Association Brain Food

Association Brain Food: 3.7.25

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

Association outsourcing. Because many associations struggle with outsourcing decisions, KiKi L’Italien of Association Chat has partnered with Dana Freker Doody of Inktide Solutions and Shameka Jennings of EventsNoir on a research project to uncover the current state of association outsourcing and create a roadmap for the future. Please contribute seven minutes of your time to complete this survey and make this research truly valuable. In return, you’ll receive early access to the full report, benchmarking data to inform your 2026 planning, and insights to optimize your current outsourcing relationships.

Awards program sponsorships. Give your sponsors the chance to support and associate with the best in your industry. OpenWater describes 11 ways to get sponsors involved with your awards program. They explain why these partnerships are a good idea (besides the obvious revenue) and how to make them a win-win for everyone.

Unexpected AMS implementation duties. Ellipsis Partners tells you what no one else will when you’re implementing a new AMS—the nine unexpected responsibilities you need to prepare for. It’s better to get this news before the project begins so you can figure out how to juggle these tasks with your regular workload.

Membership value proposition. Tony Rossell of MGI says many associations are trying to sell a weak value proposition. How will they survive? He shares lessons from Seth Godin’s book Tribes about crafting compelling membership value.

Website content. Always listen to the website whisperer, Ray van Hilst of Yoko Consulting. He explains how to evaluate and improve your website content so it’s high-quality, well-structured, and ready for AI tools and website visitors.

AMS request for proposals (RFP). re:Members (formerly Impexium) describes how to craft a request for proposals that will bring your association the best options for new association management software (AMS). Their guide covers the RFP planning process, necessary components of an RFP, factors to keep in mind when selecting an AMS partner, and advice from some of the most experienced AMS selection consultants in the association community.

Losing your way. Thousands of mental health professionals signed a complaint accusing the American Psychological Association of virulent antisemitism. Wow, the examples described by Sally Satel at The Free Press reveal despicable behavior, although they’re not all in the control of the association. Nevertheless, it appears the APA needs an attitude adjustment, pronto.

Exhibitor marketing. Exhibiting puts a hurting on a marketing budget. It’s criminal to spend all that money and then send out lame pre-show promotions. Julius Solaris offers exhibitors advice for coming up with better pre-show messages than “Find us at booth #954.”

Snacks

Whatever happened to history? The impulse to judge rather than to understand has consumed the curriculum. A generation raised without a coherent sense of history will lack the tools necessary to understand the present, let alone prepare for the future. | Michael S. Rose, Classical Compass Rose

Gen Z and “conscious unbossing”: this will be an interesting phenomenon to watch. | Francesca Di Meglio, HR Exchange

The real reasons people attend events—it’s not just for the content—and the best event environments for 12 different personas. | David Adler

You never grow old at the table

In honor of Mardi Gras, I made one of my favorite dishes: gumbo with andouille, shrimp, and chicken. Damn good. On the side, a produce drawer medley with sautéed broccoli stems, carrots, red bell pepper, green onions, and cilantro.

Last Friday, I got into the Carnival mood with pan-fried pork chops rubbed with Emeril’s Essence. On the side, maque choux, a tasty Louisianan corn dish.

When there’s a surfeit of sausage, I love making this sausage and cabbage skillet. This time, I omitted the bacon, used bratwurst instead of kielbasa, white beans instead of pasta, added mushrooms, red bell, poblano, and jalapeño peppers, and included the optional caraway seed.

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.”

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

Fri 3/7 at 1 p.m.* – Association Chat Book Club (Reset: How to Change What’s Not Working)

Reset: How to Change What’s Not Working, a New York Times bestseller by Dan Heath, explores how to identify leverage points in organizations and daily life to create meaningful change with minimal effort. Join a discussion about Heath’s framework for getting unstuck, avoiding common pitfalls in change efforts, and finding those critical “leverage points” where small changes yield significant results. More info/register.

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

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

Fri 3/7 at 2 p.m. – Applying Automation to Save Time & Effort

Explore how automation can revolutionize your association’s operations. Hear about practical applications of email automation to deliver more personalized member value, streamline tasks, reduce manual effort, and free up your team to focus on high-impact activities. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.

Host: Higher Logic

Speakers:

Amber Worthen, Chief Executive Officer, Email Maven
Taryn Morrissey, Customer Care Strategist, Higher Logic

Mon 3/10 at 8 a.m. – The Power of Pushback: Why Resistance Drives Transformation (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: Michael Randel, Randel Consulting

Tue 3/11 at 12 p.m. – Tech Tuesday: Small Staff, Big AI Ideas

Feeling overwhelmed by the demands of running a small-staff association? Artificial intelligence can be your secret weapon. Learn how to empower your small team to achieve big results, boosting operations and deepening member engagement. Hear directly from association leaders who are already using AI successfully in concise, actionable segments. More info/register (ASAE members only).

Host: ASAE

Facilitators: Reggie Henry, ASAE and David Coriale, DelCor

Speakers:

Alan DeYoung, Wisconsin EMS Association
Moria Edwards, Ellipsis Partners LLC
Drew Frazier, Vermont Captive Insurance Association
Catherine Lada, American Alliance of Orthopaedic Executives

Tue 3/11 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 3/11 at 1 p.m. – Transforming Member Engagement: How MSTA Used AI to Inspire Action

See how MSTA is using AI-powered automation and conversational engagement to personalize member outreach like never before. Find out how MSTA uses Betty to create real-time, tailored messaging and how PropFuel’s conversational approach drives deeper engagement. Get a step-by-step look at MSTA’s strategy and results. More info/register.

Host: PropFuel

Wed 3/12 at 11 a.m. – The Power of Persuasion: Crafting Impactful Ads for Grassroots Advocacy

The right ad can grow your advocate base, increase engagement, and elevate your cause. Hear from three experts who have built and run advocacy campaigns from inside organizations and agencies—now, they’re sharing what works. Learn how to create ads that mobilize supporters, capture lawmakers’ attention, and make an impact. More info/register.

Host: Quorum

Speakers:

Riley Bechdel, Vice President, Digital, Rational360
Rose Elam, Partner, Swann Street Media
Julienne Uhlich, Director of Customer Success, Satara Solutions

Wed 3/12 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. – AI and the Future of Events

Dive into the future of events and explore AI’s transformative impact on the sector. From enhancing and extending the attendee experiences to leveraging data-driven insights, discover how AI is reshaping every aspect of event planning and execution. 2 CMP credits. More info/register.

Host: Skift Meetings

Wed 3/12 at 11 a.m. – Microsoft Copilot implementation journey webinar – Part II

Join us for a series of webinars as we follow Galina Kozachenko and her team at AFP on their Microsoft Copilot implementation journey. In this second webinar, Hear about adoption within AFP, successes and failures, next steps, and specific use cases in PowerPoint, Excel, and Word. More info/register (ASAE members only).

Host: ASAE Technology Professionals Advisory Council

Speakers:

Misha Getter, Vice President, Systems and Technology, Global Cold Chain Alliance
Galina Kozachenko, Managing Director, Strategy, Analytics and Technology, Association for Financial Professionals
Bryan Lapidus, Financial Planning and Analysis Practice Director, Association for Financial Professionals

Wed 3/12 at 12 p.m. – AI, Authenticity, and the Future of Member Engagement

Learn how to enhance engagement without losing authenticity. Discover how AI can help associations personalize content while maintaining ethical standards. Get expert insights on staying ahead in an AI-powered digital landscape. More info/register.

Host: WorkerBee.TV

Speakers:

KiKi L’Italien, EVP of Marketing & Community Engagement, Big Red M and Editor-in-Chief, Association Chat
Marcus Leite, Director of Sales & Marketing, WorkerBee.TV

Wed 3/12 from 12:30 to 4:30 p.m. – Nonprofit Tech Talk: Unraveling AI, Security and Data (Toronto, ON)

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: Toronto, ON. More info/register.

Hosts: RSM and Microsoft

Wed 3/12 at 1 p.m. – Increase Sponsorship Revenue with Video

Discover how video can add non-dues revenue around events, from pre-event promotions to in-event showcases and post-event recaps. Learn actionable strategies to drive additional revenue from existing digital, print, and year-round sponsorships by integrating video into their mix of available digital sponsorship space. Hear practical insights on how to offer dynamic, high-value opportunities to sponsors while enhancing member engagement. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.

Host: UST Education

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

Wed 3/12 at 1 p.m. – You & AI: Creating Personalized Event Experiences

Discover why personalization matters and how AI can help you deliver it effectively. Hear common challenges with personalization and effective solutions, why data hygiene is crucial for creating customization at scale, and practical ways AI can enhance your marketing campaigns and event experiences. 1 CMP credit. More info/register.

Host: Meetings Today

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

Wed 3/12 at 2 p.m. – Best Practices for Accessible Meetings

Hosting an accessible gathering requires more than just meeting ADA compliance. Planners must ensure the entire event experience, from registration to closing keynote, is inclusive for all. Learn what to consider during the site-selection process, how to incorporate accessibility into the event design, and the importance of catering to neurodivergent needs. 1 CMP credit. More info/register.

Host: Northstar Meetings Group

Speakers:

Josh Klipp, Principal, Founder and Certified Access Specialist, Made Welcome
Amy Wood, Manager, Accessible Events & Real Estate/Travel, Salesforce

Wed 3/12 at 2 p.m. – Unlocking Digital Success: The Power of Content and Data

Learn how organizations can use the latest digital experience strategies to boost engagement, increase conversions, and achieve real business results. Find out how to harness the power of content and data to create personalized, high-impact customer journeys, and optimize digital marketing strategies that boost engagement and conversions. Hear about real-world examples of organizations achieving success with digital experience platforms. More info/register.

Host: Content Marketing Institute

Speakers:

Jacqueline Baxter, Director of Content Strategy, Sitecore
Jill Grozalsky Roberson, SVP, Marketing, Velir
Stephanie Stahl, Managing Director, Content Marketing Institute

Thu 3/13 at 10 a.m. – Getting to Yes: Navigating Boards, Building Trust, and Driving Change

Board approval isn’t just about great ideas—it’s about strategic influence. Hear about the behind-the-scenes journey of securing buy-in for a multi-million-dollar initiative, along with the trust-building and leadership techniques that made it happen. Learn how to identify and address leadership concerns before they become roadblocks, get agreement on the problem before pitching the solution, and use strategic communication to reaffirm and energize your board. More info/register.

Host: Vista Cova

Speaker: Kate Fryer, CAE, CEO, Endocrine Society

Thu 3/13 at 11 a.m. – Mission-Driven Marketing: Unlocking the Power of Paid Advertising

Learn how to amplify your association’s reach and engagement through paid advertising. Effectively leveraging platforms like Google Ads, social media advertising, and programmatic campaigns can make a significant difference in achieving your mission-driven goals. More info/register.

Host: Association Women Technology Champions

Speaker: Gene Kimball, Founder of Grow Together Marketing

Thu 3/13 at 11 a.m. – Love Your Content Again: Repurposing Webinars for Ongoing Engagement

Learn how to turn your existing webinars into fresh, exciting content that keeps your audience engaged and your brand shining. Hear how to repurpose your webinars into blog posts, social media gems, podcasts, and more—without the extra work. Find out about the tools, tips, and strategies to keep your content alive and thriving, making sure it continues to deliver value long after its first date. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.

Host: UST Education

Speaker: Reilly Moriarty, Marketing and Events Manager at UST Education

Thu 3/13 at 12:30 p.m. – Federal Grants and Nonprofits: Today, Tomorrow, and into the Trump Administration

We’re not even two months into the Trump administration, and we have seen significant changes to federal financial assistance for nonprofit organizations. While many of these actions are currently tied up in the courts, as they work through the procedural and legal issues, the landscape for federal financial assistance has changed and will continue to change under the new administration. Learn from practitioners working with clients on the front lines of this evolving and uncertain landscape, including tips and advice for preparing for the changes that are most certainly to come. More info/register.

Host: Venable LLP

Speaker: Diz Locaria, Partner, Venable LLP

Thu 3/13 at 1 p.m. – Best Practices for Association / Nonprofit Board Governance in the Digital Age

Learn how to equip board members with tools to address cybersecurity risks, leverage digital opportunities, and maintain accountability in a data-driven world. Hear actionable insight from case studies and best practices from top-performing organizations. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.

Host: UST Education

Speaker: Don Dea, Co-Founder at Fusion Productions

Thu 3/13 at 1 p.m. – Your Content Has Evolved, Your Distribution Hasn’t: Here’s How to Fix That

Learn why even the best content fails when distribution doesn’t match its quality, the key distribution strategies that high performing brands use to amplify their reach, and how to measure distribution impact and optimize for long-term content success. More info/register.

Host: Content Marketing Institute

Speaker: Noah Greenberg, CEO, Stacker

Thu 3/13 at 2 p.m. – Monthly Association Jam Session

In March, we’ll discuss KPIs for community building, and how it is part of the community journey. We know that without community you can’t have sponsorships or events. How do we come up with goals? Please come if you have any lessons learned and your own expertise, so we can figure this out together. More info/register.

Host: Association Marketplace

Thu 3/13 at 2 p.m. – Contract Negotiation Strategies for 2025

How can you cover the possible and emerging risks that could derail your future event? We will go clause-by-clause, to leave you with a list of items you might want to bring up at the negotiating table. Learn what fees to look out for and what you might be able to get waived, how to defines roles and responsibilities for data protection, and how to leverage your economic power in the negotiation process. More info/register.

Host: Smart Meetings

Speaker: Tyra Warner, CMP, Associate Professor and Chair of the Department of Hospitality, Tourism and Culinary Arts, College of Coastal Georgia

Thu 3/13 at 2:30 p.m. – From Connection to Action: Creating Meaningful Communities That Thrive

As associations navigate an evolving landscape, fostering a deep sense of belonging and purpose is more important than ever. Hear about nurturing a sense of belonging to strengthen communities, building meaningful relationships that drive long-term impact, learning from shared traditions, foodways and hands-on experiences, and leveraging business events as platforms for connection and engagement. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.

Host: ASAE

Speakers:

Lori McCarthy, cultural ambassador, TED speaker and founder of Food Culture Place
Jennifer Attersall, Senior Director, Client Engagement at Destination Canada

Thu 3/13 at 6 p.m. – Association Young Professionals Reception

Join us for a fun and engaging networking event for young professionals to connect and mingle. More info/register.

Organizer: ASAE Young Professionals Advisory Committee

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

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

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 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 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 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

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 it’s scheduled.

Public domain painting Early Spring by Isaac Levitan (1899) via Wiki Art

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Association Brain Food: 2.28.25

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

Looking forward. Association Laboratory is collecting data for its annual Looking Forward® Challenges research study. Please take 10 minutes to contribute to our community’s understanding of what associations face in a complex and dynamic world. The resulting data will help you prioritize resources and guide conversations with your leadership. Participants receive access to the customizable Looking Forward® Dashboard, containing research data from 12 studies.

Workforce development. TopClass LMS describes how your association can support and enhance corporate workforce development initiatives through learning portals, skills training, credentialing programs, career pathways, and more—and suggests several reasons to prioritize these efforts.

Member recruitment. Can you pinpoint your association’s competitive advantage(s)? Mary Byers explains why you need one (at least) and what questions will help you identify your competitive advantage overall and for different member segments.

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.

Devil’s advocate. Mark Athitakis at Associations Now brings a promising idea to the association world: the critical reviewer. He suggests guidelines for this person to follow during board meetings. I played this role (unasked, ha) in staff meetings during the latter half of my association career, which is why I’m better off working for myself now.

Sponsorship. Lori Zoss Kraska of Growth Owl is always researching and uncovering new approaches to sponsorship. Align your association’s sponsorship initiatives with her list of corporate CSR priorities.

AMS selection. If you’re embarking on an AMS project, start your research with a review of 108 Ideaspace’s list of issues to consider when selecting an association management system (AMS). They go into detail on the 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.

Gen Z. Day One Agency suggests not believing the headlines about Gen Z. Data dissonance is especially pronounced when it pertains to the youngest generation in the workforce. That’s why the agency went straight to Gen Z for answers. Based on their survey findings, they’ve divided Gen Z into three groups, each with their own beliefs and desires: Neo-Traditionalists, Fluid Pragmatists, and Internet-Age Explorers.

Duh. Is AI making us dumb? The answer from Amanda Silberling at TechCrunch is not surprising: of course it is, if you outsource your critical reasoning skills to it. Don’t!

Snacks

This explains why many college graduates are so lost. Literature has become a playground for Marxists: how the academy betrayed the humanistic tradition. Lisa Libes, Pens and Poison

Tips for being non-partisan in a partisan age: It’s not easy, it can be exhausting, and you’re not always going to get everything right. But you have to keep trying. | Greg Lukianoff

The teen loneliness machine—get to know what’s up with your future members, customers, and attendees. | Erica Pandey, Axios

An odd-looking table at a beach bar turns out to be a 1,700-year-old Roman coffin. | Nikki Main, Daily Mail

You never grow old at the table

Once you find a good meatball recipe, don’t let it go. Or maybe you’re one of the lucky ones who has your nonna’s recipe written on a stained index card. I’m Irish-Lithuanian, so no such luck. But I do have a keeper recipe for meatballs from 177 Milk Street. If you don’t subscribe, this PBS station shares it too.

Since I have a partly Italian soul (okay, stomach), I feel confident enough to tweak the original recipe. I cut the panko back to 2 cups, adjusted the water too, and used half Romano, half Parmesan. I used 1# of meatloaf mix (veal, pork, and beef) plus 1/2# of beef. Instead of the recipe’s sauce, I made my usual marinara.

Here’s a good combo: chipotle salmon, “baked” (nuked) sweet potatoes, and roasted Brussels sprouts with a few gold potatoes, red onion, garlic powder, balsamic, and olive oil.

Another night, Portuguese chicken thighs served over pearl couscous with leftover Brussels sprouts. I sauteed the bacon and veggies before adding them to the pot with the chicken and tomatoes. Yes, always fussing with recipes.

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 3/7 at 12 p.m.* – From Resumes to Results: Hiring for Real Impact

Learn about a competency-based framework to clearly define success in a role and identify what matters in a candidate’s background; an end-to-end hiring strategy to improve job advertising, sourcing, interviews, and final decisions; and common hiring pitfalls to avoid and what to do instead. More info/register.

Host: ASAE

Speaker: Bob Corlett, founder and president of Staffing Advisors

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

Mon 3/3 at 8 a.m. – Navigating Through Change (Radio Free 501c, the podcast of Rogue Tulips Consulting)

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

Guest: Laura Bratton, Motivational Speaker and Coach

Mon 3/3 at 1 p.m. – Ask Axios Pro: What’s new in healthcare?

Hear about the current and future state of healthcare policy, including legislation that’s on the table, key lawmakers, and what’s changing with the new administration’s appointees. We’ll cover your most pressing concerns and answer your biggest questions. More info/register.

Host: Quorum

Participants: Adriel Bettelheim, Senior Healthcare Editor; Victoria Knight, Healthcare Policy Report; and Peter Sullivan, Healthcare Policy Report, Axios

Tue 3/4 from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. – The Nonprofit Marketing Summit

Join us to uncover the core principles that have driven nonprofit success for decades, and dive into the latest innovative technologies to equip your organization with the tools to thrive in 2025. This isn’t just a conference; it’s a celebration of legacy and a roadmap to the future of purpose-driven work. More info/register.

Host: Community Boost

Tue 3/4 at 12 p.m. – Chapter Roundtable: Mini-Mastermind Sessions for Chapter-Based Organizations (Alexandria VA)

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. Come late, leave early, share, don’t share—our lunches are peer-driven and anything but boring. They’re jam sessions with lunch, not lectures. You’ll leave with actionable ideas, insights, and inspirations you can put to work right away. Location: Alexandria VA. More info/register.

Host: re:Members

Tue 3/4 at 12 p.m. – 2025 Association Tech Trends (Data Analytics Network)

Reggie has surveyed the community each January for many years now to identify technology trends for the upcoming year. Hear about the themes for 2025, such as navigating AI strategy, the impact of data management, enabling member engagement, and understanding technology debt. Find out how the 2025 trends compare to 2024’s. More info/register.

Host: Data Analytics Network

Speaker: Reggie Henry, Chief Information & Performance Excellence Officer, ASAE

Tue 3/4 at 12 p.m. – Rowing in the Same Direction: Using Communications to Drive Team Alignment

Consider the challenges when communications is done poorly: misinterpretations, incorrect assumptions, disengagement, mistrust, and resistance to change. Learn what role each level of management and group has to play in getting the message out, internal communication best practices and inventory of possibilities, the “external” brand vs “internal” culture connection, and how to identify when there is a “broken link” in the communications plan and execution, and what to do about it. More info/register.

Host: Braintrust Professional Institute

Tue 3/4 from 12:30 to 4:30 p.m. – Nonprofit Tech Talk: Unraveling AI, Security and Data (New York, NY)

Hosts: RSM and Microsoft

Tue 3/4 at 2 p.m. – Fundamentals of Message Design Workshop

Ready to unlock the secrets of persuasive communication? Discover the hidden ingredient your core message is probably missing (hint: it’s not what you think!), the triple threat of buy-in (three essential elements that make your message irresistible, and how to bake them in from the start), and where persuasive message design fits in your organization’s ecosystem (and how to make a bulletproof case for it). More info/register.

Host: Tamsen Webster, author of “Say What They Can’t Unhear”

Wed 3/5 at 11 a.m. – Psychological Safety: The Key to Individual, Team, and Organizational Success

Discover how fostering psychological safety can unlock individual potential, strengthen team dynamics, and propel organizational success. Learn how creating a culture of trust and openness drives measurable business outcomes, including higher engagement, increased innovation, and lower turnover. Get actionable strategies to transform workplace culture into a thriving, high-performing environment where employees feel empowered to take risks, collaborate, and exceed expectations. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.

Host: UST Education

Speaker: Don Rheem, Founder & Chairman of CultureID

Wed 3/5 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. – The Nonprofit Marketing Summit

Host: Community Boost

Wed 3/5 at 12 p.m. – Chapter Roundtable: Mini-Mastermind Sessions for Chapter-Based Organizations (Washington DC)

Host: re:Members

Wed 3/5 at 12 p.m. – Think Like a Media Company: Unlocking Non-Dues Revenue for Sustainable Association Growth

Hear about the imperative need for diversifying revenue streams. Beyond the traditional reliance on membership dues, explore innovative pathways to sustainable financial stability and long-term success. Learn about strategies for leveraging non-dues revenue opportunities strategically. From sponsorship and advertising, to sponsored content, educational programs, certification, and strategic partnerships, uncover untapped avenues that can drive revenue growth and ensure the resilience of your association in an ever-changing landscape. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.

Host: AIOT

Speaker: Bill Sheehan, D2L

Wed 3/5 at 12 p.m. – Ethics at Work (YPAC Lunch & Learn)

As young professionals in the association space, navigating ethical dilemmas and upholding high standards of conduct are crucial to maintaining trust and credibility in your career. Explore key ethical principles from ASAE’s Standards of Conduct and apply them to real-world scenarios that association professionals face daily. Through interactive discussion and case studies, attendees will learn how to handle conflicts of interest, confidentiality concerns, fair decision-making, and fostering an ethical culture in the workplace. More info/register (ASAE members only).

Host: ASAE Young Professionals Community

Speakers:

Tina DeNeen, EdD
Larry C. Smith, JD, CAE
Shawna Strickland, PhD, CAE, RRT

Wed 3/5 at 1 p.m. – Master Employee Onboarding with Thoughtful IT: Top 7 Tips

One of the quickest ways to tarnish a new employee’s perception of your association is to throw them into a sloppy technology setup. Learn about IT’s critical role in a positive on-boarding experience; best practices to maximize productivity, engagement, and security; and equipment recommendations to empower hybrid and remote workers. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.

Host: UST Education

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

Wed 3/5 at 1 p.m. – The State of Associations

Hear a panel of association executives share what their organizations are seeing in their professions, with their memberships, and what this means for associations moving forward. More info/register.

Host: Fonteva

Speakers:

Grant Carpenter, CAE, Executive Director, Indiana Society of Association Executives
Su Hawk, Executive Director, Colorado Society of Association Executives
Terry Monroe, Executive Director, Virginia Society of Association Executives
Hester Ndoja, CAE, President and CEO, Florida Society of Association Executives

Wed 3/5 at 2 p.m. – Innovative Fly-In Strategies for a New Era of Advocacy

Learn how to adapt your fly-in approach, whether virtual, hybrid, or in-person, to the current political landscape and achieve your legislative goals. Hear practical advice on personalizing your approach, anticipating questions, and measuring the impact of your advocacy efforts. More info/register.

Host: VoterVoice

Speakers:

Mark Fisher, Director of Advocacy Engagement, Muscular Dystrophy Association
Megan Gordon Don, President and Founder, MGD Strategies
Kirstie Tucker, Founder, DC Fly-Ins
Brian Rubenstein (moderator), President, Rubenstein Impact Group

Thu 3/6 from 10 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. – Spring Symposium: Empowering Change (Arlington VA)

This symposium is a unique opportunity to engage with subject-matter experts who will guide us through the intricate and fascinating world of personal and professional development. See session descriptions in online descriptions below. In-person attendees also get an exclusive panel discussion with the instructors at 3:45 p.m. 5 CAE credits. Location: Arlington VA. More info/register.

Host: UST Education

Speakers:

Cameron Aubuchon, Co-Founder & Chief Technology Officer, PropFuel
Jamie Notter, Co-Founder, PROPEL
Dan Stevens, President, and Marcus Leite, Director, Sales & Marketing, WorkerBee.TV
Joanna M. Pineda, CEO & Chief Troublemaker, Matrix Group International, Inc.

Thu 3/6 at 10 a.m. – Spring Symposium: Empowering Change Through Data: Bringing Your Data to Life

Data is the engine that drives transformative change and enables associations to create truly personalized member experiences. Explore strategies to ensure your data evolves alongside your members, remains accurate and relevant, and works seamlessly across systems to meet members where they are. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.

Host: UST Education

Speaker: Cameron Aubuchon, Co-Founder & Chief Technology Officer, PropFuel

Thu 3/6 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. – The Nonprofit Marketing Summit

Host: Community Boost

Thu 3/6 at 11:15 a.m. – Spring Symposium: The Culture You Need in a Time of Disruptive Change

There is no one “right” workplace culture for everyone, but these days, there are some specific elements of culture that have become more important than ever—because they help you deal with rapid and disruptive change. Hear about patterns inside your culture that mess with success and slow down change, evaluating and prioritizing areas of culture change based on specific challenges you face, and strategies for rapid and thorough culture change. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.

Host: UST Education

Speaker: Jamie Notter, Co-Founder, PROPEL

Thu 3/6 at 12 p.m. – Maximize Your AMS ROI: How to Drive Long-Term Success

How can your organization maximize its AMS investment far into the future? By building a partnership with your AMS vendor and continually optimizing your technology through product updates, feature enhancements, and innovative offerings. Learn how to establish a collaborative relationship with your AMS vendor to ensure you reach your future technology goals, foster long-term AMS value by identifying a technology vendor that invests in innovative tools, solutions, and enhancements, and encourage the continued staff adoption of your technology through training, resources, and vendor support. More info/register.

Host: Momentive Software

Thu 3/6 at 12 p.m. – Ask the Experts: Modernizing Association Governance

Learn how associations can utilize technology and other tactics to help simplify and streamline their governance operations and procedures. Hear about the association governance landscape today, technology for association governance meetings, managing membership data, and best practices. More info/register.

Host: GetQuorum

Speakers:

Jeff Horne, Wicket
Noah Maislin, Minutes Solutions
Heather Terrence, Pinpoint Governance Group
Ben Zelikovitz, GetQuorum

Thu 3/6 at 12 p.m. – Better Together: Successfully Integrating Foresight and Strategic Planning

Associations need to establish a culture of foresight that allows them to better plan for success in our rapidly changing world. Learn what’s new with ASAE ForesightWorks and its drivers of change, hear best practices and case studies from association leaders who have successfully integrated foresight and strategic planning, and share ideas with colleagues from across the association community about how foresight can inform their strategic planning work going forward (and vice versa). More info/register (ASAE members only).

Hosts: ASAE ForesightWorks Advisory Group and the ASAE Executive Management Professionals Advisory Council

Speakers:

Rebecca Argabrite Grove
Lynn M Gangone, CAE, Retired President and Chief Executive Officer, American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education
Josh McFall, CAE, Chief Executive Officer, Minnesota REALTORS
Denise Roosendaal, FASAE, CAE, Executive Director, Institute for Credentialing Excellence
Danielle Duran Baron, MA, MBA, FASAE, CAE (moderator), Vice President, Marketing, Communications & Industry Relations, School Nutrition Association
Tommy Goodwin, MBA, FASAE, CAE, PMP, CMP (moderator), Executive Vice President, Exhibitions & Conferences Alliance

Thu 3/6 from 12:30 to 4:30 p.m. – Nonprofit Tech Talk: Unraveling AI, Security and Data (Washington DC)

Hosts: RSM and Microsoft

Thu 3/6 at 1:15 p.m. – Spring Symposium: Disruptive Engagement: Redefining Member Value in the Digital Age

As our world rapidly evolves, so do concepts of membership, challenging associations to rethink their value propositions. Social media and global technologies are drawing individuals into niche, private groups, reshaping expectations for community and engagement. Explore the generational shifts influencing how members perceive the value of their time, actions, and data—and the rewards they expect in return. Uncover what these changes mean for the future of associations and gain insights on how to adapt your strategies to align with these emerging member expectations. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.

Host: UST Education

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

Thu 3/6 at 2 p.m. – 12 Marketing Snafus Hurting You and How to Fix ‘Em Fast

Find out about a dozen of the biggest marketing snafus most associations make and how you can fix them with ease and style. Learn quick, easy-to-implement wins for mission-driven marketers; what marketing errors you’re making and which ones you’re winning; and where to make investments for higher engagement and conversion across your channels. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.

Host: Mighty Citizen

Speakers: Mindy Avitia, Senior Events & Marketing Manager, and Andy Fabian, Copywriter, Mighty Citizen

Thu 3/6 at 2 p.m. – Future of Association Boards (FAB) Community Dialogue March Kickoff Event

More info/register.

Host: Jeff De Cagna, executive advisor, Foresight First

Thu 3/6 at 2 p.m. – Avoiding the Integration Trap

Integrations can provide data consistency between systems, cut down on staff work and data duplication and enhance your member experience. But they can also be expensive, difficult to implement, and present ongoing operational challenges. Learn about strategies to avoid problems up front, information to get before you sign the contract and ways to ensure your integrations keep performing once they are active. More info/register.

Host: 501Works

Thu 3/6 at 2 p.m. – 5 Webinar Trends for 2025 That Will Transform Your Marketing

Learn easy to implement tactics and strategies to re-imagine your webinar programs to more effectively engage, connect and ultimately convert prospects into customers. Find out how to create engaging webinar formats, personalize audience experiences, repurpose webinars into new actionable content, and build audiences through an on-demand strategy. More info/register.

Host: American Marketing Association

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

Thu 3/6 at 2:30 p.m. – Spring Symposium: The Human Element of AI: Making Technology Adoption Stick

Learn how to evaluate technology solutions, communicate their value clearly to your team, and roll them out in a way that builds trust and enthusiasm across your organization. Discover how to avoid the “launch-it-and-forget-it” trap by creating a culture of continuous improvement, where teams regularly revisit and refine how they use new tools like AI to meet evolving goals. Hear about common obstacles—such as resistance to change, lack of training, or unclear processes—and explore strategies for breaking down these barriers to help your team fully embrace new technologies. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.

Host: UST Education

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

Thu 3/6 at 3 p.m. – Tools and Tactics to Attract New Members

Learn how to use compelling narratives on your website to draw in new members, capture prospect emails with lead magnets, turn website visitors into members, showcase the value of your membership with smart trial strategies, and clearly and persuasively share why joining your association is a must. More info/register.

Host: Member Lounge by Grype Digital

Speaker: Farhad Khan, CEO of Grype Digital

Fri 3/7 at 2 p.m. – Applying Automation to Save Time & Effort

Host: Higher Logic

Speakers:

Amber Worthen, Chief Executive Officer, Email Maven
Taryn Morrissey, Customer Care Strategist, Higher Logic

Wed 3/12 at 1 p.m. – Increase Sponsorship Revenue with Video

Host: UST Education

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

Thu 3/13 at 11 a.m. – Mission-Driven Marketing: Unlocking the Power of Paid Advertising

Host: Association Women Technology Champions

Speaker: Gene Kimball, Founder of Grow Together Marketing

Thu 3/13 at 11 a.m. – Love Your Content Again: Repurposing Webinars for Ongoing Engagement

Host: UST Education

Speaker: Reilly Moriarty, Marketing and Events Manager at UST Education

Thu 3/13 at 1 p.m. – Best Practices for Association / Nonprofit Board Governance in the Digital Age

Host: UST Education

Speaker: Don Dea, Co-Founder at Fusion Productions

Thu 3/13 at 2 p.m. – Monthly Association Jam Session

While ChatGPT can get us so far, it’s much more interesting to share tips and solutions with real association people, especially when there’s no specific manual or training book on how to manage an entire association with a staff of 30 or even just 2. In March, we’ll discuss KPIS for community building, and how it is part of the community journey. We know that without community you can’t have sponsorships or events. How do we come up with goals? More info/register.

Host: Association Marketplace

Creative Commons licensed photo by Stephan Egli 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: 2.21.25

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

“Life cannot be delegated.” –Lewis Mumford

New member onboarding. Talley Management Group shares five “thoughtful ways to welcome new members to your association.” I’m pleased to see a useful post like this because effective onboarding has such a strong impact on retention, which is why I enjoy writing copy for onboarding campaigns—one of the few ways I work with associations.

AI use in associations. Association Societies Alliance (the association for state SAE executives) surveyed 305 members of seven state SAEs in November 2024 about their association’s use of AI. Per the report, most associations are in the discovery or planning phase of AI adoption. Only a few have integrated AI into their operations, primarily in marketing and communications. The report also shares AI policy samples and discusses AI use, barriers to adoption, and potential use.

Trade show floor decisions. More on AI and how it can improve trade show floor results. AI sensors by Zenus track aisle traffic, booth visits, and attendee energy levels to understand and optimize traffic flow, show floor layout, and booth performance.

Member benefits. Elizabeth Engel at Spark Consulting encourages you to understand the different attributes of member segments, so your association offers incentives to join that truly match members’ circumstances and needs.

Gen Z and events. Freeman released a survey report describing “how Gen Z professionals view live events, how their feelings compare with those of their older peers, and how event marketers can apply the insights to better reach this group.” Yikes, look at that alarming data point for associations on page 17.

Online community. GrowthZone explains how to drive members to your community platform. They suggest emphasizing year-round content, networking, and experiences that level out the peaks and valleys of engagement—and they provide a sample engagement plan to get you started.

Making a case for conference attendance. If you want to get approval to attend a conference, Barbara Scofidio at Skift Meetings describes five areas to cover when writing an event justification letter to your boss. Associations should add these points to the justification letter on your conference website, although I’d put a heavier focus on what’s in it for the employer.

You never grow old at the table

Remember the pesto pasta salad I made for the Superbowl? A few nights later, I turned it into a pesto pasta entrée by adding chouriço, shrimp, onion, canned tomatoes, white wine, and butter.

On Sunday, I cooked a low-and-slow oven-roasted brisket. Very flavorful. On the side, nuked sweet potatoes and a green bean sauté with red onion, bacon, and garlic.

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 2/21 at 11 a.m.* – A Match Made in Heaven: How Event Surveys Transform Feedback into Your Events

Learn how to pair the power of event data with proven survey strategies to deliver exceptional experiences for both attendees and exhibitors. Find out about the importance of capturing meaningful feedback, best practices for designing data-driven surveys, boosting attendee engagement and building trust, and using survey results to deliver tailored events that exceed expectations. More info/register.

Host: Momentive Software

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

Fri 2/21 at 1 p.m. – Creating Learner-Centric eLearning: Design Strategies That Drive Real Results

Hear about the essential principles of learner-centric design that boost engagement and retention; practical techniques to tailor content to your learners’ unique needs, preferences, and challenges; strategies for building interactive, accessible, and inclusive courses that reflect adult learning best practices; and key tools and technologies that support a learner-first approach to course development. 0.75 CAE credit. More info/register.

Host: Blue Sky eLearn

Speakers: Jordan Baker, M.Ed., Learning Solutions Advisor, and Dr. Kristen Wall, MA EdD, Director of Learning & Development, Blue Sky eLearn

Fri 2/21 at 2 p.m. – Why Your Data Matters & What You Can Do With It

Learn how to harness your association’s data and build a culture of analytics to help drive strategic decisions, enhance member experiences, and unlock new opportunities for growth. Hear about real-world examples for leveraging data from your email marketing, community, AMS, educational programs, and more. Explore ways to use your data to monitor your organization’s health and performance, improve segmentation and personalization, identify member needs, trigger helpful automations, and deepen member engagement. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.

Host: Higher Logic

Speakers:

Christin Berry, CAE, VP, Business Analytics & Data Services, ASAE: The Center for Association Leadership
David Jovel, Sales Engineering Director, Higher Logic

Fri 2/21 at 3 p.m. – Nonprofit Consultants Collaborative Monthly Networking Meeting

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

Mon 2/24 at 8 a.m. – Putting A.I. in Play for the Members (Radio Free 501c, the podcast of Rogue Tulips Consulting)

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

Guest: Damian Kavanagh, MISBO

Tue 2/25 at 11 a.m. – Deep Dive: 2025 Membership Performance Benchmark Report

Get a deep dive into the 2025 Membership Performance Benchmark Report, which surveyed 200+ association and membership professionals worldwide. Hear about the latest industry trends on strategies, engagement tactics, membership growth secrets, and cross-generational insights, including the top three tactics your peers are using to recruit new members, the #1 method to win back lapsed members, and the impact of a formal member engagement plan. More info/register.

Host: ASI

Tue 2/25 at 11 a.m. – Identity-Driven Leadership: Harnessing Self-Identity for Effective Influence

Discover how aligning your leadership style with your core identity can transform your ability to inspire and influence others. Explore the power of authenticity in leadership, and how self-awareness and values-based actions build trust and foster stronger team connections. Learn to identify the key elements of your leadership identity and uncover practical strategies for leading with consistency and transparency. Walk away with actionable insights to immediately enhance your authenticity and impact as a leader. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.

Host: UST Education

Speaker: Austin Campbell, Leadership Doctor

Tue 2/25 at 12 p.m. – Black Women in Association Tech. How Did They Do It?

Join us for an inspiring and candid discussion about the journeys of Black women in association technology, including how they navigated their careers, overcame obstacles, and made their mark in the industry. Our panel will share their experiences, insights, and advice for those looking to thrive in the association tech space. More info/register.

Host: Association Women Technology Champions

Speakers:

Chantal Almonord, CAE, Chief Information & Engagement Officer, ISPOR
Adrienne Bryant, CAE, Program Director, Customer Experience Professionals Association
Rose LeJiste, CEO, RL Engineering and Tech Solutions
Monica Pemberton, Vice President and CIO, American Council on Education

Tue 2/25 at 12 p.m. – How Top Associations Attract Young Professionals: Four Key Factors

Learn how to captivate early career talent, foster their ongoing commitment, and inspire active participation within your organization. More info/register.

Host: Highland

Speakers: Amrita Kulkarni, Director, Design Research & Strategy, and David Whited, Principal of Design Research & Strategy, Highland

Tue 2/25 at 12 p.m. – RTO Strategies for Success Roundtable

Hybrid and RTO are big concerns and even bigger challenges. While many associations are considering how to increase days in the office, it feels like a good time to share best practices and walk through problems together in this roundtable discussion with association decision-makers. More info/register.

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

Tue 2/25 at 4 p.m. – Working Remote? Get Noticed & Get Ahead

Learn how to build real connections in the virtual workplace, make your work visible, and gain the influence you need to drive change and initiatives within your organization—no matter where you log in from. More info/register.

Speakers:

Vicki Brackett, Chief Knowledge Officer at Knowledgely™
Leslie O’Flahavan, Principal at E-WRITE

Wed 2/26 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. – Marketing Technology Demo Day

Are you tasked with finding the right marketing technology systems for your organization? Wondering what platforms are out there and what features you should be looking for? Choose to attend any or all 30-minute demo sessions in this free event for members and non-members who are interested in learning how associations can use marketing tools to better deliver communications. More info/register.

Host: ASAE

Participants: Alley Interactive, Blend Interactive, Aplusify, Higher Logic, HubSpot, Rasa.io, Clowder by ASI, Kitaboo by BookIt Digital

Wed 2/26 at 11 a.m. – The Future of AI-driven Search & Content

Learn how AI is reshaping search behavior, organic visibility, and content personalization for B2B audiences. Hear practical ways to leverage AI in SEO, content creation, and thought leadership—without sacrificing quality or authenticity. See how leading SaaS companies are already ranking in AI-powered Search and grow engagement and pipeline. More info/register.

Host: Flow Agency

Speakers: Viola Eva, founder, and Helene Jelenc, director of SEO, Flow Agency

Wed 2/26 at 11 a.m. – ASAE World Café: Navigating Domestic Backlash to International Expansion: Strategies and Solutions

As associations grow internationally, they may encounter resistance or backlash from domestic stakeholders. Whether stemming from misunderstandings, resource allocation concerns, or strategic disagreements, addressing these challenges is crucial to maintaining organizational unity and achieving global growth. Hear about common causes of domestic backlash against international activities, strategies for effectively addressing concerns and building consensus, and practical insights from peers and experts to support your global engagement goals. More info/register (ASAE members only).

Host: ASAE International Associations Advisory Council

Speakers:

Eryn Carter, Executive Director, Association of Legal Administrators (ALA)
Jeanette Gass, Senior Program Manager, Global Engagement, ICMA
Susan Mosedale, Chief Global Member Engagement Officer, ASIS International
Michiel Gen (moderator), Partner at Exempla

Wed 2/26 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 2/26 at 12 p.m. – Planning Your Best Yet Corporate Retreat

A retreat is a huge investment in time and money, so how can you keep focused on the goals of the offsite without distraction? Learn how to avoid the biggest mistakes and challenges of planning an executive retreat, create an environment that is conducive to team learning, and the tough questions you should ask. More info/register.

Host: Braintrust Professional Institute

Speakers: Dwayne Rutherford, Corporate Event Planner, and Randall Craig, Hall of Fame Business Speaker and Retreat Facilitator

Wed 2/26 at 12 p.m. – Score Your MSP: Minimal or Maximum Service Provider

Is your Managed Service Provider (MSP) delivering maximum value or just the bare minimum? Find out why MSP service levels differ so drastically, the built-in limitations of the MSP model for associations, and how to assess, manage, and maximize your MSP relationship. More info/register.

Host: ClearTone Consulting

Wed 2/26 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 2/26 at 1 p.m. – Unlock the Power of Marketing AI

Discover how marketing AI tools can transform your organization’s marketing and communications strategies and workflows. Hear about practical AI solutions you can start using immediately, with a focus on tools designed to streamline marketing processes and drive efficiency. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.

Host: UST Education

Speaker: Erica Salm Rench, MBA, CMO at Sidecar

Wed 2/26 at 1 p.m. – How Inteleos Goes from Mission to Action with OKR: A 2025 Playbook for Non-Profits

Struggling to align your non-profit team with your mission? Learn how Inteleos uses Objectives and Key Results (OKRs) to break silos, drive focus, empower teams, and turn strategy into action. Find out what works (and what doesn’t) when getting teams to take ownership and get a practical OKR framework you can apply immediately. More info/register.

Host: OKR Quickstart

Speakers:

Tim Hopkins, CAE, Managing Director, McKinley Advisors
Tim Newbold, Founder, OKR Quickstart
Juan Sanchez, CIO, Inteleos

Wed 2/26 at 1 p.m. – Inflation-Fighting Budget Strategies

Hear about creative cost-savings techniques to impact your bottom line. Learn how to understand our current economic climate and be strategic in a dynamic marketplace, discover hidden fees and circumvent the unexpected, and measure your success with the creation of a Cost Savings Report so you can communicate these savings to your stakeholders in an impactful way. 1 CMP credit. More info/register.

Host: Meetings Today

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

Wed 2/26 at 2 p.m. – How to Build Social Media Buzz for Your Event

Creating excitement and engagement around your event on social media is crucial for its success. Learn how to craft compelling social media campaigns that grab attention and drive participation; use content planning and scheduling to maximize reach and engagement; leverage influencers, hashtags and user-generated content to amplify your message; build a community around your event; and track key metrics to measure the impact of your efforts. 1 CMP credit. More info/register.

Host: Northstar Meetings Group

Speakers:

Mary Budwick, Director of Brand Strategy, RacquetX
Sophie Pink, Digital and Social Media Manager, IMEX Group
Lizzie Wilcox (moderator), Associate Editor, Northstar Meetings Group

Wed 2/26 at 2 p.m. – Finance & Business Operations Council February Virtual 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 2/26 from 3:30 to 5 p.m. – Chapter & Component Relations: Challenges Are Opportunities (Arlington VA)

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

Host: Rogue Tulips Consulting

Thu 2/27 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. – How to Design a Product Portfolio

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

Host: James Young, founder, Product Community

Thu 2/27 at 11:30 a.m. – To Take a Stand or Not: A Framework to Discuss and Decide

Learn how to rank the importance of polarizing positions based on your brand purpose, how and why certain polarizing issues become part of your brand conversation and how to manage them, the decision-making factors within which companies/associations navigate taking a stand, and how to effectively give leaders common language to determine if an issue is worthy of a campaign or public statement. More info/register.

Hosts: crisis communications expert Adele Gambardella and Chip Massey

Thu 2/27 at 1 p.m. – Expanding to Asia Pacific: Business and Operating Models for Global Growth

Hear about the pros and cons of setting up a wholly owned office versus working with a local AMC, including cost, control, and operational impact. Learn how local policies, compliance requirements, and cultural factors influence the choice of expansion model. Examine budgeting, staffing, governance, and financial implications for each approach. More info/register.

Host: MCI

Speakers:

Marcel Ewals, APAC Director, Parenteral Drug Association
Glenn Wright, President and CEO, Parenteral Drug Association
Erin Fuller (moderator), Global Head of Association Solutions, MCI

Thu 2/27 at 2 p.m. – How to Build a Research Agenda That Will Transform Your Association

Discover a strategic lens for evolving your association’s research practice. Learn about a structured, three-year framework for prioritizing and implementing your association’s research strategy; tailored approaches for both trade and professional associations that drive member engagement and organizational success; and strategic methods for maintaining research momentum and building a data-driven culture. More info/register.

Host: McKinley Advisors

Speakers: Patrick Glaser, M.A., MPA, Chief Practice Officer, and Candace Vanderpoel, M.A., Practice Director, McKinley Advisors

Thu 2/27 at 2 p.m. – New Congress, New Problems: How to Work With Members of Congress on Policy Issues

Learn what policy issues new members have brought to the table this year and how you can get right to work with the administration and the new Congress. More info/register.

Host: FiscalNote

Speakers:

Poorvie Bishnoi, Vice President of Government Relations, Monument Advocacy
Carolyn Coda, Senior Vice President & Co-Chair of Economy Policy Practice, Invariant
Whitney Swance (moderator), Consultant, FiscalNote Professional Services

Thu 2/27 from 3 to 6 p.m. – 2025 AWTC Awards Ceremony & Reception (Washington DC)

Join us to celebrate AWTC’s Awards winners with a pre-social and post-networking event recognizing women in association technology. Location: Washington DC. More info/register.

Host: Association Women Technology Champions

Tue 3/4 at 12 p.m. – Chapter Roundtable: Mini-Mastermind Sessions for Chapter-Based Organizations (Alexandria VA)

Host: re:Members

Tue 3/4 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 3/4 at 12 p.m. – Rowing in the Same Direction: Using Communications to Drive Team Alignment

Host: Braintrust Professional Institute

Wed 3/5 at 11 a.m. – Psychological Safety: The Key to Individual, Team, and Organizational Success

Host: UST Education

Speaker: Don Rheem, Founder & Chairman of CultureID

Wed 3/5 at 12 p.m. – Chapter Roundtable: Mini-Mastermind Sessions for Chapter-Based Organizations (Washington DC)

Host: re:Members

Wed 3/5 at 1 p.m. – Master Employee Onboarding with Thoughtful IT: Top 7 Tips

Host: UST Education

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

Thu 3/6 from 10 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. – Spring Symposium: Empowering Change (Arlington VA)

Host: UST Education

Speakers:

Cameron Aubuchon, Co-Founder & Chief Technology Officer, PropFuel
Jamie Notter, Co-Founder, PROPEL
Dan Stevens, President, and Marcus Leite, Director, Sales & Marketing, WorkerBee.TV
Joanna M. Pineda, CEO & Chief Troublemaker, Matrix Group International, Inc.

Thu 3/6 at 10 a.m. – Spring Symposium: Empowering Change Through Data: Bringing Your Data to Life

Host: UST Education

Speaker: Cameron Aubuchon, Co-Founder & Chief Technology Officer, PropFuel

Thu 3/6 at 11:15 a.m. – Spring Symposium: The Culture You Need in a Time of Disruptive Change

Host: UST Education

Speaker: Jamie Notter, Co-Founder, PROPEL

Thu 3/6 at 12 p.m. – Maximize Your AMS ROI: How to Drive Long-Term Success

Host: Momentive Software

Thu 3/6 at 1:15 p.m. – Spring Symposium: Disruptive Engagement: Redefining Member Value in the Digital Age

Host: UST Education

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

Thu 3/6 at 2 p.m. – 12 Marketing Snafus Hurting You and How to Fix ‘Em Fast

Host: Mighty Citizen

Speakers: Mindy Avitia, Senior Events & Marketing Manager, and Andy Fabian, Copywriter, Mighty Citizen

Thu 3/6 at 2:30 p.m. – Spring Symposium: The Human Element of AI: Making Technology Adoption Stick

Host: UST Education

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

Fri 3/7 at 2 p.m. – Applying Automation to Save Time & Effort

Host: Higher Logic

Speakers:

Amber Worthen, Chief Executive Officer, Email Maven
Taryn Morrissey, Customer Care Strategist, Higher Logic

Creative Commons licensed photo by Alexandra Diaconu via Unsplash

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Association Brain Food: 2.14.25

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

AI career coach. Tony Case at WorkLife reports on an emerging trend: AI-powered career coaches. Large companies can afford these tools, but what about small companies or professionals who work for themselves or are in between jobs? I spy an opportunity for associations: provide these AI tools and funnel users into your educational and credentialing programs.

Licensing. A new book, The Licensing Racket: How We Decide Who Is Allowed to Work, and Why It Goes Wrong, could revive the simmering conversation about licensing. In his Wall Street Journal review, Alex Tabarrok calls for voluntary certification, describing licensing as a broken system ripe for reimagining and reform.

Association SEO course. Earn up to 5 CAE credits by taking the SEO for Associations Certificate Course at Association Academy. Learn about Search Engine Optimization (SEO) at your own pace in five one-hour on-demand lessons that cover the important elements of SEO for association websites. This course describes immediate steps and long-term strategies that will help your association attract more website traffic by improving your ranking with Google, Bing, and other search engines. Save $50 with the promo code BRAINFOOD.

AMS selection. If you’re in the AMS selection process, you need this list from Ellipsis Partners of questions that will “ferret out” the “dark secrets and strange loopholes in even the most advanced systems.” These questions address issues that affect the member experience, security, data integrity, e-commerce, training and support, reporting, data migration, upgrades, and costs.

Member experience. Fíonta suggests applying the core principles of a good online user experience (UX) to help members take advantage of benefits. In the second post of this series, they explain how UX research helps you evaluate how usable, useful, and user-centric your member experience really is and how to use that research to improve the member experience.

Onboarding. An effective onboarding experience helps a new member figure out how to take full advantage of their membership and increases the likelihood they’ll renew. Becky Pierson Davidson describes the onboarding practices of for-profit product communities that you should steal for your new members.

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

Snacks

10 event strategies that Gen Z (and other first-timers) will appreciate. | Danica Tormohlen, Corporate Event News

Why is everyone suddenly reading Middlemarch? Quick thoughts on the rise of interest in the classic works of western literature. | Sean Sullivan

I read Middlemarch a few years ago and can vouch for its magnificence. If you love the classics, let me tell you about Substack book groups. Right now, I’m doing a slow read of War and Peace (my second read of this fantastic book), The Divine Comedy (my first time), and a few others. Simon Haisell (my War and Peace guide) keeps a list of Substack book groups.

You never grow old at the table

A simple soup to make on a weeknight: caldo verde, a traditional Portuguese recipe. I made it this time with andouille and kale, pureed about half the sausage, and reserved the rest for a garnish. On the side, cauliflower cheesy “bread.”

For a Superbowl gathering of Eagles fans, I went for the green by making pesto pasta salad. I don’t have a recipe for this one, just a list of ingredients: bowtie pasta, basil pesto, mozzarella balls, shredded parmesan, grape tomatoes, red bell pepper, corn, carrot, cuke, broccoli florets, sweet onion, olive oil, and red wine vinegar.

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 2/14 at 11 a.m.* – Give Your LinkedIn Profile Some Love

Learn how to craft a profile that helps you achieve your goals—whether it’s landing a new role, building your network, or showcasing your expertise. Hear what works and what doesn’t, and take advantage of live critiques. More info/register.

Host: Association Women Technology Champions

Speakers:

Danielle Duran Baron, Vice President, Marketing, Communications & Industry Relations, School Nutrition Association
Jen Lewi, Founder & CEO, Design Your Next Step

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

Fri 2/14 at 11 a.m. – Strategic Speaking: How to Approach Your Speaking Based on Your Goals

Part lesson, part dissection of real examples, you’ll learn what works and what you can do to leverage speaking BEYOND the occasional talk, all so you can stand out easier, resonate deeper, and spark action that builds your business. More info/register.

Host: Jay Acunzo

Mon 2/17 at 8 a.m. – Civic Engagement & Sports Tourism (Radio Free 501c, the podcast of Rogue Tulips Consulting)

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

Guest: Gregg Caren, President & CEO of the Philadelphia CVB

Tue 2/18 at 10 a.m. – Navigating the Impact on Associations from New Executive Orders

Hear a detailed analysis of President Trump’s executive orders and their potential implications for associations. Learn how these directives may influence your organization’s strategic priorities, member services, and advocacy efforts. Get actionable insights and strategies to help association leaders navigate this evolving regulatory environment effectively. More info/register (free for ASAE members only).

Host: ASAE

Speakers:

Julia E. Judish, Special Counsel, Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP
Craig J. Saperstein, Partner, Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP
Wendy-Jo Toyama, MBA, FASAE, CAE (moderator), CEO, American Epilepsy Society

Tue 2/18 at 12 p.m. – Membership Growth: Eight Proven Techniques to Attract and Retain Members

Members are leaving or retiring and new members are not joining because they fail to see value, or are time deprived. Discover eight proven techniques to attract and retain members in this actionable webinar on membership growth. Learn strategies to boost engagement, increase member loyalty, and drive long-term success for your organization. More info/register.

Host: Zzeem Consulting

Tue 2/18 at 12 p.m. – CRVM February 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. Come prepared to share your successes, challenges and ideas. More info/register (ASAE members only).

Host: ASAE Component Relations and Volunteer Management Council

Wed 2/19 at from 9 to 11:30 a.m. CST – How Skills and Credentials Intersect with Regulation and Policy (Chicago, IL)

Hear about he increased focus on the economic value credentials provide, the relationship between economic value, outcomes data, and evolving workforce policies, and how evolving competency-based credentialing models will be at the foreground to support funding decisions to fill job vacancies. Location: Chicago IL. More info/register.

Host: Certification Network Group

Speakers:

Dale Cyr, MBA, CAE, CEO, Inteleos
Larry Lynch, CAE, FASAE, Sr. Vice President, Health Safety & Regulatory Services, National Restaurant Association
Roy Swift, PhD, Executive Director, Workcred
Amanda Winters, Program Director, Postsecondary Education, National Governor’s Association
Christine D. Niero, PhD (moderator), Vice President, Professional Testing, Inc.

Wed 2/19 at 11 a.m. – Confex Events: Why This Show Format Is Changing the Game

Confex events are a unique combination of conference, exhibition and, in some cases, hosted buyer meeting programs in one event. Learn why 19% of organizers either plan to run or are interested in running confex events. Listen to case studies from confex organizers. Hear what they’re doing differently and get actionable insights to use for your show. Discover how confex events will evolve and what that means for traditional event formats. More info/register.

Host: Grip

Speakers:

Marco Giberti, Founder and CEO, Vesuvio Ventures
Sophie Holt, Event Strategy Consultant and Former Managing Director, Explori
Jessica Natinsky, SVP of Group Strategy, Hyve Group

Wed 2/19 at 12 p.m. – How to Increase Member Engagement with Easy-to-Plan & Cost-Effective Online Meetups that Build Community

Hear how to create meaningful, community-driven experiences that build connections and keep members coming back. Learn what makes an online meetup different from a webinar, five secret ingredients for engaging meetups that foster collaboration, how to build community and peer connections, and budget-friendly strategies. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.

Host: GrowthZone

Speaker: online meeting expert Leona D. Scott

Wed 2/19 at 12 p.m. – Spotting Financial Risks in Nonprofits: A Guide to Red Flags and Best Practices

learn how to identify red flags in nonprofit financial management, including financial statements, audits, and policies, that may indicate underlying risks. By exploring scenarios, attendees will gain the skills to proactively address financial concerns, ensure compliance, and promote organizational sustainability. More info/register.

Host: Your Part-Time Controller

Wed 2/19 at 1 p.m. – Navigating 2025: Trends Transforming Events and Hospitality

Hear about the transformative trends that will shape the event and hospitality landscape in 2025, including the importance of field marketing events to drive business growth, how unique venues are becoming the go-to choices for unforgettable experiences, the power of AI to unlock personalization and the full potential of your event, how accessibility technologies are empowering planners to create more inclusive events, and the focus on data privacy across hospitality to ensure compliance. 1 CMP credit. More info/register.

Host: Meetings Today

Speaker: Kevin Carr, Vice President Sales, Hospitality Cloud, Cvent

Wed 2/19 at 2 p.m. – Developing Learner Personas with Member Insights

Learn how VPPPA transformed their approach to member feedback—shifting from traditional surveys to conversational engagement. Discover how VPPPA uncovered what members truly want in events and professional development while building deeper member profiles and personalizing experiences. More info/register.

Host: PropFuel

Wed 2/19 at 2:30 p.m. – Key Tips for Negotiating Attrition

Hear tips for proactively negotiating guestroom, food & beverage and meeting space attrition damages, and actionable strategies to minimize financial risks and maximize flexibility. More info/register.

Host: Heather Reid, founder, Planner Protect

Wed 2/19 from 3:30 to 5:20 p.m. CST – Toast to Tech with AWTC (Chicago, IL)

This session combines wine tasting with an engaging exploration of the latest technology trends shaping associations. Participants will sip curated wine flights, with each wine representing a major trend (e.g., AI, automation, innovation). The relaxed atmosphere fosters open dialogue, collaboration, and creativity around how these trends can impact association operations, member engagement, and events. Location: Chicago IL. More info/register.

Host: Association Women Technology Champions

Thu 2/20 at 10 a.m. – Planning a Successful Website Redesign from RFP to Launch

Is a website redesign in your future? Learn how to get started, budget for a redesign, get the best results, design your RFP, and choose the best partner. More info/register.

Host: Results Direct

Speakers: Laura Graham, Sr. Solutions Consultant, and Cecilia Satovich, Executive VP, Results Direct

Thu 2/20 at 12 p.m. – Building Trust Through Ethics: Best Practices for Association Professionals

Ethical behavior is crucial for building trust and the foundation of relationships with members, donors, volunteers and other stakeholders in associations. Learn about ethical standards and decision-making frameworks, the codes of ethics and their impact on associations, and how these codes serve as essential guidelines for maintaining integrity, transparency, and accountability. More info/register.

Host: Association Xchange

Speaker: Shawna Strickland, PhD, CAE, Associate Executive Director, Programs, American Epilepsy Society

Thu 2/20 at 12:30 p.m. – Future-Proof Your Continuing Education Program: Maximize Member Engagement and Revenue Growth

Hear about the trends shaping the future of continuing education and member engagement, best practices for designing and streamlining CE programs that boost retention and deliver ongoing value to learners, and strategies for using data-driven insights to enhance learner engagement and track progress. 0.5 CAE credit. More info/register.

Host: .orgCommunity

Speakers: Evan Burton, Head of Growth, and Emily Leary, VP of Customer Success, BenchPrep

Thu 2/20 at 1 p.m. – AI Tools To Level Up Your Membership Marketing

Learn about powerful AI tools designed for modern marketing challenges, automation techniques to streamline marketing workflows and increase efficiency, strategies to enhance personalization and engagement across platforms, AI-driven solutions to optimize advertising performance and ROI, and actionable techniques to elevate communications and connect with diverse audiences. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.

Host: UST Education

Speaker: Eric McDonald, CEO at Rasa.IO

Thu 2/20 at 1 p.m. – Where Should IT Report?

Learn about the importance of the visibility of IT within an association, positioning IT as a strategic partner to the C-suite, and how IT is impacted by and can in turn influence organizational culture. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.

