Association Brain Food: 10.31.25

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

Good reads for the association community

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

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

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

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

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

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

Snacks

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

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

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

You never grow old at the table

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

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

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

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About CAE credits: Per ASAE, “any continuing professional education offered by any professional entity may be accepted toward the [CAE] professional development requirement as long as it is directly related to either association or nonprofit management as defined by the CAE exam content outline.”

Education providers: If you have a free webinar or event coming up, please send me the link by Wednesday afternoon the week before it’s scheduled. I’m happy to feature it as long as it’s not product-centric.

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

Every week, Rogue Tulips brings the association community intriguing guests who discuss vital topics affecting associations around the world. Episodes are published Monday mornings in both audio and video format, available on YouTube, Spotify, Amazon Music, iHeart Radio, Apple Podcast, Google Podcast, and other channels.

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

Guest: Shana Corrada, Executive Director, Dance Tampa Bay

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

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

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

Host: Lowell Aplebaum, Vista Cova

Tue 11/4 at 8 a.m. – Designing Nonprofits for Impact (Nonprofit Mission: Impact)

Nonprofit Mission: Impact is the podcast for association and nonprofit leaders who want to build a better world without becoming a martyr to the cause. In this episode, move beyond simple restructuring to intentional association organizational design that aligns strategy, structure, and process to strengthen impact and sustainability. More info.

Host: Carol Hamilton, Principal, Grace Social Sector Consulting

Guest: Julian Chender, Founder, 11A Collective

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

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

Host: UST Education

Speaker: Chester Santos, U.S. Memory Champion

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

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

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

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

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

Host: Raffa Investment Advisers

Speakers:

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

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

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

Host: UST Education

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

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

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

Host: AIOT

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

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

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

Host: Certification Network Group

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

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

Host: HighRoad Solutions

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

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

Hosts: Stratford Group and 108 ideaspace

Speakers:

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

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

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

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

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

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

Host: Nexus Marketing

Speakers:

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

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

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

Host: re:Members

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

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

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

Host: UST Education

Speaker: Amber Worthen, CEO at Email Maven

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

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

Host: Causeis

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

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

Host: Momentive Software

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

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

Host: UST Education

Speaker: Don Schmincke, Author and Speaker at Saga Leadership

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

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

Host: ASAE

Speakers:

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

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

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

Host: GURU Media Hub

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

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

Host: Association Laboratory

Speakers:

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

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

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

Host: PCMA Institute

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

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

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

Host: Momentive Software

Speakers:

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

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

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

Host: Content Marketing Institute

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

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

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

Host: 501Works

Speaker: James Marquis, CIO, 501Works

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

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

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

Guest: Lee Gimpel, founder of Better Meetings

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

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

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

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

Host: GURU Media Hub

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

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

Host: UST Education

Speakers:

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

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

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

Host: UST Education

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

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

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

Host: UST Education

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

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

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

Host: UST Education

Speaker: Arden Winner, Senior Salesforce Consultant, Fíonta

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

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

Host: UST Education

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

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

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

Host: Association Laboratory

Speakers:

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

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

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

Host: UST Education

Speaker: Shira Lotzar, Chief Engagement Officer at Purposeful Hire

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

Learn about the core purpose, structure, and operating cycle for an audit committee. Explore what has shaped general perceptions related to audit committees and the underlying causes leading to wide-ranging misconceptions related to audit committees. Hear about actions and tactics to make audit committees more value-added by expanding their scope of duties and filling additional fiduciary roles. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.

Host: UST Education

Speakers:

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

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

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

Host: Association Laboratory

Speakers:

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

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

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

Host: Randall Craig and Ronja Francoeur, Braintrust Professional Institute

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

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

Host: UST Education

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

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

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

Host: Association Women Technology Champions

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

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

Host: UST Education

Speakers:

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

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

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

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

Association Brain Food Weekly is published Friday mornings. If you offer free professional development to the association community, please send me the link by Wednesday afternoon.

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Association Brain Food: 10.24.25

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

Good reads for the association community

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Snacks

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

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

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

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

You never grow old at the table

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Host: designDATA

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

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

Host: ASAE

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

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

Host: UST Education

Speakers: GRF CPAs & Advisors

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

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

Host: Association Laboratory

Speakers:

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

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

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

Host: Venable LLP

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

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

Host: Association Forum

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

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

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

Host: Association for Intelligent Information Management (AIIM)

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

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

Host: ASAE

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

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

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

Host: re:Members

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

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

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

Host: .orgCommunity

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

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

Host: UST Education

Speakers:

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

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

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

Host: Fonteva

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

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

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

Host: Meetings Today

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

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

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

Host: Northstar Meetings Group

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

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

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

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

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

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

Host: UST Education

Speaker: Brittany Lancor, Senior Marketing Manager at PropFuel

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

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

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

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

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

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

Host: ASAE

Speakers:

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

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

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

Host: Member Lounge

Speaker: Ginger Johnson, Chief Connecting Officer

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

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

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

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

Host: Lowell Aplebaum, Vista Cova

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

Host: UST Education

Speaker: Chester Santos, U.S. Memory Champion

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

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

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

Host: UST Education

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

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

Host: AIOT

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

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

Host: re:Members

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

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

Host: UST Education

Speaker: Amber Worthen, CEO at Email Maven

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

Host: UST Education

Speaker: Don Schmincke, Author and Speaker at Saga Leadership

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

Host: Association Laboratory

Speakers:

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

Association Brain Food Weekly is published Friday mornings. If you offer free professional development to the association community, please send me the link by Wednesday afternoon.

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Association Brain Food: 10.17.25

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

Good reads for the association community

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

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

Association SEO course. In the SEO for Associations Certificate Course at Association Academy, learn about Search Engine Optimization (SEO) for association websites, including immediate steps and long-term strategies to attract more website traffic by improving your ranking with Google and other search engines. Earn up to 5 CAE credits while learning at your own pace in five one-hour on-demand lessons. Save $50 with the promo code BRAINFOOD

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

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

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

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

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

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

Snacks

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

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

You never grow old at the table

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

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

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

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

This monthly networking meeting is organized by consultants for full-time consultants who work with non-profits and associations. You don’t have to be an ASAE member to attend. This month’s agenda includes the sharing of good news, topics or questions from the group, and AI and its impact on consulting. More info/register.

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

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

Mon 10/20 at 8 a.m. – Partnering with CVBs and Convention Centers for Groups and Conventions (Radio Free 501c, the podcast of Rogue Tulips Consulting)

Every week, Rogue Tulips brings the association community intriguing guests discussing vital topics affecting associations around the world. Episodes are published Monday mornings in both audio and video format, available on YouTube, Spotify, Amazon Music, iHeart Radio, Apple Podcast, Google Podcast, and others.

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

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

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

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

Host: Nonprofit Consultants Collective

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

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

Host: ASAE

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

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

Host: Quorum

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

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

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

Host: Higher Logic

Speakers:

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

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

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

Host: Association Women Technology Champions

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

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

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

Host: Marketing General Inc. (MGI)

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

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

Host: ASAE Component Relations Volunteer Management Advisory Council

Facilitators: Sylvia Gonner, CAE and Michiel Gen

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

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

Host: UST Education

Speaker: Erica Salm Rench, MBA, CMO at Sidecar

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

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

Host: Raffa Investment Advisors

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

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

Host: Personify A2Z Events

Speakers:

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

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

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

Host: ASAE

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

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

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

Hosts:

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

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

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

Host: UST Education

Speaker: Jennifer Dalton, Founder, Brand Mirror

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

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

Host: Skift Meetings

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

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

Host: re:Members

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

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

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

Host: Ewald Consulting

Speaker: Jacquie Strebe, Accounting Manager, Ewald Consulting

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

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

Host: UST Education

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

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

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

Host: Prevue Meetings

Speakers:

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

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

More info/register.

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

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

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

Host: Naylor Association Solutions

Speakers:

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

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

Learn about the basics and importance of generative AI and Large Language Models. Witness the power of AI tools through live demonstrations that showcase their impact on real-world scenarios. Learn to create targeted personas in ChatGPT for personalized content and interactions, which settings to adjust for privacy and security, and what information is safe to input into AI tools. More info/register.

Host: Sidecar

Speakers:

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

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

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

Host: ASAE’s Healthcare Community Advisory Committee

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

Host: ASAE

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

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

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

Host: Grip

Speakers:

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

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

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

Host: Association Xchange

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

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

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

Host: Association Women Technology Champions

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

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

Host: Online Learning Consortium

Speakers:

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

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

Host: Association for Intelligent Information Management (AIIM)

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

Host: re:Members

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

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

Host: .orgCommunity

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

Host: UST Education

Speakers:

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

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

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

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

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

Host: ASAE

Speakers:

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

Association Brain Food Weekly is published Friday mornings. If you offer free professional development to the association community, please send me the link by Wednesday afternoon.

Creative Commons licensed photo by Janusz Walczak via Unsplash

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

Association Brain Food: 10.10.25

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

Good reads for the association community

Engaging unsuccessful award applicants. What are you doing with the people and companies who applied (or were nominated) for an association award, but didn’t win? OpenWater offers advice on communicating with non-winners and inviting them to contribute their expertise and participate in association activities.

AI disruption. Carlo Iacono says everyone’s pretending AI isn’t changing everything, but it is. Unlike the disruption caused by the internet or mobile phones, this time it’s different because AI “strikes at something more fundamental”—our identity. But his is a hopeful message: “When photography arrived, painters didn’t win by painting more photorealistically. They discovered impressionism, expressionism, abstraction. They found what the camera couldn’t do. We’re in that moment now with AI.”

Event marketing. ExpoLogic takes you through the entire event lifecycle, from defining goals and identifying target audiences to optimizing registration processes and measuring success. This event marketing guide covers social media promotion, email marketing, influencer partnerships, press releases, real-time engagement tactics, and post-event strategies including on-demand content and surveys for attendees, exhibitors, volunteers, and speakers.

The new loop marketing. HubSpot, the original inbound marketing company, says old inbound tactics no longer work. Now they’re promoting a new marketing strategy: the Loop. And as with inbound, their technology facilitates this new approach. The loop marketing playbook says: express your message, tailor it to your audience, amplify it across channels, and evolve it in real time. Old-fashioned marketing principles powered by AI. Will it take over the marketing industry like inbound did? Will they change the name of their conference?

Association AI. XYZ University shares the stories of four associations using AI: CoreNet Global, Kappa Delta Pi, Association for Advancing Automation and Missouri State Teachers Association. AI training for their members is a common theme, which this recent post from TopClass LMS suggests too.

Small staff strategies. Momentive Software’s benchmark report reveals that small associations (annual revenue under $5 million) face unique technology challenges but also have distinct opportunities. This study uncovers gaps between what members value most (career advancement tools) and what small staffs prioritize (events and membership growth). Learn why hardly any small associations feel technologically prepared for the future, which tools deliver the biggest engagement wins and three strategies to help your small team close value gaps, strengthen your tech strategy and work more efficiently with limited resources.

Free CAE workshops. If you need CAE credits, check out Ed Rigsbee’s 33 CAE-relevant workshops—nine of them are one-hour Ethics workshops. To qualify for CAE credits, you must pass a test.

Community engagement benchmarks. Higher Logic’s 2025 Association Community Benchmark Report analyzed data from nearly 1,500 associations from June 2024 through May 2025. The report shows the power of community-driven activity: community digest emails achieve 44-56% open rates compared to 36% for association emails; communities integrating volunteering and mentoring see 2.4x more logins and 2x more contributors and discussions; those with integrated job boards see 2x more logins and contributors and 60% more discussions. The report includes recommendations for driving logins, sparking discussions, and using automation rules and gamification to boost engagement.

AI-generated website traffic. Mateusz Makosiewicz at Ahrefs explains how to monitor, influence and increase your organization’s mentions in AI answers. You can’t ignore this stuff if you want people to find and visit your site—and not go to a competitor’s instead.

Founder mojo. I’ve been a subscriber of The Free Press (FP) since nearly its inception. Because of their commitment to common-sense, non-partisan, real journalism, it’s one of my favorite news and opinion sources. Justin Murphy sees its sale to Paramount as a replicable playbook, encouraging founders to emulate what Bari Weiss (the FP’s founder and new CBS News editor-in-chief) did: become “the only serious choice when big money eventually comes in to resuscitate a dying heritage brand.”

Snacks

Humans want to be surrounded by beauty. Can you believe this is a post about data management systems? | Wes Trochlil

A research finding of interest to associations: chatbots elicit more comprehensive answers than multiple-choice surveys. | Gina Chua, Semafor

The case for insane asylums—one of the reasons I don’t miss living in cities. | G.B. Rango, Pirate Wires

You never grow old at the table

Last weekend, we had our annual Octoberfest at my niece’s place. She and her family live a one-minute golf cart ride from the water just north of Carolina Beach. The harvest was decent: we brought home a bucket of clams and a bag of crabs.

I made beach shrimp pasta for everyone while we were there. My recipe includes bacon, onion, red bell pepper, garlic, red pepper flakes, white wine, homemade shrimp broth (made ahead of time and kept in the freezer), NC shrimp, lemon juice, fresh parsley and basil, lots of butter, linguine and Parmesan, alongside garlic bread. We had steamed crabs for happy hour.

Since venison season is around the corner, I’m on a clean-out-the-freezer mission. I defrosted shredded roasted turkey and basil pesto for a crazy creation that turned out really well: turkey and potato pesto gratin. A layered casserole, it included onion, red bell pepper, bacon, garlic, gold potatoes, shredded turkey, evaporated milk, basil pesto, and mozzarella, Asiago and Romano cheeses.

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

Mon 10/13 at 8 a.m.* – Financial Sustainability for Nonprofits (Radio Free 501c, the podcast of Rogue Tulips Consulting)

Every week, Rogue Tulips brings the association community intriguing guests discussing vital topics affecting associations around the world—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: Mike Gellman

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

Tue 10/14 at 12 p.m. – ASAE Tech Tuesday

October is Cybersecurity Awareness Month, and associations are facing unprecedented challenges as AI reshapes the security landscape. The stakes have never been higher—your systems, your data, and your mission are all on the line. Hear about strategies to safeguard association systems from today’s cyber and AI-driven threats, build resilience in a fast-evolving digital environment, and apply real-world tools and insights to protect what matters most. More info/register (ASAE members only).

Host: ASAE

Facilitators:

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

Guest: Andrew Leggett, Director of Cybersecurity, DelCor Technology Solutions

Tue 10/14 at 12 p.m. – LGBTQIA2+ 2025 Community Call

A unique and inclusive opportunity for association professionals across all career stages to connect and engage over lunch, and a space where you can openly share and discuss topics that are current and significant to the LGBTQIA2+ association community. More info/register (ASAE members only).

Host: ASAE LGBTQ Association Executives and Supporters

Tue 10/14 at 1 p.m. – The 2026 Compensation Playbook: Benchmarking, Budgets & Beyond

Learn how to maximize your compensation investment and make smart, strategic decisions by focusing on three key elements: identifying at-risk roles, understanding non-salary retention factors, and targeted allocation of limited funds. More info/register.

Host: Raffa

Speaker: Kim Keating, Founder & Principal, Kim Keating Consulting

Tue 10/14 at 2 p.m. – You & AI: Creating Personalized Event Experiences

Adding a personal touch for each of your attendees at every event could be a full-time job. Discover how AI can help you deliver personalization effectively, common challenges with personalization and effective solutions, why data hygiene is crucial for creating customization at scale, and practical ways AI can enhance your marketing campaigns and event experiences. More info/register.

Host: Smart Meetings

Speaker: Brittany Fisher, Team Lead in Product Marketing, Cvent

Tue 10/14 at 2 p.m. – Unclonable Influence: Crafting Stories AI Could Never Write

AI can write copy, answer questions, and even sound almost human, but it can’t replace the power of your authentic story. Your ability to connect, inspire, and influence is your greatest advantage in an increasingly artificial world. Discover how to craft and share messages that no algorithm can match: messages that move hearts, change minds, and inspire real action. More info/register.

Host: Farhad Khan, CEO, Member Lounge

Guest: René Rodriguez, best-selling author, keynote speaker, and leadership advisor

Tue 10/14 at 2 p.m. – AI Guide 2.0: Transforming Associations Through Practical AI Adoption

Explore how associations are embedding AI into their strategy, culture, and daily workflows. Gain practical frameworks for training teams, addressing cultural change, and measuring outcomes, ensuring that AI adoption strengthens both organizational performance and mission impact. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.

Host: ASAE

Tue 10/14 at 3 p.m. – Integrating AI Visibility into Your Current SEO Strategy

Your sales targets increasingly rely on AI tools like ChatGPT and Google’s SGE to find and evaluate solutions. If your content isn’t optimized for these generative engines, you’re becoming invisible to the organizations you need to reach. Generative Engine Optimization (GEO) closes the gap between your existing SEO efforts and the future of search. Learn how to adapt your existing strategy, drive pipeline, and secure long-term relevance. We’ll share the essential, actionable blueprint your brand needs to leverage AI for growth. More info/register.

Host: Nexus Marketing

Speaker: Jenny Russ, Client Solutions Manager at Nexus Marketing

Wed 10/15 from 12 to 1:30 p.m. – Navigating the Lifelong Learning Journey in Certification

Explore how credentialing organizations can embrace lifelong learning and implement innovative pathways for certification and support. Learn actionable strategies for driving change, especially for candidates who don’t pass traditional exams. Hear about successes and lessons learned from programs that broke the mold, with a special focus on alternative learning pathways, flexible credentialing approaches, and immediate audience engagement. More info/register.

Host: Certification Network Group

Speakers:

Ashish Rangnekar, CEO and Co-Founder of BenchPrep
Tracy Petrillo EdD, CAE, Chief Learning Officer for CASBO
Jasmine Rockett, Director of the Inteleos POCUS Certification Academy

Wed 10/15 at 12 p.m. – Strategic Budgeting for Impact in 2026: Aligning Mission, Money, and Modernization 

Hear insights from the annual 2025 Nonprofit and Associations Reports with real budget data and benchmarking trends year-over-year. Learn how to shift from reactive to proactive budgeting practices; create adaptive, scenario-based budgets to withstand volatility (membership fluctuations, funding uncertainty, etc.); incorporate tech investments into the budget as a hedge against disruption; and allocate a dedicated portion of your annual budget into funding reserves specifically for innovation, experimentation, and modernization efforts. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.

Host: Momentive Software

Speakers:

Tom Harlow, CPA, CAE, Interim Chief Finance Officer at ASAE: The Center for Association Leadership
Theresa Miner, CFO, Career Source Pasco-Hernando
Rob Miller, MPA, CAE, SVP, Association Strategy at Momentive Software

Wed 10/15 at 12 p.m. – Transforming Member Engagement: Technology’s Role in Building Stronger Associations

Explore how the right technology can strengthen connections, boost participation, and create a real sense of community. Learn how to use technology to foster deeper member relationships and trust; blend digital tools with personal engagement efforts; use data and analytics to understand member needs and preferences; balance automation with authentic, human-centered member interactions; and leverage social platforms for community building. More info/register.

Host: Nexus Marketing

Speakers:

Andrew Leighton, Director of Sales at Accelevents
Corey Vaughn, Chief Marketing Officer at Muster
Sam Hirsch, Vice President of Sales and Marketing at Oasis-LMS

Wed 10/15 at 12 p.m. – Member Engagement: Are Your Members Invested in Your Success?

Are you heading into member renewal season? Learn seven proven techniques to increase your retention rate, speed up your cash flow, and sell your member value proposition. More info/register.

Host: Zzeem Consulting

Speakers: association executive Erin Roberts

Wed 10/15 at 12 p.m. – The Campaign That Students Built — and Why It Worked

Can your members design your next big campaign? At ACOFP, they did. Hear how a student pitch became Family Physicians DO More—a national campaign powered by video, storytelling, and real member voices. Learn how the ACOFP team tackled workforce challenges, connected with Gen Z, and measured success beyond impressions. More info/register.

Host: Marcus Leite, Director, Sales & Marketing, TaleWind Digital

Guest: Emily Bennett, Director of Communications & Engagement, ACOFP

Wed 10/15 at 1 p.m. – AI, SEO, and YouTube: A New Playbook for Events and Associations

With AI engines like Google’s AI Overviews, ChatGPT, and Perplexity now delivering answers directly, traditional SEO is losing its impact. The sources AI trusts most are not your website, but platforms like Wikipedia, Reddit, and YouTube. Explore how AI is reshaping search, why video has become central to visibility, and how every organization can re-think YouTube as a strategic priority. Get a quick start guide to launch or revamp your event or association’s YouTube channel and ensure your expertise shows up in AI search results. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.

Host: UST Education

Speaker: Dan Piva, Senior Manager, Business Development & Enablement at Gather Voices

Wed 10/15 at 1 p.m. – Member Journey Blueprint: Part 1: Acquisition & Onboarding

Learn how to attract the right prospects, boost visibility through SEO and content, and design onboarding that drives retention. Explore the foundational phase of the member journey—ensuring potential members find your association and experience a seamless, value-driven welcome. Uncover digital acquisition techniques, understand how SEO and content strategy shape your visibility, and learn how onboarding can become a strategic touchpoint for long-term retention. More info/register.

Host: Causeis

Wed 10/15 at 1 p.m. – The Data Download for Navigating Events and Sourcing Strategies

Hear findings from three powerhouse reports—The Planner Sourcing Report, The PULSE, and The Source—this is your backstage pass to the data, trends, and real-world stories shaping how planners and suppliers are reimagining events in a market that never stands still. More info/register.

Host: Meetings Today

Wed 10/15 at 4 p.m. – Stop Losing Attention: Engaging Secrets You Can Use Today

Whether you’re leading a meeting, speaking on stage, or presenting online, attention is the new currency. Discover 7 proven engagement secrets you can apply immediately to keep your audience leaning in, not tuning out. Walk away with fresh, simple strategies that transform passive listeners into active participants — and ensure your message sticks. More info/register.

Host: John Chen

Thu 10/16 at 11 a.m. – Content: A Foundational Element of Member Value

Learn how to identify and leverage sources of content for output that’s higher volume and better quality at a lower spend; develop a framework for what formats and topics your members and sponsors actually want; and build systems that ensure you deliver value at a cadence your members will look forward to that allows room to respond to current events. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.

Host: UST Education

Speakers: Breanna Perrelli, Creative Director, and Marcus Leite, Director, Sales & Marketing, TaleWind Digital

Thu 10/16 at 12 p.m. – Local Component Utopia: Building Collaborative Relationships with Local Volunteer Leaders

Explore two chapter management models: one relies on HQ staff to provide logistical support to local networking groups in a number of multi-state regions; the other on an association management company which manages multiple affiliates. Hear about the ups and downs of association journeys in search of local component utopia so you can see how your association might build more collaborative relationships with your local volunteer leaders. More info/register.

Host: Mariner Management & Marketing

Speakers:

Bill Schankel, CEO of NAFA
Peggy McElgunn, President & CEO of Global Professional Services
Chuck Wilmarth, Vice President, Health Policy and State Affairs for AOTA

Thu 10/16 at 12 p.m. – Breaking Barriers: Practical Strategies to Support Adult Literacy

Explore practical strategies rooted in Universal Design for Learning that make lessons accessible to all learners, and the Community of Inquiry framework, which helps create engaging, collaborative learning environments. Together, these methods remove barriers and build stronger connections for adult learners. More info/register.

Host: eLearningDOC

Speakers: Janet Lee and Dr. Kristen Stevenson, PhD

Thu 10/16 at 12 p.m. – Business Leadership for CMOs

So many things are now front-and-center CMO priorities: martech, data, AI, internal vs outsourcing, the role of agencies, changes in advertising, customer service, risk, and so on. The expectations are also much higher. Explore pressing issues faced by marketing leadership, including building credibility through functional leadership beyond marketing; engaging with IT leadership, agencies, and other external partners in new ways; the impact of AI on agency relationships; managing AI expectations and addressing AI risks; and exploiting data opportunities, privacy, and other issues. More info/register.

Host: Braintrust Professional Institute

Speakers: Randall Craig and Ronja Francoeur, Braintrust Professional Institute

Thu 10/16 at 1 p.m. – From Recognition to Revenue: Designing Microcredentialing Programs That Drive Growth

Learn how today’s most successful credentialing programs are transforming recognition into a strategic advantage, engaging learners, building brand equity, and fueling growth. Hear how to design stackable credentials that keep learners returning, surface recognition at the right moments to sustain motivation, boost sharing by making credentials instantly social and portable, align credential metadata to industry and employer signals to increase relevance and trust, and automate credentialing at scale without sacrificing brand quality. More info/register.

Host: BenchPrep

Speakers:

Danny King, CEO & Co-Founder of Accredible
Ashish Rangnekar, CEO & Co-Founder of BenchPrep

Thu 10/16 at 2 p.m. – Integrations Demystified: Connecting the Dots in Your Tech Stack

Make sense of integrations: what they are, how they work, and why they matter. Learn about the types of integrations available, from SSO to plug-and-play connections, iPaaS platforms, and custom APIs, and how data should flow between your systems to support both staff efficiency and exceptional member experiences. More info/register.

Host: Wicket

Thu 10/16 at 3 p.m. – Outmaneuver the Competition: Capturing the Association Market with AI Strategies

Visibility for B2B vendors serving the association space is no longer enough; you need AI-driven demand generation to convert awareness into closed deals. With Google’s new AI Overviews (GEO) changing how organizations discover and evaluate solutions, traditional marketing is losing its edge. Learn how to build a powerful demand generation engine fueled by AI, SEO, and full-funnel strategies. We’ll translate the jargon into a clear, actionable playbook designed for sales, marketing, and executive leaders focused on winning more market share in the mission-driven sector. More info/register.

Host: Nexus Marketing

Speaker: Aliah Reyes, Client Solutions Executive for Associations, Nexus Marketing

Thu 10/16 at 4 p.m. – New Ways to Grow Member-Centric Revenue

Learn how to evolve your association’s traditional programming to connected, member-centric learning pathways that drive engagement and diversify revenue. Pathways allow members to connect disparate learning experiences into a coherent journey. Successfully designed and implemented, learning pathways can be a boon to new product development, revenue growth, and member learning. More info/register.

Host: ASAE Reston Loudoun Swap

Speaker: James Young, founder, The Product Community

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

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

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

Find a variety of experts to help with your consulting needs. Participating consultants in the Association Marketplace will be available in real time via Zoom to talk with association community members and answer questions. More info.

Host: Association Marketplace

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

Host: Association Women Technology Champions

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

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

Host: UST Education

Speaker: Erica Salm Rench, MBA, CMO at Sidecar

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

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

Hosts:

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

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

Host: ASAE

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

Host: UST Education

Speaker: Jennifer Dalton, Founder, Brand Mirror

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

Host: re:Members

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

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

Host: UST Education

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

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

More info/register.

