committee, and directors and staff can best support committee work. More info/register.

Host: OnBoard

Speaker: Erik Hanberg, Author of The Little Book of Boards

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Thu 5/18 at 3 p.m. – Need a Winning Event Strategy? Look at the Data!

As a meeting planner, arming yourself with an understanding of what data can tell you about your event is key to maximizing ROI and effectively engaging with guests. Learn about different methods of data collection; strategies for successfully leveraging collected data; the impact of data on event marketing, attendee engagement, and long-term growth; analyzing data to drive success with future events; advanced data analysis techniques to identify areas of improvement and maximize event potential; and real-world case studies to apply the principles of data-based decision-making for effective event planning. 1 CAE/CMP credit. More info/register.

Host: EVA Event Tech Hub

Speakers:

• Joe Colangelo, CEO and Co-Founder, Bear Analytics
• Joe Federbush, President/Chief Strategist, EVOLIO Marketing
• Vinnu Deshetty, CEO & Founder, EVA Event Tech Hub

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Thu 5/18 at 4 p.m. – ASAE Idea Swap: What Were You Thinking? Ethics in Association Management

Walk through a series of scenarios to learn how to recognize an ethical issue, apply ASAE’s Ethical Decision Making Model in your organization, and work through the ethical issues in the workplace. Hear about the elements needed to ensure your association fosters ethical decision-making practices. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.

Host: ASAE Reston-Loudoun Idea Swap

Speaker: Rhea M. Steele, CAE, ODCP Chief of Staff, School Nutrition Association

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Fri 5/19 at 11 a.m. – Do This, Not That! Q2 Email Marketing Tips

Hear insights from six of the industry’s leading email marketing experts. Discover the latest email tips, trends and tactics for both business and consumer markets that will take your campaigns to the next level. More info/register.

Host: GURU Events

Speakers:

• Chase Dimond – Top Ecommerce Email Marketer, EmailUp
• Nancy Harhut – Chief Creative Officer, HBT Marketing
• Brian Minick – Chief Operating Officer, ZeroBounce
• Steffen Schebesta- CEO & VP of Corp Development, Sendinblue
• Jay Schwedelson, Founder of SubjectLine.com
• Pierce Ujjainwalla – Co-founder & CEO, Knak

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Tue 5/23 at 11 a.m. – Membership Experience: What’s Cloud Got to Do with It?

For many years, association technology teams have been talking about move to the cloud. Learn what the cloud is, how member expectations have been transformed by the cloud, and how your association can leverage cloud technologies to deliver a superior membership experience. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.

Host: UST Education

Speaker: Alex Mouw, Principal Strategic Advisor, Amazon Web Services (AWS)

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Wed 5/24 at 9:30 p.m. – Small Staff Percolator

A new interactive online coffee break format 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

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Wed 5/24 at 12 p.m. – Corporate Sponsorship Brainstorming Session

Ever wished you had a roundtable of association leaders and experts to brainstorm corporate sponsor support for your members’ needs? Bring a specific project you are trying to find corporate support for—or a challenge your members face—for a brainstorming discussion to generate ideas you can put to use. More info/register.

Hosts: Alexandria Association Execs with AIOT

Speaker: Corporate Partnership & Sponsorship Consultant Bruce Rosenthal

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Wed 5/24 at 1 p.m. – Let’s Talk About… Your Monthly Chance to Connect with Association Peers

During this meetup, you’ll have the chance to break into tables based on the topics that you’re interested in. This month, we’re covering: volunteer management and creating a culture of volunteerism, artificial intelligence and how we’re implementing it, and event planning and contracting. More info/register.

Host: Sidecar

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Wed 5/24 at 1 p.m. – Hybrid Board Meetings Are Here to Stay

While hybrid meetings offer advantages, they also come with potential challenges. Learn from experts in governance and technology solutions about best practices for maintaining engagement and purpose in hybrid meetings, structuring them effectively, and leveraging the virtual component to increase productivity. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.

Host: ASAE

Speakers:

• Jordan Castel, Nonprofit and Association Consultant, OnBoard Meetings
• Matthew McEwan, Vice President, Minute Solutions
• Eileen Murray, American Epilepsy Society
• David Bergeson, PhD, CAE (noderator), Vice President, Association Management Center

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Wed 5/24 at 1 p.m. – Future of Work from Anywhere

Learn how to define the role of hybrid-work in your organization and the best technology approaches to ensure security, productivity, collaboration and cost-effectiveness. Hear about the “why” behind unified communications (UC), key features and benefits as well as the top considerations when selecting a UCaaS or collaboration platform. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.

Host: UST Education

Speakers:

• Dave Hopper, Solution Architect, Bridgepointe Technologies
• Adam Kuhn, Director of IT for FIA (Futures Industry Association)
• Ali Niroo, Managing Partner, Bridgepointe Technologies

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Thu 5/25 at 11 a.m. – A Not So Quiet Conversation About Quiet Hiring

Quiet hiring is when employers fill talent gaps by shifting employees around and hiring contractors or part-time workers. Learn how to gain in-demand talent and utilize part-time and contract workers as a critical workforce development strategy. Get specific tools and templates to help you manage the hiring process, including How to Create a Great Job Description, Situational Interview Questions, and a sample assessment/interview scorecard. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.

Host: UST Education

Speaker: Jaime Hirschfeld, Director of Client Sales, FlexProfessionals, DC

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Thu 5/25 at 1 p.m. – Cybersecurity: A Team Sport

We all know how crucial cybersecurity is in today’s digital world, but are you fully aware of the risk and legal ramifications of a breach? Hear how to assess and mitigate cybersecurity risks in your organization. Get a better understanding of the cybersecurity risks your organization faces, the tools available to manage those risks, the knowledge necessary to make informed decisions about cybersecurity risk management, and to communicate those risks to stakeholders. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.

Host: UST Education

Speakers:

• David DeCillis, CISSP, Senior Product Specialist, ARG
• David Kuchar, Managing Partner, ARG, Inc.
• Trey Mauck, CEO & Founder, Integrated Insurance Solutions

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Thu 5/25 at 2 p.m. – Findings from Interviews with 100 Corporate Sponsors That Can Help Associations Improve Their Sponsorship Program Success

Learn the top trends Bruce learned from interviews with corporate sponsors, including actual quotes from sponsors. Understand how to use what we learn from corporate sponsor interviews to improve association sponsorship programs. Hear about best practices you can use to interview your sponsors, plus five key questions to ask. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.

Host: Non-Dues-a-Palooza

Speaker: Bruce Rosenthal, corporate sponsorship consultant and co-founder of the Partnership Professionals Network

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Fri 5/26 at 12:00 p.m. – Small Staff Percolator

A new interactive online coffee break format 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

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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, Twitter or LinkedIn by Wednesday afternoon the week before it’s scheduled.

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