Association Brain Food

Association Brain Food: 10.11.24

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

Hurricane Helene. Less than 1% of households in the hardest-hit mountain counties of North Carolina are protected by the National Flood Insurance Program. People have lost their homes, perhaps their businesses or jobs, and all their worldly goods. I can’t even fathom the loss of lives—we haven’t yet heard the worst of it. Find a list of organizations to support in the Helene Response & Rebuild: Western North Carolina Resource Guide.

Sponsorships. Sponsors have many options for their marketing dollars, including their own webinars, events, and blog posts. Impexium explains how to increase your association’s sponsorship revenue with a new relationship-based and expertise-focused approach to corporate partners.

Membership value. Sherry Budziak at .orgSource talked with Tom Morrison, CEO of the Metal Treating Institute, about how his organization respects tradition while embracing innovation and change. He said, “We must live in the future and be ready to act today,” which requires focusing on activities they execute better than anyone else in their space and initiating conversations about anything that might impact their industry.

Association AI. The Association Artificial Intelligence Certificate Course teaches the practical use of AI tools for association professionals. Learn how to create high-quality text, image, video, and other content through hands-on time in class. This live course from Association Academy meets on five Thursdays, 1-2pm ET starting October 17. Earn one CAE credit for each live session you attend. Association Brain Food readers save $50 with the promo code BRAINFOOD.

Video marketing. VideoRequest describes how associations use videos to increase brand awareness, engage volunteers, promote events, and raise funds.

Good humans. A post titled “Sharing a Beer” is always going to catch my eye, especially when written by James Young of Product Community. He shares the essential traits of positive multipliers, people who bring out the best in others and help build great communities.

Member engagement. Elizabeth Engel of Spark Consulting shares insightful takeaways from a conversation about engaging today’s members, including making space for them and solving the right problems.

AI tool for events. I don’t usually feature case studies but I’m making an exception for this one. I haven’t heard about this kind of tool and maybe you haven’t either. The American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery used AI tool Zenus to capture attendee behavioral data during their conference and expo—data their sponsors and exhibitors found valuable.

Association media. On the Professionals for Association Revenue blog, Carla Kalogeridis of Kalo Media describes how to take a strategic approach to association media programs and the revenue they generate. She shares three questions to help you declutter your media and other non-dues revenue products before adding anything new.

Call-a-member month. Love this idea. Learn the art of member engagement through personalized phone calls in this free four-week online program (on Thursdays at 8 p.m. starting 10/17) hosted by Olena Lima from MemberBoat and Angela McDonald from Optimum Contact. Find out how to use phone campaigns to connect with current members, re-engage lapsed members, and reach out to potential members.

Extra credit

8 email newsletter signup forms that convert—useful examples for associations and their industry partners. | Rasa.io

How to calculate your association’s member retention rate. | Elizabeth Bell, Higher Logic

Things worth remembering: the imperfection of America. When the Constitution was signed on September 17, 1787, Benjamin Franklin acknowledged its flaws—then defended it magnificently. | Douglas Murray, The Free Press

You might be a late bloomer: the life secrets of those who flailed early but succeeded by old age. | David Brooks, The Atlantic (archive/free link)

You never grow old at the table

Last weekend, we enjoyed our annual Oktoberfest at my niece’s house on the coast south of Wilmington, NC. We did some crabbing (joy!) and clamming (no joy!) on Friday and Saturday—and enjoyed steamed crabs for lunch on Saturday and again Monday night. We ended up buying clams at Seaview Crab Company to bring home and shrimp to make scampi pasta on Saturday night. This time, my scampi included onion, red bell pepper, garlic, grape tomatoes, white wine, shrimp, butter, pasta water, linguine, and fresh basil.

Earlier this week, I made spiced baked bone-in pork chops. I used a mix of half-sharp paprika and smoked paprika and added garlic powder to the recipe too. On the side, frozen asparagus warmed up with lemon zest, garlic powder, and parmesan cheese.

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

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

Fri 10/11 at 12 p.m.* – MarketingMindshare: Measuring Marketing ROI

Join a conversation on how your association is assessing the impact of your marketing efforts. Whether you’re in marketing, communications, technology, or another department, this event is designed to provide you with actionable knowledge and networking opportunities. More info/register (ASAE members only).

Host: ASAE Marketing Professionals Advisory Council

Speakers: Laura Sparks, Jennifer Ginest, and other special guests from the ASAE Marketing Council

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

Fri 10/11 at 4 p.m. – 2025: Our Year to Thrive!

Let’s talk about how 4 Ds—Delete, Define, Develop, and Deliver—can reposition your career, your team, and your organization to thrive, as we say goodbye to 2024 and get ready to lead the last year of the first quarter of the 21st century. Learn how stopping, putting energy into these areas, and allowing yourself the freedom to redesign can unleash new waves of creativity and generate excitement for the future and your role in it. More info/register.

Host: Fridays@4

Speaker: Cynthia Mills, FASAE, CAE, CMC, CPC, CCRC, founder, The Leaders’ Haven

Mon 10/14 at 8 a.m. – Advocacy & Allyship (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: Samyuktha Neeraja, American Association of Nurse Anesthesiology

Tue 10/15 at 10 a.m. – Engage First, Grow Further: Rethinking Membership Strategies (Associations Trends Talk)

Too often, organizations focus myopically on increasing membership. True growth and sustainability come from fostering deep, meaningful connections with current and potential members. Explore how shifting the focus from new member acquisition to engagement can transform your association’s impact and attract loyal members organically. More info/register.

Host: Ewald Consulting

Speaker: Avi Olitzky, President and Principal Consultant, Olitzky Consulting Group

Tue 10/15 at 11 a.m. – Solving the Employee Turnover Problem

Most organizations could dramatically reduce employee turnover costs and keep their top talent if they only took some simple steps to address the true reasons people leave. Learn how to make the right changes in areas like compensation, people skills, employee engagement, and workplace culture, so you can start creating an organization that your people would never want to leave. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.

Host: UST Education

Speaker: Jamie Notter, Co-Founder, PROPEL

Tue 10/15 at 12 p.m. – Member Renewal Campaigns

Are you getting ready for your member renewal season? Find out how to increase your retention rate, speed up cash flow, and upsell your membership. More info/register.

Host: Zzeem Consulting

Tue 10/15 at 12 p.m. – Crafting High-Impact Newsletters With AI

Email newsletters remain the most effective way to stay connected with your members. The challenge? Crafting newsletters that people want to read. Learn how you can reduce your newsletter creation time while leveraging easy AI automation. Discover how to transform your newsletters from time sinks into powerful tools for increasing engagement, reducing member churn, and boosting ad revenue. More info/register.

Host: rasa.io

Speaker: Erica Salm Rench, COO, rasa.io

Tue 10/15 at 12 p.m. – Crunch & Munch: Working with and Managing Volunteers

Join a conversation about working with and managing volunteers, including the joys and struggles of volunteer management, tips for success, trends, ideas for training topics, micro-volunteerism, and more. Come to this open discussion with your experiences, ideas, and questions. More info/register (ASAE members only).

Host: ASAE Component Relations Volunteer Management Council

Speakers:

Rachel Grimes, Member Engagement Specialist, Society for Mining Metallurgy and Exploration Inc.
Marty Tatman, Senior Director of Member Engagement, American Farm Bureau Federation

Tue 10/15 at 1 p.m. – AI-Powered Solutions for Improved Website Content Findability: Bringing Your Most Valuable Information to the Forefront

AI search supercharges content discoverability, provides data-driven insights, and greatly reduces the time your site users spend finding what they seek. Learn how aggregating content from your third-party disparate systems allows your resources to be more easily discoverable, increasing user engagement and satisfaction. See how AI provides valuable data about members’ interactions with your site, helping you better understand user needs and content gaps. Hear AI helps optimize the relevance of search results by considering different parameters for ranking various types of content, ensuring users receive the most pertinent information. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.

Host: UST Education

Speakers: Johnny Clayton, Chief Growth Officer, and Adam Hostetter, CEO, FUSE Search

Wed 10/16 at 7 a.m. – From Passive Consumers to Active Advocates: Strategies for Enhanced Member Engagement

In today’s rapidly evolving landscape, associations must continuously adapt to meet the changing needs and expectations of their members. How do you solve this perennial challenge around engagement? How do you retain existing members throughout their career? How do you attract and engage with the younger generation? What strategies can you implement to close this engagement loop? More info/register.

Host: Memcom

Speakers:

Nikki Walker, Global Vice President, Associations & Communities, MCI
Julian Smith, Director, Memcom

Wed 10/16 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. – CMEpalooza Fall

CMEpalooza is a free, biannual, online conference geared toward individuals involved in the development and implementation of continuing medical education for healthcare professionals. Sessions relevant across the CME/CE spectrum are broadcast live and available for viewing shortly after their conclusion. More info/register.

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

Wed 10/16 from 11 a.m. to 5:25 p.m. – Guru 2024: The World’s Largest Virtual Email Marketing Conference

An email marketing conference designed to help you exceed your current strategies with actionable advice you can deploy same-day, informed by a deep pool of real-time user data. Hear the latest digital trends, email best practices and emerging tools you’ll need to step up your email marketing performance. More info/register.

Host: Guru Media Hub

Wed 10/16 at 1 p.m. – An Ever-Evolving Boardroom: Examining the State of Association Governance

The ways association boards operate has shifted drastically over the last 5 years. And with developments like advances in board management software and the rise artificial intelligence, association governance’s transformation is likely far from over. Where do association boards stand today, and where might they be headed? Join a discussion about the current trends and challenges impacting today’s boards. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.

Host: ASAE

Speakers:

Jordan Castel, Association Consultant at OnBoard
Paul Pomerantz, FACHE, FASAE, Managing Director of ASAE’s Association Governance Institute

Wed 10/16 at 1 p.m. – Digging Into the Event Data Goldmine

Learn how to pinpoint the metrics that matter most, measure your event’s success and use that knowledge to make your programs stronger and more successful. 1 CMP credit. More info/register.

Host: Meetings Today

Speaker: Carisa Bartelt, Manager, Industry Marketing, Cvent

Wed 10/16 at 2 p.m. – Rage Against the Machine: How to Humanize Content and Harness Intent for Breakthrough Results

Explore practical strategies for aligning your content with buyer motivations and intent, while also addressing the growing influence of generative AI in content creation and discovery. Learn how to harness E-E-A-T principles (Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, Trustworthiness) to optimize for both SEO and human engagement. Hear about using key integrated tactics like social media and influencer marketing to forge authentic connections that distinguish your brand in this era of AI and abundant content. More info/register.

Host: Content Marketing Institute

Speakers:

Seth Adler, Head of IMI Innovation & Intelligence, Informa Connect
Jane Bartel, Director of Search & Content Marketing, TopRank Marketing
Nick Nelson, Associate Content Director, TopRank Marketing

Wed 10/16 at 2 p.m. – Breaking the $100K Ceiling: Insights From the 2024 Meeting Planner Salary Survey

Explore the groundbreaking results of the 2024 Northstar Meetings Group/Meetingjobs-Cadre Salary Survey. This year marks a significant milestone in the 31-year history of the survey, with average meeting planner salaries surpassing $100,000 for the first time. Delve into the meetings industry’s latest employment trends, looking at compensation, regional differences, gender pay equity, workload and more. 1 CMP credit. More info/register.

Host: Northstar Meetings Group

Speakers:

Dawn Penfold, president of Meetingjobs.com, a Cadre company
Sarah J.F. Braley (moderator), Managing Editor,Northstar Meetings Group

Thu 10/17 at 11 a.m. – What sponsors and exhibitors REALLY want from your next event

For marketers, conferences and trade shows are their greatest moment. This is because they represent months of planning, a huge chunk of their budget and pressure to deliver ROI. However, understanding what they REALLY feel about your event is tough. Learn from our panelists the ‘good’ and ‘bad’ about the B2B events they invest $$$ in, what event organizers can do get them to rebook quickly, and what they’re NOT getting from event organizers today and what they want in the future. More info/register.

Host: Grip

Speakers

Amy Devlin, VP of Strategy, George P Johnson Experience Marketing
Brandon Paski, Event Marketing Manager, OpenSesame
David T Stevens, Co-founder, Olympian Meeting
Hew Leith (moderator), SVP of Marketing at Grip

Thu 10/17 from 11 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. – Guru 2024: The World’s Largest Virtual Email Marketing Conference

Host: Guru Media Hub

Thu 10/17 at 12:30 p.m. – 3 Key Strategies to Develop Impactful Microcredential Programs

Learn how microcredentials can serve distinct purposes: attracting new members, enriching existing memberships, and fostering long-term engagement. Find out how microcredentials can be tailored to meet specific employer demands for skills, thereby enhancing the employability and competitiveness of members. Discover how integrating microcredentials into your offerings can drive member loyalty and create new revenue streams through diversification and stackable credentials. Hear success stories demonstrating how leading organizations have successfully implemented microcredential programs. 0.5 CAE credit. More info/register.

Host: .orgCommunity

Speaker: BenchPrep’s CEO, Ashish Rangnekar

Thu 10/17 at 1 p.m. – How to Choose the Right System: Identifying, Articulating, and Documenting Requirements

System requirements help define what the users’ needs are, how a system should function, and ensure there is a clear understanding and expectation about the scope of a system. Learn the reasons for identifying and documenting requirements; how to gather, document, and prioritize effective system requirements; the appropriate timing for sharing requirements with potential vendors during system selection; and how to evaluate vendor responses based on how well they meet documented requirements. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.

Host: UST Education

Speaker: Dave Coriale, CAE, President, DelCor

Thu 10/17 at 1 p.m. – The Path to Learning Business Maturity

In a world where competition, learner expectations, and the need to deliver real impact have increased dramatically, 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 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. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.

Host: Tagoras

Speakers: Jeff Cobb and Celisa Steele, founders, Tagoras

Thu 10/17 at 2 p.m. – From Checkboxes to Strategy: Implementing and Leading Sustainable Event Practices

Sustainability goes beyond mere checkboxes— it’s about making impactful choices that benefit both people and the planet. Explore the scope of sustainability and the implementation of practical best practices while aiming for industry-leading standards. Through real-world examples and a review of available resources, gain actionable insights and a sustainability mindset to elevate your meetings and events. More info/register.

Hosts: Smart Meetings and Financial & Insurance Conference Professionals

Speakers: Ellie Hurley, Tiffany Eck and Lori Allen

Thu 10/17 at 4 p.m. – Election Impact on Association Investments and Markets

Where do today’s polls predict certain candidates will prevail? How may the results impact key tax, tariff