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

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

Host: Sidecar

Speakers:

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

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

Host: ASAE

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

Host: Association Xchange

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

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

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

Host: Association Women Technology Champions

Association Brain Food Weekly is published Friday mornings. If you offer free professional development to the association community, please send me the link by Wednesday afternoon.

Creative Commons licensed photo by Michael via Unsplash

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

Association Brain Food: 10.3.25

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

Good reads for the association community

Employer buy-in for credentialing programs. Do employers pay for their staff’s participation in your association’s credentialing programs? If they do, read this post from Apti, and if they don’t, you really need to read it. They describe credentialing design and marketing strategies that help make employers aware of your programs and the value employees with credentials provide to their companies.

Diagnosis of association education programs. Jeff Cobb of Leading Learning/Tagoras explains what’s wrong with association education programs right now. His need-to-know list includes structural blind spots, market weaknesses, erosion of value perception, and missed opportunities, but he also suggests a way forward out of this mess.

Community-based approach to membership. A post by James Young of Product Community serves nicely as a complement to Jeff’s post. If you put James’ advice into action, you won’t have membership and revenue problems. He says belonging and community should be your association’s competitive advantages. He shares ideas for motivating members into “deepening levels of contribution and connection” at each stage of the membership lifecycle—a different lifecycle than the one you’re used to.

AMS selection. Before diving into vendor demos, read Dennison & Associates’ preparation guide for AMS selection projects. This resource walks you through organizing your team, conducting internal assessments, building realistic budgets (including hidden costs most associations miss), and creating a vendor shortlist. Learn why 60% of buyers regret their purchases and how to avoid becoming part of that statistic by doing the strategic groundwork before your first RFP goes out.

Event marketing and exhibiting. One of the most valuable resources I’ve seen for anyone who markets events or exhibits at events is the Boldpush newsletter from Julius Solaris. Seriously, just subscribe already.

Association viability. As a history major, I love this post from Belinda Moore of Strategic Membership Solutions about the empire cycle—“the hidden historical pattern that explains why associations rise, stall and collapse.” Which stage of the empire cycle is your association in? And which stage is our country in?

Member surveys. Thank you, Lowell Aplebaum of Vista Cova, for sharing this important message: close the loop on member surveys. He says providing acknowledgment and feedback to your members will turn survey fatigue into renewed participation.

Overcoming association leadership challenges. NetForum identifies four obstacles facing associations: inefficient processes, staffing shortages, technology limitations, and budget constraints. Their guide explains how to do more with less by offering member self-service, automating manual tasks, and implementing systems faster. Plus, they share case studies and insights from implementation partners on maximizing your AMS investment.

New online learning revenue. Professionals for Association Revenue explains how the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC) tackled a problem and took advantage of a market opportunity. Their members wanted updated certification prep materials, so APIC responded by launching three certification prep programs in 14 months.

AI website traffic. If you’re not thinking about how your association or brand shows up in AI-generated answers and search results, let me poke you a little harder with this AI visibility guide by Mateusz Makosiewicz at Ahrefs. After I write a draft for a client, I ask AI to suggest how to enhance it for AEO/GEO, not just for SEO. Might as well go straight to the source, right?

Snacks

I wish we could clone this guy and put him in every federal and state legislature and governor’s mansion. | Utah Gov. Spencer Cox talks about political division on 60 Minutes

The world as we know it was forged in the reading revolution. Now, we are living through the counter-revolution. | James Marriott, Cultural Capital

The scientific benefits of waking up, eating and drinking earlier—a better night’s sleep and more. | by Derek Thompson

You never grow old at the table

Here’s a quick and easy idea for salmon. Coat it with a Mexican or blackened spice mix—this time, I used chili powder, cumin, paprika, garlic powder, cayenne, oregano, salt and pepper. Pan-sear the fillets, top them with Herdez guacamole salsa (or your choice of jarred sauce), and continue cooking until the sauce is warm and the fish is done to your satisfaction. I rarely buy processed food, but sometimes they’re just the right thing, especially on a Friday night after an extended happy hour.

On the side, collard greens sautéed with bacon, onion, carrot, red bell, jalapeño, garlic, smoked paprika, ham broth and red wine vinegar. Yeah, that takes more work—I made them before happy hour. And ‘roasted’ nuked sweet potatoes.

It’s nearly comfort food time! I got a jump-start on the season with Italian sausages and lentils. I subbed brown for the Castelluccio lentils, red for white wine, minced for whole garlic, fresh for dried oregano, minced fresh rosemary for a sprig, and beef broth for water. I pureed a 15-oz can of diced tomatoes and threw the whole thing in, reducing the broth by ½ cup. I cooked it 20 minutes longer because brown lentils need the time. Leftover collards on the side. You’ve probably noticed leftovers make regular appearances in this household.

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

Mon 10/6 at 8 a.m.* – Lean at 10: Culture Eats Methodology for Lunch (Radio Free 501c, the podcast of Rogue Tulips Consulting)

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

Guests: Elizabeth Engel, Jamie Notter, and Chrissy Bagby

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

Mon 10/6 from 12 to 1:30 p.m. – Wonk Week: All Things Tracking

How to stop drowning in nonstop policy updates and information overload? Learn how to tackle the deluge of information pushed at you each day, and use AI to filter the noise, spot real trends, and stay focused on what matters. Hear how other teams are approaching it and learn the tactics they use to stay ahead. More info/register.

Host: Quorum

Mon 10/6 at 3 p.m. – The Communications Reset: Clarity Beats Clutter (Association Rock Stars)

Not a tools tour — a real journey from intuitive guessing to intentional, member-first communications. Hear about the stages Julia’s small team used to simplify the work and raise engagement, plus a brief perspective from the communications audit about how data and buying patterns support strategy and change. Hear what changed, what was scaled back, and what works today. Leave with a clearer lens, key questions for leadership and ideas you can try within your current capacity. More info/register.

Host: Lowell Aplebaum, CEO, Vista Cova

Guest: Julia Miller, Director of Communications, Minnesota Credit Union Network

Tue 10/7 at 8 a.m. – Creating Safer Association/Nonprofit Spaces (Nonprofit Mission: Impact)

Nonprofit Mission: Impact is the podcast for association and nonprofit leaders who want to build a better world without becoming a martyr to the cause. Hear practical strategies for preventing harassment and building values-driven accountability systems that create safer, more inclusive organizational cultures. More info.

Host: Carol Hamilton, Principal, Grace Social Sector Consulting

Guest: Paula Brantner, Accountability Ignited

Tue 10/7 at 11 a.m. – Leading with Intention: From Self-Awareness to Team Impact

Leadership starts with knowing yourself — and expands into how you support, communicate with, and energize others. Learn how to leverage diverse styles to build more cohesive, high-performing teams. Unpack how behavioral differences shape team dynamics — and how to build trust, navigate generational and style differences, and contribute to a thriving team culture. More info/register.

Host: Association Women Technology Champions

Speaker: Alyson Mckinster, National Chair, Wipfli Embrace

Tue 10/7 at 11 a.m. – Chapters and Component Relations: Challenges Are Opportunities

Associations have a great asset in their chapter and component networks but there is always a challenge in balancing the tensions that exist between chapter and association. Discuss finding the opportunities to help your organization’s chapter and component networks thrive, including relationship management, “soft skills” that help build strong networks, and how to create an opportunity mindset. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.

Host: Cecilia Sepp, CAE, ACNP, LPEC, Principal, Rogue Tulips Consulting and Author of the book Association Chapter Systems: From Frustrating to Fruitful

Guests:

Carl Weaver, Publisher, Broken Column Press
Mark Lowry, Chief Revenue Officer, Higher Logic

Tue 10/7 at 11 a.m. – From Tourists to Townspeople: Turning Newcomers Into Belongers

Explore how members evolve from curious “tourists” to committed “townspeople” and how associations can guide that journey with intentional community-building and digital engagement. Inspired by the game Catan, learn how to use your marketing strategy as a roadmap to foster identity, connection, and long-term belonging. Because membership isn’t just about transactions, it’s about transformation. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.

Host: UST Education

Speakers:

Jessica Richardson, Membership Manager, American Association of Immunologists
Rhoni Rakos, Lead Consultant, Digital Strategy, Ellipsis Partners

Tue 10/7 at 11 a.m. – Cut Through the Noise: Where to Focus for Young Professional Impact in 2025

Drawing on insights from Highland’s 2025 Young Professional Membership Index and the Forj State of MX Report, this webinar highlights four actions that matter most right now. Learn where associations are seeing results, what young professionals are seeking, and how to concentrate your efforts to strengthen engagement, boost retention, and unlock new revenue opportunities. More info/register.

Host: Forj

Speakers:

David Whited, Principal, Design Research & Strategy, Highland Solutions
Terri Herrmann, Chief Marketing Officer, Forj

Tue 10/7 from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. – From Insights to Impact: Data-Driven Strategies to Elevate Member Learning and Engagement (New York, NY)

Explore how associations can leverage analytics, learning behaviors, and engagement trends to personalize education offerings at scale and deliver meaningful value to every member. Gain practical insights into how forward-thinking associations are becoming future-ready—transforming data into actionable intelligence to fuel growth, boost retention, and advance their missions. Location: New York, NY. More info/register.

Hosts: re:Members and D2L

Speakers: Bill Sheehan (D2L) and Holly Condon (re:Members)

Tue 10/7 from 12 to 1:30 p.m. – Wonk Week: Influence & Advocacy

How do I effectively mobilize stakeholders and advocates to act? Find out what actually moves people, from getting policy stakeholders on board to inspiring advocates to take meaningful action. Learn proven strategies from teams who’ve done it and hear about their playbooks and pitfalls. More info/register.

Host: Quorum

Tue 10/7 at 1 p.m. – The Association Playbook for the AI Powered Web: Making Your Website Work Smarter

AI is transforming how people find and interact with information, but it won’t magically fix your website. Hear about the essential steps associations need to thrive on the AI-powered web. From building a strategy and structuring content to implementing schema, benchmarking performance, and answering your audience’s biggest questions, you’ll leave with a clear playbook for a smarter website. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.

Host: UST Education

Speakers: Chris Yoko, Founder and CEO, and Ray van Hilst, CAE, Vice President of Strategy, Yoko Consulting

Tue 10/7 at 1 p.m. – Next-Gen Career Centers: Research Insights on AI, Member Expectations, and Revenue

Hear about key research findings on AI and its impact on association career centers; how member expectations are shifting—and what it means for your job board strategy; proven ways career centers can generate revenue while delivering meaningful value; and actionable steps to future-proof your association’s career ecosystem. More info/register.

Host: Momentive Software

Tue 10/7 from 3 to 5 p.m. – 3^rd Annual Data Science Fair (Arlington VA)

THE must-attend event of the fall for data-minded professionals who know their way around a dataset… and some arts and crafts supplies, featuring inspiring, practical, and impressively nerdy examples of how real organizations are leveraging their data to drive operational impact and member benefit. Connect with fellow data enthusiasts, learn from their innovative projects, and, most importantly, sign up to share your most impactful project. Location: Arlington VA. More info/register.

Host: Data Analytics Network

Tue 10/7 at 4 p.m. – Let’s Chat: Small Staff Associations Meetings and Events

Small staff associations face unique challenges that demand creativity, resilience and collaboration. Join an interactive session where we’ll celebrate success stories and discuss current challenges. Connect, ask questions, exchange experiences and gain insights to help drive your organization forward. More info/register (ASAE members only).

Host: ASAE Small Staff Associations Advisory Committee

Wed 10/8 at 11 a.m. – The 4 Secrets of Increased Employee Retention & Engagement: Attraction, Attention, Appreciation & Application

Learn about the power of the Attraction, Attention, Appreciation as the basis for creating a positive workplace culture that creates sustainable success, while increasing engagement and retention through practical Application of the 3 A’s. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.

Host: UST Education

Speaker: Paul Glover, President at Glover & Associates

Wed 10/8 at 11 a.m. – How Associations Build Self-Running Content Engines That Grow Membership

Is your association struggling with engagement, retention, or non-dues revenue? Learn about the Member Engagement Catalyst™—a proven framework built to help associations reignite member pride, strengthen community, and unlock new revenue opportunities. Find out how to identify and capture the kinds of member stories that resonate and inspire action; turn those stories into a repeatable content workflow that fuels engagement across channels; and reinforce your value proposition through storytelling that feels personal and relevant. More info/register.

Host: Jamie Green, founder and president, ContentOvation

Wed 10/8 from 12 to 1:30 p.m. – Wonk Week: ROI & Career Growth

How do I prove that my efforts moved the needle and grow in my career? Learn how to measure what matters, tell a compelling story with your results, and make the case for more resources and responsibility. Hear how leading teams report on success and the tactics they use to demonstrate ROI. More info/register.

Host: Quorum

Wed 10/8 at 1 p.m. – Call 9-1-1 My Organization Is in Crisis

Learn how to prepare for a crisis, understand the elements in a crisis plan, know how to assemble a Rapid Response© Team, identify the three crisis phases, and conduct scenario crisis planning. Walk away feeling more confident about how their organization can ensure a crisis successfully. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.

Host: UST Education

Speaker: Sheri Singer, President at Singer Communications

Wed 10/8 at 1 p.m. – Turning Technical Debt into Smart Investments

Learn how technical debt can be reframed from a burden to a strategic tool for tech planning. Recognize red flags in your current systems. Hear how an association using an outdated, overly customized Salesforce instance transformed their technical debt into a roadmap for a phased reimplementation. Learn how to use technical debt insights to drive budget conversations and prioritize technology investments. Walk away with a practical framework to align system modernization with your mission and operational goals. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.

Host: Fonteva

Speakers:

Neeraj Garg, Global COO, Aplusify
Blair Clemente, Senior Director of Business Intelligence and Analytics, The American Hotel and Lodging Association

Wed 10/8 at 2 p.m. – Governance – Shaping the Future of Association Boards: Nine Recommendations for Action

How can all association community stakeholders work together to create a better future for association boards? The Future of Association Boards (FAB) Community Dialogue Report, released in late July 2025, proposes answers to this question with nine recommendations for action for association stakeholders to pursue together as they shape a better future for our community’s boards. Hear about the report’s nine recommendations, share next practices to facilitate their implementation, and offer ideas and insights. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.

Host: Association Forum

Speaker: Jeff De Cagna, executive advisor, Foresight First

Wed 10/8 at 2 p.m. – More Than Prompts: The 7 Takeaways That Will Redefine B2B Marketing In 2026

Go behind the headlines of our latest B2B Content and Marketing Trends Report to unpack the real insights: why strategy beats scale, why people matter more than platforms, and why “lipstick on a PDF” won’t cut it anymore. Explore the seven key takeaways shaping B2B marketing in 2026 — from AI to experiential marketing — and walk away with a sharper view of where to focus, what to fund, and how to outlast the hype. More info/register.

Host: Content Marketing Institute

Speakers:

Paul Kemp-Robertson, Chief Content Officer, LIONS
Robert Rose, Chief Strategy Advisor, Content Marketing Institute

Thu 10/9 at 10 a.m. – Building Impactful Decentralized Communities

Curious about decentralized community management—and how it could work for your organization? Hear how the Bosch Alumni Network is empowering members, scaling impact, and building resilient communities through a decentralized approach. More info/register.

Host: Hivebrite

Speakers:

Tobias Gerber, Head of Communication, Bosch Alumni Network
Dhia Hayouni, Customer Success Manager, Hivebrite

Thu 10/9 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. – Wonk Summit: The Summit for Policy Wonks and Advocacy Pros (Washington DC)

Making sense of today, with policy shifts, nonstop updates, and pressure from every direction, how do you cut through the noise? Unpack what’s happening right now and what actually matters. Looking around the corner, from elections to emerging issues, the future is already taking shape. Get the insider perspective on what’s coming so you can plan, not just react. Shape the future with AI. It’s not just about using today’s tools, it’s about preparing for tomorrow’s reality. Discover how AI is changing public affairs—and how you can harness it before everyone else does. Location: Washington DC. More info/register.

Host: Quorum

Thu 10/9 at 12 p.m. – Keeping The Human Edge In AI-Assisted Instructional Design

Learn how to treat AI as a co-pilot, not an autopilot, and keep your designs sharp, inclusive, and evidence-based. Explore the biggest pitfalls of AI-generated learning, including reinforcing stereotypes, fueling the “learning styles” myth, and producing vague or ineffective objectives. Gain practical strategies for writing measurable objectives, setting ethical guardrails, and ensuring your training remains diverse, accessible, and grounded in research. More info/register.

Host: eLearning Industry

Speakers:

Jill Stefaniak, Chief Learning Officer at Litmos
Stephanie Moore, Associate Professor at the University of New Mexico

Thu 10/9 at 1 p.m. – Simplify Your Tech Stack: How Zapier + Your AMS Can Supercharge Productivity, Create Hands-Free Workflows, and Save Your Staff a Ton of Time

Most associations didn’t build their tech stack overnight. It grew over time with one platform here, one workaround there until you found yourself juggling disconnected systems, clunky processes, and missed opportunities. See how Zapier’s automation and AI capabilities paired with your existing AMS can unlock a more intelligent, integrated, and efficient way of working. No custom development. No massive overhaul. Just smart connections and real-world results. Whether you’re tackling member engagement, data hygiene, or operational workflows, this session is designed to help you take the friction out of your technology. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.

Host: UST Education

Speakers: Joe Salerno, Client Success Consultant; Keith Hunter, CEO; and Nicholas Wimsatt, Senior Applications Developer, Armstrong

Thu 10/9 at 1 p.m. – From Content to Conversion: Marketing Education That Drives 2026 Growth

Learn why only 44% of members feel associations deliver personalized content and how to close the gap; how to define your audience for 2026 by building personas for early-career learners, mid-career upskillers, and other segments; how marketing strategies such as use bundles, career tracks, and microlearning attract and retain learners; and how to drive loyalty with exclusive benefits and grow revenue by targeting non-members. More info/register.

Host: Momentive Software

Speakers:

Kristen Wall, VP of Learning & Training Services, Momentive Software
Adam Hostetter, CEO, FUSE Next

Thu 10/9 from 3 to 4:30 p.m. – Webinars suck! Yet ours are on fire! Here’s why.

Learn how to turn the traditional webinar format on its head and create live sessions your members actually want to show up for. Hear how to pick irresistible topics that make your members drool; flip the script with less presenting and more connecting; shift passive scrollers into active and chatty attendees; and real examples from webinars that broke the “boring” mold. More info/register.

Host: Member Lounge

Speaker: Farhad Khan, CEO and Membership Strategist, Member Lounge

Wed 10/15 at 12 p.m. – Strategic Budgeting for Impact in 2026: Aligning Mission, Money, and Modernization 

Host: Momentive Software

Speakers:

Rob Miller, MPA, CAE, SVP, Association Strategy at Momentive Software
Tom Harlow, CPA, CAE, Interim Chief Finance Officer at ASAE: The Center for Association Leadership

Wed 10/15 at 1 p.m. – AI, SEO, and YouTube: A New Playbook for Events and Associations

Host: UST Education

Speaker: Dan Piva, Senior Manager, Business Development & Enablement at Gather Voices

Thu 10/16 at 11 a.m. – Content: A Foundational Element of Member Value

Host: UST Education

Speakers: Breanna Perrelli, Creative Director, and Marcus Leite, Director, Sales & Marketing, TaleWind Digital

Thu 10/16 at 12 p.m. – Local Component Utopia: Building Collaborative Relationships with Local Volunteer Leaders

Host: Mariner Management & Marketing

Speakers:

Bill Schankel, CEO of NAFA
Peggy McElgunn, President & CEO of Global Professional Services
Chuck Wilmarth, Vice President, Health Policy and State Affairs for AOTA

Thu 10/16 at 12 p.m. – Business Leadership for CMOs

Host: Braintrust Professional Institute

Speakers: Randall Craig and Ronja Francoeur, Braintrust Professional Institute

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

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

Association Brain Food Weekly is published Friday mornings. If you offer free professional development to the association community, please send me the link by Wednesday afternoon.

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Association Brain Food: 9.26.25

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

Reads for the association community

Transformation. Most of the reads I share here are about association management and content marketing, but this one is a personal take on loss and change. Sherry Budziak of .orgSource shares what she’s learned about herself and her life after her husband died. She describes the practices she developed during her journey to Sherry 2.0. And wouldn’t you know it? Her lessons on transformation also apply to associations.

Learning communities. Make time for this Sidecar Sync episode hosted by Mallory Mejias with guest Jackson Boyar of RallyBoard. They talk about the increasing competition for associations from influencer-led membership and learning communities and the power of cohorts in online learning. This is the future, my friends.

Content distribution. Sidecar’s on a roll this week. On their blog, Mallory encourages associations to take a content cue from influencers. Distribute content where your people spend their time—not only on your site, but on LinkedIn and YouTube too. Highlight “the creator who explains complex topics simply over the expert who explains them thoroughly.” She describes how to attract and hold your audience’s attention amidst the noisy competition.

AMS selection. Ellipsis Partners shares questions to help you avoid costly mistakes and ensure your next AMS selection delivers on its promises. These “awkward questions” expose the gaps that sales demos won’t show you by uncovering hidden customization costs, data migration surprises, authentication headaches and reporting limitations. The guide covers ten areas, including member experience, duplicate management, e-commerce functionality, and upgrade processes, along with tips from consultants who’ve guided countless associations through successful AMS transitions.

Sponsorship. The real value of revenue partnerships goes far beyond dollars, says Professionals for Association Revenue. They describe how EDUCAUSE changed its sponsorship model by tapping into sponsor expertise for education, mission-driven projects and other collaborations.

AI slop. Search engines are relying on “contaminated inputs,” say the folks at iPullRank. “As AI-generated content floods the web, it becomes training data for future AI models, creating what researchers call ‘model collapse’—a phenomenon where each generation of AI content becomes progressively more generic, less accurate, and less useful.” Luckily, I can spot AI slop and replace it with substance pretty easily. But this does make me wonder if companies that rely on ChatGPT for content will return to human writers. The iPullRank team also shares “defensive publishing strategies” for the AI era: an authority-first approach to content creation.

Career center enhancement. YM Careers describes how to transform your job board into a career development destination by connecting job seekers with hiring managers, providing career advice and coaching resources, offering career pathing tools and delivering valuable career data. The guide explains how these enhancements help you generate non-dues revenue, acquire new members, and boost engagement while positioning your association as the go-to career resource in your industry.

LLM search optimization. Louise Linehan at Ahrefs explains how to display your authority and make your brand visible in AI answers. She admits her team is still figuring out LLM search optimization, but wants to share what they know so far, based on their ongoing research and experimentation.

AI hallucinations. Mike Caulfield says errors (hallucinations) in search-assisted LLMs are the result of an investigation aborted too soon. The same thing happens with generative AI responses. Always follow up AI’s first response with a fact-check—his post offers an approach suited to fact-checking digital content. I always ask AI to verify its response against resources I’ve provided or sites it’s checked. I wish more journalists would practice fact-checking these days. It’s amazing what many of them accept as true.

Snacks

What ASIS International did when it discovered a live form of their certification exam was being sold online as a test preparation resource. | Erica Brown, MBA, Michael Clifton and Rachel R. Watkins Schoenig, J.D., Institute for Credentialing Excellence

Career advice goes viral: how TikTok is reshaping the way young professionals plan their futures. | Kayla McCain, Association Forum

How to moderate a meaningful panel discussion. | Amanda Kaiser

You never grow old at the table

On the eve of the autumn equinox, I made a delicious variation of this chicken and butternut squash orzo recipe. I subbed onion for shallot, dried thyme for fresh, evaporated milk for cream, and white beans for orzo, added gold potatoes, and used an entire bunch of kale.

I’m on a mission to put a dent in my stash of basil pesto in the freezer, so I experimented with some ingredients for a pesto and sausage gnocchi skillet: hot Italian sausage, onion, potato gnocchi, tomatoes, pesto, Parmesan, fresh mozzarella, arugula and spinach. A mighty successful experiment, I must say. I added leftover evaporated milk to reheat it for dinner another night.

On the side, steamed green beans tossed with sautéed red onion, garlic, sundried tomatoes and smoked paprika.

With the last of my sister-in-law’s figs, I made this fig quick bread recipe. I used nearly double the figs he calls for, which could explain why the middle was a bit mushy, or I might have pulled it out of the oven too early. But that’s okay because we scarfed it all up over the weekend.

I’m stocked up for my wheat tortilla breakfasts this week, alternating fried eggs with charro beans and salsa, and hummus with roasted eggplant, broccoli and red onion. I used my pressure cooker to make chickpeas for the hummus and pinto beans for the charro beans.

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Fri 9/26 at 11 a.m.* – Thriving in Transition: Advanced Strategies for Securing Your Next Opportunity

Learn how to tap into unadvertised opportunities through strategic networking and informational interviews, develop a critical eye for suspicious job postings and communications, verify the legitimacy of potential employers to avoid fraudulent schemes, articulate your unique value proposition, build a strong online and offline presence that attracts opportunities, cultivate meaningful relationships with key influencers and decision-makers, maintain motivation, manage stress, leverage setbacks as learning opportunities, assess your worth, negotiate compensation and benefits packages confidently in a fluctuating market, identify emerging in-demand skills, and develop a plan for continuous learning and professional development. More info/register.

Host: ASAE

Speakers:

Lori Bruhns, Leadership & Performance Development Coach, Lori Bruhns, LLC
Sally Starrfield, MSA, SPHR HR & Educational Consultant, Sally Starrfield, LLC

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

Fri 9/26 at 1 p.m. – Foresight Fridays: Preventing AI Harms and Risks

Learn how strategic foresight can help association professionals stay proactive, not reactive, in the face of AI’s rapid evolution. Join a dynamic conversation anchored in the Preventing AI Risks and Harms driver of change from ASAE ForesightWorks. Gain insights into the ethical, operational, and strategic risks posed by AI—and learn how to navigate them responsibly. 1 CAE. More info/register.

Host: ASAE

Speakers:

Jeff De Cagna, AIMP, DAIG, FRSA, FASAE, Executive Advisor, Foresight First LLC
Heather Harris, PhD, Principal Data Scientist, Herkimer Consulting
Matthew Guggemos, MS, Founder, iTherapy LLC and iTherapy
Tamesha Logan, MBA, CAE (moderator), Executive Director, American Mensa & Mensa Foundation

Mon 9/29 at 1 p.m. – Live Broadcast of Radio Free 501c: Episode 300

Every week, Rogue Tulips brings the nonprofit community intriguing guests to discuss vital topics affecting nonprofit organizations around the world. Topics have covered everything from membership trends to strategic planning to cybersecurity to how associations are like classic movies. Today, Cecilia is doing a live broadcast of the 300^th episode. A few past guests will be joining her. More info/register.

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

Tue 9/30 at 11 a.m. – Leading with Intention: From Self-Awareness to Team Impact

Leadership starts with knowing yourself — and expands into how you support, communicate with, and energize others. Learn how to apply behavioral insights and emotional intelligence to your leadership, and turn self-awareness into smarter communication, stronger delegation, and conflict resolution aligned with your strengths. Lead people, not just projects. More info/register.

Host: Association Women Technology Champions

Speaker: Alyson Mckinster, National Chair, Wipfli Embrace

Tue 9/30 at 11:30 a.m. – Winning With Micro Events in an AI-First World

In an AI-first world, the most impactful in-person events aren’t always the largest conferences. Micro-events and field marketing activations — from executive roundtables to regional dinners — are becoming the cornerstone of modern event strategy. Learn about the role of AI in driving efficiency and personalization, helping event teams plan smarter and scale impact without adding headcount, and real-world examples of how leading organizations are using micro-events to boost engagement and accelerate demand generation. More info/register.

Host: Bizzabo

Speakers:

Amanda-Lynn Porta, Director of Events Management, Applied Research Institute
Dan Bolton, Head of Marketing, Wealth.com

Tue 9/30 at 12 p.m. – Fundraising When the Ground Shifts: Surviving & Thriving Despite Disruption

Today’s effective fundraising is about leading with vision–connecting people to purpose, seeing the big picture, and mobilizing resources to build resilience. Learn how the speaker led his organization through challenging times, leveraging both strategy and passion to deliver measurable fundraising results. Take away practical tools, real-world insights, and a renewed perspective on what it takes to lead with clarity and purpose. More info/register.

Host: Association Xchange

Speaker: Cedric Calhoun, Executive Director, American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers

Tue 9/30 at 12 p.m. – Making Change Stick: Post-Retreat Momentum and Accountability

What happens after your leadership team meets for your annual offsite? Is there new energy, momentum, and a lasting impact on your organization or nothing? The goal of a corporate retreat is not the retreat, it’s to move the needle and build alignment, a stronger team dynamic, and lasting change. Learn how to activate this change when your team returns to the office: what seeds have to be planted before the retreat, the role of the CEO at the retreat, different takes on the retreat agenda, techniques for building accountability, and reinforcing the learning and change. More info/register.

Host: Braintrust Professional Institute

Speakers: Randall Craig and Ronja Francoeur, Braintrust Professional Institute

Tue 9/30 at 1 p.m. – A Critical Point: Mental Health for Association CEOs

Leading an association can be deeply rewarding—yet as a chief staff executive, the physical and emotional demands often come at great personal cost. Drawing on insights from a recent survey of nearly 150 CSEs, this webinar uncovers stark realities: 85% report negative impacts on their health, 60% struggle with sleep, and nearly one in five have experienced workplace-related mental health challenges. Hear about real-world strategies for building healthier work habits, establishing boundaries, nurturing board awareness, and reshaping governance culture—empowering association CEOs and CSEs to lead sustainably while modeling well-being for their entire organization. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.

Host: UST Education

Speakers:

Tara Puckey, MBA, CAE, CMP, Executive Director at The Radio Television Digital News Association
Lindsay Currie, CAE, Executive Officer at Council on Undergraduate Research
Adam Levy, CAE, Executive Director at American Cleft Palate Craniofacial Association
Silvia Quevedo, Interim Executive Director at National Association of Healthcare Access Management

Tue 9/30 at 1 p.m. – Sponsorship Resilience in a Changing World

How do you keep funding and sponsorships strong when everything around you is changing? Learn how PMJA has rolled with the punches and built resilience in uncertain times—while still finding success. Hear what resilience looks like in sponsorship and funding strategy, real-world lessons on flexibility and innovation in partnership development, and encouragement for associations and nonprofits navigating today’s climate. More info/register.

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

Guest: Christine Paige Diers, Executive Director of Public Media Journalists Association (PMJA)

Tue 9/30 at 1 p.m. – Are You Ready to Act? Advocacy & Crisis Communications Planning Starts Now

Organizations are navigating rapidly changing federal and state landscapes and the pace will only accelerate as we approach the 2026 midterms. To stay ahead, leaders need strategies that anticipate shifts, build strong relationships, and strengthen advocacy and crisis communication efforts. Learn why federal advocacy strategies must adapt to ripple effects from policy shifts and how state-level trends are shaping national conversations. More info/register.

Host: Kellen

Tue 9/30 at 3 p.m. – Video Relationship Management: The New Era of Connection and Engagement

In a world where inboxes are full and audiences are tuning out, break through with Video Relationship Management (VRM) and restore trust and attention through authentic, scalable video. Hear about the principles of VRM, which include video at the core, co-creation over control, lifecycle integration, and systemized scalability—and why they matter now more than ever. Using ASAE’s adoption of VRM as a case study, see how associations can elevate member voices, extend event impact, and create lasting connections. Walk away with practical strategies and inspiration to reimagine how your organization builds relationships in the age of distraction. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.

Host: UST Education

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

Wed 10/1 at 11 a.m. – The Power of PsyCap

Discover how Psychological Capital (PsyCap)—hope, efficacy, resilience, and optimism—can transform the volunteer experience and strengthen organizational impact. Explore how cultivating PsyCap among volunteers leads to higher satisfaction, deeper engagement, and stronger retention. Gain actionable insights and practical strategies to foster a thriving volunteer culture, backed by data and real-world application. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.

Host: UST Education

Speaker: Nicole Rudner, CAE, DBA, Director of Engagement at TerraLex

Wed 10/1 from 12 to 1:30 p.m. – Navigating the Lifelong Learning Journey in Certification

Host: Certification Network Group

Speakers:

Ashish Rangnekar, CEO and Co-Founder of BenchPrep
Tracy Petrillo EdD, CAE, Chief Learning Officer for CASBO
Jasmine Rockett, Director of the Inteleos POCUS Certification Academy

Wed 10/1 at 12 p.m. – Pandemic Stories: How Associations Helped America Overcome the Pandemic and Lead During Today’s Turbulent Times

From securing critical policy changes to rapidly training members for virtual operations, associations played a pivotal role in keeping industries and communities afloat during the pandemic. Explore inspiring real-world examples, the leadership lessons they reveal, and how association leaders can apply them to navigate uncertainty and drive impact today. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.

Host: AIOT

Speaker: Joanna Pineda, CEO, Matrix Group International

Wed 10/1 at 1 p.m. – U-Turn: From Outstanding to Standing Out in a Competitive Marketplace

Winning organizations market the problem, not just the solution. And members and prospects will believe that the organization BEST able to articulate their problem is the one best positioned to provide the best solution. Learn why quality and service excellence are no longer differentiators but are core expectations; why a difference of KIND always beats a difference of DEGREE; how to analyze your association’s core value proposition to determine what it is truly offering members; and how to speak relationally to your members rather than transactionally. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.

Host: UST Education

Speaker: Michael DiFrisco, CAE, Executive Director at American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry

Wed 10/1 at 1 p.m. – Finance and Business Operations (FBO) Meet Up

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

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

Thu 10/2 at 11 a.m. – The Psychology of AI Adoption

Explore the future of AI implementation through both a strategic and psychological lens. Learn about emerging expectations for AI use across industries, foundational psychological principles that shape how humans adopt technology like AI, and how understanding value exchange and experience design fosters stronger collaboration, accelerates adoption, and unlocks sustainable value from AI technologies. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.

Host: UST Education

Speaker: JC Quintana, Author at jcquintana.com

Thu 10/2 at 12 p.m. – Make Membership Magic: Modern Tools and Tactics Every Chamber of Commerce Needs

Hear directly from chamber leaders and technology experts who are transforming how they recruit, retain, and engage members. Discover how modern systems—designed with built-in automation, real-time dashboards, and integrations with tools like Outlook—are improving operations, boosting revenue, and deepening member value. Explore how AI is unlocking a new era of chamber success—from natural language queries that turn questions into answers, to intelligent recommendations that drive member engagement and staff efficiency. More info/register.

Host: re:Members

Speakers:

Sue Garrity, Sr. Dir. Membership Information Services, Michigan Chamber of Commerce
Patrick Dorsey, SVP, Marketing, re:Members
Jason Vance, Director of Technical Solutions, re:Members

Thu 10/2 at 1 p.m. – Beyond the Coffee Break: 7 Ways to Spark Real Engagement at Events

Learn seven practical, replicable tactics to increase engagement and make networking more meaningful at association conferences, chapter meetings, expos, and more. Hear how to go beyond the usual coffee breaks and receptions to build stronger connections, build community, and ensure people leave feeling it was worth their time. Try out these techniques during the workshop and walk away ready to apply them at your next event. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.

Host: UST Education

Speaker: Lee Gimpel, President at Better Meetings

Thu 10/2 at 2 p.m. – The Association Leader’s Guide to AI Policy: Risks, Opportunities, and Best Practices

Associations are already experimenting with AI, but most lack clear policies to guide safe and effective use, much less the other tools you need for great AI governance. Learn what policies and governance you need—internal, external, and risk-related—to protect your organizations and manage change responsibly. Hear about the essential components of AI governance, get real-world templates, and see how associations can get ahead of the risks while preparing for future opportunities. More info/register.

Host: 501Works

Speakers:

Susannah Mechem, Chief Operating Officer, Dennison & Associates
Vanessa Dennison, CAE, CBAP, Principal, Dennison & Associates
James Marquis, CIO, 501Works

Tue 10/7 at 11 a.m. – Leading with Intention: From Self-Awareness to Team Impact

Host: Association Women Technology Champions

Speaker: Alyson Mckinster, National Chair, Wipfli Embrace

Tue 10/7 at 11 a.m. – Chapters and Component Relations: Challenges Are Opportunities

Host: Cecilia Sepp, CAE, ACNP, LPEC, Principal, Rogue Tulips Consulting and Author of the book Association Chapter Systems: From Frustrating to Fruitful

Guests:

Carl Weaver, Publisher, Broken Column Press
Mark Lowry, Chief Revenue Officer, Higher Logic

Tue 10/7 at 11 a.m. – From Tourists to Townspeople: Turning Newcomers Into Belongers

Host: UST Education

Speakers:

Jessica Richardson, Membership Manager, American Association of Immunologists
Rhoni Rakos, Lead Consultant, Digital Strategy, Ellipsis Partners

Tue 10/7 from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. – From Insights to Impact: Data-Driven Strategies to Elevate Member Learning and Engagement (New York, NY)

Hosts: re:Members and D2L

Speakers: Bill Sheehan (D2L) and Holly Condon (re:Members)

Tue 10/7 at 1 p.m. – The Association Playbook for the AI Powered Web: Making Your Website Work Smarter

Host: UST Education

Speakers: Chris Yoko, Founder and CEO, and Ray van Hilst, CAE, Vice President of Strategy, Yoko Consulting

Tue 10/7 from 3 to 5 p.m. – 3^rd Annual Data Science Fair (Arlington VA)

Host: Data Analytics Network

Wed 10/8 at 11 a.m. – The 4 Secrets of Increased Employee Retention & Engagement: Attraction, Attention, Appreciation & Application

Host: UST Education

Speaker: Paul Glover, President at Glover & Associates

Wed 10/8 at 1 p.m. – Call 9-1-1 My Organization Is in Crisis

Host: UST Education

Speaker: Sheri Singer, President at Singer Communications

Wed 10/8 at 1 p.m. – Turning Technical Debt into Smart Investments

Host: Fonteva

Speakers:

Neeraj Garg, Global COO, Aplusify
Blair Clemente, Senior Director of Business Intelligence and Analytics, The American Hotel and Lodging Association

Thu 10/9 at 11 a.m. – For Leaders to Scale (Part 1 of 4): Strategy: Crafting the Right Strategy Based on Purpose, Core Competencies, and Core Customers

Learn how to define core purpose, core competencies, and core customer in relation to strategic growth; analyze how brand promise integrates into an organization’s strategic positioning; evaluate the alignment of stakeholders around strategy and market positioning; and formulate a strategy statement that drives sustainable growth in revenue and margin. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.

Host: UST Education

Speakers: Michele Barry, Strategy Coach, and Jane-Scott Cantus, Strategy and Leadership Coach, ASSURED STRATEGY

Thu 10/9 at 1 p.m. – Simplify Your Tech Stack: How Zapier + Your AMS Can Supercharge Productivity, Create Hands-Free Workflows, and Save Your Staff a Ton of Time

Host: UST Education

Speakers: Joe Salerno, Client Success Consultant; Keith Hunter, CEO; and Nicholas Wimsatt, Senior Applications Developer, Armstrong

Association Brain Food Weekly is published Friday mornings. If you offer free professional development to the association community, please send me the link by Wednesday afternoon.

Creative Commons licensed photo by William Foley via Unsplash

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

Association Brain Food: 9.19.25

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

A man sees in the world what he carries in his heart. ~Goethe

Reads for the association community

Promoting education programs. Clowder explains how a year-round membership app helps members discover, register for and participate in online education programs. Since members are already on their phones throughout the day, keep your association top-of-mind as a trusted education partner.

Association learning trends. Every year, thousands of association learning business professionals download the results of the annual Learning Business Strategic Outlook survey from Tagoras/Leading Learning. The survey requires less than 15 minutes to complete, but its results are invaluable for educating decision-makers and other stakeholders at your organization, developing business cases, and winning budget funds.

LMS reporting tips. TopClass LMS shares insider tips from experienced association education professionals for using LMS reporting features that save them hours each week. The insights you gain from taking full advantage of your software’s reports will help you demonstrate your department’s value, increase program participation and improve your learning portfolio.

AI tools course. In the Association Academy’s live Association Artificial Intelligence Certificate Course, learn how to use AI tools to create high-quality text, image, video and other content with hands-on time in class. Students earn one CAE credit for each live class they attend. The course meets Thursdays, 1-2pm ET starting October 23. Save $50 with promo code BRAINFOOD.

Digital strategy assessment. Starkweather reveals that 63% of associations recognize the importance of digital strategy but lack a formal plan, with only 25% rating their digital skills highly. While aimed at YourMembership users, their guide offers valuable advice for all associations. They explain how to assess digital maturity, develop an automation and integration roadmap, and overcome the three biggest barriers to digital transformation.

Writing with AI. I agree with Vishveshwar Jatain who says writing is the worst use of LLMs (generative AI like ChatGPT). Sure, it feels like magic, but the results are “no more interesting than a spreadsheet to consume.”

Thinking strategically about AI. Even when you think and write for yourself, AI reduces the time it takes to perform certain laborious tasks. But putting aside AI enthusiasm, Jeff De Cagna points out the harms caused by AI and suggests three AI-related issues for association leaders to consider.

AMS selection. 108 ideaspace identifies ten critical factors associations must evaluate before selecting an AMS—factors that make the difference between a costly mistake and a strategic technology investment. Their guide will help you ask the right questions about platform capabilities, vendor stability, and long-term costs and avoid mistakes leading to expensive system changes down the road.

Learning strategy. Tracy King of InspirEd describes how AI is changing the playbook for association online learning programs. Since members and learners are turning to AI for answers, pay particular attention to her section on “skills-first learning.”

Change management. When dealing with change resisters, these three questions from Alex Mouw can turn innovation blockers into believers. Asking them “gives voice to unspoken fears, provides a reality check on the likelihood of negative outcomes and develops a mitigation strategy.”

Website PDFs. Accella explains why generative AI queries can’t find the PDFs on your website. They describe how to format content so it’s AI-ready and suggest taking a step back to rethink how your content is created, reviewed and published.

You never grow old at the table

With leftover broth and butter from the steamed clams we enjoyed a few days earlier, I made linguine with white clam sauce. I snuck a few zucchini into the sauce to make it a complete one-pan meal.

While looking through food newsletters, this lemony chicken stew jumped out at me. I’m glad it did; it’s a keeper recipe. My only change was subbing evaporated milk for the heavy cream—one of my usual hacks. On the side, Brussels sprouts roasted with red onion, garlic powder and smoked paprika, tossed with a mix of balsamic vinegar and maple syrup.

An old favorite another night: chipotle salmon with leftover Brussels sprouts and roasted ‘nuked’ sweet potatoes on the side.

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

Fri 9/19 at 3 p.m.* – ChatGPT and Friends 101

Learn how to put ChatGPT and other AI tools to work right away. Find out how to set up and use ChatGPT like a pro; access secret settings for data protection, better responses and more; save time, spark ideas and get better results; and get a peek at other AI “friends” you’ll want in your toolbox. More info/register.

Host: Beth Ziesenis, Your Nerdy Best Friend

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

Fri 9/19 at 3 p.m. – Nonprofit Consultants Collaborative Monthly Networking Meeting

This monthly networking meeting is organized by consultants for full-time consultants who work with non-profits and associations. You don’t have to be an ASAE member to attend. This month’s agenda includes the sharing of good news, topics or questions from the group, and verifying AI material and protecting copyright. More info/register.

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

Mon 9/22 at 8 a.m. – Leading Edge Student Internship Program (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: Shelby Truxon of The Nonprofit Alliance

Tue 9/23 at 11 a.m. – Leading with Intention: From Self-Awareness to Team Impact

Leadership starts with knowing yourself — and expands into how you support, communicate with, and energize others. Learn how to build self-awareness through reflection and your Predictive Index results. Explore how your unique behavioral wiring influences your leadership style, communication habits, and stress responses. Through journaling and discussion, uncover what drives you and how to lead with clarity and authenticity. More info/register.

Host: Association Women Technology Champions

Speaker: Alyson Mckinster, National Chair, Wipfli Embrace

Tue 9/23 at 11 a.m. – Modern Governance in Action: Strengthening Boards for Today’s Challenges

Explore key governance practices that support transparency, accountability, and strategic alignment. Examine board size, term limits, and the importance of regular bylaws review, as well as effective board member training and orientation. Address emerging issues facing boards today, including the implications of AI on governance responsibilities and oversight, and how associations are approaching DEI commitments in a shifting cultural and political landscape. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.

Host: UST Education

Speaker: Rich Bar, Principal at GKG Law | Non-Profit Law & Corporate Governance Attorney

Tue 9/23 from 12 to 2 p.m. – Lunch & Learn Workshop: Optimizing the Member Journey (Arlington VA)

Learn how to create a compelling, measurable member value proposition, understand the five phases of the member journey from awareness to advocacy, spot and solve pain points at every stage of the journey, design an onboarding experience that drives retention, and track and improve engagement with real-time metrics. Location: Arlington VA. More info/register.

Host: Causeis

Speakers: Michelle Lelempsis, CEO & Founder; Casey Hines, Managing Director & COO of North America; and Brandi Barber, Vice President, Strategic Client Success, Causeis

Tue 9/23 at 1 p.m. – Leveraging AI Assistant & Agents to Enhance Staff Efficiency and Member Value

Learn how AI can streamline your operations and support (not replace) the important work you’re doing for your members. Explore the growth and limitations of large language models (LLMs), the importance of fine-tuning and retrieval augmented generation (RAG), definitions and uses for AI Agents and Agentic AI, practical AI uses to streamline your operations and empower your staff, and how AI can help you enhance your member experience without sacrificing the personal touch. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.

Host: UST Education

Speaker: Greg Pollack, VP, Sales Enablement & Engineering Onboarding at Higher Logic

Wed 9/24 from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. – LMS Demo Days

Watch and participate in presentations from a limited number of industry partners that offer learning management system (LMS) platforms. More info/register.

Host: ASAE

Participants: LearnUpon, BenchPrep, Thinkific, TopClass LMS by ASI, Oasis LMS, Thought Industries, Path LMS Powered by Momentive, Elevate

Wed 9/24 at 11 a.m. – The right ingredients: How to craft your perfect participant experience with data and measurement

Learn how to identify the few key metrics that actually drive participant satisfaction and commercial success; unify data from different platforms to get a true 360-degree view of your attendees and their behavior; define and track KPIs directly link to sponsor ROI and exhibitor lead quality; use live data during your event to solve problems on the fly, guide attendees to relevant content and facilitate high-value connections; and build compelling post-event reports that clearly demonstrate value, convincing sponsors and exhibitors to re-book. More info/register.

Host: Grip

Speakers:

Chloe Richardson, Head of Content, Event Leaders Exchange (ELX)
Ade Allenby, Allenby Advisory

Wed 9/24 at 12 p.m. – Getting Your Board to Say Yes: The Ultimate Playbook for Launching an Online Community

Learn the exact steps to take your online community strategy from idea to execution. Hear about the urgency and value of building a community today. Find out how to assess where your brand stands, what’s needed to move forward, and how to get your team and leadership on the same page. More info/register.

Host: GrowthZone

Wed 9/24 at 12 p.m. – AWTC Meet & Greet

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

Host: Association Women Technology Champions

Wed 9/24 at 1 p.m. – Future-Ready Associations: Navigating Today’s Defining Trends

Hear about the four critical trends transforming how associations operate, engage members, and deliver value. Backed by findings from McKinley Advisors’ latest Trends Survey, this session will reveal how successful organizations are adapting to meet the moment and staying ahead of the curve. Explore: AI & Technological Transformation, Workforce Challenges, Regulatory Complexity & Political Uncertainty, and Shifting Business Conditions. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.

Host: UST Education

Speakers: Meena Dayak, M.A., Practice Director, and Kristi Donovan, M.S., CAE, Practice Director, McKinley Advisors

Wed 9/24 at 1 p.m. – The State of Associations: Part 3

Hear how associations can provide support to members during times of great change; unique ways associations should provide connections and engage younger members; in what areas associations can experiment, take risks, and share lessons with members; and the evolution of the use of AI and technology and how associations can lead the way. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.

Host: Fonteva

Speakers:

Casey Clyburn, Executive Director, South Carolina Society of Association Executives
Karolyn Kiburz, Administrator, Arizona Society of Association Executives
Steven Stout, FASAE, CAE, Executive Director, Texas Society of Association Executives

Wed 9/24 at 1 p.m. – Timeline of a Sustainable Event

From the RFPs sent to vendors, to the site visits, to the actual event and post-event follow up, every aspect has green meeting initiatives to be considered. Learn what to ask for and when, how to set expectations with all key stakeholders, when to communicate your sustainability policy with attendees, how to get the data to set a baseline to build from, what and when to share your sustainability wins, and when and how to start planning your strategy for the next event. 1 CMP credit. More info/register.

Host: Meetings Today

Speaker: Nancy Zavada, Founder & President, MeetGreen

Wed 9/24 at 2 p.m. – From Data to Action: 2025 Association Community Benchmarks

Get the latest trends and insights from our 2025 Association Community Benchmark Report. Discover how your community stacks up, learn which metrics matter most, and uncover strategies to boost engagement and drive member value. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.

Host: Higher Logic

Speakers: John Micah Yates, Strategic Advisor; Eileen Quinn, Strategic Advisor; and Kelly Whelan, Content Marketing Manager, Higher Logic

Wed 9/24 at 2 p.m. – Future of Association Boards (FAB) Community Dialogue

More info/register.

Host: Jeff De Cagna, executive advisor, Foresight First

Wed 9/24 at 2 p.m. – Finance and Business Operations (FBO) Meet Up

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

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

Thu 9/25 from 9:10 a.m. to 12 p.m. – LMS Demo Days

Watch and participate in presentations from a limited number of industry partners that offer learning management system (LMS) platforms. More info/register.

Host: ASAE

Participants: MapleLMS, EthosCE, Rustici Software, D2L

Thu 9/25 at 11 a.m. – Building Bridges: The Power of Mentorship

Explore actionable strategies for fostering impactful mentorship to support career growth. Learn how to build meaningful professional connections that enhance skills and create long-term opportunities. Gain insights on navigating mentorship challenges and creating a supportive network for personal and professional development. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.

Host: UST Education

Speakers:

Sam Bush, Partner Marketing Manager, Netstock
Lauren Castloo, Channel Marketing Manager, TrueCommerce

Thu 9/25 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. – How to Design a Product Portfolio

Learn how to organize, position, and leverage your offerings to help you identify patterns, tease out new opportunities, and better serve your members. Hear how to root out needless duplication and create efficiencies. Find out about association product competencies you can use to better design, develop, and get new products to market. More info/register.

Host: James Young, founder, Product Community

Thu 9/25 at 12 p.m. – Unlock a Decade of Associations Trends

Hear the findings from a comprehensive survey of association professionals and members, includes trends related to loyalty metrics, member expectations, demand for regional events, professional development requirements, technology adoption, AI integration in the association space, and more. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.

Host: Momentive Software

Thu 9/25 at 1 p.m. – Marketing Meets Learning: The Growth Engine Your Learning Business Might Be Missing

Explore how combining learning and marketing can unlock scalable growth. You’ll hear how the Association for Financial Professionals (AFP) built an integrated marketing and learning automation flow that not only drives engagement but delivers real, measurable business impact—and how you can do the same. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.

Host: Tagoras/Leading Learning

Speakers:

Galina Kozachenko, managing director, Organizational Strategy & Performance, AFP
Experts from Tagoras, LearnUpon, and Americaneagle.com

Thu 9/25 at 1 p.m. – AI Stewardship: What Association Boards Must Know

Fiduciary responsibility and the duty of foresight require boards to operate at the center of their associations’ AI decision-making. Learn about the most critical issues in AI development and diffusion over the next 12-18 months, the full range of risks and harms created by AI technologies today and their implications for association stakeholders, and creating the conditions for ethical, purposeful, and responsible AI adoption. 1.5 CAE credit. More info/register.

Host: UST Education

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

Thu 9/25 at 2 p.m. – B2B Content Mastery: Earn Trust, Win Leads, and Avoid Burnout

In the age of AI, your B2B content needs to do more than just inform. It has to build real connections and drive leads, all without burning out your team. Learn how to craft a winning content strategy that delivers real ROI and measurable growth. More info/register.

Host: Amaka

Fri 9/26 at 11 a.m. – Thriving in Transition: Advanced Strategies for Securing Your Next Opportunity

Host: ASAE

Speakers:

Lori Bruhns, Leadership & Performance Development Coach, Lori Bruhns, LLC
Sally Starrfield, MSA, SPHR HR & Educational Consultant, Sally Starrfield, LLC

Fri 9/26 at 1 p.m. – Foresight Fridays: Preventing AI Harms and Risks

Host: ASAE

Speakers:

Jeff De Cagna, AIMP, DAIG, FRSA, FASAE, Executive Advisor, Foresight First LLC
Heather Harris, PhD, Principal Data Scientist, Herkimer Consulting
Matthew Guggemos, MS, Founder, iTherapy LLC and iTherapy
Tamesha Logan, MBA, CAE (moderator), Executive Director, American Mensa & Mensa Foundation

Mon 9/29 at 1 p.m. – Live Broadcast of Radio Free 501c: Episode 300

Every week, Rogue Tulips brings the nonprofit community intriguing guests discussing vital topics affecting nonprofit organizations around the world. Topics have covered everything from membership trends to strategic planning to cybersecurity to how associations are like classic movies. Today, Cecilia is doing a live broadcast of the 300^th episode. A few past guests will be joining her. More info/register.

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

Tue 9/30 at 12 p.m. – Making change stick: Post-retreat momentum and accountability

Host: Braintrust Professional Institute

Speakers: Randall Craig and Ronja Francoeur, Braintrust Professional Institute

Tue 9/30 at 1 p.m. – A Critical Point: Mental Health for Association CEOs

Host: UST Education

Speakers:

Tara Puckey, MBA, CAE, CMP, Executive Director at The Radio Television Digital News Association
Lindsay Currie, CAE, Executive Officer at Council on Undergraduate Research
Adam Levy, CAE, Executive Director at American Cleft Palate Craniofacial Association
Silvia Quevedo, Interim Executive Director at National Association of Healthcare Access Management

Tue 9/30 at 1 p.m. – Sponsorship Resilience in a Changing World

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

Guest: Christine Paige Diers, Executive Director of Public Media Journalists Association (PMJA)

Tue 9/30 at 3 p.m. – Video Relationship Management: The New Era of Connection and Engagement

Host: UST Education

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

Wed 10/1 at 11 a.m. – The Power of PsyCap

Host: UST Education

Speaker: Nicole Rudner, CAE, DBA, Director of Engagement at TerraLex

Wed 10/1 at 1 p.m. – U-Turn: From Outstanding to Standing Out in a Competitive Marketplace

Winning organizations market the problem, not just the solution. And members and prospects will believe that the organization BEST able to articulate their problem is the one best positioned to provide the best solution. Learn why quality and service excellence are no longer differentiators, but are core expectations; why a difference of KIND always beats a difference of DEGREE; how to analyze your association’s core value proposition to determine what it is truly offering members; and how to speak relationally to your members rather than transactionally. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.

Host: UST Education

Speaker: Michael DiFrisco, CAE, Executive Director at American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry

Thu 10/2 at 11 a.m. – The Psychology of AI Adoption

Host: UST Education

Speaker: JC Quintana, Author at jcquintana.com

Thu 10/2 at 12 p.m. – Make Membership Magic: Modern Tools and Tactics Every Chamber of Commerce Needs

Host: re:Members

Speakers:

Sue Garrity, Sr. Dir. Membership Information Services, Michigan Chamber of Commerce
Patrick Dorsey, SVP, Marketing, re:Members
Jason Vance, Director of Technical Solutions, re:Members

Thu 10/2 at 1 p.m. – Beyond the Coffee Break: 7 Ways to Spark Real Engagement at Events

Host: UST Education

Speaker: Lee Gimpel, President at Better Meetings

Thu 10/2 at 2 p.m. – The Association Leader’s Guide to AI Policy: Risks, Opportunities, and Best Practices

Host: 501Works

Speakers:

Susannah Mechem, Chief Operating Officer, Dennison & Associates
Vanessa Dennison, CAE, CBAP, Principal, Dennison & Associates
James Marquis, CIO, 501Works

Association Brain Food Weekly is published Friday mornings. If you offer free professional development to the association community, please send me the link by Wednesday afternoon.

Creative Commons licensed photo by Ashlee Marie via Unsplash

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

Association Brain Food: 9.12.25

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

Hateful words. Let’s stop normalizing and start calling out hate. We all hear people—family, friends, colleagues, people in your network and information stream—talk hatefully about people on the other side. The loudest voices and worst offenders are the media, influencers and politicians who traffic in hate. Haters disparage and debase the other side, call them enemies, encourage battle, wish them ill and, sometimes, celebrate their deaths.

Yup, I saw that Wednesday night, but it wasn’t a loud voice, just a person I once knew. It made me ill and sad to see how irrational hate could twist their heart so much they said someone deserved to die just because he held different opinions and believed in different things. I’ve seen people of all political persuasions express similar thoughts about people they disagree with. It’s inexcusable.

Hateful speech and thoughts are contagious. It’s now acceptable to talk hatefully about human beings who think differently than you. Hate has become normalized—”this is what people like us think and say about the other side.” Criticism and debate are fine, but hate leads nowhere good. Hate is out of control right now, and it’s destroying our society and country.

Change starts with me and with you doing the right thing. Let’s commit to not talking or writing hatefully. Instead, pause and connect with your better self before sending more hate out into the world. Commit to calling out hate when you hear or see it—it won’t be easy but it’s necessary if we’re going to shift the norm. One by one, maybe we can influence the people around us by not letting their hateful words go uncontested.

It will be uncomfortable calling out the people in our own circles. Gasp, they might think we’re on the other side! Yeah, we are, the side of light, not darkness. Hate is bipartisan, so is light. Let’s pull up our big girl and boy pants and do what’s right. Let’s set a good example for those around us. Stop normalizing hate and start calling it out instead.

This week’s reads

Membership survey. ASI invites you to participate in their 11th annual Membership Performance Benchmark Survey. Their goal is to uncover association industry trends in membership engagement, retention levels, digital transformation, so you can see how your association is doing compared to others.

Engaging inactive members through education. What percentage of your members are lurkers? Apti offers a plan for gradually turning lurkers into learners and nudging them along into deeper engagement with your association and fellow members.

AMS selection essentials. re:Members describes eight requirements association executives look for when investing in an AMS. Beyond basic functionality, the report covers scalability, partnership support, integration, data visualization and reporting, automation, usability, and creating superior member experiences through customizable interfaces.

Free CAE workshops. If you need CAE credits, check out Ed Rigsbee’s 31 CAE-relevant workshops—nine of them are one-hour Ethics workshops. To qualify for CAE credits, you have to pass a test, but that shouldn’t be a problem for all you smarties.

Writing with AI. Andy Fabian at Mighty Citizen explains what generative AI tools like ChatGPT can and can’t do for your content. Sure, use it to jump-start content, but don’t rely on it to write the final version. He says:

“Generative AI can’t (and shouldn’t) replace your writers, and it’s just not very creative. It requires quality inputs to generate serviceable outputs. Only an experienced writer with a clear understanding of the assignment parameters can cook up the best prompts. But even with the best prompts and inputs, generative AI produces work that’s meh.”

Nuf said. If you want people to read your content and take it seriously, work with a writer who has experience in your market—and if your market is associations, that’s me.

Credentialing and 529 savings plans. Did you know 529 savings plans now cover postsecondary credentials, including certifications, occupational licenses and certificate programs? Mickie Rops explains how this change mandated by the OBBA Act makes your credentialing programs more accessible, marketable and competitive, and what to do next. ASAE also published an FAQ about the 529 news.

Magazine transformation. Despite predictions of print’s demise, 88% of adults still read magazines, and members consistently rank their association’s magazine among the most valuable benefits. M3 Magazines explains how to assess member needs, evaluate your publication, create content strategies, recognize when it’s time for a redesign, enhance readability, and balance quality with cost-effectiveness. Learn how to turn your magazine from a cost center into a revenue generator through advertising while delivering industry insights, practical advice, and member spotlights that resonate with your audience.

Membership value proposition. From industry research, I’ve learned most associations struggle with communicating their membership value proposition and way too many feel unsure about the value they offer. They’d be better off following the “gooey cookie framework” described by Beth Arritt in her useful post about revamping your association’s value proposition.

The sponsorship shift. Lead Marvels says the old sponsorship model no longer works because, among other reasons, companies are spending their marketing budgets on more productive channels. They discuss the strategic priorities driving sponsorship decisions and how some associations are adapting.

Snacks

Is Tempo the future of payments? Patrick Collison, CEO of Stripe, is all in.

Trains are not an abundance technology, says Eli Dourado.

Cat people with DIY skills, the gauntlet has been thrown: Cat Town.

You never grow old at the table

Another weekend, another pizza. This time, peach, prosciutto and pesto pizza. I used supermarket dough and fresh mozzarella instead of burrata cheese. Delicious.

On Sunday, I made pork Milanese. The leftovers make excellent sandwiches—I like a lemony mayo on mine. On the side, Brussels sprouts roasted with red onion, bacon and garlic powder. Once done, toss them with a mix of balsamic vinegar and maple syrup. We had nuked ‘roasted’ sweet potatoes too. Poke them all over with a knife, then nuke them for six to ten minutes, depending on the size and number of potatoes.

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

About CAE credits: Per ASAE, “any continuing professional education offered by any professional entity may be accepted toward the [CAE] professional development requirement as long as it is directly related to either association or nonprofit management as defined by the CAE exam content outline.”

Education providers: If you have a free webinar or event coming up, please send me the link by Wednesday afternoon the week before it’s scheduled. I’m happy to feature it as long as it’s not product-centric.

Fri 9/12 at 10 a.m.* – AMA Session: Ask a Career Coach and Futurist

Stuck at a career crossroads? Have burning questions about your next move? Get the clarity and confidence you need to elevate your professional journey without sugarcoating. Hear how to succeed in this tough job market. Bring your toughest career questions—from job searching to personal branding—and get expert advice tailored to your unique situation. Walk away with fresh insights, actionable strategies, and a renewed motivation to take charge of your career path. More info/register.

Host: Mandy Steinhardt, Career and Intuitive Life Coach, Mandy Steinhardt Coaching, and Sr. Manager, Audience Marketing, Cisco

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

Fri 9/12 at 12:30 p.m. – Clause and Effect: Ask a Lawyer Anything

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

Host: Hopskip

Mon 9/15 at 8 a.m. – Member-Adjacent Industries (Radio Free 501c, the podcast of Rogue Tulips Consulting)

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

Guest: Cathy Lada, Chief Marketing & Membership Officer, American Alliance of Orthopaedic Executives

Tue 9/16 at 10:30 a.m. 10 Minute Meditation

Host: Association Women Technology Champions

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

Tue 9/16 at 11 a.m. – Navigating What’s Next: Preparing Associations for the Future of Change Management

Shifts in member expectations, advances in technology, workforce dynamics, and external pressures are redefining how associations must approach transformation. Change management is no longer a reactive process—it is a proactive, organization-wide discipline that will determine the future success of mission-driven organizations. Hear about emerging trends influencing change management, insights into building resilient, adaptable organizations, and how leadership, culture, and governance must evolve to support sustainable change. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.

Host: UST Education

Speakers: Daniel Elacqua, CEO, and Christopher Maynard, Senior Executive, Strategico Consultants

Tue 9/16 at 11 a.m. – Finding Your Best-Fit AMS: How Associations Are Investing for the Future

Learn how to identify the AMS capabilities that can streamline operations, enhance member engagement, and position your association for future growth. Walk away with a clear framework to confidently choose a system that supports both your current needs and long-term strategy. More info/register.

Host: Momentive Software

Speaker: Rob Miller, SVP of Association Strategy, Momentive Software

Tue 9/16 at 12 p.m. – But First, Clean Your Room! A Practical Guide to Data Hygiene for Associations

Is your member database bogged down by duplicates, outdated contacts, or inconsistent data? Manual cleanup is time-consuming, error-prone, and, without a long-term strategy, the mess just comes back. Join us for a practical, solutions-focused webinar designed to help you get a handle on messy data from the processes, up. More info/register.

Host: fusionSpan

Speakers:

Jeffrey Golembiewski, Chief Revenue Officer, fusionSpan
Lexie Kim, Nonprofit Account Executive, Traction Complete
Rohan Chauhan, Presale Solutions Engineer, Traction Complete

Tue 9/16 from 12 to 1:30 p.m. – Metro NYSAE TechConnect: Solutions Showcase

Join a fast-paced virtual showcase of cutting-edge solutions. Whether you’re looking for a new AMS, event platform, member engagement tools, or AI-powered insights, this is your chance to explore what’s possible. More info/register.

Host: New York Society of Association Executives

Participants: CauseIS, re:Members, Yoko, Higher Logic

Tue 9/16 at 12 p.m. – CRVM Crunch and Munch: 2025 ASAE Annual Meeting Recap

Whether you attended ASAE Annual Meeting and want to share your component relations and volunteer management takeaways, or you’re curious how ASAE’s professional development opportunities can support your work in component relations/volunteer management, this discussion is for you. All are welcome—let’s connect, learn, and grow together. More info/register (ASAE members only).

Host: ASAE Component Relations Volunteer Management Advisory Council

Tue 9/16 at 1 p.m. – Anchored in Wellness: Thriving Amidst the Complexity

Learn how to assess your current wellness foundation by identifying the habits, mindsets, and supports that help or hinder your ability to stay grounded during stress and complexity; recognize early signs of misalignment or burnout by learning to interpret physical, emotional, and behavioral indicators—before they escalate; develop a personal wellness strategy by selecting specific, realistic actions that align with your values and can be integrated into daily life to create long-term sustainability; and strengthen your relational and environmental support systems by mapping key connections and intentionally investing in people and spaces that help you stay anchored. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.

Host: UST Education

Speaker: Steven Langer, Founder & CEO at Well By Design

Wed 9/17 at 11 a.m. – Building a Contingency Plan for an Unexpected CEO Departure

Learn how to develop a set of contingency plans and document related action steps for an unexpected CEO departure through assembling basic risk mitigation procedures and tactical applications and documenting them in a formal written contingency plan. Hear about the important complimentary differences between organizational succession planning and CEO transition planning. Learn about appointing an interim CEO allowing for time to work through a thoughtful 10-step CEO succession and transition plan. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.

Host: UST Education

Speakers:

Paul Preziotti, CPA, Partner, Johnson Lambert LLP
Michael Gellman, CPA, CGMA, Sustainability Education 4 Nonprofits

Wed 9/17 at 12 p.m. – 2025 State of Credentialing

The credentialing visibility gap is one of the biggest opportunities for credential issuers. When credentials are visible and trusted by employers, learners advance, programs gain reach and relevance, and leadership gets the outcomes it demands. Discover new data on what employers want, how issuers are (or aren’t) delivering, and what the most successful programs do differently. Get the employer, issuer, and platform perspectives on connecting credentials to real hiring impact, and recommendations to drive stronger learner outcomes, increase enrollment, and build long-term program value. More info/register.

Host: Accredible

Speakers:

Tiffany Vause, Director of Strategic Initiatives, WIN Learning & Florida Ready to Work
Erin Scruggs, VP & Head of Global Talent Acquisition, LinkedIn
Rochelle Ramirez, Vice President of Product, Accredible
Ryan Greives, Senior Director, Brand Marketing, Accredible

Wed 9/17 at 12 p.m. – AI and Copyright: What Nonprofits Need to Know

AI is rapidly reshaping how creative works are developed, shared, and protected. For nonprofit organizations, these changes bring both opportunities and legal risks. Get an overview of the current state of copyright law as it applies to AI, including ownership questions surrounding works created with AI tools, considerations and risks for teams using generative AI programs, the evolving case law and regulatory landscape governing the use of copyrighted materials to train AI models, and practical strategies nonprofits can use to safeguard their own content. Learn about emerging legal issues, with a focus on practical implications for nonprofit operations and mission-driven activities. More info/register.

Host: Venable LLP

Speaker: Meaghan H. Kent, partner, Venable LLP

Wed 9/17 at 12 p.m. – Smart Ways to Bring AI into Your Community Strategy

Hear about current examples of how communities are already using AI effectively, ideas for future applications to improve engagement and operations, key considerations and challenges to address before implementing AI, and how to start experimenting safely and strategically with AI in your own community. More info/register.

Host: Led by Community

Speaker: Nicole Saunders, Founder of CXN Consulting, Co-host of the CX Nexus podcast, and Senior Director of CX Strategy at Higher Logic

Wed 9/17 at 12 p.m. – Leading with Empathy: Unlocking the Power of Heart-Centered Leadership

Among the many leadership philosophies, one approach rises above the rest for its deep commitment to understanding and honoring the diverse experiences of others: empathy. Defined by its adaptability and openness, this style thrives on active listening—a powerful tool for gaining clarity and inspiring collective engagement. Get insights and practical advice on cultivating empathy, recognizing its impact on morale and performance, and expressing it with authenticity. 1 CAE credit. More info/register (ASAE members only).

Host: ASAE Executive Management Professionals Advisory Council

Speakers:

Kelli Baxter, CAE, Managing Partner, KG1 Consulting Group
Stefan Bradham, CAE, CDE, Account Executive / Executive Director, AMPED Association Management
Maria Jose-Cook, CAE, Associate Director, Executive Affairs, ISPOR – The Professional Society for Health Economics and Outcomes Research
Curtis Nunley, MM, MBA, CAE, Membership Director, American Society of Civil Engineers
Damita Snow, CAE, ENV SP, Director, Accessibility & DEI Strategy, Publications and Standards, American Society of Civil Engineers

Wed 9/17 at 1 p.m. – Code of Ethics – An Association’s North Star

Learn how a Code of Ethics can enhance your organization and help you to become a more effective leader. Hear about key ethical principles and guidance on the expected standards of behavior, the basics of an Ethical Decision Making framework and ethical considerations, and real world applications through case study discussions. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.

Host: UST Education

Speaker: Linn Wheeling, MBA, CAE, Director, Community Engagement, American Association of Naturopathic Physicians

Wed 9/17 at 1 p.m. – Project Management for Association Professionals

Designed to address the unique challenges of L&D projects, this session will equip you with practical strategies for setting expectations, engaging stakeholders, and managing third party vendors, development teams, tasks, and resources effectively using existing or low-cost tools. From foundational knowledge and planning essentials to tool automation and scenario-based examples, gain the confidence and understand the skills needed to lead successful learning projects of all sizes from start to finish. More info/register.

Hosts: Career Compliance Solutions and Evolve Solutions Group

Speakers:

Dawn Tedesco, Founder, Career Compliance Solutions
Alex Ryan, Chief Solution Strategist, Evolve Solutions Group

Wed 9/17 at 2 p.m. – Creating Memorable F&B Experiences on Any Budget

Find out where we waste the most money on F&B and, more importantly, how to fix it with smarter budgeting, strategic negotiations and creative menu planning. From hidden fees and service charges to underutilized cost-saving strategies, learn real-world solutions to keep your attendees happy and your budget intact. Walk away with proven negotiation tactics, pricing insights, and a game plan to deliver high-quality dining experiences. 1 CMP credit. More info/register.

Host: Northstar Meetings Group

Speakers:

Heather Reid, Founder and CEO, Planner Protect
Tracy Stuckrath, Founder, Thrive! Meetings & Events
Sarah J.F. Braley (moderator), Managing Editor, Northstar Meetings Group

Wed 9/17 at 2:30 p.m. – Heads in Beds: Negotiating Room Blocks

In hotel, resort and conference center contracts, “heads in beds” is the metric that often determines the concessions the client receives, the penalties the client risks, and the leverage the client holds. Learn how to interpret and configure sleeping room blocks; how sleeping room block commitments, attrition and performance clauses can impact the client’s bottom line; the hidden risks of overcommitting or undercommitting sleeping rooms; and smart negotiation strategies to support managing the sleeping room block. More info/register.

Host: Heather Reid, Founder and CEO, Planner Protect

Thu 9/18 at 11 a.m. – How Engagement & Technology Drove 4,000% Growth

Learn about the keys behind the A.L.I.V.E. framework that has propelled MTI’s 4,000% growth since 2007. Discover how a bold blend of engagement strategies, smart technology and willingness to take risk propelled MTI’s value to engage over 80% of their members into their key member touch points. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.

Host: UST Education

Speakers:

Tom Morrison, CEO at Metal Treating Institute
Dave Will, Co-Founder and CEO, PropFuel

Thu 9/18 from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. – DELIVERED – The World’s Largest Virtual DIRECT MAIL Event

Learn how to improve your current direct mail strategies with actionable advice to implement for your next campaign. If you’re a marketer who wants to learn about direct mail, or an expert looking to change it up, this event is designed to share the very latest trends, best practices and emerging tools you’ll need to step up your direct mail processes today. Hear from experts in the direct mail industry on topics ranging from sophisticated printing and data solutions to direct mail 101. More info/register.

Host: GURU Media Hub

Thu 9/18 at 11:30 a.m. – Community Unplugged: Why Builders Need Builders

Explore questions central to every community-builder. Hear why freedom fuels creativity and how, for Builders Club, trust is the currency of community. Learn what works, what doesn’t, and where you go when traditional systems aren’t enough. If you’re curious about building resilient, autonomous spaces that put people—not processes—first, you won’t want to miss this. More info/register.

Host: Tasha Van Vlack, founder and community strategist, Community Hives

Speaker: Jesse Rodgers, founder, Builders Club

Thu 9/18 at 12 p.m. – What is QM-Quality Matters and Why Is It Important to Your Learning Programs?

The Quality Matters® (QM) framework is a nationally recognized, research-based approach to designing online learning that focuses on intentional course structure, aligning learning objectives, content, and assessments to reduce confusion and boost engagement. Learn how QM-aligned design supports stronger outcomes across your learning programs. Find out how to design content that’s easy to navigate, purposeful, and accessible—without sacrificing creativity or speed. More info/register.

Host: eLearningDOC

Thu 9/18 at 1 p.m. – Reacting vs. Responding: Why It Matters to Sponsorship Success

When unexpected feedback, challenging questions, or sudden requests arise from sponsors, your first instinct might be to react — fast and emotionally. But learning to respond instead — with intention, confidence, and clarity — can transform those tough moments into opportunities to build trust and strengthen your partnerships. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.

Host: UST Education

Speaker: Lori Zoss Kraska, MBA, CFRE, Founder & CEO at Growth Owl, LLC

Thu 9/18 at 2 p.m. – Better than AI: The Independent/Third-Party Planner Advantage

Learn how to structure a partnership with independent, third-party and agency consultants that leverages everyone’s core competencies for the best post-event feedback of your life; find the right partner by asking the right questions; the difference between independent planners, third-party planners and agencies; and communication tips to keep everyone aligned. More info/register.

Host: Smart Meetings

Speakers:

J. Wills, senior vice president of marketing programs and business development for ConferenceDirect
LaToya Williams, MBA, hospitality consultant, and adjunct faculty member at SUNY Buffalo State College and Trocaire College

Thu 9/18 at 3 p.m. – The AI Wake-Up Call for Associations: Inside the CSAE 2025 Report

Hear about key insights from a national survey of Canadian associations and their current use of AI, the top roadblocks preventing meaningful AI adoption and how to overcome them, what association professionals are really worried about when it comes to AI, and steps to bridge the gap between interest and implementation. More info/register.

Host: Farhad Khan, CEO of Member Lounge

Guest: Gerald Bramm, founder and principal of Bramm Research

Thu 9/18 at 4 p.m. – The Pulse of Association Membership: The 2025 Membership Marketing Benchmarking Report Update (Alexandria VA)

Learn what associations who report membership growth are doing differently and how 89% of associations are facing a value proposition challenge. Hear about recruitment trends, innovations and marketing tactics. Get an exclusive look at the mid-year check-up survey and updated data which provides dashboard results on how current economics and politics are impacting association membership. Location: Alexandria VA. More info/register.

Host: ASAE Reston Loudoun Swap

Speaker: Tony Rossell, Senior VP, MGI

Fri 9/19 at 3 p.m. – Nonprofit Consultants Collaborative Monthly Networking Meeting

This monthly networking meeting is organized by consultants for full-time consultants who work with non-profits and associations. You don’t have to be an ASAE member to attend. This month’s agenda includes the sharing of good news, topics or questions from the group, and verifying AI material and protecting copyright. More info/register.

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

Tue 9/23 at 11 a.m. – Leading with Intention: From Self-Awareness to Team Impact

Host: Association Women Technology Champions

Speaker: Alyson Mckinster, National Chair, Wipfli Embrace

Tue 9/23 at 11 a.m. – Modern Governance in Action: Strengthening Boards for Today’s Challenges

Host: UST Education

Speaker: Rich Bar, Principal at GKG Law | Non-Profit Law & Corporate Governance Attorney

Tue 9/23 at 1 p.m. – Leveraging AI Assistant & Agents to Enhance Staff Efficiency and Member Value

Host: UST Education

Speaker: Greg Pollack, VP, Sales Enablement & Engineering Onboarding at Higher Logic

Wed 9/24 from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. – LMS Demo Days

Watch and participate in presentations from a limited number of industry partners that offer learning management system (LMS) platforms. More info/register.

Host: ASAE

Participants: LearnUpon, BenchPrep, Thinkific, TopClass LMS by ASI, Oasis LMS, Thought Industries, Path LMS Powered by Momentive, Elevate

Wed 9/24 at 12 p.m. – AWTC Meet & Greet

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

Host: Association Women Technology Champions

Wed 9/24 at 1 p.m. – Future-Ready Associations: Navigating Today’s Defining Trends

Host: UST Education

Speakers: Meena Dayak, M.A., Practice Director, and Kristi Donovan, M.S., CAE, Practice Director, McKinley Advisors

Wed 9/24 at 2 p.m. – Future of Association Boards (FAB) Community Dialogue

More info/register.

Host: Jeff De Cagna, executive advisor, Foresight First

Wed 9/24 at 2 p.m. – From Data to Action: 2025 Association Community Benchmarks

Host: Higher Logic

Speakers: John Micah Yates, Strategic Advisor; Eileen Quinn, Strategic Advisor; and Kelly Whelan, Content Marketing Manager, Higher Logic

Thu 9/25 from 9:10 a.m. to 12 p.m. – LMS Demo Days

Watch and participate in presentations from a limited number of industry partners that offer learning management system (LMS) platforms. More info/register.

Host: ASAE

Participants: MapleLMS, EthosCE, Rustici Software, D2L

Thu 9/25 at 11 a.m. – Building Bridges: The Power of Mentorship

Host: UST Education

Speakers:

Sam Bush, Partner Marketing Manager, Netstock
Lauren Castloo, Channel Marketing Manager, TrueCommerce

Thu 9/25 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. – How to Design a Product Portfolio

Host: James Young, founder, Product Community

Thu 9/25 at 1 p.m. – Marketing Meets Learning: The Growth Engine Your Learning Business Might Be Missing

Host: Tagoras/Leading Learning

Speakers:

Galina Kozachenko, managing director, Organizational Strategy & Performance, AFP
experts from Tagoras, LearnUpon, and Americaneagle.com

Thu 9/25 at 1 p.m. – AI Stewardship: What Association Boards Must Know

Host: UST Education

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

Association Brain Food Weekly is published Friday mornings. If you offer free professional development to the association community, please send me the link by Wednesday afternoon.

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

Good reads for the association community

Snacks

You never grow old at the table

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

Share this:

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

Good reads for the association community

Snacks

You never grow old at the table

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

Share this:

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

Good reads for the association community

Snacks

You never grow old at the table

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

Share this:

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

Good reads for the association community

Snacks

You never grow old at the table

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

Share this:

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

Good reads for the association community

Snacks

You never grow old at the table

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

Share this:

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

Reads for the association community

Snacks

You never grow old at the table

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

Share this:

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

Reads for the association community

You never grow old at the table

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

Share this:

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

This week’s reads

Snacks

You never grow old at the table

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

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