Host: Fonteva

Speakers:

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

Thu 2/20 at 1 p.m. – The Impact of Delayed Retirement on Your Association’s Bottom-Line

The conundrum between employee’s retirement savings, the need for financial benefits and the ever-growing costs of healthcare impact associations whether you’re retaining a productive workforce or one that simply can’t retire. Hear about the current benefits employees are looking for from their employers, how to exceed their expectations and needs, the effect of retirement benefits on retaining and attracting staff, the impact of managing an aging workforce and climbing healthcare costs, which financial benefits can help you meet your employees’ expectations and better prepare them to retire timely while reducing healthcare costs, how you can get a customized projection of your employee’s retirement readiness, and balancing financial goals and spending on benefits. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.

Host: ASAE

Speaker: Shelly Howard-Horwitz, AIF, CPFA, Managing Director of World Investment Advisors

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

More info/register.

Host: Jeff De Cagna, Executive Advisor, Foresight First

Thu 2/20 at 4 p.m. – Transform Your Sponsorship Strategy: Data-Driven Ideas to Boost Non-Dues Revenue

Learn how to harness data insights to develop new and compelling sponsorship opportunities that resonate with both your audience and potential sponsors. Discover the essential metrics and KPIs to track the success of your sponsorship initiatives, ensuring you can demonstrate clear ROI and impact. Master techniques for using data-driven narratives to effectively convince sponsors of the value and benefits of investing in your innovative sponsorship ideas. More info/register.

Host: ASAE Reston Loudoun Swap

Speakers:

Barbara J. Armentrout, Founder and Key Principal, BJA Solutions for Associations
Joe Colangelo, Co-Founder and CEO, Bear Analytics
Vinnu Deshetty, Event ROI Coach

Fri 2/21 at 1 p.m. – Creating Learner-Centric eLearning: Design Strategies That Drive Real Results

Host: Blue Sky eLearn

Speakers: Jordan Baker, M.Ed., Learning Solutions Advisor, and Dr. Kristen Wall, MA EdD, Director of Learning & Development, Blue Sky eLearn

Fri 2/21 at 2 p.m. – Why Your Data Matters & What You Can Do With It

Host: Higher Logic

Speakers:

Christin Berry, CAE, VP, Business Analytics & Data Services, ASAE: The Center for Association Leadership
David Jovel, Sales Engineering Director, Higher Logic

Fri 2/21 at 3 p.m. – Nonprofit Consultants Collaborative Monthly Networking Meeting

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

Tue 2/25 at 11 a.m. – Deep Dive: 2025 Membership Performance Benchmark Report

Host: ASI

Tue 2/25 at 11 a.m. – Identity-Driven Leadership: Harnessing Self-Identity for Effective Influence

Host: UST Education

Speaker: Austin Campbell, Leadership Doctor

Tue 2/25 at 12 p.m. – Black Women in Association Tech. How Did They Do It?

Host: Association Women Technology Champions

Speakers:

Chantal Almonord, CAE, Chief Information & Engagement Officer, ISPOR
Monica Pemberton, Vice President and CIO, American Council on Education

Wed 2/26 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. – Marketing Technology Demo Day

Host: ASAE

Participants: Alley Interactive, Blend Interactive, Aplusify, Higher Logic, HubSpot, Rasa.io, Clowder by ASI, Kitaboo by BookIt Digital

Wed 2/26 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 2/26 at 12 p.m. – Planning Your Best Yet Corporate Retreat

Host: Braintrust Professional Institute

Speakers: Dwayne Rutherford, Corporate Event Planner, and Randall Craig, Hall of Fame Business Speaker and Retreat Facilitator

Wed 2/26 at 1 p.m. – Unlock the Power of Marketing AI

Host: UST Education

Speaker: Erica Salm Rench, MBA, CMO at Sidecar

Wed 2/26 from 3:30 to 5 p.m. – Chapter & Component Relations: Challenges Are Opportunities (Arlington VA)

Host: Rogue Tulips Consulting

Thu 2/27 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. – How to Design a Product Portfolio

Host: James Young, founder, Product Community

Thu 2/27 from 3 to 6 p.m. – 2025 AWTC Awards Ceremony & Reception (Washington DC)

Join us to celebrate AWTC’s Awards winners with a pre-social and post-networking event recognizing women in association technology. Location: Washington DC. More info/register.

Host: Association Women Technology Champions

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 it’s scheduled.

Public domain painting, Niagara by Frederic Edwin Church, 1857 via Wikimedia Commons

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: 2.7.25

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

“The voice of beauty speaks softly; it creeps only into the most fully awakened souls.” — Friedrich Nietzsche

Social events. Here’s a problem your association can solve. “Everyone wants to attend parties, but no one wants to throw them.” Ellen Cushing at The Atlantic says Americans need to party more. “We are obligated to create the social world we want.” Do your members want more social events? Ask them and, while you’re at it, bring up the next article’s topic.

Anti-social behavior. Jedidajah Otte at The Guardian explains why many people no longer host parties: guests who neither reply to invites nor show up. She says, “People feel they don’t owe anyone anything.” Flaking out has become accepted behavior because of the “fetishization of introversion.”

Ugh, this behavior is lame, selfish, childish, and rude. Using introversion as a crutch for avoiding people and discomfort is a path to weakness and softness, a loser’s life. Yeah, I said it and I’m an introvert, so I get how tempting room service or a good book is when a reception or social outing is on the agenda. But I’m an adult who understands this: people are the whole point of life.

The article went into other reasons for not showing up, but these negative character traits get under my skin because I dread living in a society where this is acceptable behavior.

What does this have to do with associations? Know what you’re up against. This behavior has always existed, but I fear it’s more prevalent in young people now. Have conversations with volunteers and staff about how you can all set an example for others. Make social and educational events more conducive to conversation—plenty of online resources offer advice on facilitating interaction and connection.

Association SEO course. Earn up to 5 CAE credits by taking the SEO for Associations Certificate Course. Learn about Search Engine Optimization (SEO) at your own pace in five one-hour on-demand lessons that cover the important elements of SEO for association websites. This course describes immediate steps and long-term strategies that will help your association attract more website traffic by improving your ranking with Google, Bing, and other search engines. Save $50 with the promo code BRAINFOOD.

AMS selection. If you’re embarking on an AMS project, start your research by reviewing 108 Ideaspace’s list of issues to consider when selecting an association management system (AMS), such as reporting, security, API, technology partners, access control, cost of ownership, vendor stability, and the ability to expand software capabilities as your needs change.

Vendor acquisitions. Over the years, we’ve seen lots of outside players buy or invest in association technology firms. Michael Butera describes the challenges arising from the entry of these venture capitalists into the association space and ways your association can mitigate these risks.

Product development. Joan Westenberg found the formula for making “something people give a shit about.” She also shares examples of companies who built successful products but lost sight of what made them great.

Microlearning. eLearningDOC explains why microlearning is an ideal learning format for busy professionals and how to add it to your association’s education portfolio.

Coaching volunteer leaders. Providing effective volunteer training without veering into information overwhelm is tricky, but not when you have Mariner Management & Marketing at your side. They provide helpful tips for creating a 12-month training strategy so each volunteer receives the right amount of learning at their moment of need.

Employee onboarding. Cloey Callahan at WorkLife describes some of the upskilling challenges faced by companies when onboarding employees who are new to the workplace. Associations, how can you help member employers? I’ve got a couple of ideas: industry jump-start courses and early-career microcredentials/digital badges.

Snack pack

How to ensure your association’s communications cut through the inbox clutter. | Sarah Sain, CAE, Naylor Association Solutions

The power of personalized member engagement: why it’s critical for associations and how to get started. | Sherry Budziak, .orgSource

Five data-backed methods to improve your association’s marketing | Brianna Martin, Mighty Citizen via ASAE

Never use American Express for test purchases. | Mike Stelzner, Social Media Examiner & Social Media Marketing World

The advantages of psychographics over demographics and ways to gather them. | Liz Willits, Content Phenom

How to raise readers, in 35 steps. | Brad East, Front Porch Republic

You never grow old at the table

My BJ’s now sells 2# packs of frozen RI calamari so I’ve vowed to keep one always on hand. We enjoyed calamari in tomato sauce with fettuccine. I added bacon and tomato paste to the sauce and used puréed whole tomatoes instead of stewed, plus I doubled the sauce recipe so we had enough to toss with pasta.

On the side, garlic bread made from leftover cheesesteak rolls, plus a green bean sauté with mushrooms, bacon, onion, red bell pepper, garlic, sun-dried tomatoes, and chives.

An old favorite: creamy salmon piccata, which I adapted by using onion instead of shallots and evaporated milk instead of heavy cream.

The bonus of making the Christmas turkey in your kitchen: leftover turkey in the freezer. I used a few cups of it to make this delicious turkey pot pie. The only change I made was skipping the mushrooms. On the side, halves of a nuked sweet potato and broccoli roasted with red onion and garlic powder.

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 2/7 at 12:30 p.m.* – Legalese with the Ladies: What Washington Has in Store for Events in 2025

Hear how the changing political landscape could shake up the events industry. More info/register.

Host: HopSkip

Speakers:

Kelly Bagnall, Partner, Holland & Knight
Barbara Dunn, Partner, Barnes & Thornburg
Joel Roberson, Partner, Holland & Knight

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

Mon 2/10 at 8 a.m. – The Dangers of Overcommitting (Radio Free 501c, the podcast of Rogue Tulips Consulting)

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

Guest: Kelsey Casselbury, SHRM

Mon 2/10 at 12 p.m. – Membership Monday

Hear about an innovative member onboarding program designed to carefully curate the initial 90 days of a member’s journey with your organization. More info/register (ASAE members only).

Host: ASAE

Speaker: Kerri McGovern, MPP, CAE, Senior Director, Membership, Association of Corporate Counsel

Tue 2/11 at 12 p.m. – Tech Tuesday: Inside the Minds of CIOs

In today’s fast-paced tech landscape, CIOs face unique challenges and opportunities that shape their strategic decisions. Explore critical issues such as cybersecurity threats, the transformative power of AI and automation, and the complexities of cloud computing. Hear about the future of work for association professionals and how CIOs are leveraging data analytics to drive innovation and enhance member value. More info/register (ASAE members only).

Host: ASAE

Facilitators: Reggie Henry, ASAE and David Coriale, DelCor

Tue 2/11 at 12 p.m. – LGBTQIA2+ 2025 Community Call

Host: ASAE LGBTQ Association Executives and Supporters

Tue 2/11 at 1 p.m. – How to Future-Proof Your Organization

Discover how evolving member expectations and behaviors are reshaping organizational priorities and strategies. Learn to recognize and analyze key metrics that impact member engagement and loyalty. Receive practical tips for future-proofing your organization, with a focus on daily, monthly, and yearly initiatives that drive lasting impact. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.

Host: Forj

Speaker: Sarah Sladek, CEO of XYZ University

Wed 2/12 at 11 a.m. – The Keys to Marketing Across Generations in 2025

Discover how tech adoption timing influences everything from trust to buying cycles, and learn about the different ways generations approach content consumption and purchasing decisions. Explore self-education styles and the psychology behind it all. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.

Host: UST Education

Speakers:

Sam Bush, Partner Marketing Manager, Netstock
Kate Coffey-Bacon, VP of Marketing and Events, US Transactions Corporation/UST Education
Mary Miller, Director of Marketing, PayTrace

Wed 2/12 at 12 p.m. – How Cross-Team Collaboration Can Unlock Untapped Revenue

Breaking down silos between departments can unlock hidden revenue potential, drive engagement, and future-proof your association’s financial health. Learn how to foster cross-departmental collaboration to create new revenue opportunities. Hear lessons from for-profit businesses that associations can leverage to diversify revenue. Learn how to measure success and ensure alignment between revenue goals and member engagement. More info/register.

Host: WorkerBee.TV

Speakers:

Sue Marchese, VP of Marketing Strategy at ASAE
Marcus Leite, Director, Sales and Marketing, WorkerBee.TV

Wed 2/12 at 1 p.m. – Authenticity in an AI-Driven World: How to Stand Out Without Selling Out

Learn how to optimize your digital presence for AI-powered search without sacrificing institutional voice. Hear how to create content strategies that preserve institutional voice while optimizing for AI, implement technical optimizations for enhanced visibility in AI search, apply proven strategies from real-world AI search success stories, build scalable frameworks for consistent, high-impact content, and put an exclusive optimization guide to work immediately. More info/register.

Host: American Marketing Association

Speakers: University of Iowa CMO Ali Yildirim and Everspring CMO Michael Bell

Wed 2/12 at 2 p.m. – Navigating Data Privacy Laws

Hear about the latest data privacy legislation and practical considerations for responsibly collecting and managing attendee data. Learn about the key components of new data privacy laws and their impact on event planning, best practices for collecting, storing and using attendee data while maintaining compliance, and upcoming AI regulations and their potential effects on event data. 1 CMP credit. More info/register.

Host: Northstar Meetings Group

Speaker: Jill Joerling Blood, Vice President and Lead Legal Counsel, Maritz

Thu 2/13 at 12:30 p.m. – When the Government Comes Knocking at Your Nonprofit’s Door—How to Be Prepared and What to Do

Although it is difficult to accurately predict what practices will cause the government to issue a demand, send a subpoena, or come knocking at the door, organizations can take concrete steps to help ensure they are prepared should that day come. Learn how to help ensure your nonprofit is prepared to respond to document and investigative demands before they happen, including best practices for business communications and document retention. More info/register.

Host: Venable LLP

Speakers: Kan M. Nawaday and Mary M. Gardner, Partners, Venable LLP

Thu 2/13 at 1 p.m. – The Path to Learning Business Maturity

Learning businesses must take their operations to a new level of maturity in order to thrive. Learn about the Tagoras Learning Business Maturity Model, its components, and, most importantly, how learning businesses can—and do—implement the model in a way that puts them on a clear, measurable path to greater maturity and, by extension, greater reach, revenue, and impact. More info/register.

Host: Jeff Cobb and Celisa Steele of Tagoras

Thu 2/13 at 1 p.m. – Unleash Your Personal Brand: Transform Your Personality Into a Competitive Edge

Learn how to identify, shape, and promote your unique personal brand. By leveraging your authentic personality traits and core values, find out how to differentiate yourself and create a powerful narrative that resonates with your audience—whether you’re looking to enhance your career, build a business, or expand your professional network. Discover how to turn your personality into a competitive advantage that drives both personal and professional success. More info/register.

Host: UST Education

Speaker: Kate Coffey-Bacon, VP of Marketing and Events, US Transactions Corporation/UST Education

Thu 2/13 at 1 p.m. – Marketing Automation in 2025: The Hits, The Misses, and The Opportunities

Are your marketing automation workflows truly driving results, or are they stuck in surface-level tactics? Hear about marketing automation trends, challenges, and untapped opportunities that will define 2025. From multi-channel customer journey orchestration to AI-driven optimization, this session will provide actionable strategies and practical frameworks to elevate your automation success. More info/register.

Host: American Marketing Association

Speakers: Jennifer Blanco, Head of Customer Marketing, and Kat Geivett, Head of Marketing, Act-On Software

Thu 2/13 at 2 p.m. – Elite Performance Tips for Managing Attendee Energy

Learn how to design an agenda to maximize engagement and retention. Get tips for menus that keep people alert and wellness activities that everyone will appreciate. More info/register.

Host: Smart Meetings

Speakers:

Jess Garza
David Stevens, co-founder of Olympian Meetings

Thu 2/13 at 3 p.m. – Association Chat Insider Weekly Recap

Come together with the association community to chat about the hot topics that matter most. Our meetings are a safe space: no recordings, no live streams—just real, raw conversations. Want to explore what’s buzzing in the association world? This is your weekly chance to connect, share, and learn from one another. More info/register.

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

Thu 2/13 at 3 p.m. – AI Trends for the New Year: A Practical Guide

Explore the top AI trends set to make waves in the coming year. Hear what these trends mean for associations and share practical tips on how to use AI to boost member engagement, simplify your operations, and stay ahead of the game. Learn how to make the most of these emerging tools. More info/register.

Host: Member Lounge

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

Thu 2/13 at 3 p.m. – Membership Management: How to Boost Engagement and Retention

What’s the cost of losing a single member? For associations and organizations, it’s more than just revenue—it’s lost opportunities for growth and community impact. Learn what truly drives engagement and retention and get practical strategies tailored to your members’ needs. Hear from experts who’ve cracked the code on creating value, fostering loyalty, and turning members into advocates. More info/register.

Host: NXUnite by Nexus Marketing Agency

Speakers:

Cameron Curtis, President & Chief Innovator at C2 Association Strategies
Thomas McClintock, Senior Client Services Manager at Empowered Margins
Tony Rossell, Senior Vice President at Marketing General Incorporated
Bryan White, Chief Growth Officer & Chief Consultant at Bostrom

Fri 2/14 at 11 a.m. – Give Your LinkedIn Profile Some Love

Host: Association Women Technology Champions

Speakers:

Danielle Duran Baron, Vice President, Marketing, Communications & Industry Relations, School Nutrition Association
Jen Lewi, Founder & CEO, Design Your Next Step

Wed 2/19 at from 9 to 11:30 a.m. CST – How Skills and Credentials Intersect with Regulation and Policy (Chicago, IL)

Host: Certification Network Group

Speakers:

Dale Cyr, MBA, CAE, CEO, Inteleos
Larry Lynch, CAE, FASAE, Sr. Vice President, Health Safety & Regulatory Services, National Restaurant Association
Roy Swift, PhD, Executive Director, Workcred
Amanda Winters, Program Director, Postsecondary Education, National Governor’s Association
Christine D. Niero, PhD (moderator), Vice President, Professional Testing, Inc.

Wed 2/19 at 2 p.m. – Developing Learner Personas with Member Insights

Host: PropFuel

Wed 2/19 from 3:30 to 5:20 p.m. CST – Toast to Tech with AWTC (Chicago, IL)

Host: Association Women Technology Champions

Thu 2/20 at 10 a.m. – Planning a Successful Website Redesign from RFP to Launch

Is a website redesign in your future? Learn how to get started, budget for a redesign, get the best results, design your RFP, and choose the best partner. More info/register.

Host: Results Direct

Speakers: Laura Graham, Sr. Solutions Consultant, and Cecilia Satovich, Executive VP, Results Direct

Thu 2/20 at 12 p.m. – Building Trust Through Ethics: Best Practices for Association Professionals

Host: Association Xchange

Speaker: Shawna Strickland, PhD, CAE, Associate Executive Director, Programs, American Epilepsy Society

Thu 2/20 at 12:30 p.m. – Future-Proof Your Continuing Education Program: Maximize Member Engagement and Revenue Growth

Host: .orgCommunity

Speakers: Evan Burton, Head of Growth, and Emily Leary, VP of Customer Success, BenchPrep

Thu 2/20 at 1 p.m. – AI Tools To Level Up Your Membership Marketing

Host: UST Education

Speaker: Eric McDonald, CEO at Rasa.IO

Thu 2/20 at 4 p.m. – Transform Your Sponsorship Strategy: Data-Driven Ideas to Boost Non-Dues Revenue

Host: ASAE Reston Loudoun Swap

Speakers:

Barbara J. Armentrout, Founder and Key Principal, BJA Solutions for Associations
Joe Colangelo, Co-Founder and CEO, Bear Analytics
Vinnu Deshetty, Event ROI Coach

Fri 2/21 at 2 p.m. – Why Your Data Matters & What You Can Do With It

Host: Higher Logic

Speakers:

Christin Berry, CAE, VP, Business Analytics & Data Services, ASAE: The Center for Association Leadership
David Jovel, Sales Engineering Director, Higher Logic

Creative Commons licensed photo by Stephen Ellis via Unsplash

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Association Brain Food: 1.31.25

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

“The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you’ll go.” —Dr. Seuss

Association survey. MGI’s 2025 Membership Marketing Benchmarking Survey is closing next Friday. I strongly encourage your association’s participation. I use data from MGI’s survey report more than any other research in our space. For the 17^th edition of the survey, they’ve added questions on AI, workforce development, and generational changes. Want to make a case for resources or for celebrating your success? Then please add your association’s data to this research.

Writers and AI. Ok, this one is self-serving, but factual. Craig Guillot, a fellow freelance writer, explains why human writers are superior to ChatGPT and other AI tools. I’ll add one more reason: many writers have been in your client’s (or member’s) shoes. They truly understand your target audience’s experiences and emotions. An AI tool can’t replicate that.

Online learning strategy. D2L describes how to design and implement an effective online learning strategy, including its vision and purpose, necessary resources and expertise, success criteria, communication plan, and assessment.

Social media for associations. Amanda Brahlek at Parthenon Management Group shares a useful review of social media platforms, metrics, and trends, with a focus on Bluesky. Social media is ever-changing. She offers advice for using social to achieve marketing and sales goals and describes the problems associations might encounter.

Career centers. Elizabeth Engel of Spark Consulting describes career center challenges associations are facing—and improvements to consider. She shares the calculations every association must make about programs, products, and services.

Young professionals. YM Careers provides advice for attracting young people to your association and keeping them close by delivering the value they need. They explain how to help Gen Z connect with employers, find jobs, jump-start their careers, and make career decisions.

The looming membership cliff. Demographic shifts and private equity are putting pressure on traditional membership models. Joanna Pineda of Matrix Group International describes strategies for mitigating the membership cliff.

Membership strategy. With competition from for-profits, online networks, and tech-driven platforms, Kim Davies at Naylor offers a more innovative and data-driven membership blueprint to help associations thrive.

Snacks

A little nerdy, but need-to-know info for marketers… what’s the difference between Generative Engine Optimization (GEO) and Search Engine Optimization (SEO)? | David Myers, Nexus Marketing Agency

Something fundamental has changed that makes it more difficult to get event marketing messages in front of members, customers, and prospects. | Mike Stelzner

You never grow old at the table

I never tire of pork with cranberry-herb sauce, maybe because of my native Bristol County MA love for cranberries—and it’s a snap to put together. On the side, “baked” sweet potatoes and roasted broccoli with red onion and garlic powder. Confession: I nuked the sweet potatoes for about eight minutes after piercing them all over with the tip of a knife—saves a lot of time.

Boy, this was good: Peruvian roasted chicken with spicy cilantro sauce—put the link into this archive site to get behind the NYT paywall. Don’t let the hard-to-find chile paste ingredients put you off. I used sriracha for the aji amarillo paste and ancho for the pasilla chile powder. I only used four bone-in thighs but made the full amount of sauce since it’s good on everything.

My husband, his family, and some framily are from southern New Jersey, so I live amidst Eagles “phanatics.” We had the whole crew over on Sunday to watch the game and eat cheesesteaks at half time. We found two-pound packages of thinly sliced beef at BJ’s, which saved us lots of slicing time.

Before everyone arrived, I spread the beef on two sheet pans and convection cooked them about five minutes, until just done. I sauteed onions, sweet bell peppers, and mushrooms in separate batches. Just before halftime, I nuked each bowl toppings and heated the meat on the stove with a bit of beef broth and Worcester (4:1 ratio). Then, I put two sheet pans of BJ’s grinder rolls topped with cheese into a low oven to toast and melt. Everyone made their own sandwiches with whatever toppings they wanted. The cheesesteaks were a big hit—and much more satisfying than cold deli meat sandwiches.

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.

Mon 2/3 at 8 a.m.* – How are Associations Like Planet of the Apes? (Radio Free 501c, the podcast of Rogue Tulips Consulting)

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

Guest: Carl Weaver, Broken Column Press

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

Mon 2/3 at 1 p.m. – Building Association Large Language Models

Learn how ASAE implemented Stellar, the LLM trained on association management content. Get a behind-the-scenes look at the entire process, from concept to execution, including: initial exploration; identifying organizational needs and aligning them with AI capabilities; clarifying strategy, goals and KPIs; garnering buy-in, both on an individual and organization level; legal considerations; technology behind the tool; day-to-day management; and how Stellar is driving innovation and delivering value to members. 1 CAE credit. More info/register (free for ASAE members only).

Host: ASAE

Speakers:

Johanna Gundlach, Chief Operating Officer, Betty Bot
Reggie Henry, CAE, Chief Information & Performance Excellence, ASAE
Truman Towle, Data Analyst, ASAE

Tue 2/4 at 11 a.m. – Authentic, Trusted Content in an Era of Uncertainty

In an era of AI and unreliable news, there’s an opportunity for associations and other organizations to step into the gap as trusted sources for content. Learn about the principles of this approach and see examples of content that can be trusted. By tapping into a network of staff, members, clients, and partners, organizations can craft content in a variety of formats that is authentic and will serve to attract others. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.

Host: UST Education

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

Tue 2/4 at 12 p.m. – AI Adoption, Training and Tools (Data Analytics Network)

What AI tools are you using? How are organizations managing adoption and training? Let’s assume you haven’t looked at the AI policy you created last year! Come hear AI strategies from your fellow association executives. More info/register.

Host: Data Analytics Network

Tue 2/4 at 12 p.m. – Business Growth Hacking Lab

To grow your membership and non-dues revenue to the next level, what changes must be made in marketing, tech, people, and business development? How are you assessing the ROI of your current investments: events, email database, website, social media, and CRM? Learn about journey-mapping, connecting the funnel, and the use of content and tech to drive inbound marketing—from digital/real-world interactions through marketing automation, CRM, and operational delivery. Hear about past client recapture, “land and expand,” referral strategies, and best practice proposal and pitch tactics. More info/register.

Host: Braintrust Professional Institute

Speakers: Randall Craig and Ronja Francoeur, Braintrust Professional Institute

Tue 2/4 at 1 p.m. – How to Win: Be a Category of One (Leadership for SMBs and Entrepreneurs)

Learn how to become a Category of One where you win by not competing and following principles, such as: Work on Yourself, Build Organizational Culture, Use Atomic Habits, Focus on a Niche, and Create a Compelling Saga. Discover strategies to position your organization as a “category of one” and unlock new leadership potential. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.

Host: UST Education

Speaker: Wade Tetsuka, CPA, President, UST

Wed 2/5 at 12 p.m. – The Seven Deadly Sins of Membership Marketing

Membership marketing has witnessed continual innovations over the years. However, many associations still experience challenges in sustaining thriving membership. Research data and experience highlight the barriers that hold back growth. We call these the Seven Deadly Sins of Membership Marketing. Learn how to identify and overcome them as Tony Rossell discusses his new book of the same name. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.

Host: AIOT

Speaker: Tony Rossell, Senior Vice President, Marketing General Inc. (MGI)

Wed 2/5 from 12 to 2 p.m. – Building the Executive AI Playbook: How AI Will Power Your Association into the Future (Arlington VA)

AI presents many opportunities to enhance member engagement, employee engagement, revenue, risk mitigation, and more. In this workshop exclusively for association executives, learn how associations are using AI today, key risks and opportunities to explore, and how to incorporate AI into your strategic vision. Location: Arlington VA. More info/register.

Host: Matrix Group

Speakers:

Heinan Landa, CEO of Optimal Networks
Joanna Pineda, CEO and Chief Troublemaker of Matrix Group International

Wed 2/5 at 12 p.m. – Mastering Media Momentum: How to Consistently Earn Coverage and Build Industry Presence

Discover how to identify compelling stories within your association that align with industry trends and member values. Learn how to develop narratives that not only capture attention but also drive media engagement, and use breaking news and current events to position your association as a thought leader in your field. From strategic pitching to cultivating strong media relationships, get actionable tips to amplify your visibility. More info/register.

Host: OnWrd & UpWrd

Speakers: Colleen Gallagher, President & CEO, and Meghan Henning, Senior PR Strategist, OnWrd & UpWrd

Wed 2/5 at 1 p.m. – Crafting Personalized Journeys for First-Year Members

Today’s members expect a personalized experience from day one. We’re here to introduce an approach that will help you provide just that. Learn how to create custom paths that guide members through their first year and encourage them to explore resources, connect with peers, and engage with your association in ways that resonate most with them. More info/register.

Host: PropFuel

Wed 2/5 at 1 p.m. – Practical Innovation: Small Thinking for Actionable Impact

Learn how to use product “tear downs” to spot innovation opportunities, challenge your assumptions and observe current behaviors to develop new ideas, and mitigate risk and build an innovation culture. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.

Host: Fonteva

Speaker: Rebecca Andree O’Brien, MBA, CAE, Association Executive Director, Institute of Real Estate Management Foundation

Wed 2/5 at 2 p.m. – 7 Unique Webinar Formats You Should Try in 2025

Hear about innovative webinar formats and strategies for engaging diverse audiences and achieving marketing goals. Learn how to refresh your webinar approach with gamification, tailored experiences, and short-form formats. More info/register.

Host: Content Marketing Institute

Speakers:

Mark Bornstein, VP, Content Marketing and Chief Evangelist, ON24
Stephanie Stahl, Managing Director, Content Marketing Institute

Thu 2/6 at 8 a.m. – Reining in America’s $3.3 Trillion Tax-Exempt Economy (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! This special episode will be released Thursday morning 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: Scott Hodge, author of the white paper Reining in America’s $3.3 Trillion Tax-Exempt Economy, and Tax and Fiscal Policy Fellow, Arnold Ventures

Thu 2/6 at 10 a.m. – 5 Strategies For Driving Member Engagement in 2025

Many associations are challenged with engaging members on a consistent and ongoing basis. Mobile apps have become an integral part of member engagement and with the blend of the four Cs – Content, Community, Conferences, and Communication – are transforming member experience. Find out how to understand your members’ engagement needs, drive greater member participation, engage your members before, during and after your events, and leverage the latest mobile technologies to drive engagement. More info/register.

Host: Results Direct

Speaker: Michael Jones, Vice President of Mobile Technologies, Results Direct | RD Mobile

Thu 2/6 at 12 p.m. – Looking Forward 2025 Impact: First Look at Trends and Analysis

Hear about data from Looking Forward 2025 Impact, an examination of 75 critical factors affecting association members and the potential impacts on association strategy, including economic, information and technology, workforce, government, global as well as stakeholder perceptions. Learn what associations are doing to strategically adapt and how to use custom reporting to facilitate conversations that are unique to your board or staff with access to the complimentary Looking Forward Dashboard, which houses three key studies of the association sector–Impact, Challenges and Solutions. More info/register.

Host: Association Laboratory

Speakers: Nikki Golden, CAE, Strategist; Felicia Kenan, JM, MPA, CAE, CMP, Strategist; and Dean A West, FASAE, President, Association Laboratory

Thu 2/6 at 12 p.m. – Navigating AMS Selection and Implementation with Confidence

Learn how to get the most out of AMS product demos, build the best request for proposal (RFP) to articulate specific needs and assess vendors on clear criteria, understand how to estimate total costs (including licensing, implementation, training, and ongoing maintenance), plan a successful implementation and set clear organizational goals with all stakeholders. More info/register.

Host: Momentive Software

Thu 2/6 at 1 p.m. – Microsoft VS Google Workspace: Choosing the Right Platform

Learn how to identify factors to consider when selecting a nonprofit IT platform such as Microsoft or Google Workspace, compare the features and philosophy of each platform, evaluate the advantages and drawbacks of each platform, and determine whether and when it may be appropriate to switch between platforms. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.

Host: UST Education

Speakers: Johan Hammerstrom, CEO, and Steve Longenecker, Director of IT Consulting, Community IT Innovators

Thu 2/6 at 2 p.m. – Up Your Website Game in 2025

Learn about the tools, strategies, and best practices to optimize website content, stay compliant, promote accessibility, and ensure your audience remains engaged and returns to your sitea gain and again. Hear about the latest web design trends that captivate visitors, key factors for providing a productive digital experience, and practical tools and resources to elevate your site without breaking the bank. More info/register.

Host: 501Works

Speakers: Jim Faris, Creative Director, and James Marquis, CIO, 501Works

Thu 2/6 at 2 p.m. – FAB Community Dialogue Webinar

Join a discussion of critical themes and takeaways from the first six months of the Future of Association Boards (FAB) Community Dialogue, including the purpose of association boards, practices associations should adopt to compose high-performing boards, and how associations should think about the relationship between board size and high performance. More info/register.

Hosts: re:Members and Jeff De Cagna AIMP FRSA FASAE, executive advisor, Foresight First

Thu 2/6 at 3 p.m. – Association Chat Insider Weekly Recap

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

Wed 2/12 at 11 a.m. – The Keys to Marketing Across Generations in 2025

Host: UST Education

Speakers:

Sam Bush, Partner Marketing Manager, Netstock
Kate Coffey-Bacon, VP of Marketing and Events, US Transactions Corporation/UST Education
Mary Miller, Director of Marketing, PayTrace

Wed 2/12 at 12 p.m. – How Cross-Team Collaboration Can Unlock Untapped Revenue

Host: WorkerBee.TV

Speakers:

Sue Marchese, VP of Marketing Strategy at ASAE
Marcus Leite, Director, Sales and Marketing, WorkerBee.TV

Thu 2/13 at 1 p.m. – Unleash Your Personal Brand: Transform Your Personality Into a Competitive Edge

Host: UST Education

Speaker: Kate Coffey-Bacon, VP of Marketing and Events, US Transactions Corporation/UST Education

Fri 2/14 at 11 a.m. – Give Your LinkedIn Profile Some Love

Host: Association Women Technology Champions

Speakers:

Danielle Duran Baron, Vice President, Marketing, Communications & Industry Relations, School Nutrition Association
Jen Lewi, Founder & CEO, Design Your Next Step

Creative Commons licensed photo by Chris Chow via Unsplash

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Association Brain Food: 1.24.25

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

“Gradually and silently the charm comes over us; the beauty has entered our souls; we know not exactly when and how.” —Frederick Law Olmsted

Awards content. TopClass LMS suggests repurposing the stories of your association’s award winners into all kinds of valuable educational content. Everyone wins with this approach: award recipients enjoy additional recognition and publicity, members benefit from timely and relatable educational content, and staff save time by repurposing content instead of creating it from scratch.

Mobile app engagement. Clowder shares nine best practices for push notifications that will help your associations inform and engage members, deliver valuable content, and keep members connected. Don’t worry, members won’t complain if the content you push out is worth their time.

Online community. GrowthZone explains how to drive members to your community platform. They suggest putting an emphasis on year-round content, networking and experiences that level out the peaks and valleys of engagement—and they provide a sample engagement plan to get you started.

Membership course. Earn up to 10 CAE credits by attending Association Academy’s popular Association Member Growth Certificate Course. The 1,000+ association execs who completed the course learned how to conduct research, develop relevant benefits, establish member content gates, improve recruitment and retention campaigns, and grow membership. The course meets for ten weeks on Thursdays, 1-2pm ET starting January 30. Save $50 with promo code BRAINFOOD. I’ve heard great things about this program so I registered—please join me there!

Association activism. Lately, several of my newsletters have mentioned an upcoming vote for members of the American Historical Association on Israel’s actions in Palestine. The bottom line, per James Hankin at Compact, is: “The AHA membership needs to resist the temptation to moral exhibitionism and confine its activism to matters within its competence and consistent with its purposes.” Something to consider if your members or board are dragging your association into current events.

Trade show floor decisions. I won’t let AI think or write for me, but I’d let it have a go at improving my trade show floor. AI sensors by Zenus track aisle traffic, booth visits and attendee energy levels to understand and optimize traffic flow, show floor layout, and booth performance.

Conference website. Tamar Beck of Gleanin believes conference websites should not become digital ghost towns after registration closes. Instead, she suggests turning them into content magnets providing resources and community for industry professionals.

Snacks

Tell me about the book you seek but cannot name. It works! | En

Why small developers are getting squeezed out of the housing market. | Coby Lefkowitz, Noahpinion

The man who saved Piero della Francesca’s early Renaissance fresco masterpiece, The Resurrection, during World War II—what a story. | Tim Butcher, BBC News

The science-backed benefits of reading. | Daria Diaz, Wellgevity Warrior

Bonjour, Napoleon! A V.R. experience lets people chat with the French emperor. How cool. | Richard Whiddington, Artnet News

Recent findings in both archaeology and DNA reveal that many of the stories we once regarded as myths appear to be true (or true-ish). | Ed West, The Spectator

You never grow old at the table

Here’s an easy dinner to throw together on a sheet pan: chunks of hot Italian sausages, red onion, red seedless grapes, and broccoli florets and stems tossed with garlic powder, salt and olive oil. Serve it over polenta.

I forgot about a goodie in the freezer: the fillets of a big catfish I caught in the fall. Some of them made an appearance in catfish with choo chee Thai curry sauce, a recipe from Nancie McDermott’s Quick & Easy Thai: 70 Everyday Recipes. This week’s version included onion, red bell pepper, jalapeño pepper, garlic, coconut milk, kale, red curry paste, fish sauce, soy sauce, palm sugar, garlic chives, cilantro and southeast Asian pesto.

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.

Mon 1/27 at 8 a.m.* – Supporting Those with Disabilities (Radio Free 501c, the podcast of Rogue Tulips Consulting)

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

Guest: Jake Steinman, Travel Ability

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

Tue 1/28 at 12 p.m. – Trends Talk: January 2025

Now more than ever, leaders and companies are being held accountable for their actions. At the end of 2024, the number of Gen Zs in the workforce surpassed the Baby Boomers. As a result, we can expect this trend to accelerate. As the first generation raised using social media, Gen Z is accustomed to using their voices for change and sharing their opinions via platforms as well as protests. Learn how to plan for and manage an unexpected challenge, crisis or public scrutiny of your organization. More info/register.

Host: Sarah Sladek, CEO and Founder, XYZ University

Guest: Adele Gambardella, CEO, Convincing Company

Tue 1/28 at 12 p.m. – Adapt or Fade: The CEO’s Guide to Thriving in the Learning Economy of 2025

Learn about the top trends reshaping the professional learning industry in 2025, critical risks and opportunities learning leaders must tackle head-on, real-world insights from top learning leaders on their 2025 goals and investment, and actionable strategies to align your programs with evolving learner expectations. More info/register.

Host: BenchPrep

Speaker: Ashish Rangnekar, CEO of BenchPrep

Wed 1/29 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. – EventTech Demo Day

Join us for this just-in-time EventTech Platforms demo day featuring presentations from a limited number of industry partners that offer EventTech Platforms. More info/register.

Host: ASAE

Participants: Momentive Software, Fourwaves, eShow, Personify A2Z Events, Conexiant DXP, eventPower, Cadmium, Swapcard, Matchbox, Snapsight

Wed 1/29 at 11 a.m. – Content Governance: Ensuring Sustainable Content Success

Content governance is defining the “rules of the road” for creating better content sustainably. This session will cover what should be included in content governance, as well as some governance models. Through conversation and breakouts, we will help participants identify their current state and opportunities to adopt governance in their organizations. More info/register.

Host: Hilary Marsh, President & Chief Strategist, Content Company, Inc.

Wed 1/29 at 11 a.m. – Understanding Standard Monthly Financial Statements

Learn about the standard set of monthly financial statements you should be receiving from your finance team and what you should be looking for. We’ll break down the financial statements into “human speak” and equip you with more knowledge so that you can properly interact with your financial statements – and hopefully your finance team – going forward. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.

Host: UST Education

Speaker: Yevgeniy Sukhenko, Partner at Outsourced Accounting & Advisory Services

Wed 1/29 at 12 p.m. – New Year, New Data: Let’s Make Every Goal Count!

Whether you’re looking to refine your data strategy, tackle new initiatives, or just level up your data game, this is the perfect place to start. In this interactive, round table-style event, you’ll have the chance to share your goals and plans, tap into the collective wisdom of fellow data enthusiasts, hold each other accountable, and learn from each other’s experiences by diving into the wins, the lessons, and the “oops” moments. Plus, we’re all about motivating each other, so we’ll do a mid-year and end-of-year check-in to see how everyone’s doing. More info/register.

Host: Association Women Technology Champions

Wed 1/29 at 12 p.m. – Maximizing the ROI for Your Association’s Online Community

Learn what ROI is and why it matters for your online community, how to build an online community that achieves your KPIs, ways to keep your members engaged and happy, strategies to monetize your online community and how to sustain long-term growth. More info/register.

Host: GrowthZone

Speaker: community expert, Jessica Rickel

Wed 1/29 at 12 p.m. – Building Connections That Count: Association Partnerships and Sponsorships

Learn how partnerships expand an association’s reach and amplify its impact. Hear about effective strategies for identifying and attracting ideal partners and sponsors, best practices for fostering lasting relationships with current and potential sponsors, leveraging technology to optimize sponsorship activation and effectiveness, and overcoming common challenges in association sponsorships. More info/register.

Host: NXUnite by Nexus Marketing

Speakers:

David Coyne, CFRE, President at The Sheridan Group
Peter Deitz, Co-founder at Unwrapit
Shelbey Lang, Program Manager at AMR Management Services
Lomesh Shah, Chief Executive Officer at Tradewing

Wed 1/29 at 1 p.m. – Top 5 Credentialing Trends for Associations to Consider in 2025

The professional credentialing landscape is undergoing a radical transformation. Learn about the five most critical trends that will define professional certification in the coming year giving association leaders the strategic insights they need to stay ahead of the curve. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.

Host: UST Education

Speakers:

Chris Capistran, President, Cobalt
Pam Weber, M.P.A., CAE, Vice President of the National Apartment Association Education Institute

Wed 1/29 at 1 p.m. – What Planners Need to Know About AV

AV is a costly, often confusing aspect of planning meetings and events, from the basic terminology involved to accurately assessing what is a “need” instead of an expensive “nice to have.” Planners can also feel their options are limited due to venue requirements to work with in-house AV providers, which is not always set in stone. Learn how to determine if an AV provider can meet the needs of an event, basic AV terminology and terms to better understand what your actual event AV needs are in relation to your budget, and the top 10 questions you should ask your AV company. 1 CMP credit. More info/register.

Host: Meetings Today

Speaker: Eric Newkirk, past president of the Event Production Network (EPN) and VP of Design & Creative for AVFX

Wed 1/29 at 2 p.m. – Elevate Your Email Campaigns: Data-Driven Insights for 2025

Hear insights from Higher Logic’s annual Association Email Benchmark Report, tailored specifically for marketers in associations and nonprofits. Discover key trends and actionable strategies to elevate your email marketing and boost member engagement. More info/register.

Host: Higher Logic

Speakers: Alison Donato, Senior Advisor, and Kelly Whelan, Content Marketing Manager, Higher Logic

Wed 1/29 at 2 p.m. – What’s Next in Sustainable Meetings and Events

As global awareness of environmental impacts grows, the events industry is adapting to the demand for sustainable practices. Explore the latest trends and strategies for accelerating green initiatives at events in 2025, including topics such as reducing carbon footprints, conserving resources, effective waste management, and responsible purchasing. 1 CMP credit. More info/register.

Host: Northstar Meetings Group

Speakers:

Shawna McKinley, teacher, writer, researcher and consultant
Brianna Treat, Director of Sustainability, Climate Pledge Arena and the Seattle Kraken
Sarah J.F. Braley (moderator), Managing Editor, Northstar Meetings Group

Wed 1/29 at 2 p.m. – Finance, Business Operations, and HR January Monthly MeetUp

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

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

Wed 1/29 at 3 p.m. – The Data-Informed Association, Part 1: Leading With Analytics

Every day, associations are inundated with valuable data, and often don’t realize the full potential of what they collect. Learn how to tap into the data you collect to make great decisions. Find out how volunteer leaders and boards of directors should have access to the data, and what key points to deliver. More info/register.

Host: Association Analytics

Speakers: Bill Conforti, SVP of Strategy & Solutions, and Merritt Rohlfing, Sr. Marketing Manager, Association Analytics

Thu 1/30 at 10 a.m. – Navigating the Political Shift: Strategic Insights for Trade Associations Post-Elections in the EU and US

Big changes are happening on both sides of the Atlantic. How will the recent EU and US election results impact global industries, trade associations, and the policies shaping our future? Learn how political shifts in the EU and US will redefine key policy priorities. Hear about opportunities for transatlantic collaboration in critical industries like agri-food, energy, and transport, and proven strategies for trade associations to influence policy and adapt to evolving challenges. More info/register.

Host: Kellen

Speakers:

Brando Benifei, Member of European Parliament
Christopher Krueger, Executive Vice President of Public Affairs, Kellen
Kate McNulty, Senior Associate, Covington
Maria Teresa Scardigli, Managing Director, Kellen Brussels

Thu 1/30 at 2 p.m. – 3 Ways to Increase Website Leads

Learn how to transform your website into a powerful lead-generating tool. Discover actionable insights to attract more visitors, convert them into leads, and drive revenue. Hear about practical strategies to improve user experience, SEO, and lead capture mechanisms. More info/register.

Host: Hatrick Marketing

Speakers:

Holly Beyhl, Founder & Queen Bee of Design, BoltoBee
Julie Davis, Founder & Fractional CMO, Hatrick Marketing

Thu 1/30 at 3 p.m. – Association Chat Insider Weekly Recap

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

Tue 2/4 at 11 a.m. – Authentic, Trusted Content in an Era of Uncertainty

Host: UST Education

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

Tue 2/4 at 12 p.m. – AI Adoption, Training and Tools (Data Analytics Network)

Host: Data Analytics Network

Tue 2/4 at 12 p.m. – Business Growth Hacking Lab

Host: Braintrust Professional Institute

Speakers: Randall Craig and Ronja Francoeur, Braintrust Professional Institute

Tue 2/4 at 1 p.m. – How to Win: Be a Category of One (Leadership for SMBs and Entrepreneurs)

Host: UST Education

Speaker: Wade Tetsuka, CPA, President, UST

Wed 2/5 at 12 p.m. – Building the Executive AI Playbook: How AI Will Power Your Association into the Future (Arlington VA)

Host: Matrix Group

Speakers:

Heinan Landa, CEO of Optimal Networks
Joanna Pineda, CEO and Chief Troublemaker of Matrix Group International

Wed 2/5 at 1 p.m. – Crafting Personalized Journeys for First-Year Members

Host: PropFuel

Wed 2/5 at 1 p.m. – Practical Innovation: Small Thinking for Actionable Impact

Host: Fonteva

Speaker: Rebecca Andree O’Brien, MBA, CAE, Association Executive Director, Institute of Real Estate Management Foundation

Thu 2/6 at 10 a.m. – 5 Strategies For Driving Member Engagement in 2025

Host: Results Direct

Speaker: Michael Jones, Vice President of Mobile Technologies, Results Direct | RD Mobile

Thu 2/6 at 12 p.m. – Looking Forward 2025 Impact: First Look at Trends and Analysis

Host: Association Laboratory

Speakers: Nikki Golden, CAE, Strategist; Felicia Kenan, JM, MPA, CAE, CMP, Strategist; and Dean A West, FASAE, President, Association Laboratory

Thu 2/6 at 1 p.m. – Microsoft VS Google Workspace: Choosing the Right Platform

Host: UST Education

Speakers: Johan Hammerstrom, CEO, and Steve Longenecker, Director of IT Consulting, Community IT Innovators

Thu 2/6 at 2 p.m. – Is Your Website Meeting Your Association’s Needs?

Hear about the tools, strategies, and best practices for optimizing content types and website layouts, ensuring your audience remains engaged and returns to your site. Discover the latest web design trends that captivate visitors. Learn about the key factors for providing a productive digital experience and practical tools and resources to elevate your site without breaking the bank. More info/register.

Host: 501Works

Speakers: Jim Faris, Creative Director, and James Marquis, CIO, 501Works

Thu 2/6 at 2 p.m. – FAB Community Dialogue Webinar

Hosts:

Jeff De Cagna AIMP FRSA FASAE, executive advisor, Foresight First
Impexium

Public domain painting, Verschneite Waldlandschaft by Walter Moras (1919) via Wikimedia Commons

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: 1.17.25

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

Awards program. If you’re thinking about creating an awards program at your association—or want to see if you’re on the right track with an existing program—the folks at OpenWater have your back. Their 4-step process for planning and managing an awards program will help you map out a plan for success.

Anti-social. “Americans are spending less time with other people than in any other period for which we have trustworthy data,” says Derek Thompson at The Atlantic. The blame, among other factors, lies with TV, phones, and socially stunted kids turning into reclusive adults who prefer takeout and delivery to dining with others. Remote work only exacerbates the desire for remote living. How can associations sell the benefits of community when membership prospects don’t see being social as a positive?

Here’s a quote from the article to think about today: “A fundamental paradox at the core of human life is that we are highly social and made better in every way by being around people… And yet over and over, we have opportunities to connect that we don’t take, or even actively reject, and it is a terrible mistake.”

Membership renewals. Impexium dives deep into proven strategies for membership renewals. They also cover the difference between retention and renewal, membership metrics, reasons members don’t renew, and, best of all, solutions for your association’s renewal challenges.

Membership course. Brain Food readers can earn up to 10 CAE credits by attending Association Academy’s popular Association Member Growth Certificate Course. Over 1,000 association exec alums have already learned how to conduct research, develop relevant benefits, establish member content gates, improve recruitment and retention campaigns, and grow membership. The course meets for ten weeks on Thursdays, 1-2pm ET starting January 30. Save $50 with promo code BRAINFOOD. I’ve heard great things about this program so I registered—be social and join me there!

Respect for volunteers. Cecilia Sepp of Rogue Tulips asks associations to recognize and acknowledge the efforts of all volunteers, including ad hoc volunteers, not just those in formal positions. This has long been a soapbox topic in my writing too. She also points out the insidious practice of barring entry to association opportunities for those who can’t afford to pay their way in. “Are we recognizing contributions to the profession and our colleagues? Or are we recognizing supporting the organization?”

Employee feedback. “Every time you say ‘looks good’ about work that isn’t actually good, your team’s standards drop a little,” says Wes Kao. She explains why managers default to “looks good” when giving feedback to employees, why you shouldn’t take that approach, and what to do next time.

Next-gen workplace challenges. The latest research report from Halmyre Strategies describes emerging challenges 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.

Team messaging. Hailey Mensik at WorkLife writes about ping fatigue in the workplace and how it hurts productivity. When I read articles like this, I’m so glad I don’t get pinged by anyone. How do you all cope?

Content repurposing. Members rely on you for information and education, but limited resources prevent associations from being the content machines of members’ dreams. Karine Desbant at MCI describes how their client associations are generating new revenue streams and growing membership by repurposing content.

You never grow old at the table

I was away much of the past week, so for my one night of dinner duty I made chipotle salmon. On the side, roasted Brussels sprouts, carrots and rutabagas with broccoli stems, red onion, bacon and garlic powder.

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 1/17 at 3 p.m.* – Nonprofit Consultants Collaborative Monthly Networking Meeting

The Nonprofit Consultants Collaborative meets monthly for camaraderie, connection, and knowledge sharing. This 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 sharing of good news, and topics and questions from the group. More info/register.

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

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

Mon 1/20 at 8 a.m. – Inclusive Communications (Radio Free 501c, the podcast of Rogue Tulips Consulting)

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

Guest: Jerrica Thurman, Elation Communications

Tue 1/21 at 12 p.m. – CRVM January 2025 Crunch and Munch

Crunch and Munch is your 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. Come prepared to share your successes, challenges and ideas. More info/register (ASAE members only).

Host: ASAE Component Relations and Volunteer Management Council

Tue 1/21 at 1 p.m. – How to Win: Be a Category of One (Leadership for SMBs and Entrepreneurs)

Learn how to become a Category of One where you win by not competing. Some of these principles you may already follow, others may surprise you and may provide new insight: Work on Yourself, Build Organizational Culture, Use Atomic Habits, Focus on a Niche, and Create a Compelling Saga. This session offers real-world examples, videos, and interactive discussions. Discover strategies to position your organization as a “category of one” and unlock new leadership potential. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.

Host: UST Education

Speaker: Wade Tetsuka, CPA, President, UST

Tue 1/21 at 1 p.m. – Revolutionizing Sponsor Engagement: Emerging Tech for Association Marketplaces

Discover how innovative marketplace platforms are transforming the way associations connect with industry sponsors, from creating year-round engagement opportunities to showcasing sponsor content in new and meaningful ways. Learn how emerging technology, including AI-powered concierge tools, is shaping the future of association sponsorships by fostering deeper connections, driving value, and increasing ROI for all stakeholders. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.

Host: UST Education

Speaker: Sandra Nam, CEO and Co-Founder, QiqoChat

Wed 1/22 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 1/22 at 11 a.m. – 2025 Event Benchmarks: From Insights to Action

Get ready to elevate your event strategy with actionable insights from Bizzabo’s latest Event Benchmarking Report. This exclusive webinar is your chance to uncover the trends, challenges, and opportunities shaping the event landscape in 2025. From budgets and attendee expectations to innovative event strategies, we’ll break down the numbers and trends driving the future of in-person and virtual experiences. More info/register.

Host: Bizzabo

Speakers:

Colleen Bisconti, Vice President, Events and Experiences, IBM
Katie McIntyre, Director of Strategy and Event Technology, Opus

Wed 1/22 at 12 p.m. – Training & Orientation That Motivates: Creating a Successful Approach to Volunteer Development

Join a discussion about supporting volunteers and ensuring strategies for orientation, training, and support are effective. Explore key topics to address with volunteers, creating bite-sized orientation and training sessions, energizing leadership training, and boosting volunteer motivation to engage in learning. Share ideas for innovative approaches to 2025 orientation and training plans. More info/register.

Hosts: Billhighway and Mariner Management

Facilitator: Peggy Hoffman, FASAE, CAE, president and executive director, Mariner Management

Wed 1/22 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 1/22 at 12 p.m. – Financial Reports Challenge: Test Your Knowledge!

This session is designed as a quiz game to challenge your knowledge of nonprofit accounting principles and best practices. Through questions posed, you’ll enhance your understanding of financial statement components, donor restrictions, and accounting compliance essentials. Whether you’re already a seasoned nonprofit professional or just getting started, this session will provide valuable insights and practical knowledge. More info/register.

Host: Your Part-Time Controller

Wed 1/22 at 1 p.m. – Ghosted by Sponsors? Why They’re Not Responding & How to Fix It

Are your emails and calls to potential sponsors going unanswered? You’re not alone. Learn why sponsors may be ignoring your outreach and how to break through the silence. From crafting compelling messages to timing your follow-ups just right, gain expert insights to boost your response rates and keep your sponsorship pipeline moving forward. Don’t miss this opportunity to learn how to turn “no response” into meaningful conversations. More info/register.

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

Guest: Carrie McIntyre, principal, Navigate

Wed 1/22 at 1 p.m. – Small Staff Insights to Fuel Your Year: Breaking down the Small Staff Benchmark Report

The 2024 Small Staff Benchmark Report offers a comprehensive look at how small associations are performing across key areas like member engagement, technology adoption, and revenue growth. Hear about the findings of this report, including the top priorities and challenges small associations face, how small associations are leveraging technology to engage members and streamline operations, the role of AI and its potential to transform the future of small associations, and actionable strategies to close gaps in member value and prepare for technological advancements. More info/register.

Host: Momentive Software

Speaker: Jessica Lovell, Senior Product Marketer, Momentive Software

Wed 1/22 at 1 p.m. – The Future of Associations: 2025 and Beyond

AI, conscious inclusion, strategic leadership workforce development, hybrid and remote work, a new Administration, personalization, and work/life balance are just a few of the challenges facing the association community in 2025. ASAE and its Research Foundation tracks these trends and tools and provide guidance, research and data that enable associations to move into the future. Hear about the research, tools and trends that are set to influence associations in 2025 and beyond. More info/register.

Host: Association Xchange

Speaker: Michelle Mason, FASAE, CAE, CEO, ASAE

Wed 1/22 at 2 p.m. – How Associations Use Data to Drive Revenue

Learn how to use data insights to increase member engagement and generate new revenue streams. Hear how NAPA used data to address member needs and operational gaps, achieving measurable results. Find out how to interpret benchmarking data to uncover trends and improve decision-making, and conduct a gap analysis to identify opportunities and address strategic challenges. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.

Host: Naylor Association Solutions

Speakers:

John Brandt, Chief Executive Officer, MPI Research
Bill Rowan, Vice President, Marketing & Communications, National Asphalt Pavement Association
Chad Lloyd, Chief Data Officer, Naylor Association Solutions

Wed 1/22 at 2 p.m. – Embracing AI Safely: Practical Strategies for Associations

Learn practical strategies to help make the use of AI at your association safe and exciting. Find out how to ask the right questions when evaluating vendors and tools that use AI, incorporate AI discussions in staff meetings to assess current usage, tools and potential risks, work together to set guidelines for what data is safe to use with different AI tools, and ensure staff are using AI responsibly through consistent education about the benefits and risks. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.

Host: ASAE

Speakers: Amanda DeLuke, Senior Privacy Analyst, and Kelly Whelan, Content Marketing Manager, Higher Logic

Thu 1/23 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. – How to Design a Product Portfolio

Learn how to analyze and map your current offerings, organize them 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 it updated and timeless. More info/register.

Host: James Young, Product Community

Thu 1/23 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. – The Event Tech Dating Game: Are You Ready to Find Your Perfect Tech Partner?

At this one-of-a-kind virtual experience designed exclusively for event planners and marketing professionals, watch as bold tech contenders compete to become THE ultimate solution to real-world event planning challenges. More info/register.

Hosts: Vinnu Deshetty of Event ROI Coach and Dahlia El Gazzar of Dahlia+ Agency

Thu 1/23 at 11 a.m. – Revolutionizing Event Badges: What’s Next in 2025 and Beyond

Discover how event badges are evolving with innovations like E-ink, smart badges, advanced integrations and more. Learn how to adopt eco-friendly badge solutions without compromising attendee experience. Uncover strategies to enhance networking with smart, data-driven badge technology. Find out how to use badges to get rich insights, like heat maps, showing which booths and sessions are proving popular. Hear insights from industry experts on where event badge technology is heading, like augmented reality which may remove the need for badges entirely. More info/register.

Host: Grip

Speakers:

Kerem Baran, Co-founder & COO, Eventpack
Claudia Braun, CEO & Co-founder, Choose 2 Rent
Oliver Smart, SVP of Onsite Solutions, Grip

Thu 1/23 at 12 p.m. – What’s in Store for Associations in 2025?

Learn what you need to know to plan for 2025 as an association executive. More info/register.

Host: Zzeem Consulting

Thu 1/23 at 12 p.m. – Improve Member Loyalty with the Perfect AMS Fit

Learn how to spot the pain points in your current technology that might be holding your association back. Understand the key factors to consider when selecting a new AMS that aligns with your goals. Weigh the pros and cons of different AMS types to find the best fit for your needs. Take practical steps to build your shortlist of vendors, considering factors like industry expertise, customer support, and long-term innovation. More info/register.

Host: Community Brands

Thu 1/23 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

Thu 1/23 at 1 p.m. – Get Ready to Move…Your Data

The ideal time to think about preparing your existing data for a move to a new CRM or AMS is well before you choose a solution and start implementation. Cleaning, sorting, and organizing your data well prior to a data migration can save you time and money. Learn how to prepare your data for migration, including deduplication, address verification, code table cleanup, and name parsing. Find out which common tools you may already have to help automate some of the process. Hear about common pitfalls in the data cleanup process and how to avoid them. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.

Host: UST Education

Speaker: Jenifer Alonzo, Association Practice Lead, Fíonta

Thu 1/23 at 1 p.m. – Beyond the Buzz: Integrating AI Solutions into Human-Centric Strategic Planning

Learn about strategies for using AI to sharpen member insights, enrich planning processes, and drive actionable, member-centered strategies and operational plans. Hear real-world case studies showing how associations harness AI to create plans that resonate with members while retaining critical human connections and interactions that foster deeper engagement. More info/register.

Hosts: Halmyre and Event Garde

Speakers:

Christine Saunders, Founder and President, Halmyre
Aaron Wolowiec, Founder and President, Event Garde

Thu 1/23 at 2 p.m. – Future of Association Boards (FAB) Community Dialogue

Please join us for the first Future of Association Boards (FAB) Community Dialogue Zoom Meeting of 2025. More info/register.

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

Thu 1/23 at 3 p.m. – Association Chat Insider Weekly Recap

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

Wed 1/29 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. – EventTech Demo Day

Join us for this just-in-time EventTech Platforms demo day featuring presentations from a limited number of industry partners that offer EventTech Platforms. More info/register.

Host: ASAE

Participants: Momentive Software, Fourwaves, eShow, Personify A2Z Events, Conexiant DXP, eventPower, Cadmium, Swapcard, Matchbox, Snapsight

Wed 1/29 at 11 a.m. – Content Governance: Ensuring Sustainable Content Success

Host: Hilary Marsh, President & Chief Strategist, Content Company, Inc.

Wed 1/29 at 11 a.m. – Understanding Standard Monthly Financial Statements

Host: UST Education

Speaker: Yevgeniy Sukhenko, Partner at Outsourced Accounting & Advisory Services

Wed 1/29 at 12 p.m. – New Year, New Data: Let’s Make Every Goal Count!

Host: Association Women Technology Champions

Wed 1/29 at 1 p.m. – Top 5 Credentialing Trends for Associations to Consider in 2025

Host: UST Education

Speakers:

Chris Capistran, President, Cobalt
Pam Weber, M.P.A., CAE, Vice President of the National Apartment Association Education Institute

Wed 1/29 at 3 p.m. – The Data-Informed Association, Part 1: Leading With Analytics

Host: Association Analytics

Speakers: Bill Conforti, SVP of Strategy & Solutions, and Merritt Rohlfing, Sr. Marketing Manager, Association Analytics

Thu 1/30 at 3 p.m. – Association Chat Insider Weekly Recap

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

Creative Commons licensed photo by Judy Beth Morris 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!

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.

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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.

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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.

Share this:

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.

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Snack pack

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:

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:

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: