Association Brain Food

Association Brain Food: 5.2.25

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

Education partnerships. TopClass LMS describes how partnering with other organizations helps associations expand their online education portfolio and meet increasing market demand despite your staff’s limited capacity. They offer advice on selecting the right content partner and choosing a partnership model that suits your needs.

Tax-exempt status. There’s no need to panic. Jeffrey Tenenbaum of Tenenbaum Law Group explains how the IRS can—and cannot—revoke federal tax-exempt status. Let’s just say it’s a process.

Marketing automation. Once a pipe dream for small and mid-size associations, marketing automation is now within any organization’s reach. GrowthZone describes why marketing automation is better than email marketing and how to use it for onboarding and other marketing and engagement campaigns.

AI tools course. Earn up to five CAE credits from Association Academy’s live Association Artificial Intelligence Certificate Course, which teaches practical use of AI tools. Learn how 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 May 22. Save $50 with promo code BRAINFOOD.

Event strategy. If you want to stay informed about event trends, strategy, and tactics, Julius Solaris of Boldpush is your guy. He regularly shares illuminating posts on LinkedIn, so I can only imagine what his paid subscribers receive. In this one, he lists nine changes to consider for your event strategy—what to no longer do and what to do instead. The comments are always worth reading too.

Young professionals. YM Careers offers advice on attracting young people to your association and keeping them close. They explain how to deliver the value Gen Zers need by helping them connect with employers, find jobs, jump start their careers, and make career decisions.

Choose life. Ross Douthat at the New York Times (archived) is calling our attention to what evolutionary biologists call a bottleneck caused by AI and other technologies: “a period of rapid pressure that threatens cultures, customs, and peoples with extinction.” Welp! He’s making “an appeal for intentionality against drift, for purpose against passivity—and ultimately for life itself against extinction.” Booyah! Now this is a resistance I can get behind.

Flaunt your special self. Sangeet Paul Choudary says being human alone in the age of AI isn’t enough. Because AI makes knowledge abundant, economic value (our value) comes from applying our uniquely human capabilities of curiosity, curation, and judgment—skills AI can’t replicate—and transforming them into luxury goods.

You never grow old at the table

A quick and easy dinner: Sicilian swordfish with lemon, garlic, oregano, and parsley—aka swordfish salmoriglio (archived recipe). Instead of grilling, I pan-seared the steaks and used fresh herbs instead of dried. On the side, eggplant roasted with zucchini, grape tomatoes, garlic powder, oregano, and thyme. Feels like summer!

Remember when short ribs were one of the cheapest cuts of beef? Then food magazines and cooking shows popularized them, spoiling things for us as the price rose. When I spot a package of short ribs with the yellow “manager’s special” sticker on it, I buy them for the freezer. I finally collected about four pounds and made short rib barbacoa in the pressure cooker. I compared a bunch of recipes—this one is the closest to my final version—and made adjustments to the ingredient amounts, plus added a bottle of Modelo Negra, and the juice and zest of an orange. Fantastic.

On the side, southwestern slaw: julienned green cabbage, carrot, sweet onion, and red bell pepper with a dressing of lime juice, cider vinegar, light olive oil, hot sauce, and cilantro.

I was captivated last week by the aroma of strawberries at a farm stand, so went a bit overboard and bought a flat of them. I froze a bunch in sandwich bags, but we had some earlier this week in a salad with blackened salmon, bacon, black beans (warmed in bacon fat with cilantro, then cooled), red bell pepper, snap peas, broccoli, cucumber, sweet onion, grape tomatoes, carrots, radishes, celery, and pecans. Yup, lots of chopping.

Last Friday night, I enjoyed white wine spritzers with muddled strawberries. The next morning, I made strawberry quick bread. I use 2:1 wheat/all-purpose flour, increase the cinnamon, add vanilla, and replace the white with a reduced amount of brown sugar. We love this recipe. I’m tempted to buy more strawberries to make it again, but maybe only a bucket this time.

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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 5/5 at 8 a.m.* – Create a Great Partnership (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: Sharon Pare, High Road Solutions

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

Tue 5/6 at 11 a.m. – Planning for Executive Succession

Executive succession happens with increasing frequency, but relatively few associations and nonprofits plan for potentially disruptive successions. This session is designed to stress the need for, and importance of, conscious planning by staffs and boards for the times when executives will leave their positions. Hear “war story” examples as well as some of the practices and procedures associations can use to facilitate smoother transitions. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.

Host: UST Education

Speaker: Michael Wyland, Owner/Partner at Sumption & Wyland

Tue 5/6 at 12 p.m. – Enhancing Visualization Usability and Readability: Turning Data into Clear Insight (Data Analytics Network)

Explore the key principles of usability and readability in data visualization that help you design charts, reports, and dashboards that truly communicate insights. Find out what makes a visualization intuitive and user-friendly; how you can use contrast, alignment, and spacing to improve readability; and what common design mistakes make charts harder to understand—and how to avoid them. Learn how to simplify complexity, guide user attention, and create visualizations that not only look great but also tell a compelling story. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.

Host: Data Analytics Network

Facilitator: Matthew Braun, Significance (also a former association data analyst)

Tue 5/6 at 12 p.m. CDT – Chapter Roundtable: Mini-Mastermind Sessions for Chapter-Based Organizations (Chicago IL)

Join us for a complimentary, power lunch for component relations professionals (CRPs) who want the knowledge and benefits of group discussions with fellow association professionals from organizations with chapters, components, sections, branches, or state affiliates. Location: Chicago IL. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.

Host: re:Members

Tue 5/6 at 1 p.m. – Driving Growth With AI: What Association Leaders Need to Know

AI is reshaping how associations grow, engage, and operate. But most leaders don’t know where to start. Learn how to apply AI in marketing, communication, and operations to reach the right people, with the right message, at the right time. Walk away with practical ways to boost member engagement, improve retention, and increase efficiency—without sacrificing authenticity or trust. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.

Host: UST Education

Speaker: Erica Salm Rench, MBA, CMO at Sidecar

Wed 5/7 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. – The Executive Learning Lab: Analyze, Apply, Accelerate (Vienna/Tyson’s Corner VA)

This interactive event is designed for leaders who want to foster a culture of continuous learning, helping their teams embrace AI and other emerging technologies to drive real efficiency and impact. Learn how to build a learning-first culture that helps teams adopt AI and other tools with confidence, close skill gaps that limit productivity and slow adoption, and integrate training into daily workflows without disrupting operations, and equip your team with the mindset and skills to analyze, apply, and accelerate success. Location: Vienna/Tyson’s Corner VA. 5 CAE credits. More info/register.

Host: designDATA

Wed 5/7 at 11 a.m. – Content Effectiveness: Measuring What Matters

All too often, we measure content effectiveness using the data that’s easiest to gather: pageviews via Google Analytics, conversion statistics, or revenue. But in reality, “Not everything that can be counted counts, and not everything that counts can be counted.” Creating effective content is about setting smart, measurable goals for content, learning whether or how well content achieved its goal, and taking this information into account for future content. Hear practical examples and guides for making your organization’s content more effective. More info/register.

Host: Hilary Marsh, President and Chief Strategist, Content Company

Wed 5/7 at 12 p.m. – Ancient Wisdom for Building Stronger Communities

Drawing from ancient wisdom and his decades of work with organizations like Airbnb, LinkedIn, and the U.S. Army, Charles reveals the seven essential principles that can help any association foster trust, purpose, and genuine connection. From creating meaningful rituals to strengthening shared values, this conversation will challenge how you think about leadership, membership engagement, and the power of belonging. More info/register.

Host: KiKi L’Italien, Editor-in-Chief, Association Chat, and VP of Marketing and Community Engagement, Big Red M

Guest: Charles Vogl, Author, Keynote Speaker and Adviser of The Vogl Group

Wed 5/7 at 12 p.m. – AMS-terclass: Live Expert Q&A

Are you considering a new AMS for your association? Take advantage of this unique opportunity to gain expert insights from a panel of top association technology consultants. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.

Host: AIOT

Speakers:

Moira Edwards, Ellipsis Partners
Vanessa Dennison, Dennison & Associates
Wes Trochlil, Effective Database Management
David Schulman (moderator), Associations Rewired

Wed 5/7 at 12 p.m. – Buzzworthy LIVE: Belonging Is the New Membership

Membership isn’t enough anymore—today’s members expect real community and connection. Learn how associations can rethink engagement, build belonging, and strengthen loyalty in a digital-first world. Hear actionable strategies you can use immediately. More info/register.

Host: Marcus Leite, Director, Sales and Marketing, WorkerBee.TV

Speaker: Elizabeth Moris, Director of Brand Engagement, Council on Undergraduate Research

Wed 5/7 at 12 p.m. CDT – Chapter Roundtable: Mini-Mastermind Sessions for Chapter-Based Organizations (Schaumburg IL)

Host: re:Members

Wed 5/7 at 1 p.m. – Lights, Camera, Impact: Sharpening Your Video Skills for Success

Whether it’s live meetings on Zoom/Teams or creating asynchronous content for social media or internal communications, this session will empower you to deliver your message with clarity, confidence, and professionalism. Through practical exercises and expert guidance, learn the art of being articulate and authoritative on camera, ensuring your video content stands out. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.

Host: UST Education

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

Wed 5/7 at 2 p.m. – Crafting the Perfect Hotel RFP

Hear tips for crafting a hotel RFP that gets results, saving time and money for the planner and the hotel. Explore the details every hotel RFP needs to include, the biggest RFP mistakes planners make, how to make your RFP stand out in a crowded inbox, and why it’s smart to disclose your budget in an RFP. 1 CMP credit. More info/register.

Host: Northstar Meetings Group

Speakers:

Carvie Gillikin, President & CEO, MGME
Mike Zollars, Vice President, Global Accounts, HPN Global

Thu 5/8 at 11 a.m. – Beyond Certifications – Maximizing Impact With Member Recognition Programs: Drive Revenue, Recognition, and Membership Value

Hear why certification programs recognize your member’s exemplary work and how recognition programs demonstrate the competency of professionals and companies. Learn about common principles in the development and implementation of recognition programs, and case studies of successful certification initiatives and understand their impact. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.

Host: UST Education

Speaker: Jeffrey Greenwald, President at Operative Greenwald, Inc.

Thu 5/8 at 12 p.m. – Are You Dashboard Ready? A Self-Assessment to Guide Your Association’s Analytics Journey

Associations are sitting on a goldmine of data—membership records, event performance, financials—but many are unsure how to connect it all into meaningful insights. Learn how to assess where you are on your analytics journey and what it takes to level up. Complete a readiness self-assessment live, get inspired by real examples of dashboards in action, and walk away with a clear, actionable path for your organization. More info/register.

Host: Association Women Technology Champions

Speakers: Michelle Wreoblewski, Director, Associations Growth & Strategy, and Jon Sarafino, Director, WIPFLI

Thu 5/8 at 12 p.m. – Next-Generation Member Engagement: AI-Powered Personalization at Scale

Learn how associations are using AI to create better, smarter, and more meaningful experiences for their members—and how it’s leading to real results. Hear what it really takes to personalize at scale (and what this even means); why unified, enriched data is the key to making AI work; how associations like AGU are already doing it—and what they’re seeing; and tips and tools to help you get started (or go further). More info/register.

Hosts: PropFuel and MemberJunction

Thu 5/8 at 12 p.m. – AI Agents: What Leaders Need to Know

Agentic AI is everywhere in the tech headlines—but what does it really mean for business leaders and their teams? Learn whether AI agents are genuinely transformative—or just automation 2.0; how major enterprise vendors like Salesforce, SAP, and ServiceNow are productizing agentic capabilities; what a practical, low-risk starting point looks like for companies and teams; what to make of bold leadership memos like the one from Spotify’s CEO—and whether that’s a signal of what’s to come; and why concerns about job loss often miss the bigger picture: skills need to evolve, not disappear. More info/register.

Host: Andreas Welsch, founder, Intelligence Briefing

Guest: Charlene Li, founder, Quantum Networks Group

Thu 5/8 at 1 p.m. – Association AI Leadership: The Four Stages of Readiness and Organizational Management

As AI transforms the future of work, associations have a unique opportunity to lead with vision, provided they are prepared. Learn how to apply the Four Stages of AI Readiness to your organization, clean and align your data to build a strong AI foundation, and empower staff to use AI safely and effectively. Hear about real-world AI use cases in member engagement, education and operations; and a clear and strategic approach to AI that aligns with your organizational goals. More info/register.

Host: MemberClicks

Speakers:

Mary Connor, CAE, VP of Client Relations, Stringfellow Management Group
Rich Vallaster, DES, CEM, Senior Director of Industry Relations and Community Engagement, Personify

Thu 5/8 at 2 p.m. – Association AI Leadership: The Four Stages of Readiness and Organizational Management

Learn how to apply the Four Stages of AI Readiness to your organization; clean and align your data to build a strong AI foundation; empower staff to use AI safely and effectively; explore real-world AI use cases in member engagement, education and operations; and develop a clear and strategic approach to AI that aligns with your organizational goals. More info/register.

Host: MemberClicks

Speakers:

Rich Vallaster, DES, CEM, Senior Director of Industry Relations and Community Engagement, Personify
Mary Connor, CAE, VP of Client Relations, Stringfellow Management Group

Thu 5/8 at 2 p.m. – Demystifying AV Contracts

Being able to negotiate an AV package that includes all the things you need and none of the things you don’t even if you don’t speak tech can mean the difference between a balanced and a blown budget. Learn what to ask your AV provider, the pros and cons of bringing in your own AV company, and what fees are negotiable. More info/register.

Host: Smart Meetings

Speaker: Scott Frankel, President of Animatic Media

Thu 5/8 at 2 p.m. – Being a Catalyst for Change: A Young Professional’s Guide to Association Advocacy

Learn about the fundamentals of association advocacy, from understanding the policymaking process to building relationships with key stakeholders. Gain insights into the skills needed to thrive in advocacy, explore career pathways, and learn how to make an impact early in your career. More info/register.

Host: ASAE

Speakers:

Mariel Solomon, MS, CCC-SLP (facilitator)
Carter Alleman, JD, CAE, Director, Government Affairs & Science Policy, American Society for Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics
Cory Martin, MPA, CAE, Owner & CEO, Mission Control HQ

Mon 5/12 from 5 to 7 p.m. – MMC + Tech Happy Hour 2025 (Washington DC)

Come network with the AWTC community of women and allies. All are welcome. This IRL opportunity to socialize and network with your industry peers is brought to you by the generous support of our sponsors. Location: Washington DC. More info/register.

Organizer: Association Women Technology Champions

Tue 5/13 at 12 p.m. – Transformational HR: Strategic human resources for a growing organization

Growing successfully means relying on people – i.e. your staff – to deliver. And behind these people there is always a capable Chief People Officer and CEO with vision. So this month, let’s talk people: from “Personnel” to “HR” to “People”—what’s next; people strategy, strategic planning, and succession planning; employee experience and company culture; and team alignment and professional development that fuels the organization. More info/register.

Host: Braintrust Professional Institute

Wed 5/14 from 9 to 11:30 a.m. CDT – Various Approaches to Maintenance of Certification (Chicago IL)

Maintenance of certification (MOC) is a key component to ensure the integrity of the certification program. The onus on certification organizations is to develop pathways that both assure continued competence and meet the needs and characteristics of the certified population. Explore trends and approaches related to MOC. Whether you are considering changes, seeking accreditation, or finding what works best for your certification program, this session will reinforce best practices and present options for alternative approaches in the MOC landscape. Location: Chicago IL. More info/register.

Host: Certification Network Group

Speakers:

Christine D. Niero, PhD (moderator), Vice President, Professional Testing, Inc.
Adrienne W. Cadle, PhD, Vice President, Credentialing, Professional Testing, Inc.
Kevin Patrick, Director, Program Development, American Board of Medical Specialties
Robert Mahlman, MA, PMP, I.C.E. – CCP, Director, Certification and Credentialing National Commission for the Certification of Crane Operators
Ye Ma, PhD, Senior Psychometrician , Amazon Web Services

Wed 5/14 at 11 a.m. – Outsourcing Survey for Associations & Why it Matters

Hear about the latest findings from a groundbreaking outsourcing survey with two powerhouse voices in the industry: Shameka Jennings, CEO of EventsNoire, and Dana Freker Doody, founder of Inktide Solutions. Together, they explore what smart outsourcing looks like in 2025—from event strategy to marketing to operations—and how association leaders can make bold, values-aligned decisions that future-proof their organizations. This isn’t just about cutting costs—it’s about amplifying impact. More info/register.

Host: KiKi L’Italien, Editor-in-Chief, Association Chat, and VP of Marketing and Community Engagement, Big Red M

Wed 5/14 at 11 a.m. – The Growth Mindset: How Nonprofits Can Thrive Despite Limited Resources

Many nonprofit leaders assume that limited resources mean limited growth—but that doesn’t have to be the case. Learn to evaluate strategies to drive growth and deliver results that exceed stakeholders’ expectations, eevelop growth-oriented mindsets and well-aligned teams, analyze members’ motivations and deepen understanding, design products and services that address members’ priorities, and establish outcomes-focused strategies and high-impact go-to-market plans that inspire members and bolster brand prestige. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.

Host: UST Education

Speaker: Henry Stoever, Founder & Managing Principal at Windsor Strategy

Wed 5/14 at 12 p.m. – Chapter Roundtable: Mini-Mastermind Sessions for Chapter-Based Organizations in Washington, DC

Join us for a complimentary, power lunch for component relations professionals who want the knowledge and benefits of group discussions with fellow association professionals from organizations with chapters, components, sections, branches, or state affiliates. These are non-formal and designed for busy professionals like you, however it works for you: come late, leave early, share, don’t share. Don’t worry: our lunches are peer-driven and anything but boring. You’ll leave with actionable ideas, insights, and inspirations you can put to work right away. Location: Washington DC. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.

Host: re:Members

Wed 5/14 at 1:30 p.m. – Data-Driven Decision-Making for Nonprofits & Membership Organizations

Hear about real-world ways nonprofits and membership organizations can use data to inform decisions, improve efficiency, and deepen engagement. You don’t need a data science team or new tools to get started. You just need a plan. Learn how to build a communications strategy informed by clean, actionable data; how to use segmentation to improve retention and fundraising results; how to use data to personalize experiences and increase renewals; what a data health check looks like and why it matters; how to automate time-consuming tasks and get more from your existing systems; and how to combine strategy and infrastructure for long-term impact. More info/register.

Hosts: Fíonta and Firefly Partners

Thu 5/15 at 12 p.m. – Chapter Roundtable: Mini-Mastermind Sessions for Chapter-Based Organizations in Tysons Corner, VA

Host: re:Members

Thu 5/15 at 12 p.m. – Inclusive by Design: Ensuring Accessible & Equitable Online Training

Accessible course modules reflect your association’s commitment to equity and social responsibility and broaden your reach to a more diverse audience, including aging learners and those using assistive technologies. Hear about practical steps to bring your organization’s online learning programs into WCAG compliance. Learn how accessible courses tend to be better organized, clearer, and more user-friendly for all learners, which can lead to higher engagement and improved learning outcomes. More info/register.

Host: eLearningDOC

Speakers:

Mark Wallach, MBA, CEO Emeritus, Engagement Mobile Strategies
Toni DiMella, Executive Director of Quality Assurance, eLearningDOC
Angela Robbins (moderator), Founder & CEO, eLearningDOC

Thu 5/15 at 1 p.m. – A Look at Continuing Education in 2030: Disruption, Competition, and Changing Expectations

MOOCs, tech giants, and universities are expanding aggressively into the continuing education world. How can associations and other learning businesses stay ahead? Hear about the forces shaping CE in the next half decade. Explore three major paradigm shifts, along with practical strategies to help learning businesses remain competitive and impactful. Learn about some of the biggest challenges CE providers face today, including AI’s impact on CE, increased competition, silos that stymie agility, and changing learner and employer expectations. More info/register.

Host: Tagoras/Leading Learning

Speakers:

Jeff Cobb and Celisa Steele, co-founders of Tagoras and Leading Learning
Evan Burton, head of growth at BenchPrep

Thu 5/15 at 1 p.m. – Hidden Secrets: The Real Value of Executive Search

Discover how partnering with a professional search firm can enhance your organization’s leadership strategy, connecting you with exceptional talent who share your mission and vision. Learn how to streamline your recruitment process, maintain confidentiality during sensitive transitions, and drive long-term success through strategic alignment and cultural fit. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.

Host: UST Education

Speaker: Richard Yep, Vice President at Vetted Solutions

Fri 5/16 at 3 p.m. – Nonprofit Consultants Collaborative’s Monthly Networking Meeting: Effective Marketing Tactics for Consultants

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

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

Association Brain Food Weekly is published Friday mornings. If you’re offering free professional development to the association community, please send me the link via email by Wednesday afternoon the week before your event is scheduled.

Creative Commons licensed photo by Zach Josephson via Unsplash

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Association Brain Food: 4.25.25

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

“If you want new ideas, read old books.” —Shane Parrish

Gen Z. In a sad yet fascinating look into the minds of Gen Z, Freya India recounts the many ways her generation lives in doubt because they’ve lost faith. She believes the battle between faith and doubt is the defining battle of our age—and she’s not just talking about religion. Faith is “a feeling of deep trust in ourselves, in others, and in life itself. This is what my generation did not develop. We are a chronically doubtful generation.” Reading this, I fear it rings true for many others besides Gen Z.

RFPs. Yoko Consulting explains how to create an RFP that attracts the right partners while filtering out the wrong ones—an RPP that “serves as an honest invitation to partnership rather than a generic procurement document.” They describe essential elements to include, pitfalls to avoid, and approaches to take.

AMS implementation surprises. Ellipsis Partners tells you what no one else will about implementing a new AMS—nine unexpected responsibilities you best prepare for. Take it from me, you’d rather get this news before the project begins so you can figure out how to juggle these tasks with your regular workload.

AI and talent development. At the Harvard Business Review, a trio of researchers explains how Generative AI will upend everything in the workplace: the number of entry-level jobs, opportunities to gain experience, learning curves, career paths, and org charts. Here’s an opportunity for association credentialing programs: “Employers will need to adopt new training models that accelerate learning, both to help existing workers adapt and to enable new workers to climb the learning curve more quickly.”

Sponsored content. Lead Marvels helps you make a case for an additional revenue stream at your association—sponsored content. They explain how five associations addressed common objections to sponsored content and now use it to generate revenue and member engagement. [I’m sharing this again because I used a bad link last week. Sorry!]

Membership renewals. re:Members (formerly Impexium) dives deep into proven strategies for membership renewals. Their guide covers membership metrics, the difference between retention and renewal, reasons members don’t renew, and, best of all, solutions for your association’s renewal challenges.

Leadership development. If your industry is plagued by early retirements and career jumping, Dave Lutz of Velvet Chainsaw Consulting suggests paying more attention to future leaders, aka “high-potentials.” He describes initiatives that encourage high-pos to attend your events—and, hopefully, help member organizations with succession planning.

Snacks

Beyond the conference debrief: seven strategic conversations every event team should be having right now. | Aaron Wolowiec, FASAE, CAE, Event Garde

A film about why you should join a club and why the fate of America depends on it. | Join or Die

The human brain would rather look at nature than city streets. | Emily Halnon, Oregon News

You never grow old at the table

Earlier this week, I tried a new winner recipe from one of my cookbooks—and I’m looking forward to the leftovers tonight: braised bone-in chicken thighs with artichokes and white wine. It’s from Milk Street: Tuesday Nights Mediterranean: 125 Simple Weeknight Recipes from the World’s Healthiest Cuisine (the Kindle is only $3.99 right now), but I also found it shared on several newspaper sites. On the side, roasted broccoli with onion, red grapes, and garlic powder.

A handful of crumbs at the bottom of a bag of tortilla chips got me thinking about a topping for fish. I coated fillets of salmon with a paste of chipotle en adobo sauce and mayo, then topped them with a mix of crushed chips with onion powder, oregano, garlic powder, smoked paprika, and finely grated cheddar cheese. On the side, chard and broccoli greens sautéed with their stems, bacon, red bell, onion, green onion, carrot, jalapeño, garlic, and sundried tomatoes.

For Easter at my sister-in-law’s house, Jim brought grilled bacon-wrapped venison tenderloin bites and I brought sautéed asparagus with red and yellow bell peppers, carrots, red and green onion, lemon zest, white wine, and parmesan.

I’m enjoying hummus (made in the pressure cooker) again this week for breakfast with different accompaniments in a wheat tortilla, like the leftover greens above.

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Fri 4/25 at 1 p.m.* – Elevating Your Email Game: Design to Impress & Strategies for Success

Discover the secrets behind crafting emails that not only catch the eye but also resonate deeply with your members’ expectations. We’ll dive into essential design best practices, explore innovative strategies to refine your understanding of member preferences, and showcase the power of working together as a full organization to get results. 0.75 CAE credit. More info/register.

Host: Blue Sky eLearn

Speaker: Amber Worthen, CEO of Email Maven

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

Fri 4/25 at 1 p.m. – AI & IRL: Event Experts Reveal How to Maximize Your Investment in 2025

In a world where AI tools are evolving daily and human connection feels more valuable than ever, how do you allocate your marketing budget for maximum impact? Learn which AI tools are delivering the most value for event professionals today, how to measure event ROI in ways that resonate with leadership, what elements of in-person events cannot be replicated digitally, expert predictions for event industry trends in the next 12 months, and insights into upcoming innovations at INBOUND and Eventastic. More info/register.

Host: INBOUND

Speakers:

Jay Schwedelson, Founder of GURU Media Hub and SubjectLine.com, President and CEO of Outcome Media
Melissa Mahon, Chief Operating Officer at MAS
Dahlia El Gazzar, Tech Evangelist + Idea Igniteur at DAHLIA+Agency
Moderated by Courtney Dagher, HubSpot’s Head of Marketing & Content Programming for Global Events

Fri 4/25 at 1 p.m. – Foresight Fridays: Using Foresight in Society and Politics & Economic Conditions

With budget discussions, nonprofit status considerations, and broader systemic instability, it’s important to pay attention to the drivers of change that impact our organizations and members. These issues have been brewing long before the change in administration. Foresight visioning has helped many associations prepare for this uncertainty. Learn about ASAE’s ForesightWorks drivers of change in Society and Politics, and Economic Conditions, the forces that are shaping these drivers, and how associations can meet this moment. More info/register (ASAE members only).

Host: ASAE

Speakers:

Danielle Duran Baron, FASAE, CAE, VP, Marketing, Communications & Industry Relations, School Nutrition Association
Tommy Goodwin, FASAE, CAE, Executive Vice President, Exhibitions & Conferences
Josh Calder, Futurist, Foresight Alliance
Mark Justman, Futurist, Foresight Alliance

Mon 4/28 at 8 a.m. – 50 Years of Southeast Asian American Journeys (Radio Free 501c, the podcast of Rogue Tulips Consulting)

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

Guests: Nou Vang of Community Wealth Partners, KaYing Yang of RedGreen Rivers LLC, and Chhaya Chhoum of Southeast Asian Freedom Network

Mon 4/28 at 12 p.m. – Emerging Trends in Artificial Intelligence and Data Analytics

Discuss how artificial intelligence and data analytics are transforming medical associations. Explore the practical applications that are changing healthcare practices and their impact on associations and their members. Topics include the use of data/AI for program development and resource allocation, data/AI applications in clinical research and quality coordination, regulatory landscape for AI and impact on healthcare, and data-informed decision making. More info/register (ASAE members only).

Host: ASAE Healthcare Community Advisory Committee and the Advocacy Council

Tue 4/29 at 11 a.m. – Association of the United States Navy: Two-Year Plan to Reinvent Mission, Leading the Way to a Bright Future

Get an in-depth look at the Association of the United States Navy’s (AUSN) strategic two-year transformation plan. Hear about the organization’s renewed mission, leadership transition, financial restructuring, and membership reinvention strategies. Find out how AUSN is positioning itself for long-term sustainability through targeted investments, new revenue models, and reputation-building efforts. Gain insights into aligning board and staff priorities with revenue generation while maintaining a strong infrastructure and community presence. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.

Host: UST Education

Speakers:

David Vardeman, Sr. VP, Department Head, Not for Profit & Global Business Development
Lt Com. Steve Rogers, USN, Ret

Tue 4/29 at 12 p.m. – Maintaining Accreditation Firewalls While Ensuring Seamless Delivery for Learners

As the demand for accessible, high-quality learning continues to grow, associations and credentialing bodies are recognizing the strategic value of offering learning opportunities for certification candidates. Yet, many organizations remain hesitant and concerned about maintaining the critical “firewall” between education and certification. Learn how to successfully navigate this evolving landscape—delivering impactful learning products that enhance the candidate experience and drive growth, all while preserving the integrity of accreditation standards. More info/register.

Host: Certification Network Group

Speakers:

Tara Myers, Director, Measurement Services, American Nurses Credentialing Center
Liz Dombrowski, Manager, Accreditation Services, Institute of Credentialing Excellence
Roy Swift, Executive Director, Workcred

Tue 4/29 at 12 p.m. – Love at First Login: Making Your Member Experience Irresistible

Explore how to create a member experience so seamless, so personal, they actually want to log in. Hear from Kristen Christianson of CUES on launching the award-winning myCUES Dashboard, Rhoni Rakos of Ellipsis Partners with insights on what really drives engagement and digital ROI, and Alyssa Hulka, VP of Strategy at Accella on lessons from digital transformations across the country. More info/register.

Host: Accella

Tue 4/29 at 12 p.m. – Trends Talk with Sarah Sladek

Sarah sits down with LaToya Tapscott, CAE, Senior Director, Global Head of the HBA Think Tank, to explore how she unites communities and keeps people focused on a shared mission—even in the face of challenges. With a remarkable track record in stakeholder engagement and community building, LaToya is a force for connection and impact. More info/register.

Host: Sarah Sladek, Founder and CEO, XYZ University

Tue 4/29 at 12 p.m. – Winning Back Search Traffic in the AI Era

Lear how AI is revolutionizing SEO and users’ interactions with search engines, how to optimize your SEO strategy to encompass generative engine optimization (GEO), win back traffic from search results in the AI era, and get your webpages showing up in AI Overviews and generative search engines. More info/register.

Hosts: Slator and Intero Digital

Speakers: Tony Patrick, Senior Director of SEO, and Simon Golding, Senior Digital Marketing Consultant, Intero Digital

Tue 4/29 at 12 p.m. – The Messy Middle of AI Culture Change

When you bring AI into an organization, you’re not just implementing new tools; you’re challenging “how we do things around here.” Explore the messy middle of AI culture change, including the collision between tech culture and organizational tradition, what’s actually feasible when it comes to culture change, how to balance impact and speed without breaking your organization, and practical scaffolding techniques to support transformation. More info/register.

Host: Charlene Li, founder and CEO, Quantum Networks Group

Tue 4/29 at 1 p.m. – Creating Super Member Profiles That Drive Engagement and Personalization

Member profiles shouldn’t be a dusty database—they should be your secret weapon for engagement. Learn how to collect the right data (without overwhelming your members), build trust through two-way interactions, and use that insight to unlock true personalization at scale. Find out what makes a profile “super” (and what data actually matters), how to collect and update member info without friction, and how AI and automation make personalization scalable. Whether you’re building journeys manually or with AI, it all starts with better profiles. More info/register.

Host: PropFuel

Speaker: PropFuel CEO and Co-Founder Dave Will

Tue 4/29 at 1 p.m. – The Essential Volunteer: Harness the Power of Your Volunteers to Ensure Resiliency

Learn about proven strategies for developing an impactful and rewarding volunteer program; best practices for recruiting, onboarding, supporting, and recognizing volunteers; and leveraging existing resources to foster engagement and collaboration. More info/register.

Host: YourMembership AMS by Momentive Software

Speaker: Allyson Olaniel, Membership Expert, YourMembership AMS

Tue 4/29 at 2 p.m. – Eco-Innovations: Reusing Exhibits for a Greener Planet

Discover how to move beyond basic recycling toward truly sustainable exhibiting. Hear how to incorporate sustainability into your exhibit plan by applying Skyline’s new R3: Reconfigure, Reuse, and Renew to create custom modular systems designed for multiple reuses; leverage the circular economy through strategic rentals; select high-quality, durable, and lightweight materials; integrate digital solutions to create immersive experiences with minimal waste; and optimize logistics to reduce shipping emissions and storage costs. More info/register.

Host: Skyline Exhibits

Speakers:

Niru Desai, VP Strategy, Skyline Exhibits
Annette Carroll, Marketing Director, Okuma
Adam Deming, Creative Director of Design, Skyline Exhibits

Tue 4/29 at 3 p.m. – Maximizing Member Engagement: The Role of Continuing Education in Associations

Hear how continuing education drives member engagement, retention, and attracts new members; how to build and maintain Communities of Practice to promote knowledge sharing and problem-solving among members; how an LMS simplifies content delivery, tracks learner progress, and engages learners; and how to design interactive and accessible educational content that resonates with learners. More info/register.

Host: Cadmium

Speakers:

Jen Hurley, CHCP, CPHQ, Chief Executive Officer, Goodwin Group
Amanda Law (Moderator), Event Marketing Manager, Cadmium

Wed 4/30 at 11:30 a.m. – The Future of Event Networking: Smarter Matches, Better Conversations

Learn how to create inclusive networking experiences for all personality types, harness AI-powered matchmaking and SmartBadge technology, and measure the true ROI of attendee connections. Great networking doesn’t happen by chance—it’s designed. Learn the strategies that make every interaction count, ensuring attendees leave with meaningful connections that drive real business impact. More info/register.

Host: Bizzabo

Wed 4/30 at 12 p.m. – PACs in the Time of Polarization

Headlines often focus on the extremes, but PACs play a critical role in supporting the lawmakers who are doing the real work. Get practical guidance to help you stay grounded in your mission, communicate value when trust is fragile, and sustain the relationships that drive long-term impact. Learn how to communicate the strategic value of your PAC without signaling partisanship, use data-driven approaches to tackle skepticism, engage stakeholders who feel overwhelmed or disengaged, and support the case for PAC engagement when emotions run high. More info/register.

Host: Quorum

Wed 4/30 at 12 p.m. – Building a Smarter, Stronger Security Culture-One Click at a Time

Cyber threats don’t just target your systems—they target your people. For nonprofits and associations, the stakes are even higher: trust, reputation, and resources are all on the line. Hear what it really takes to create a cybersecurity-aware culture-even with limited time, staff, or budget. Learn the difference between training and testing, why awareness programs fail without clear metrics, and the must-have elements of a truly effective program. More info/register.

Host: 501CISO

Wed 4/30 at 1 p.m. – Maximizing Member Engagement: ABCA’s Strategies for Mobile App Success

Learn how the American Baseball Coaches Association (ABCA) uses their mobile app to drive year-round member engagement beyond events, boost retention and enhance member experience. Whether your goal is to boost networking, drive member value, or improve accessibility, we’ll share actionable steps to make your app a core part of your digital strategy. More info/register.

Host: Clowder

Speakers:

Jon Litchfield, Deputy Executive Director, American Baseball Coaches Association
Zach Haile, Assistant Executive Director, American Baseball Coaches Association
Caitlin Franz, Senior Client Advisor, Clowder

Wed 4/30 at 1 p.m. – AI: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly

AI is reshaping how organizations manage information, engage members, and extract value from their data, but with rapid industry shifts and lingering uncertainty, associations may be unsure of when—or how—to take the leap. Join us for a showdown of perspectives as three experts step into their roles as The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly of AI in associations and business organizations— each bringing a unique take on the opportunities, risks, and uncertainties ahead. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.

Host: UST Education

Speakers: Kelly Lakas, CEO; Dr. Chris Hinrichs, Co-Founder and Chief Technology Officer; Mike Lakas, Chief Strategy Advisor; and Jason Ford, Director of Technology, Onyx Point Systems

Wed 4/30 at 1 p.m. – Destination and Site Selection: The Basics and Deeper Dives

Selecting destinations and sites for meetings and events is one of the most important aspects meeting and event planners and their employers and clients face. It is the planner’s responsibility to perform due diligence that addresses myriad factors and help guide organizations to well-considered decisions. Hear about the basics of effective destination and site selection; resources, in addition to DMOs (aka CVBs), to inform your searches and decisions; and asking better “tell me more” questions to secure answers to your specific questions. 1 CMP credit. More info/register.

Host: Meetings Today

Speaker: veteran meeting consultant Joan Eisenstodt

Wed 4/30 at 2 p.m. – April FBO MeetUp – Executive Orders: How is your organization responding?

A primary topic for this month is Presidential Executive Orders. Hear from your colleagues who have incorporated changes in their operations and share your own experience. More info/register (ASAE members only).

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

Thu 5/1 at 2 p.m. – Become Your Best Customer: Self-Master Vendor Accountability Through Strategic Troubleshooting

Learn how to transform your organization from a passive technology consumer to an empowered partner. Hear how to establish clear performance metrics that go beyond standard SLAs, build internal technical expertise that can effectively validate vendor claims, develop a systematic approach to problem isolation and root cause analysis, create documentation protocols that strengthen your position during vendor negotiations, and foster a culture of productive skepticism within your IT team. More info/register.

Host: 501Works LLC

Speaker: James Marquis, 501Works

Thu 5/1 at 5 p.m. – CEO Roundtable: Latinas Poderosas (Washington DC)

Hear Latina CEOs and executives share insights, challenges, and successes in their professional journeys. Explore strategies for empowerment, collaboration, and leadership in today’s dynamic business landscape. Learn about the career progression of the panelists, hear about their day-to-day management, challenges they face, and what resources they leverage. Location: Washington DC. More info/register.

Host: Association Latinos

Speakers:

Celia Trigo Besore, MBA, FASAE, CAE, CEO, The Monitoring Association
Silvia Quevedo, CAE, Executive Director, Lamaze International
Emi Reyes, CEO, Latino Economic Development Center
Diana Dabdub, CAE (moderator), Senior Director for Admissions & Recruitment Affairs, American Association of Veterinary Medical Colleges

Thu 5/1 at 5 p.m. CDT – CEO Roundtable: Latinas Poderosas (Chicago IL)

Host: Association Latinos

Speakers:

Blanca Campos, MPA, CAE, CEO, Community Behavioral Healthcare Association
Jackie Gomez Fuentes, Executive Director, Hispanic American Construction Industry Association
Josie Hernandez, IOM (moderator), Account Executive, Bostrom and Executive Director, Casting Society

Tue 5/6 at 11 a.m. – Planning for Executive Succession

Host: UST Education

Speaker: Michael Wyland, Owner/Partner at Sumption & Wyland

Tue 5/6 at 12 p.m. – Enhancing Visualization Usability and Readability: Turning Data into Clear Insight (Data Analytics Network)

Explore the key principles of usability and readability in data visualization—helping you design charts, reports, and dashboards that truly communicate insights. Find out what makes a visualization intuitive and user-friendly; how you can use contrast, alignment, and spacing to improve readability; and what common design mistakes make charts harder to understand—and how to avoid them. Learn how to simplify complexity, guide user attention, and create visualizations that not only look great but also tell a compelling story. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.

Host: Data Analytics Network

Facilitator: Matthew Braun, Significance (also a former association data analyst)

Tue 5/6 at 12 p.m. CDT – Chapter Roundtable: Mini-Mastermind Sessions for Chapter-Based Organizations (Chicago IL)

Host: re:Members

Tue 5/6 at 1 p.m. – Driving Growth With AI: What Association Leaders Need to Know

Host: UST Education

Speaker: Erica Salm Rench, MBA, CMO at Sidecar

Wed 5/7 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. – The Executive Learning Lab: Analyze, Apply, Accelerate (Vienna/Tyson’s Corner VA)

Host: designDATA

Wed 5/7 at 12 p.m. – Ancient Wisdom for Building Stronger Communities

Host: KiKi L’Italien, Editor-in-Chief, Association Chat, and VP of Marketing and Community Engagement, Big Red M

Guest: Charles Vogl, Author, Keynote Speaker and Adviser of The Vogl Group

Wed 5/7 at 12 p.m. – AMS-terclass: Live Expert Q&A

Host: AIOT

Speakers:

Moira Edwards, Ellipsis Partners
Vanessa Dennison, Dennison & Associates
Wes Trochlil, Effective Database Management
David Schulman (moderator), Associations Rewired

Wed 5/7 at 12 p.m. CDT – Chapter Roundtable: Mini-Mastermind Sessions for Chapter-Based Organizations (Schaumburg IL)

Host: re:Members

Wed 5/7 at 1 p.m. – Lights, Camera, Impact: Sharpening Your Video Skills for Success

Host: UST Education

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

Thu 5/8 at 11 a.m. – Beyond Certifications – Maximizing Impact With Member Recognition Programs: Drive Revenue, Recognition, and Membership Value

Host: UST Education

Speaker: Jeffrey Greenwald, President at Operative Greenwald, Inc.

Thu 5/8 at 12 p.m. – Are You Dashboard Ready? A Self-Assessment to Guide Your Association’s Analytics Journey

Host: Association Women Technology Champions

Speakers: Michelle Wreoblewski, Director, Associations Growth & Strategy, and Jon Sarafino, Director, WIPFLI

Thu 5/8 at 1 p.m. – Association AI Leadership: The Four Stages of Readiness and Organizational Management

Host: MemberClicks

Speakers:

Mary Connor, CAE, VP of Client Relations, Stringfellow Management Group
Rich Vallaster, DES, CEM, Senior Director of Industry Relations and Community Engagement, Personify

Association Brain Food Weekly is published Friday mornings. If you’re offering free professional development to the association community, please send me the link via email by Wednesday afternoon the week before your event is scheduled.

Creative Commons licensed photo by JD Doyle 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: 4.18.25

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

Online learning program development. Apti explains how to take a proactive approach to developing online learning programs. Their method anticipates member needs and industry trends, instead of reacting to ideas from SMEs alone.

New member engagement study. Contribute to industry research by taking Amanda Kaiser’s New Member Engagement Study survey. As soon as the numbers are crunched, you’ll be the first to receive the study’s essential insights, including the range of tactics and measurements associations are using to welcome new members.

AMS selection. If you’re embarking on an AMS project, start your research with 108 ideaspace’s list of issues to consider when selecting an association management system (AMS). They go into detail on items that belong on your list: reporting, security, API, technology partners, access control, cost of ownership, vendor stability, and the ability to expand software capabilities as your needs change.

AI tools course. During the Association Academy’s Association Artificial Intelligence Certificate Course, you’ll have hands-on time in class to learn how to use AI tools to create high-quality text, image, video, and other content. Earn one CAE credit for each live class you attend. The course meets Thursdays, 1-2pm ET starting May 22. Help me subsidize Brain Food expenses and save yourself $50 with promo code BRAINFOOD.

Membership crisis. At Boardroom, Sarah Sladek sends out a wake-up call about the essence of membership. “Membership is a relationship. It’s not a product or a transaction… When you join an association, you are making the decision to be a part of a community… You are making a statement to the world about who you are and what’s important to you.” How well does your membership strategy and marketing align with her assertion?

AI’s impact. Being Human in 2035, a report from Elon University’s Imagining the Digital Future Center, has popped up in my stream a few times lately. I’ve only dipped into it, but it looks fascinating enough to share. The report describes how experts expect AI to profoundly reshape human traits and behaviors by 2035. We are living in momentous times.

Repurposing webinars. eLearningDOC describes the benefits of turning your webinars into self-paced, dynamic, and interactive learning experiences. They explain how to extend the life of your webinars while expanding your association’s educational portfolio.

Membership benefits. Elizabeth Stice at Current offers a slant from outside our industry on why membership organizations are worth the effort. While membership requires effort and responsibility, it combats modern alienation. She says the sense of belonging and connection that membership provides is essential for personal fulfillment and societal health. Again, are you offering and promoting this aspect of membership?

Sponsored content. Lead Marvels helps you make a case for a new revenue stream at your association—sponsored content. They explain how five associations addressed common challenges and objections to sponsored content and how they use it to generate revenue and member engagement.

Snacks

Trade show guidance for exhibitors: how to accommodate attendees at different stages of the sales funnel. | Julius Solaris

A non-partisan issue we can all get behind: the ridiculous complexity of our federal tax forms. | an honest 2014 letter from Donald Rumsfeld to the IRS via Emily Domenech

The average college student is illiterate. | Hilarius Bookbinder (pseudonym of a 30-year tenured professor at a regional public university), Persuasion

You never grow old at the table

One of our favorite one-pan meals is a southwest skillet with ground chorizo and turkey, sweet potatoes, and black beans. Greens of some type—spinach, chard, or whatever you find in your garden, farmers’ market, or supermarket—are an essential ingredient in this dish.

A quick dinner for a Friday night when happy hour goes too long: flounder with spiced breadcrumb topping. This time, my topping included red bell pepper, green onion, jalapeño, and garlic. On the side, my go-to: broccoli roasted with red onion and garlic powder, and a nuked sweet potato.

If you’d like to subscribe to Association Brain Food, please complete the form in the sidebar or at the bottom of this post.

Fri 4/18 at 12 p.m.* – CAE LiveChat

This program is open to all CAE candidates, current CAEs, and all ASAE members. The goal is to provide an open, online space for CAE candidates to ask questions about anything and everything about CAE (e.g., exam preparations, eligibility, exam content outline, study strategies, practice questions, tips and advice, etc.) as well as current CAEs to share their knowledge and experience with the CAE exam as well as any ASAE members who wish to join. More info/register (ASAE members only).

Host: ASAE

Facilitators:

DeeJay Hastings, IOM, CAE, Deputy Executive Director & Consultant, LEWIS, LLC (Lead Facilitator)
Wanda Little Coffey, MBA, CAE, Senior Director, Volunteer Relations, ASAE

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

Fri 4/18 at 3 p.m. – Nonprofit Consultants Collaborative Monthly Networking Meeting

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

Mon 4/21 at 8 a.m. – 2025 Behind the Scenes at USAE News (Radio Free 501c, the podcast of Rogue Tulips Consulting)

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

Guest: Todd McElwee, Assistant Publisher, USAE News

Mon 4/21 at 3 p.m. – Open Forum for Healthcare Associations on Navigating Federal Funding and Adapting to Policy Shifts

Join fellow medical and healthcare association CEOs for a candid, high-level dialogue on navigating the complex challenges facing our organizations today. This open forum will explore critical issues including the impact of the tariff policies on the medical and healthcare community, including pharmaceutical imports, NIH and other funding restrictions, federal conference attendance limitations, changes to healthcare policies, and evolving regulations. More info/register (ASAE members only).

Host: ASAE

Moderator: Johnnie White, MBA, CMP, CAE, Chief Executive Officer, American Association of Clinical Endocrinology

Tue 4/22 at 10:30 a.m. – Fix Your Conference in One Hour: Insider Tips & Game-Changing Strategies

Want to make your conference more engaging, valuable, and impactful? Join this sneak peek of the Conference Improvement Kit, a new tool designed to help event organizers, conference planners, and leaders create better networking, deeper engagement, and stronger sponsor/exhibitor experience. Hear about game-changing strategies to boost engagement and networking, common event mistakes and how to fix them, and innovative formats to make sessions more interactive. More info/register.

Host: Better Meetings

Speaker: Lee Gimpel, founder of Better Meetings

Tue 4/22 at 12:30 p.m. – Managing Risk for Nonprofit Meetings and Events in 2025

Meetings and other events present multidisciplinary legal issues in their planning and execution, whether the event is large or small, or held virtually or in person. This panel will offer “must have” strategies and best practices acquired through real-world examples to protect nonprofit organizations. More info/register.

Host: Venable LLP

Speakers: Sarah Fisher, Associate; Brian Melnyk, Associate; and Andrew Steinberg, Partner, Venable LLP

Tue 4/22 at 1 p.m. – From Voice to Value: Turning Advocacy into Funding & Partnership Power

Explore how advocacy can be transformed into a strategic tool for attracting sponsorships, partnerships, and philanthropic support. Learn how showing up, being a trusted voice, and aligning your mission with funders’ priorities can open new doors. More info/register.

Host: Lori Zoss Kraska, MBA, CFRE, founder and CEO, Growth Owl

Speaker: Joan Wright, Executive Director, Childcare Resources

Tue 4/22 at 2 p.m. – The Future of Association Boards Community Dialogue

More info/register.

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

Tue 4/22 at 3 p.m. – Integrations Unpacked: Maximizing Efficiency and Outcomes in Event Management

Learn the fundamentals of integrations, their benefits, and best practices for successful implementation. Explore real-world scenarios where integrations can streamline operations and when alternative solutions may be more practical. More info/register.

Host: Cadmium

Speakers: Bryan Carey Jr., PMP, Technical Project Manager (Integrations), and Amanda Law (Moderator), Event Marketing Manager, Cadmium

Wed 4/23 from 8:45 a.m. to 4:10 p.m. – Association Management System (AMS) Demo Days

This two-day event features presentations from a limited number of industry partners that offer AMS platforms. They’ll showcase their platforms and share their knowledge with the association market. More info/register.

Host: ASAE

Participants: Protech, Glue Up, Nimble AMS by Momentive Software, Mem360 by Saralux, re:Members AMS, Element AMS, MemberClicks Trade, Naylor, YourMembership by Momentive Software, and MemberSuite

Wed 4/23 at 12 p.m. – Welcome with Purpose: Designing an Onboarding Experience That Drives Engagement and Retention

First impressions matter—and in today’s competitive membership landscape, a strong onboarding strategy can make all the difference in member retention and long-term member engagement. Hear about practical approaches to onboarding that go beyond the welcome email including how to engage members from day one and map the first-year journey. Whether you’re building an onboarding program from scratch, or refining an existing one, this session will offer actionable ideas to help your members feel seen, supported, excited to get connected, and stay involved. More info/register.

Host: Association Xchange

Speaker: Christi Beatty, CAE, Vice President of Chapter Services & Member Engagement, Associated General Contractors of America

Wed 4/23 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

Wed 4/23 at 1 p.m. – Transforming Your Annual Conference Into Year-Round Engagement & Revenue

Hear how to evolve your event into a 365-day content and engagement strategy. Learn how to repurpose conference content into always-on digital programming, leverage multiple media formats (videos, webinars, podcasts, and articles), and create sponsorship inventory that drives non-dues revenue. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.

Host: UST Education

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

Wed 4/23 at 1 p.m. – The Best AI Tools for Association Professionals in 2025

Cut through the noise and explore the top AI tools available today, breaking them down by their strengths in key areas: content creation, spreadsheet and data analysis, web search and research, team collaboration and productivity, and automation and workflow optimization. Walk away with an understanding of how to leverage AI to work smarter—not harder—so you can focus on what matters most: delivering value to your members. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.

Host: Fonteva

Speaker: Joseph Burak, Chief Strategist, TRANSiT Strategy & Analytics

Wed 4/23 at 2 p.m. – Multiply Member Value with AI: Strategies for Associations

Learn how to compete with the rise of AI searches and summaries and be your members’ go-to resource for valuable industry information. Get tips to increase the likelihood of your association and resources being found in AI search results. Understand the role your online community will play in the AI-influenced landscape. Explore data privacy considerations and ways to maximize your organization’s adaptability to new challenges and opportunities as AI changes the game. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.

Host: ASAE

Speaker: Rob Wenger, Chief Information Officer, Higher Logic

Wed 4/23 at 2 p.m. – Best Practices for Site Selection

Hear about the top factors to consider when selecting a venue, including location, accessibility, capacity and amenities; the role of local culture, attractions and accommodations in enhancing attendee experience; tools and technologies that streamline venue research and site selection; and strategies for negotiating contracts and managing vendor relationships. 1 CMP credit. More info/register.

Host: Northstar Meetings Group

Moderator: Lizzie Wilcox, Associate Editor, Northstar Meetings Group

Thu 4/24 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. – Association Management System (AMS) Demo Days

Host: ASAE

Participants: MemberClicks Professional, Aplusify, Fonteva, GrowthZone, Aptify by Momentive Software, iMIS by ASI, re:Members AMS Platform, Altai Systems, and NetForum by Momentive Software

Thu 4/24 at 11 a.m. – How to Find Jobs in Turbulent Times

Hear about the critical aspects of leveraging being let go, turning setbacks into opportunities for growth. Learn how to strategically address unemployment gaps, transforming them into compelling narratives of resilience and skill development. Discover techniques to cultivate a positive and proactive attitude, even in the face of adversity. More info/register.

Host: ASAE

Thu 4/24 at 1 p.m. – Strategic Reinvention: Building Future-Ready Associations

To meet the demands of today and ensure future readiness, association leaders must innovate without compromising their mission—no easy feat. Learn about the critical gaps between recognizing the need for innovation, maintaining strategic focus, creating alignment across Board and staff, and ensuring successful execution. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.

Host: UST Education

Speaker: Alanna McKee, Founder & CEO at Scarlet Oak Consulting

Thu 4/24 at 1 p.m. – Understanding AI Agents: A Game Changer for Associations

Explore what AI agents are, how they work, and their potential to transform association operations and member services. More info/register.

Host: Dan Streeter, CEO, Mission Fuel

Thu 4/24 at 2 p.m. – Using AI as a Leader: A Practical Guide for Executives

You don’t need to be a technologist to lead with AI. You just need the right approach. Get a foundational understanding of predictive, generative, and agentic AI; a framework to connect AI initiatives to your business strategy; key questions every leader should ask to focus their AI efforts; and the confidence to lead AI conversations across your organization. More info/register.

Host: Charlene Li, CEO and founder, Quantum Networks Group

Thu 4/24 at 2 p.m. – Best Practices for Managing Event Risk

Hear about the state of safety and security in the events world and tips for keeping everyone safe. Learn what emergencies are keeping meeting professionals up at night in 2025, how to set clear roles and responsibilities as part of a crisis communication plan, and what that looked like at some of the highest profile gatherings in the country, including the Super Bowl. More info/register.

Host: Smart Meetings

Speakers:

Stephanie Turner, senior vice president of convention sales and strategies, New Orleans & Company
Dianna Waldroup, vice president of convention services, Destination DC

Thu 4/24 at 3 p.m. – Testing Assumptions & Leveraging Change Comms

Change initiatives like Return-to-Office (RTO) are often launched with good intentions—but poor assumptions. When teams skip the step of identifying what really needs testing, they risk burnout, disengagement, and broken trust. Learn to identify risky assumptions in your RTO strategy, design small experiments you can run to de-risk RTO in your organization, align strategic communication with culture and capacity, and what change leaders must do differently—starting now to create early adoption. More info/register.

Host: L-12 Services

Speakers: Lizabeth Wesely-Casella and David Bland

Thu 4/24 at 4 p.m. – Combatting Financial Fraud Affecting Trade Associations

Learn how to identify, prevent, and mitigate fraud within your nonprofit and trade association. Hear insights on the fraud landscape, social engineering, fraud as a service, mail theft, what this data is worth, common social engineering tactics, and best practices on what you can control. More info/register.

Host: ASAE Reston Loudoun Swap

Speakers: Tom Ciolkosz, Senior VP, and Gina Ni, Vice President Treasury Management Consultant, M & T Bank

Thu 4/24 at 4 p.m. – The Ultimate Guide to Event Engagement: How to Create Remarkable Experiences

Learn about the remarkable experiences which lead to engagement, understanding participant goals, designing your event around what your audience truly cares about, and enabling seamless interaction and connection with the right data and technology. More info/register.

Host: Grip Events

Speakers:

Laura Pace, Managing Director, Yellow Fish
Lizzy Evans, Chief Product Officer, Grip
Hew Leith, SVP of Marketing, Grip

Fri 4/25 at 1 p.m. – Elevating Your Email Game: Design to Impress & Strategies for Success

Host: Blue Sky eLearn

Speaker: Amber Worthen, CEO of Email Maven

Fri 4/25 at 1 p.m. – AI & IRL: Event Experts Reveal How to Maximize Your Investment in 2025

Host: INBOUND

Speakers:

Jay Schwedelson, Founder of GURU Media Hub and SubjectLine.com, President and CEO of Outcome Media
Melissa Mahon, Chief Operating Officer at MAS
Dahlia El Gazzar, Tech Evangelist + Idea Igniteur at DAHLIA+Agency
Moderated by Courtney Dagher, HubSpot’s Head of Marketing & Content Programming for Global Events

Fri 4/25 at 1 p.m. – Foresight Fridays: Using Foresight in Society and Politics & Economic Conditions

Host: ASAE

Speakers:

Danielle Duran Baron, FASAE, CAE, VP, Marketing, Communications & Industry Relations, School Nutrition Association
Tommy Goodwin, FASAE, CAE, Executive Vice President, Exhibitions & Conferences
Josh Calder, Futurist, Foresight Alliance
Mark Justman, Futurist, Foresight Alliance

Wed 4/29 at 11 a.m. – Association of the United States Navy: Two-Year Plan to Reinvent Mission, Leading the Way to a Bright Future

Host: UST Education

Speakers:

David Vardeman, Sr. VP, Department Head, Not for Profit & Global Business Development
Lt Com. Steve Rogers, USN, Ret

Wed 4/29 at 12 p.m. – Love at First Login: Making Your Member Experience Irresistible

Host: Accella

Wed 4/29 at 12 p.m. – Trends Talk with Sarah Sladek

Host: Sarah Sladek, Founder and CEO, XYZ University

Wed 4/29 at 1 p.m. – Creating Super Member Profiles That Drive Engagement and Personalization

Host: PropFuel

Speaker: PropFuel CEO and Co-Founder Dave Will

Wed 4/29 at 1 p.m. – The Essential Volunteer: Harness the Power of Your Volunteers to Ensure Resiliency

Host: YourMembership AMS by Momentive Software

Speaker: Allyson Olaniel, Membership Expert, YourMembership AMS

Thu 4/30 at 1 p.m. – Maximizing Member Engagement: ABCA’s Strategies for Mobile App Success

Host: Clowder

Speakers:

Jon Litchfield, Deputy Executive Director, American Baseball Coaches Association
Zach Haile, Assistant Executive Director, , American Baseball Coaches Association
Caitlin Franz, Senior Client Advisor, Clowder

Thu 4/30 at 1 p.m. – AI: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly

Host: UST Education

Speakers: Kelly Lakas, CEO; Dr. Chris Hinrichs, Co-Founder and Chief Technology Officer; Mike Lakas, Chief Strategy Advisor; and Jason Ford, Director of Technology, Onyx Point Systems

Thu 4/30 at 1 p.m. – Destination and Site Selection: The Basics and Deeper Dives

Host: Meetings Today

Speaker: veteran meeting consultant Joan Eisenstodt

Thu 5/1 at 2 p.m. – Become Your Best Customer: Self-Master Vendor Accountability Through Strategic Troubleshooting

Learn how to transform your organization from a passive technology consumer to an empowered partner. Explore how IT leaders and platform users can develop the internal capabilities to effectively troubleshoot issues, ask the right questions, and hold vendors accountable for delivering on their promises. More info/register.

Host: 501Works LLC

Creative Commons licensed photo by Rodion Kutsaiev via Unsplash

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Association Brain Food: 4.11.25

The weekly list of free educational events and resources for the association community… “Reading is an act of resistance in a landscape of distraction.” —David L. Ulin

Microcredentials. TopClass LMS shares an association primer on skills-based microcredentialing. They explain why microcredentials are becoming more popular with learners and their employers, how associations benefit from these programs, and what to do next if you want to explore deeper.

Membership app. Clowder shows how a year-round membership app outperforms event apps by keeping members continuously engaged with networking, learning, news, workplace resources, career support, business development, and more. Makes sense to me!

Learning revenue. D2L shares research describing the challenges faced by associations offering virtual learning and by those relying solely on in-person learning. They also explain how associations have adjusted their business models to monetize learning programs. The good news for members and their employers: 74% of associations plan to increase their learning budget.

Remote workplace culture. After the mass transition to remote work, I wondered how people were interacting and building relationships with co-workers, especially in organizations where leaders didn’t make that a priority. Thankfully, Jamie Notter of Propel offers reassuring and helpful advice on maintaining a healthy, cohesive culture in a remote work environment.

Post-conference buzz. Sherry Budziak of .orgSource writes about her experience connecting with others in the hallways of Higher Logic’s Super Forum. She returned home renewed with “a reminder that community is our greatest asset.” How hard does your organization sell this aspect of your events?

AI for associations. Need to sharpen your knowledge about AI? Nimble’s AI success kit includes four useful resources: two 30-minute webinar recordings about AI for associations, plus an introduction to AI for associations and a guide to developing an AI strategy.

Member service. Elizabeth Engel of Spark Consulting reminds us of both the negative and positive power of word-of-mouth marketing. To ensure your members and customers are only passing around positive comments, she offers advice on making sure your member service is in tip-top shape.

Snacks

How to reconceive your association’s magazine as a strategic content asset. | Hilary Marsh, Content Company

Data privacy and compliance: what every association should know in 2025, especially with new AI-related regulations adding another layer of complexity. | Sara Spalt, Cimatri

20 much-needed tips for making panels work. | Barbara Scofidio, Skift Meetings

You never grow old at the table

When I wake up famished, I like having something healthy in the freezer to grab before doing yoga or taking a walk. Lately, that’s been a whole wheat banana muffin. I follow this Best Banana Bread recipe from Bon Appétit but use all wheat flour, Greek yogurt, and walnuts.

I have good intentions but often forget what’s languishing in the fruit drawer. Underneath the citrus and berries, I occasionally find a pair of dull apples or bruised pears. Instead of throwing them in the compost, I sauté them in a little butter and neutral oil with a few dashes of spices (cinnamon, cloves, allspice, ginger, and/or nutmeg), nuts, and raisins. I eat this comforting apple/pear sauté with plain Greek yogurt and granola, if I have it, for breakfast or a late afternoon snack.

My freezer is full of pesto, so now and then I force myself to make something pesto-y. Not such a burden really and a good excuse for pasta. This time, I made chicken pesto and veggie pasta. Besides chicken, the dish included broccoli flowers and stems, carrot, onion, poblano, corn, peas, red bell, mushroom, sundried tomatoes, green onion, milk, and parmesan with farfalle pasta.

This week, we also enjoyed creamy piccata swordfish along with brown rice to soak up the scrumptious sauce. On the side, broccoli greens from the garden sautéed with bacon, onion, red bell, poblano, broccoli stems, carrots, garlic, and ham broth.

Another night, we had pork chops with cranberry pan sauce alongside a nuked sweet potato and leftover greens.

If you’d like to subscribe to Association Brain Food, please complete the form in the sidebar or at the bottom of this post.

Fri 4/11 at 12:30 p.m.* – What the Bananas is Agentic AI? AI is No Longer Just a Tool—It’s a Game-Changer for #EventProfs

Agentic AI isn’t just about automation—it’s about AI that acts, decides, and optimizes in real-time to make event planning, marketing, and execution more efficient than ever. Hear a clear, no-fluff explanation of Agentic AI and why it matters for event professionals; how AI can streamline event planning, marketing, and execution; what to avoid when integrating AI into your workflow; and how to build an AI agent that works for you. More info/register.

Host: Dahlia El Gazzar, Dahlia+ Agency

Guest: Noelle Russell, AI Leadership Institute

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

Mon 4/14 at 8 a.m. – Sustaining the Health of Chief Staff Executives (Radio Free 501c, the podcast of Rogue Tulips Consulting)

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

Guests:

Adam Levy, Executive Director, American Cleft Palate Craniofacial Association
Silvia Quevedo, Executive Director, Lamaze International

Tue 4/15 at 12 p.m. – Association Risk Management: Icebergs Ahead

Now more than ever, it is important for CEOs to plan for financial uncertainty. Hear how to build a financial contingency plan, what to track in your financials, and how to spot early signs of trouble. More info/register.

Host: Zzeem Consulting

Speakers: Asif Ahmed and Erin Roberts

Tue 4/15 at 12 p.m. – Tech Tuesday: No Pranks, Just Real Tech Fails

Hear real, unfiltered stories of tech failures from industry leaders, and the lessons learned; listen to practical advice for navigating your own technology challenges, with insights from Dave and Tech Council members; and get a chance to share your tech fail story and learn from others. More info/register (ASAE members only).

Host: ASAE Technology Council

Facilitators: Reggie Henry of ASAE and Dave Coriale of DelCor

Tue 4/15 at 12 p.m. – CRVM April 2025 Crunch and Munch

Crunch and Munch is a chance to come together once a month with peers for a casual conversation on hot topics relevant to the component relations and volunteer management community. This month’s topic is current best practices of best of breed volunteer systems and how they apply or don’t apply in your association to both the national level organization and your chapter/components More info/register (ASAE members only).

Host: ASAE Component Relations and Volunteer Management Council

Facilitators:

Peggy M. Hoffman, FASAE, CAE President of Mariner Management
Diane Scheuring, Association Senior Vice President of Membership & Marketing, Hospice and Palliative Nurses
Kevin Whorton, President of Whorton Research

Wed 4/16 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. – CMEpalooza Spring

CMEpalooza is a free, biannual, online conference geared toward individuals involved in the development and implementation of continuing medical education for healthcare professionals. More info/register.

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

Wed 4/16 at 10 a.m. – Small Steps, BIG Results: Improving Your Website Without a Major Redesign

Are you looking to improve your website now without a major redesign or large technology investment? Hear success stories and initiatives that you can implement right away without a big investment. Learn how to refresh your website design; test your site’s usability; create an analytics/SEO reporting dashboard; review, refine and retire your content; and consolidate your digital presence. More info/register.

Host: Results Direct | RD Mobile

Speakers: Laura Graham, Senior Solutions Consultant, and Cecilia Satovich, Executive VP, Results Direct | RD Mobile

Wed 4/16 at 11 a.m. – AI and The Future of Work (Association Chat)

The future of work isn’t coming—it’s already here. As AI reshapes industries, associations and nonprofits must navigate a rapidly shifting landscape or risk being left behind. Hear how associations can harness AI for growth, innovation, and long-term success. More info/register.

Host: KiKi L’Italien, Editor-in-Chief, Association Chat, and VP of Marketing and Community Engagement, Big Red M

Guest: Dan Chuparkoff, CEO, Reinvention Labs

Wed 4/16 at 12 p.m. – How to Increase Your Community’s Value with User-Generated Content

Learn what user-generated content (UGC) looks like in an online community environment, how to encourage members to contribute, and why every association should be implementing a UGC strategy this year. Get recommendations for how to overcome common challenges like low participation and off-topic posts. Walk away with practical ways to turn passive members into active contributors to create a stronger, more vibrant community. More info/register.

Host: GrowthZone

Speaker: Jessica Rickel, Business & Marketing Strategist

Wed 4/16 at 1 p.m. – What Works (and What Doesn’t) in Association Growth & Engagement

Are your association’s strategies actually working—or are they just keeping you busy? In an industry filled with revenue models, engagement tactics, and membership initiatives, knowing what truly drives success can mean the difference between growth and stagnation. From what makes affinity programs profitable to the engagement strategies that actually retain members, Lucas breaks down the common pitfalls associations face and how to navigate them successfully. More info/register.

Host: KiKi L’Italien, Editor-in-Chief, Association Chat, and VP of Marketing and Community Engagement, Big Red M

Guest: Lucas McCann, President & CEO of Core Affinity

Wed 4/16 at 2 p.m. – Overcoming LMS Data Migration Challenges: Effective Transition Strategies

Learn about key LMS data migration challenges, developing an LMS migration project plan, effective LMS migration solutions, and a data migration process and guide. More info/register.

Host: MapleLMS

Wed 4/16 at 2:30 p.m. – Recitals Are Often M.I.A. in Event Contracts

In event contracts, Recitals reflect a critical element of the Preamble. Yet, the majority of contracts fail to include them. Learn about the three critical elements missing from most contracts’ Recitals section, why they matter, and what planners can do to include them in future contracts. More info/register.

Host: Heather Reid, CEO and founder, Planner Protect

Thu 4/17 at 11 a.m. – Mastering Standard Operating Procedures: Enhancing Efficiency and Compliance

Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) are the backbone of quality and consistency in any organization, ensuring that every task is performed with uniformity and precision. Learn what SOPs are and how to identify your organization’s needs, create tailored SOPs, and implement them effectively. Hear how SOPs can enhance operational efficiency, ensure compliance with legal and industry standards, and provide a strong basis for training and quality control. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.

Host: UST Education

Speakers: Daniel Elacqua, Chief Executive Officer, and Towsif Nasor, Technology Advisor at Strategico Consultants

Thu 4/17 at 11 a.m. – The Event Tech Dating Game: Round 2

We had an amazing first episode of the Event Tech Dating Game. It’s time to gear up for Round 2. This time, we’re shaking things up with a new planner, fresh tech suitors, and brand-new topic category (Data Analytics). Get ready for more tech love! More info/register.

Host: Dahlia+ Agency

Thu 4/17 at 2 p.m. – Driving Connection & Collaboration In A New World

Learn how to forge authentic connections, articulate your value to win the respect of the executive team, and work with all generations to achieve shared goals. More info/register.

Host: Smart Meetings

Speaker: Shane Feldman, founder of Count Me In

Fri 4/18 at 12 p.m. – CAE LiveChat

Host: ASAE

Facilitators:

DeeJay Hastings, IOM, CAE, Deputy Executive Director & Consultant, LEWIS, LLC (Lead Facilitator)
Wanda Little Coffey, MBA, CAE, Senior Director, Volunteer Relations, ASAE

Fri 4/18 at 3 p.m. – Nonprofit Consultants Collaborative Monthly Networking Meeting

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

Tue 4/22 at 10:30 a.m. – Fix Your Conference in One Hour: Insider Tips & Game-Changing Strategies

Host: Better Meetings

Speaker: Lee Gimpel, founder of Better Meetings

Tue 4/22 at 1 p.m. – From Voice to Value: Turning Advocacy into Funding & Partnership Power

Host: Lori Zoss Kraska, MBA, CFRE, founder and CEO, Growth Owl

Speaker: Joan Wright, Executive Director, Childcare Resources

Wed 4/23 from 8:45 a.m. to 4:10 p.m. – Association Management System (AMS) Demo Days

Host: ASAE

Participants: Protech, Glue Up, Nimble AMS by Momentive Software, Mem360 by Saralux, re:Members AMS, Element AMS, MemberClicks Trade, Naylor, YourMembership by Momentive Software, and MemberSuite

Wed 4/23 at 12 p.m. – Welcome with Purpose: Designing an Onboarding Experience That Drives Engagement and Retention

Host: Association Xchange

Speaker: Christi Beatty, CAE, Vice President of Chapter Services & Member Engagement, Associated General Contractors of America

Wed 4/23 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

Wed 4/23 at 1 p.m. – Transforming Your Annual Conference Into Year-Round Engagement & Revenue

Host: UST Education

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

Wed 4/23 at 1 p.m. – The Best AI Tools for Association Professionals in 2025

Cut through the noise and explore the top AI tools available today, breaking them down by their strengths in key areas: content creation, spreadsheet and data analysis, web search and research, team collaboration and productivity, and automation and workflow optimization. Walk away with a clear understanding of how to leverage AI to work smarter—not harder—so you can focus on what matters most: delivering value to your members. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.

Host: Fonteva

Speaker: Joseph Burak, Chief Strategist, TRANSiT Strategy & Analytics

Thu 4/24 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. – Association Management System (AMS) Demo Days

Host: ASAE

Participants: MemberClicks Professional, Aplusify, Fonteva, GrowthZone, Aptify by Momentive Software, iMIS by ASI, re:Members AMS Platform, Altai Systems, and NetForum by Momentive Software

Thu 4/24 at 1 p.m. – Strategic Reinvention: Building Future-Ready Associations

Host: UST Education

Speaker: Alanna McKee, Founder & CEO at Scarlet Oak Consulting

Creative Commons licensed photo by James Lee via Unsplash

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Association Brain Food: 4.4.25

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

“The purpose of art is washing the dust of daily life off our souls.” —Pablo Picasso

Membership requirement for certification. Many association professionals believe it’s okay to require membership for certification programs, but, as Apti points out, it’s definitely not. In fact, it’s illegal, on antitrust grounds, to tie membership to certification. Apti explains why, debunks some myths, suggests ways to minimize program risk, and offers ideas to engage non-members instead.

Award winner recognition. A plaque, a profile in the magazine, and a shout-out in the newsletter—is that all your association’s award winners get? OpenWater describes how to give award winners more publicity by sharing their stories and lessons learned beyond your awards gala audience.

Member recruitment. YourMembership describes 13 tactics used by small-staff associations to attract and recruit new members. The entire list seems pretty essential to me. Has your association tried all of them?

Software users groups. Wes Trochlil of Effective Database Management explains how to create and get the most out of a software users group. Why would you organize one? Because a group of fellow AMS (or other software) users is a lifeline when you need help or want to combine voices to get necessary software fixes and features.

AI detection. I refuse to become Deirdroid. I hope you refuse to turn into or rely completely on a machine too. Beth Ziesenis (aka Beth Z) has put together a list of AI writing tells you should avoid using. Sadly, my beloved em dash is on the list. No doubt, you’ll recognize a lot of these ugh-ly phrases. How did AI learn them? From all of us!

Event content repurposing. Snapsight explains how to use AI tools to turn session content into resources that generate revenue and engagement. It’s an intriguing list: premium on-demand library, microcredentials, sponsored content collections, exhibitor intelligence reports, data-enriched industry reports, speaker spotlight packages, session remix products, and interactive learning communities. Plus, they provide a 30-day action plan.

AI for associations. Getting tired of all these AI articles? Well, if you want a quick check to see how well your association is applying AI, Farhad Khan at Member Lounge shares a practical guide to AI for associations.

You never grow old at the table

With half a head of cabbage sitting in the fridge, I poked around to see what could go with it. I pulled Italian sausage out of the freezer and a can of cannellini beans from the pantry (aka the shelving unit behind my office door), and got to work on a sausage, cabbage, and white bean skillet. Other ingredients: onion, broccoli and chard stems, garlic, thyme, basil, oregano, ground fennel, white wine, sundried tomatoes, Parmesan, and parsley. The husband (and I) gave it a big thumbs up.

Hurrah for the freezer again. I combined a thawed package of frozen spinach with cream cheese, Parmesan, thyme, basil, oregano, garlic powder, panko breadcrumbs, and melted butter, patted it on top of salmon fillets, and popped them in the oven. On the side, roasted broccoli with red onion, cayenne, and garlic powder, plus a nuked sweet potato.

One more from the freezer: a pretty darn tasty (leftover Christmas) turkey curry with greens. I started with a New York Times recipe (archived version), but added red bell pepper, jalapeño, cinnamon, green onions, and chickpeas. I used whole cans of coconut milk and diced tomatoes instead of a cup of each and served the curry over brown rice.

For breakfast, I usually wrap something in a wheat tortilla, often a fried egg with charro (pinto) beans, avocado, and salsa, or leftovers (veggies or meat/fish). Since I like protein in the morning, I’m experimenting with hummus (made in the pressure cooker) in my tortillas this week. So far, I’ve had it with roasted broccoli and red onion one morning, and with avocado and hot sauce another.

If you’d like to subscribe to Association Brain Food, please complete the form in the sidebar or at the bottom of this post. I won’t share or sell your email address.

Note: 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.”

Fri 4/4 at 12 p.m.* – CAE LiveChat

Host: ASAE

Facilitators:

DeeJay Hastings, IOM, CAE, Deputy Executive Director & Consultant, LEWIS, LLC (Lead Facilitator)
Wanda Little Coffey, MBA, CAE, Senior Director, Volunteer Relations, ASAE

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

Mon 4/7 at 8 a.m. – Associations and Collaborative Abundance (Radio Free 501c, the podcast of Rogue Tulips Consulting)

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

Guest: Juan Sanchez, CIO, Inteleos

Tue 4/8 at 11 a.m. – One-Size-Fits-NONE: “Watch Me” is NOT a Strategy for Sales Success

Traditional sales training often follows a “one-size-fits-all” formula—treating every salesperson as if they learn, grow, and succeed in the same way. Sure, it might create a common language, but it completely misses the mark on what truly drives long-term performance: empowering salespeople to think, adapt, and sell on their own. Learn how to leverage the three “love languages” of salespeople to connect, inspire, and drive results; identify the specific skills, behaviors, and processes each salesperson needs to succeed; and how to improve sales team training. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.

Host: UST Education

Speaker: Steve Heroux, Founder at The Sales Collective

Tue 4/8 at 12 p.m. – What Associations Need to Know About Tax Changes

With proposed tax changes on the horizon, associations must stay informed to navigate potential financial and operational impacts. Understanding these shifts is critical for maintaining compliance, optimizing financial strategies, and making informed decisions about technology investments. Hear about proposed 2025 U.S. tax changes and their potential impact on associations, insights into compliance challenges and financial considerations, and best practices for future-proofing your technology investments amid legislative changes. More info/register.

Host: Momentive Software

Speakers:

Nicole Bowen, CAE, Nonprofit Relationship Management, RSM US LLP
Corinne Contento, Director of Tax, Momentive Software
Tirrah Switzer, VP, Product Marketing, Momentive Software

Tue 4/8 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 4/8 at 2 p.m. – How to Empower Your Sales Teams to Convert More Webinar Leads

Learn how to use engagement data to identify high-value leads, identify buyer intent signals to drive effective follow-up, help sales create personalized outreach, and create a pre and post event sales motion. Hear from successful salespeople who will share how they leverage this data to prioritize lead follow-up, have more valuable conversations and more effectively convert those prospects into meetings, pipeline and revenue. More info/register.

Host: ON24

Speaker: Mark Bornstein, Vice President, Marketing and Chief Evangelist, ON24

Wed 4/9 at 11:30 a.m. – Cybersecurity with Brian Scott (Association Chat)

Cyber threats aren’t just an IT issue—they’re an existential risk for associations and nonprofits. In today’s politically charged environment, data breaches, ransomware attacks, and cyber vulnerabilities can have devastating consequences. Hear about the biggest cyber threats facing associations today—and what leaders can do to protect their organizations. More info/register.

Host: KiKi L’Italien, Editor-in-Chief, Association Chat, and VP of Marketing and Community Engagement, Big Red M

Guest: Brian Scott, President and CIO of Clear Tone Consulting

Wed 4/9 at 12 p.m. – Build Winning Association Sponsorship Programs: Strategies for Success

Learn about the biggest trends impacting sponsorship and ad sales, key factors that drive companies to sponsor and advertise with associations — or not, how to create a program that increases sponsorship and advertiser involvement revenue and member value, the critical roles for staff leadership and board members in creating a successful sponsorship and advertisement revenue strategy, and how to transition from your current sponsorship and advertisement program to a more impactful approach. More info/register.

Host: Ewald Consulting

Speakers:

Bruce Rosenthal, Principal of Bruce Rosenthal Associates
Blake Finger, Director of Sales and Membership Strategies at Ewald Consulting
Betsy Pierre, Partnership and Sales Manager at Ewald Consulting

Wed 4/9 at 12 p.m. – From Questions to Answers: How Associations Can Deliver Real-Time Member Value

Your members are overwhelmed with information, and if they have to dig through cluttered websites or outdated PDFs to find answers, they won’t stick around. Learn how associations can shift from simply storing information to delivering real-time, personalized insights that meet member needs instantly and build trust over time. More info/register.

Host: WorkerBee.TV

Speaker: Reggie Henry, Chief Information & Engagement Officer, ASAE

Wed 4/9 at 12 p.m. – Beyond Dues | Proven Strategies for Growing Non-Dues Revenue

Tired of relying solely on membership dues? Hear about proven strategies to diversify and grow your non-dues revenue. From sponsorships to premium programs, discover actionable tactics to increase revenue without increasing dues. More info/register.

Host: GrowthZone

Speakers:

Doug Holman, co-founder, Holman Brothers Membership Sales Solutions
Scott Robertson, director of strategic partnerships, GrowthZone

Wed 4/9 at 12 p.m. – Succession Planning: Future-Proofing Your Organization

Building a healthy “bench” builds management depth, improves employee retention and motivation, and reduces organizational risk. Yet why is it so challenging to actually implement? Explore how to create a healthy succession planning culture (and why it’s harder than it looks), how to address succession planning roadblocks, how to level up the people who are going to backfill key positions, and knowledge transfer best practices (and other tactical recommendations). More info/register.

Host: Braintrust Professional Institute

Speakers: Randall Craig and Ronja Francoeur, Braintrust Professional Institute

Wed 4/9 at 1 p.m. – Autonomous AI for Nonprofits: Transform Your Team’s Capacity to Drive Impact

Learn about AI Agents, potential tools, and their capabilities; how to define use cases for AI within your organization; and how to identify next steps for AI exploration and implementation. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.

Host: UST Education

Speakers:

Nicole Adair, Principal Solution Engineer at Salesforce
Stephen St. John, Senior Director, Customer Success & Solutions at fusionSpan

Wed 4/9 at 2 p.m. – Thinking Outside the Convention Center

Convention centers and big-box hotels offer numerous benefits to large groups — but what happens when you need to think outside the so-called big box? Do you find yourself scrambling for creative concepts and original ideas for off-sites, alternative venues or the great outdoors? Join us for this interactive online session of idea-sparking and creative-juice flowing, and pick up some great ideas — as well as tips on how to tap into your own creativity. 1 CMP credit. More info/register.

Host: Northstar Meetings Group

Speakers:

Edward Perotti, CMP, CMM, Principal, EP Events & Experiences
Michael J. Shapiro (moderator), Director of Content Strategy, Northstar Meetings Group

Wed 4/9 at 2:30 p.m. – Stage Programs & Professional Hosts for Associations

Whether it’s a conference, annual meeting, or virtual event, associations must captivate audiences, spark engagement, and leave lasting impressions. Explore what makes a stage program truly unforgettable. Learn how associations can use professional hosts and intentional event design to connect with their audiences. More info/register.

Host: KiKi L’Italien, Editor-in-Chief, Association Chat, and VP of Marketing and Community Engagement, Big Red M

Guest: Devon Montgomery Pasha, CMP, CED, Emcee, and Chief Expereince Oficer at DMP Creative LLC

Thu 4/10 at 12 p.m. – AMS Success Webinar Part 2: Adoption, Onboarding & Knowing When to Ask for Help

Learn what it takes to fully leverage your technology to achieve AMS success. Hear about strategies for seamless staff adoption, best practices for onboarding and managing change, navigating ongoing AMS support and optimization, when and how to ask for help to maximize success, and Emily’s insights from her experience working with an AMS vendor and how Achurch Consulting has supported their journey since go-live. More info/register.

Host: Achurch Consulting

Speakers:

Emily Miranker, Association of Children’s Museums
George Rears and Erin Trost, tech consultants, Achurch Consulting

Thu 4/10 at 1 p.m. – New World of Testing

The demand for lifelong learning experiences is rising, creating major opportunities for organizations to evolve their programs and maximize value. Hear about the Lifelong Learning Strategy Framework—a free, practical guide to help organizations assess, enhance, and future-proof their learning programs. Learn how to tap into the growth potential of the professional learning market and use the Lifelong Learning Strategy Framework to evaluate opportunities and drive sustainable growth. Explore real-world success stories of organizations transforming their educational offerings into powerful revenue drivers. More info/register.

Host: Association of Test Publishers

Speakers: Matt Albery, Senior Director of Product Management, and Claudine Townley, Director of Customer Success, BenchPrep

Thu 4/10 at 2 p.m. – Monthly Association Jam Session

Join a discussion about rolling topics, totally casual, a chance to exchange tips while getting to know other folks who are doing the work of 10 staff too. This month, we’ll chat about how we can help each other figure out what to do when we arrive in a new role and inherit a big honkin’ mess. More info/register.

Host: Association Marketplace

Thu 4/10 at 2 p.m. – The Global Meetings Landscape in 2025: Key Insights and Industry Realities

Hear from research leaders at Northstar Meetings Group as they present the latest findings from the Northstar/Cvent Meetings Industry PULSE Survey. Get a clear, data-driven analysis of budgets, spending trends, supplier relationships, and shifting planner priorities not just in North America, but in EMEA and APAC as well. Learn about the impact of political and economic shifts on business confidence and event strategy. Gain the insights needed to make informed decisions, strengthen partnerships, and adapt to industry changes. 0.5 CMP credit. More info/register.

Host: Northstar Meetings Group

Speaker: David Blansfield, Executive Vice President & Group Publisher, Northstar Meetings Group

Fri 4/11 at 12:30 p.m. – What the Bananas is Agentic AI? AI is No Longer Just a Tool—It’s a Game-Changer for #EventProfs

Host: Dahlia El Gazzar, Dahlia+ Agency

Guest: Noelle Russell, AI Leadership Institute

Wed 4/16 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. – CMEpalooza Spring

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

Wed 4/16 at 10 a.m. – Small Steps, BIG Results: Improving Your Website Without a Major Redesign

Host: Results Direct | RD Mobile

Speakers: Laura Graham, Senior Solutions Consultant, and Cecilia Satovich, Executive VP, Results Direct | RD Mobile

Wed 4/16 at 11 a.m. – AI and The Future of Work (Association Chat)

Host: KiKi L’Italien, Editor-in-Chief, Association Chat, and VP of Marketing and Community Engagement, Big Red M

Guest: Dan Chuparkoff, CEO, Reinvention Labs

Wed 4/16 at 1 p.m. – What Works (and What Doesn’t) in Association Growth & Engagement

Host: KiKi L’Italien, Editor-in-Chief, Association Chat, and VP of Marketing and Community Engagement, Big Red M

Guest: Lucas McCann, President & CEO of Core Affinity

Thu 4/17 at 11 a.m. – Mastering Standard Operating Procedures: Enhancing Efficiency and Compliance

Host: UST Education

Speakers: Daniel Elacqua, Chief Executive Officer, and Towsif Nasor, Technology Advisor at Strategico Consultants

Fri 4/18 at 12 p.m. – CAE LiveChat

Host: ASAE

Facilitators:

DeeJay Hastings, IOM, CAE, Deputy Executive Director & Consultant, LEWIS, LLC (Lead Facilitator)
Wanda Little Coffey, MBA, CAE, Senior Director, Volunteer Relations, ASAE

Fri 4/18 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’re offering free professional development to the association community, please send me the link via email by Wednesday afternoon the week before your event is scheduled.

Public domain painting by Caspar David Friedrich, Mountain Peak with Drifting Clouds (c. 1835) via Wikimedia Commons

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Association Brain Food: 3.28.25

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

“Look again at that dot. That’s here. That’s home. That’s us. On it everyone you love, everyone you know, everyone you ever heard of, every human being who ever was, lived out their lives… on a mote of dust suspended in a sunbeam… it underscores our responsibility to deal more kindly with one another, and to preserve and cherish the pale blue dot, the only home we’ve ever known.” —Carl Sagan, Pale Blue Dot

AI as an education tool. TopClass explains how to use AI tools to more quickly develop online education programs. Their suggestions cover the first three steps of the ADDIE instructional design methodology: Assess, Design, and Develop. Now you can do what you never thought possible.

Listen. What follows is not hyperbole. Depending on your career stage, this podcast episode could change your life. Michael Hoehn (COO, International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer) is the guest on Association Strong, hosted by Tom Morrison (CEO, Metal Treating Institute) and Dave Will (CEO, PropFuel). They talk about what keeps members and staff up at night, membership value, villains, activity management, goal setting, work/life planning and organization skills, working from home, and jazzing on people. I feel blessed to call these guys my friends.

Membership benchmarks. I used to assume everyone knows about MGI’s membership benchmarking report, but learned that’s not the case. If you’re involved with membership or marketing, do yourself a favor and download the 16^th edition of this valuable resource. It provides industry data on the membership value proposition, marketing, recruitment, engagement, renewal, reinstatement, dues, innovation, and more.

SEO changes. Margarita Loktionova of Semrush explains how SEO has changed and how to address new SEO challenges. As a maker of an SEO tool, Semrush is still obviously bullish on SEO, but I wouldn’t rely solely on it to bring traffic to your website. Take advantage of additional channels to establish trust and pull people back to your site, like newsletters, social media, and events or publications where you can share your expertise.

Stress reduction. Derek Warnick of CMEpalooza (which is coming up soon) gathered tips and techniques for dealing with stress. I suggest bringing some perspective to your life about what really matters in the long run. Also, yoga, walking, and chopping vegetables.

Event strategy. ExpoLogic walks you through an event strategy, including goal setting, planning the event, marketing, and measuring success.

AI as a database tool. Wow. Has anyone tried this? Mallory Mejias at Sidecar describes how AI can maintain your association’s database. Will wonders never cease?

Ugh. What’s happening to students? Ted Gioia shares the latest depressing news from the “zombie wars.” He says students only care about the next dopamine fix—because that’s how addicts operate. They can’t get back to their phones fast enough. They have no long-term plans, just short-term needs—and no attention spans. This does not bode well.

Snacks

It works for astronauts. Two ways the “Overview Effect” can make you feel alive—and perhaps lower your stress level. | Mark Travers Ph.D., Psychology Today

My last wish for the America I know. | Mia Love, The Free Press

A comprehensive guide to AI agents. | Miguel Rebelo, Zapier

The forgotten treehouse bars of bygone summers in Paris. | Messy Nessy

Dear boomers, this is why millennials don’t feel motivated to work anymore. | Sarah Coppin

The subversive art of Socratic dialogue. | Michael S. Rose, Classical Compass Rose

You never grow old at the table

Not sure how to cook fish? Here’s an easy one: baked lemon Parmesan flounder (or fish of your choice). Combine Parmesan, panko bread crumbs, chives, parsley (or your choice of fresh herbs), lemon zest, and garlic powder and mix them with melted butter and olive oil. Pop in the oven at 375° for 10 to 15 minutes, depending on the thickness of the fillets. I made more topping than I needed, so it reappeared the next night, you’ll see.

We’ve got a greens bonanza going in the raised beds, so I made lightly creamed chard and Brussels sprouts greens. This time, I omitted the mushrooms and used ham broth.

Last weekend, browsing my food newsletters, I came across a recipe that I knew right then and there I had to make: creamy sweet Italian sausage, mushrooms, and egg noodles with Boursin cheese. Calories be damned! I added onion to the mushroom mix and stirred in chives at the end. Swoon!

On the side, a sauté of green beans and green onions with some of that topping from the flounder recipe, which was perfect for green beans too.

Corned beef was on sale for St. Patrick’s, so I grabbed one for the freezer. On Sunday, I gave it my usual low and slow roast. Before putting it in a 300° oven for four-plus hours, I rub a mix of ground spices over the top: allspice, mustard, coriander, cloves, black pepper, cardamom, ginger, cinnamon, and Aleppo pepper flakes. On the side, a green cabbage sauté with bacon, red bell, broccoli stems, red onion, garlic chives, and chives.

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Fri 3/28 at 11 a.m.* – Don’t Stop Believin’: From First-Time Attendee to Event Ambassador

The energy shouldn’t end when your event does. Learn how to turn first-time attendees into active participants who keep showing up—and bring others with them. Learn how to create engagement opportunities that feel natural—not forced, and incentivize and measure ongoing participation. Hear about real examples of events that keep attendees coming back for more. More info/register.

Host: EventMobi

Speakers:

Robert Dunsmore, Creative Director
Dahlia El Gazzar, #EventTech innovator and industry thought leader
Jennifer Minzey, Senior Meeting Planner, Kaiser Permanente
Anthony Vade, Founder, Experience Design Change

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

Fri 3/28 at 12:30 p.m. – NextGen Advisory Committee Meet & Greet with ASAE Board Member Haley Cox

Engage in a casual conversation, ask questions, and network with fellow emerging leaders in the association community. Don’t miss out on this chance to gain valuable career insights and build connections with an association leader. More info/register (ASAE members only).

Host: ASAE NextGen Advisory Committee

Guest: Haley Cox, Executive Director, Society for Industrial Microbiology and Biotechnology

Mon 3/31 at 8 a.m. – Association Ethical Complaint Procedures (Radio Free 501c, the podcast of Rogue Tulips Consulting)

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

Guest: Richard Shermanski, Esq.

Mon 3/31 at 12 p.m. – YPAC Lunch and Learn: Shaping Tomorrow: How Foresight Drives Personal and Professional Success

Learn about foresight as a powerful tool for personal and professional growth, its use at the C-suite level, and how association professionals at any level can apply it. More info/register (ASAE members only).

Host: ASAE Young Professionals Association Council

Speakers:

Stephanie Bruno, CAE, Director, Association Management Services, Talley Management Group
Lindsay Currie, Executive Officer, Council on Undergraduate Research
Melody Jordan-Carr, CEO, MemberGrow
Ben Rome, Director, Communications & Brand, American Bus Association

Tue 4/1 at 11 a.m. – Connections Over Content? How Event Organizers Are Adding Meetings to Their Events

Hear why event connections don’t always need to happen in the conference venue, how introducing a pre-scheduled meeting plan was the single biggest strategic decision for M&I in its 20 year history, how to deploy pre-arranged and timed meetings easily, why participants are demanding more ROI from their events and how connection helps solve that problem. More info/register.

Host: Grip

Speakers:

Richard Barnes, CEO, Worldwide Events
Ruben Onderdelinden, Founder, Lively

Tue 4/1 at 12 p.m. – Data Analytics Network

Engage in association peer-led discussions on topics related to data and analytics on the first Tuesday of each month. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.

Host: Data Analytics Network

Tue 4/1 at 2 p.m. – Implications of the New Administration’s Policies and Executive Orders for the Not-for-Profit Sector

Navigating the complexities of the Trump administration’s new policies and executive orders can be very challenging for not-for-profit organizations. The risk extends far beyond the administration’s executive orders and includes areas such as employment policies and practices, grants, scholarships, fellowships, and state laws, among others. Hear about the latest on the federal and state enforcement front, litigation risks, and more. Learn practical strategies and tips to confidently face these evolving uncertainties head-on and steps you can take now to better mitigate the risks facing not-for-profit organizations today. More info/register.

Host: CohnReznick

Speakers:

Jeffrey Tenenbaum, Managing Partner, Tenenbaum Law Group PLLC
John Alfonso, CPA, CGMA – Partner, Not-for-Profit & Education Industry Practice Leader, CohnReznick
Richard Meene, Principal, Government Contracting, CohnReznick
Beth Mullen, CPA – Partner, Affordable Housing Industry Leader, CohnReznick
Kim Clark Pakstys, Managing Director, CFO Advisory, CohnReznick

Wed 4/2 at 12 p.m. – The Future of the AMS

Hear about the evolution of association management systems (AMS), particularly user experience and how associations are leveraging AMS to grow membership and expand their revenue streams. Explore data collection strategies for both large and small staff organizations and delve into the differences between configuration and customization. More info/register.

Hosts: Association of Women Technology Champions and Black Association Executives

Wed 4/2 at 12 p.m. – E-Learning Fundamentals: A Crash Course for Newbies

It can be challenging to understand e-learning information without a baseline of knowledge. This session is designed to give you that foundation so you can understand everything else you see, hear, and read. So bring all your questions (yes, even the ones you are afraid to ask), and get the answers you need. More info/register.

Host: Training Magazine Network

Speaker: Amy Morrisey,President, Artisan Learning

Wed 4/2 at 12 p.m. – Navigating Choppy Waters During Challenging Times: How Recent Executive Orders Affect Association Communications

In light of new EOs, associations may need to take steps to identify, review and if necessary, adjust their DEI programs, websites, fundraising appeals, membership information, and more. Learn more about what actions associations need to consider regarding their communications. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.

Host: AIOT

Speakers:

Carmen Elliott , MS, CAE, Executive Director of the American Physical Therapy Fund, and Vice President, DEI, American Physical Therapy Association
Sheri Singer, president, Singer Communications

Wed 4/2 at 1 p.m. – Strategy Session: Data-Driven Tactics for Building Your Advocacy Program

With content overload, fragmented platforms, and limited resources in 2025, many organizations struggle to find new advocates, activate their base, and measure what’s actually working. Learn how to find and acquire new advocates using data-driven audience targeting, gather more actionable data to refine your messaging and improve conversions, and bring it all together—integrating and analyzing data across platforms to optimize results. More info/register.

Host: AdvocacyAI

Speakers: TargetSmart, AdvocacyAI, and Community Tech Alliance

Thu 4/3 at 12 p.m. – Ask Me Anything International: The Art of Storytelling for Global Impact

Explore the universal power of storytelling and its profound impact on global engagement and leadership. Dive into practical storytelling techniques that harness both Hollywood’s creative flair and the science of psychology. These strategies have been honed through years of experience across nearly every continent, proving their effectiveness in diverse cultural settings. More info/register (ASAE members only).

Host: ASAE International Associations Advisory Council

Speaker: LaQuita Cleare, Storytelling Magician and Global Speaker

Thu 4/3 at 2 p.m. – The Power of Peers

In the age of social media, “social proof” is frequently cited in decision making. Hear strategies to harness the power of peers and how associations are using these methods to attract members and create value with their constituents. Learn about options for generating non-dues revenue, technology for capturing social proof, managing these initiatives, and how to plan for unforeseen situations. More info/register.

Host: 501Works

Speakers:

Teri Carden, VP of Marketing and Client Success, Insight Guide
Andy Steggles, CEO and Founder, Insight Guide
James Marquis, CIO, 501Works

Thu 4/3 at 2 p.m. – Associations at Risk: 2025 Tax Reform Implications

Associations and nonprofits are facing the most significant legislative threat in over 50 years. Key tax provisions from the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act are set to expire in 2025, and some lawmakers and policy groups are pushing to apply the 21% corporate tax rate to all tax-exempt organizations. This could mean new taxes on membership dues, sponsorships, investment income, and educational program revenue, among other sources. Hear about the policy landscape, the potential impact on associations, and what we can do now to protect our community. More info/register (state SAE members only, I think).

Host: Association Societies Alliance

Speakers:

Jarrod Clabaugh, CAE, president & CEO, Ohio Society of Association Professionals and the OSAP Foundation
Mary Kate Cunningham, CAE, Chief Public Policy and Governance Officer, ASAE
Kyle Hayes, Senior Director of Public Policy, ASAE

Thu 4/3 at 2 p.m. – Future of Association Boards Community Dialogue April 2025 Kickoff Event

More info/register.

Host: Jeff De Cagna, executive advisor, Foresight First

Fri 4/4 at 12 p.m. – CAE LiveChat

Host: ASAE

Facilitators:

DeeJay Hastings, IOM, CAE, Deputy Executive Director & Consultant, LEWIS, LLC (Lead Facilitator)
Wanda Little Coffey, MBA, CAE, Senior Director, Volunteer Relations, ASAE

Tue 4/8 at 11 a.m. – One-Size-Fits-NONE: “Watch Me” is NOT a Strategy for Sales Success

Host: UST Education

Speaker: Steve Heroux, Founder at The Sales Collective

Wed 4/9 at 12 p.m. – Build Winning Association Sponsorship Programs: Strategies for Success

Host: Ewald Consulting

Speakers:

Bruce Rosenthal, Principal of Bruce Rosenthal Associates
Blake Finger, Director of Sales and Membership Strategies at Ewald Consulting
Betsy Pierre, Partnership and Sales Manager at Ewald Consulting

Wed 4/9 at 12 p.m. – Succession Planning: Future-Proofing Your Organization

Host: Braintrust Professional Institute

Speakers: Randall Craig and Ronja Francoeur, Braintrust Professional Institute

Thu 4/9 at 1 p.m. – Autonomous AI for Nonprofits: Transform Your Team’s Capacity to Drive Impact

Host: UST Education

Speakers:

Nicole Adair, Principal Solution Engineer at Salesforce
Stephen St. John, Senior Director, Customer Success & Solutions at fusionSpan

Thu 4/10 at 2 p.m. – Monthly Association Jam Session

Host: Association Marketplace

Creative Commons licensed photo via NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory

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Association Brain Food: 3.21.25

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

“Civilizations die by suicide, not from murder.” —Arnold J. Toynbee

Credentialing programs. TopClass reminds associations why they should be the first choice when employers have training needs. They explain how to design credentialing programs with the employer’s perspective in mind and how to promote the value of credentialing programs to employers.

Membership app. Clowder describes nine practices for using push notifications to inform and engage members, deliver valuable content, and keep members connected.

Limited resources. NetForum offers insights and strategies for addressing four challenges associations face when they’re compelled to do more with less: inefficient processes, staff shortages, technology limitations, and budget constraints.

Free design and copy course. Association Brain Food readers can earn up to four CAE credits in the Association Academy’s Association Creative Marketing Masterclass. In four weekly sessions, you’ll learn how to evaluate marketing layout and copy. Each class is taught live by leading association heads of marketing and features a live review of real association marketing collateral with recommendations. This free course runs for four weeks, starting Thursday, April 17 from 1 to 2 p.m. ET.

Event marketing. Olena Lima of MemberBoat describes how to apply the classic “7 P’s” of marketing framework to association events. She says this useful guide is for association professionals who lack formal marketing training or marketers in need of a refresher, but, really, anyone would benefit. Keep it handy!

Taste. Ollie Henderson at Future Work/Life says taste is becoming a career differentiator. He explains why a liberal arts education, lifelong learning, and widespread reading matter more than ever. Singing my tune.

Next-gen workplace challenges. A research report from Halmyre Strategies describes the challenges emerging as a new generation enters the workforce: burnout, retention, customer demands, declining value of credentials, and changing roles. Halmyre explains how associations can address these issues and meet the changing needs of industry professionals.

Content marketing. “If you write it, they won’t come,” says Tracey Wallace at Workweek. Content can’t work on its own. Your blog posts, lead magnets, and case studies must be part of a larger marketing ecosystem—this is one of the first things I tell prospective clients.

Email content. Association email open rates are dropping, per Higher Logic’s 2024 Association Email Benchmark Report. Mark Athitakis at Associations Now shares advice for increasing your opens. I especially love this tip: send more quick-to-read, no-click content and fewer promos.

You never grow old at the table

I saw a video from my “teacher” Jacques Pépin on Facebook—I swear, that’s all I need Facebook for these days, so many ads and people ranting or raving about politics, spare me. Anyway, he gave me the idea for simply cooking salmon fillets in a pan and topping them with a mix of basil pesto and melted butter. On the side, roasted broccoli with red onion, garlic powder, and cayenne.

Sunday, I made carnitas in my Instant Pot instead of the slow cooker. I sort of followed this recipe but used 4#of country-style ribs, added four minced chipotle peppers, and went heavy on the spices, adding cinnamon and cayenne to the mix.

I served the carnitas in wheat tortillas with a southwestern style slaw, avocado, and salsa verde. I eyeballed the slaw ingredients: julienned green cabbage, carrot, sweet onion, and red bell pepper with a dressing of lime juice, rice vinegar, light olive oil, hot sauce, s&p, and cilantro. On the side, charro beans (add red bell and poblano to the Bayless recipe) I made earlier in the day in the pressure cooker. These beans are great for breakfast with a fried egg, salsa, and avocado in a wheat tortilla.

If you’d like to subscribe to Association Brain Food, please complete the form in the sidebar or at the bottom of this post. I won’t share or sell your email address.

Fri 3/21 at 1 p.m.* – The 2025 State of B2B Content Consumption: What’s Changing, What’s Working, and What You Need to Do Now

Learn which content formats actually drive the most action; how to work with (not against) the Consumption Gap—your leads are moving slower, so your nurture and follow-up game needs to be sharper; how to spot high-intent buyers faster, so your team spends less time chasing and more time closing; and how marketing and sales can win together, using data to personalize outreach, re-engage leads, and close deals. More info/register.

Host: American Marketing Association

Speaker: Josh Baez, Sr. Manager of Demand Generation, Netline

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

Fri 3/21 at 2 p.m. – Practical AI Uses to Advance Your Association

Hear how and why to get started with AI and share examples of how other organizations are safely using AI to improve member engagement, personalize interactions, and drive meaningful impact for their associations. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.

Host: Higher Logic

Speakers:

Greg Verdino, Founder and Chief Operating Officer, CognitivePath Research, Inc.
Conor Sibley, Chief Technology Officer, Higher Logic

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

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

Mon 3/24 at 8 a.m. – Ethics Questions Every Professional Should Ask (Radio Free 501c, the podcast of Rogue Tulips Consulting)

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

Guests:

Lynnette Bradley-Baker, Senior Vice President, Chief Engagement Officer, American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy
Joy Davis, Deputy Executive Director, American Association of Pharmaceutical Scientists

Mon 3/24 at 12 p.m. – Separating Product Search RFP & Implementation RFP

Explore why separating the RFP process for AMS product selection and implementation can lead to better outcomes for your organization. This approach ensures you get the right product for your needs while securing an implementation partner who delivers customized solutions and ongoing support. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.

Host: ASAE

Speakers:

Stefanie Keuser, CISSP, Chief Information Officer, American Psychiatric Association
Neeraj Garg, Global Chief Operation Officer, Aplusify

Tue 3/25 at 11 a.m. – Your Association and PCI Compliance

The Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS) governs card security for all merchants. Failure to be in compliance can be extremely costly both financially and reputationally. Learn about the new version PCI DSS 4.01, which replaced 4.0 on December 31, 2024 and with which all merchants must comply by March 31, 2025. Hear about changes in the standard and how it applies to those accepting cards as well as tips and techniques for reducing scope of applicability through contracting out card collection and storage. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.

Host: UST Education

Speakers: Michaela Johnson, Director Customer Service, and Rick Ricker, SVP Enterprise Solutions, US Transactions

Tue 3/25 at 12 p.m. – It’s HOT in Here: How Menopause Affects Associations

Hot flashes, night sweats, insomnia, moodiness, brain fog—what’s happening to me? According to the North American Menopause Society, you may be joining the estimated 1.1 billion women worldwide who will be postmenopausal this year. Whether it’s you, your boss, a coworker, or an association leader or member, there’s a good chance that someone in your association community is experiencing menopause right now. Find out how this life change affects working women and associations. More info/register.

Host: Association Xchange

Speaker: Stephanie S. Faubion, MD, MBA, Mayo Clinic and The Menopause Society

Tue 3/25 at 12 p.m. – Are Enterprise Platforms About to Face a Mass Exodus?

Many leaders have shared they’re considering deplatforming from Salesforce, HubSpot, and other major enterprise platforms. Why? Because they believe they can create their own AI to do all of those tasks—but with more control, better responses, and a far more reasonable price point. Explore this potentially massive shift that most software vendors are completely unprepared for. This could reshape the entire enterprise tech landscape—and your strategy, too. More info/register.

Host: Charlene Li, Founder and CEO, Quantum Networks Group

Tue 3/25 at 1 p.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 Shira’s proprietary 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

Tue 3/25 at 1 p.m. – Building Partnerships & Opportunities with Limited Resources

Can one person really make a big impact in a purpose-driven organization? Absolutely! Hear how individuals leading small teams—or working solo—can successfully create partnerships and opportunities. Whether you’re launching a new initiative or running a small nonprofit or association, we’ll share actionable strategies to maximize impact, engage corporate sponsors, and grow your mission—even with limited resources. More info/register.

Host: Lori Zoss Kraska, MBA, CFRE, founder Growth Owl

Guest: Christy Harst, Founder of Building Doors for Women in VO

Tue 3/25 at 1 p.m. – Why Less is More in Association Technology in 2025

Associations rely on technology to serve members, manage data, and drive engagement. But as tech stacks grow, so do complexity, costs, and inefficiencies. Learn why less technology can actually mean more impact for your association. Explore how organizations are moving beyond bulky AMS systems to lighter, smarter, and more effective solutions. More info/register.

Hosts: Wicket and FUSE Next

Tue 3/25 at 1 p.m. – Cognitive Load & RTO

The return-to-office initiative can cause chaos within the ecosystem. Learn what actually works in change initiatives and what needs to be left behind. Explore cognitive load and how to prevent it rather than manage it, mitigating cognitive load during RTO or “evolving hybrid”, and when to begin communicating, what to communicate, and how to obtain the key drivers that create team buy-in. More info/register.

Host: L-12 Services Corp.

Tue 3/25 at 3 p.m. – Q1 ASAE Update to the Consultant Community Call

During this meeting, ASAE Staff will meet with the Consultant Community to provide an opportunity for ASAE Staff to update the Consultant Community, create a space for networking, allow members to ask staff questions, and create transparency and open lines of communication. More info/register (ASAE members only).

Host: ASAE

Wed 3/26 from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. – LMS Demo Days

Hear presentations from industry partners who offer learning management system platforms. More info/register.

Host: ASAE

Participants: Maple LMS, Cadmium EthosCE, Crowd Wisdom by Momentive Software, NetExam, Forj, Blue Sky eLearn Powered by Momentive Software, D2L, and Thinkific+

Wed 3/26 at 12 p.m. – CRVM March 2025 Learning Club

Join the CRVM Learning Club in our series all about boosting your career. Discuss finding a mentor with your peers, based on NPR Life Kit’s The Right Mentor Can Change Your Career: Here’s How to Find One podcast episode. More info/register (ASAE members only).

Host: ASAE Component Relations and Volunteer Management Council

Facilitators: Vanita Murray, Elizabeth George, and Megan Kuhman

Wed 3/26 at 1 p.m. – It’s Not Just the Annual Conference: How to Keep Members Engaged Year-Round

With networking consistently reported as the #1 reason that members join an association, it’s critical to offer ongoing value and foster real human connection year-round. Learn how to align member benefits with your unique value proposition, implement member-centric marketing strategies, and leverage innovative technology to create a thriving, connected community. More info/register.

Wed 3/26 at 1 p.m. – What Keeps You Up at Night: Planner Stressors and Solutions

Learn what’s keeping other planners up at night in today’s hotel environment. Discover practical tips for sourcing, negotiating, and planning. Engage in discussions with industry experts and peers. Gain strategies to make your next event smoother and less stressful. 1 CMP credit. More info/register.

Host: Prevue Meetings

Speakers:

Heidi Dillon, CITP, Manager, Event Operations, One10
Heather Pilcher CSEP, CMP, CEO and Executive Producer, Blue Spark Event Design
April Pranske, Regional Director of Sales, PRA

Wed 3/26 at 2 p.m. – The Federal Budget: Timelines, Hurdles, & Potential Impacts for Your Organization

With House and Senate committees drafting competing plans, the president’s budget proposal still on the horizon, and the possibility of a government shutdown looming, uncertainty is the only constant. Gain insights into this year’s federal budget process from CQ and Roll Call reporters who will break down what to expect, highlight key proposed budget changes, and share strategies to help your organization prepare for any outcome. More info/register.

Host: CQ

Speakers:

David Lerman,senior writer at CQ Roll Call
Aidan Quigley, CQ Roll Call’s Budget & Appropriations reporter
Caitlin Reilly, CQ and Roll Call’s tax and economic policy staff writer

Wed 3/26 at 2 p.m. – Building Your Value Proposition with Your Career Center

Discover the key elements of a strong value proposition and why it matters for associations. Learn how your career center can enhance member engagement, retention, and professional growth. Explore effective strategies for showcasing the value of job boards, sponsorships, and industry partnerships. Gain insights on crafting compelling messaging to communicate career center benefits to members and stakeholders. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.

Host: Web Scribble

Speakers: Jennifer Baker MSW, CAE, Association Customer Success Director, and Alexander Gutin, President & Co-founder, Web Scribble

Wed 3/26 at 2 p.m. – Common Meeting Planning Mistakes — and How to Avoid Them

Find out how to steer clear of common pitfalls and make the meeting planning process go smoothly. Learn about common contract red flags, the downside of multitasking and strategies for honing focus, and what not to overlook in a risk-management plan. 1 CMP credit. More info/register.

Host: Northstar Meetings Group

Speakers:

Amy-Marie-Lemanski, Owner, Senior Meeting and Event Manager, AML Events
Bonni Scepkowski, President & CSO, Stellar Meetings & Events

Wed 3/26 at 2 p.m. – FBOs March Meet Up

Bring your pressing problems and look forward to an engaging conversation with your colleagues sharing their experiences and potential solutions. More info/register (ASAE members only).

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

Wed 3/26 at 3 p.m. – Sustainable Success: Exploring Untapped Revenue Streams for Associations

Hear about creative, underused ways to generate income beyond traditional sources. Learn about the role of partnerships in creating new revenue opportunities, innovative event strategies that drive engagement and income, monetizing content and educational resources for long-term growth, leveraging technology to unlock new funding sources, and turning data insights into profitable revenue-generating strategies. More info/register.

Host: NXUnite by Nexus Agency

Speakers:

David Coyne, CFRE, President at The Sheridan Group
Cameron Curtis, CMM, CAE, President & Chief Innovator at C2 Association Strategies
Michael Hoffman, Co-Founder & CEO at Gather Voices

Wed 3/26 at 4 p.m. – SocialOffset (Association Chat)

SocialOffset, a groundbreaking initiative co-founded by Dr. Elena Gerstmann, empowers conference attendees to offset the economic impact of destination boycotts—without sacrificing meaningful participation. Hear how SocialOffset is changing the conversation around ethical event planning. More info/register.

Host: KiKi L’Italien, Editor-in-Chief, Association Chat, and VP of Marketing and Community Engagement, Big Red M

Guest: Elena Gerstmann, Executive Director of INFORMS, and co-founder and President of SocialOffset

Thu 3/27 from 9:10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. – LMS Demo Days

Hear presentations from industry partners who offer learning management system platforms. More info/register.

Host: ASAE

Participants: TopClass LMS by ASI, BenchPrep, Thought Industries, Rustici Software, Freestone LMS powered by Momentive Software, LearnUpon, and Cadmium Elevate

Thu 3/27 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. – How to Design a Product Portfolio

Learn how to define and describe the indispensability of a product portfolio, analyze and map your current offerings, organize your offerings into a high-level product portfolio, identify interdependencies and find new value for your membership, use your portfolio as a strategy, planning, or budget tool, and keep your portfolio updated and timeless. More info/register.

Host: James Young, Product Community

Thu 3/27 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 3/27 at 12 p.m. – The Untapped Power of Member Loyalty: Beyond Satisfaction

Member satisfaction surveys tell you how members felt about past interactions, but they don’t necessarily predict future behavior. Focusing solely on satisfaction can create a false sense of security, and it doesn’t cultivate member loyalty. Explore factors influencing loyalty, the critical difference between satisfied and loyal members, the science of loyalty and how it impacts member behavior, and strategies to cultivate member loyalty through trust, belonging, and shared purpose. More info/register.

Host: Hight Performance Group

Speaker: Cathi Hight is President of Hight Performance Group

Thu 3/27 at 2 p.m. – Maximizing Non-Dues Revenue: Strategies to Unlock Event Profitability

Explore actionable strategies to increase your event’s profitability by tapping into sponsorships, exhibitor engagement, content monetization, and more. Learn how to harness event technology to create new monetization opportunities and optimize existing revenue channels. Discover data-driven tactics to enhance exhibitor and sponsor value. Hear about automated strategies to maximize attendee spending. Gain insights on implementing long-term strategies to sustain and grow non-dues revenue beyond a single event. More info/register.

Host: Cadmium

Speaker: Traci King, founder of King Consulting Partners

Thu 3/27 at 2 p.m. – Thriving Through Uncertainty: Financial Strategies for Nonprofits

Hear about key financial strategies to empower your nonprofit organization to navigate financial challenges, prepare for the unexpected, and build long-term financial resilience. Explore strategic cash flow projections, continuous financial health assessments, contingency planning, compliance requirements, and diversified revenue streams. Our panelists will provide insights on how to strengthen financial stability, risk management, and compliance to ensure your organization can continue its mission with confidence. More info/register.

Host: Chazin

Tue 4/1 at 12 p.m. – Data Analytics Network

Engage in association peer-led discussions on topics related to data and analytics on the first Tuesday of each month. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.

Host: Data Analytics Network

Thu 4/3 at 2 p.m. – The Power of Peers

Hear strategies to harness the power of peers, options for capturing social proof and how associations are using these methods to attract members and create value with their constituents. Learn about options for generating non-dues revenue, technology for capturing social proof, managing these initiatives, and how to plan for unforeseen situations. More info/register.

Host: 501CWorks

Public domain painting, View of the Elbe Valley (1807) by Caspar David Friedrich via Wikimedia Commons

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Association Brain Food: 3.14.25

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

Data migration. A big sigh of relief is warranted when you finally narrow your AMS choices down to one, but the work has only just begun. Fíonta explains why planning data migration in advance helps you avoid unexpected costs, delayed timelines, staff burnout, and missed opportunities. In the second post, they describe how to prepare for data migration—creating a plan, cleaning and purging data, implementing data stewardship—and prevent common migration pitfalls.

Association trends. Erin Fuller of MCI shares good advice along with her take on the key trends reshaping association management in 2025, namely, revenue diversification, AI, business model evolution, membership value, and financial partnerships.

Marketing plan. GrowthZone reviews the often confused components of an association marketing plan: mission, goals, objectives, strategy, and tactics. For each component, they provide an example of what it is and isn’t—clarification that will help keep your marketing efforts on track.

Sponsors and Executive Orders. Bruce Rosenthal and Dan Kowitz explain how associations can mitigate the impact of President Trump’s Executive Orders with help from their corporate sponsors. They offer a six-step plan for effective collaboration with sponsors and six examples of real-life association/sponsor collaborations.

New member onboarding. Another article on onboarding? Yes, but this one by James Young of Product Community has a different focus. He says, “Great onboarding programs treat new members as contributors who have ideas and agency to help shape our collective future.” Check out his ideas for welcoming, orienting, and connecting new members.

Exhibit hall innovation. Shannon Thaler at Trade Show News Network shares successful new expo floor features at RSNA 2024, the Radiological Society of North America’s trade show. Read about their sold-out guided exhibit tours, one-day showcase of local startups and service organizations, recruiters row, and AI showcase.

Speaker contracts. Josh Bernoff, a respected voice in the publishing industry, recently pulled out of a speaking engagement at a “large national organization.” He shared an illuminating take on speakers and intellectual property. What do your contracts say and when are those terms shared with the speaker? How much wisdom do your attendees miss out on because of those terms? Whose interests are your terms favoring—yours or your attendees’?

You never grow old at the table

If you like butter and lemon, you’ll like flounder meunière, a traditional French recipe via Julia Child. On the side, sautéed asparagus with green onions, garlic, and lemon zest.

The following night, I stuck with Julia for this chicken waterzooi recipe, a Belgian stew (archived NYT page). I used boneless chicken thighs, chose evaporated milk instead of cream, and reduced the yolks to four. It was my first time making this dish and I will definitely make it again.

On Sunday, I made shepherd’s pie with ground lamb and topped with mashed sweet potatoes—a recipe adapted from The Irish Pub Cookbook by Margaret Johnson. On the side, roasted broccoli with red onion, garlic powder, and Aleppo pepper flakes.

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Mon 3/17 at 8 a.m.* – Leading Change: New Benchmarks in Tampa Bay Tourism (Radio Free 501c, the podcast of Rogue Tulips Consulting)

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

Guest: Santiago Corrada, President & CEO, Visit Tampa Bay

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

Mon 3/17 at 2 p.m. – 6 Essential Conversations with Chapter Leaders in 2025

The world is changing rapidly, and so are the needs of our members. To stay ahead, chapter and component leaders must engage in conversations that drive innovation, connection, and action. Hear about six essential topics shaping associations in 2025—from tackling disengagement and fostering a collective mindset to leveraging AI for smarter decision-making. Learn how these critical discussions can empower your chapter leaders to navigate challenges, seize new opportunities, and create lasting impact. More info/register.

Hosts: re:Members (formerly Billhighway) and Mariner Management

Tue 3/18 at 11 a.m. – Conflicts of Interest in Associations and Nonprofits

Hear about potential and actual conflicts of interest in nonprofit organizations, with specific focus on the three IRS classifications most common to the association marketspace. Learn how to recognize, manage, and avoid damage from conflicts of interest while still operating an effective organization. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.

Host: UST Education

Speaker: Michael Wyland, Owner/Partner at Sumption & Wyland

Tue 3/18 at 11 a.m. – Conflicts The Event Growth Formula: Building an Event Strategy That Drives ROI

Learn how to craft an event strategy that drives engagement and boosts retention, increase your event’s revenue with smart planning, measure event ROI and track your event’s success, and refine and optimize your strategy for lasting growth. More info/register.

Host: ExpoLogic

Speaker: Michelle Schweitz, Sr. Director of Marketing, Momentive Software

Tue 3/18 at 12 p.m. – On Time and On Track: Proven Strategies for Effective Meetings

Discover time-tested, actionable tips for managing and facilitating board and committee meetings. Learn how to keep things moving, stay focused on priorities, and ensure every deliverable gets the attention it deserves. More info/register.

Host: Zzeem Consulting

Speakers: Erin Roberts, Partner, and Asif Ahmed, Executive Director, Zzeem Consulting

Tue 3/18 at 12 p.m. – Intro to AI Webinar for Associations and Nonprofits

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

Host: Sidecar

Speaker: Thomas Altman, Co-Founder, Tasio

Tue 3/18 at 12 p.m. – CRVM March 2025 Crunch and Munch

Host: ASAE Component Relations and Volunteer Management Council

Tue 3/18 at 6 p.m. – Recruit, Retain & Engage: Strategies for a Thriving Membership Base

Hear about innovative strategies to attract new members, insights into understanding member needs and delivering value from the start, proven approaches to build long-term loyalty, strategies to reduce churn and keep members engaged, methods to foster meaningful connections, and tips for leveraging communication and engagement tools effectively. More info/register.

Host: Higher Logic

Speakers:

Sophie McGregor, Online Communities Coordinator, Membership Services, Australian Dental Association
Sarah Spinosa, Product Marketing Director, Higher Logic
Kelly Whelan, Content Marketing Manager, Higher Logic

Wed 3/19 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. – Using Public Awareness Campaigns to Highlight the Value of Certification (Washington DC)

Learn how strategic public awareness campaigns can effectively highlight the value of professional certification. Hear two case studies from associations elevating the visibility and impact of their credentials. Gain insight into the most effective ways to raise awareness of the value of your certification, how to get a return on the investments and ways to provide incremental value to certificants. Location: Washington DC. More info/register.

Host: Certification Network Group

Speakers:

Mary Ellen Dingley, Manager of Communications, CFP Board
Joseph Feese, Director of Public Relations, CFP Board
Usma Mohamed, Ed.D , Vice President of Brand Experience and Marketing, The Council for Professional Recognition

Wed 3/19 at 11 a.m. – Bite-Sized Big Impact: How Microlearning Is Reshaping Education

In a world where people check their smartphones nine times an hour, and competition for attention is exceptionally fierce, it is no wonder that shorter digital learning content is becoming more necessary and popular. Learn why and how associations can create and curate microlearning content that is mobile, media-rich, on-demand, and suited to the modern learner. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.

Host: UST Education

Speakers:

Andrew Chamberlain, Executive Director of the UK’s Institute of Association Leadership
Elisa Pratt, Chief Executive and Founder of Brewer Pratt Solutions LLC

Wed 3/19 at 12 p.m. – 5 Ways to Win-Back Lapsed Members

Lapsed members aren’t lost forever—if you have the right strategy to bring them back. Hear about five proven, ROI-driven campaigns that have successfully re-engaged former members. Walk away with real-world examples and actionable tips to win back members and boost retention. More info/register.

Host: PropFuel

Wed 3/19 at 12 p.m. – AI and the Resilient Association

In an era where associations constantly need to do more with less, AI provides associations with the tools to transform their operations and focus on becoming resilient and future proofed. Learn the importance of adopting a forward-thinking approach to association operations and value delivery; how associations can use AI to enhance member engagement and satisfaction, ensuring long-term success; how AI-powered platforms help associations understand their members’ needs and preferences, personalize services; and how to deliver targeted content faster and more effectively, and how associations can act as catalysts for embracing AI-driven changes. More info/register.

Hosts: Halmyre and Betty

Speakers:

Johanna Gundlach, Chief Operating Officer, Betty
Christine Saunders, Founder and President, Halmyre

Wed 3/19 at 12 p.m. – SEO to Sales: The Organic Way to Turn Search into Revenue

Hear about an organic SEO strategy that fuels real business growth (without relying on paid ads). Learn how to build a content ecosystem that attracts and converts; the role of topic clusters, lead magnets, and nurturing; how our clients are dominating search & AI Overviews—and how you can too; and the next step—optimizing conversions for revenue growth. More info/register.

Host: Yodelpop

Wed 3/19 at 12 p.m. – The Event ROI Playbook: How to Turn Event Data into Business Wins

Discover how to turn event data into real business impact. Learn how to overcome common ROI challenges, pinpoint key metrics, and leverage technology to showcase success. Hear strategies for communicating event wins across your organization, aligning events with broader business goals, and strengthening collaboration with your go-to-market team. More info/register.

Host: Bizzabo

Speakers:

Amanda Armstrong, Senior VP, Communications & Industry Relations, Encore
Venita McLemore, Head of Global Public Relations Events, Amazon Web Services (AWS)
EJ Oelling, Vice President, Account-Based Experience, 6sense

Wed 3/19 at 2 p.m. – How the Rules of SEO Are Being Rewritten in 2025

2025 promises to be a long, strange year for SEO. If you’re wondering how to survive it, you’re not alone. Learn more about the key trends driving change in search, which ones teams will need to adapt to, and which ones are just scary acronyms you’re better off avoiding. More info/register.

Host: Higher Logic

Speaker: Alec Cole, Founder, Salt Rock SEO

Wed 3/19 at 2:30 p.m. – Using Your Preferred AV without Punitive Fees

You’re excited to work with a great A/V provider, but your venue charges huge fees for using suppliers other than their preferred vendors. Learn how to proactively negotiate fair contracts with your venue that don’t hold you over a barrel for bringing in your own A/V provider. More info/register.

Host: Heather Reid, Planner Protect

Thu 3/20 at 11 a.m. – The Future of Association Tech: Why Women-Led Innovation Matters

Explore how the historical lack of women in tech leadership affects everything from AI-driven membership platforms to digital engagement strategies. Hear why women’s perspectives in tech lead to more innovative, human-centered solutions, how gender imbalance influences the tools associations depend on, and what leaders can do to ensure technology better serves their members, staff, and mission. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.

Host: UST Education

Speakers:

Barbara Armentrout, Founder & Key Principal at BJA Solutions for Associations
Sandra Nam, CEO and Co-Founder, QiqoChat

Thu 3/20 at 12 p.m. – Member Technology: Tools for Effective Association Management

Learn about must-have tools that keep associations running smoothly, from member databases to engagement platforms. With the right tech, you can streamline operations, boost retention, and create a seamless experience for your members. Hear insights on what works, what doesn’t, and how to make smart tech choices. More info/register.

Host: NXUnite by Nexus Marketing

Speakers:

David Bradley, Vice President Product Management at Frontsteps
Andrea Legnani, President at Aluminati
Lomesh Shah, Chief Executive Officer at Tradewing

Thu 3/20 at 12 p.m. – Competition in Healthcare

Discuss what competition in healthcare means and how association professionals can juggle the interests of members who are competing with each other, and how to handle members who compete with the association. Bring your go-to tools, articles, and insights to help peers stay informed. More info/register (ASAE members only).

Host: ASAE Healthcare Community Advisory Committee

Thu 3/20 from 12:30 to 4:30 p.m. CST – Nonprofit Tech Talk: Unraveling AI, Security and Data (Chicago IL)

Forward-thinking leaders can transform technological ignorance into competitive advantages that drive sustainable growth and innovation by seamlessly integrating data strategy and governance, AI, and security frameworks. Participate in a focus group discussion designed to empower nonprofits by exploring four critical areas that drive digital and AI success: security, data governance, AI, and customer engagement. Gain valuable insights into effectively leveraging technology to achieve your organizational goals and maximize impact in the community. Location: Chicago IL. More info/register.

Hosts: RSM and Microsoft

Thu 3/20 at 1 p.m. – Beyond LMS: AI, Data, Distribution

Explore how learning businesses can move beyond legacy LMS thinking to leverage AI, harness actionable data, and distribute content more effectively. Hear about practical ways AI can enhance learning experiences and efficiency; getting data that delivers useful, actionable insights; and managing and sharing learning content while retaining control, improving operational efficiency, and gaining richer learner insights. More info/register.

Host: Leading Learning/Tagoras

Speakers:

Jeff Cobb and Celisa Steele, co-founders of Tagoras and Leading Learning
Tamer Ali, founder, Authentic Learning Labs

Thu 3/20 at 1 p.m. – From Ordinary to Extraordinary: Transforming Online Professional Learning With Unreasonable Hospitality

Drawing from the best-selling book, Unreasonable Hospitality, this webinar highlights how a culture of care, personalized service, and human connection can enhance engagement and drive success in online and blended professional learning environments, benefiting association members of all fields. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.

Host: UST Education

Speakers: Ben Bongers, Manager, Professional Learning, and Ryan MacTaggart, Associate Director, Professional Learning, EDUCAUSE

Thu 3/20 at 1 p.m. – Building a Business Case for Neuroinclusion in CE/T

1 in 5 individuals is neurodivergent. Learn what’s at stake if you do not provide adequate supports for neurodivergent professionals in your training classrooms and courses, and how to build a business case for neuroinclusion. Explore business case components and prompts to customize key concepts for your organization. Strategize a winning presentation by addressing common obstacles and adapting a practical framework for getting started. More info/register.

Host: International Accreditors of Continuing Education and Training (IACET)

Speaker: Tracy King, Chief Learning Strategist & CEO of InspirEd

Thu 3/20 at 2 p.m. – Future of Association Boards Community Dialogue

More info/register.

Host: Jeff De Cagna, executive advisor, Foresight First

Thu 3/20 at 3 p.m. – Spark Year-Round Engagement from Conferences

Conferences aren’t just events; they’re opportunities to build lasting connections and engagement. But how do you turn a once-a-year gathering into a year-round strategy? Hear how to extend the impact of your conferences beyond the event, practical strategies to keep attendees engaged year-round, and the role of technology in turning event connections into ongoing community participation. More info/register.

Hosts:

Bruce Rosenthal, strategic advisor specializing in association sponsorships and partnerships, Bruce Rosenthal Associates
Farhad Khan, CEO, Member Lounge

Guest: Bob Vaez, founder & CEO, EventMobi

Thu 3/20 at 3 p.m. – Medical Associations: Navigating Shifts in Federal Funding and Engagement

Recent Executive Orders and funding and policy shifts, including funding cuts to the National Institutes of Health, withdrawal of the U.S. from the World Health Organization, and limitations on federal employee travel, may significantly impact association operations. Join this timely session as we explore these challenges and opportunities. More info/register (free for ASAE members only).

Host: ASAE

Speakers:

Vicki R. Deal-Williams, MA, CCC-SLP, CAE (moderator), CEO, American Speech-Language-Hearing Association
Helen Burstin, MD, MPH, MACP, Chief Executive Officer, Council of Medical Specialty Societies
Devin A. Jopp, EdD, Chief Executive Officer, Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology

Thu 3/20 at 4 p.m. – Membership: Key Concepts Every Association Professional Should Know

Learn basic concepts in member recruitment and retention, key steps to creating an effective membership campaign, how to efficiently welcome new members, and how to efficiently renew members. More info/register.

Host: ASAE Reston Loudoun Swap

Speaker: Elizabeth Weaver Engel, M.A., CAE, founder, Spark Consulting

Fri 3/21 at 1 p.m. – The 2025 State of B2B Content Consumption: What’s Changing, What’s Working, and What You Need to Do Now

Host: American Marketing Association

Speaker: Josh Baez, Sr. Manager of Demand Generation, Netline

Fri 3/21 at 2 p.m. – Practical AI Uses to Advance Your Association

Host: Higher Logic

Speakers:

Greg Verdino, Founder and Chief Operating Officer, CognitivePath Research, Inc.
Conor Sibley, Chief Technology Officer, Higher Logic

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

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

Tue 3/25 at 11 a.m. – Your Association and PCI Compliance

Host: UST Education

Speakers: Michaela Johnson, Director Customer Service, and Rick Ricker, SVP Enterprise Solutions, US Transactions

Tue 3/25 at 12 p.m. – It’s HOT in Here: How Menopause Affects Associations

Host: Association Xchange

Speaker: Stephanie S. Faubion, MD, MBA, Mayo Clinic and The Menopause Society

Tue 3/25 at 1 p.m. – Passiontivity: Aligning Career Pathing With Career Motivators

Host: UST Education

Speaker: Shira Lotzar, Chief Engagement Officer at Purposeful Hire

Tue 3/25 at 1 p.m. – Building Partnerships & Opportunities with Limited Resources

Host: Lori Zoss Kraska, MBA, CFRE, founder Growth Owl

Guest: Christy Harst, Founder of Building Doors for Women in VO

Wed 3/26 from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. – LMS Demo Days

Hear presentations from industry partners who offer learning management system platforms. More info/register.

Host: ASAE

Participants: Maple LMS, Cadmium EthosCE, Crowd Wisdom by Momentive Software, NetExam, Forj, Blue Sky eLearn Powered by Momentive Software, D2L, and Thinkific +

Wed 3/26 at 1 p.m. – Level Up Your Newsletter Marketing

Capturing your members’ attention in a crowded inbox has never been more challenging—or more critical. Learn how to create newsletters that stand out and engage. Discover AI-powered tools and strategies that streamline production, reducing the time and effort it takes to craft compelling emails. Hear how to leverage data-driven personalization techniques to deliver content tailored to each member’s unique interests. Gain the insights and tools you need to transform your newsletter into a vital component of your digital strategy. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.

Host: UST Education

Speaker: Eric McDonald, CEO at Rasa.IO

Wed 3/26 at 4 p.m. – SocialOffset (Association Chat)

Host: KiKi L’Italien, Editor-in-Chief, Association Chat, and VP of Marketing and Community Engagement, Big Red M

Guest: Elena Gerstmann, Executive Director of INFORMS, and co-founder and President of SocialOffset

Thu 3/27 from 9:10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. – LMS Demo Days

Hear presentations from industry partners who offer learning management system platforms. More info/register.

Host: ASAE

Participants: TopClass LMS by ASI, BenchPrep, Thought Industries, Rustici Software, Freestone LMS powered by Momentive Software, LearnUpon, and Cadmium Elevate

Thu 3/27 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

Creative Commons licensed photo by Carson Foreman via Unsplash

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You never grow old at the table

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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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Snacks

You never grow old at the table

If you’d like to subscribe to Association Brain Food, please complete the form in the sidebar or at the bottom of this post.

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Snacks

You never grow old at the table

If you’d like to subscribe to Association Brain Food, please complete the form in the sidebar or at the bottom of this post.

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You never grow old at the table

If you’d like to subscribe to Association Brain Food, please complete the form in the sidebar or at the bottom of this post. I won’t share or sell your email address.

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Snacks

You never grow old at the table

If you’d like to subscribe to Association Brain Food, please complete the form in the sidebar or at the bottom of this post. I won’t share or sell your email address.

Share this:

You never grow old at the table

If you’d like to subscribe to Association Brain Food, please complete the form in the sidebar or at the bottom of this post. I won’t share or sell your email address.

Share this:

You never grow old at the table

If you’d like to subscribe to Association Brain Food, please complete the form in the sidebar or at the bottom of this post. I won’t share or sell your email address.

Share this: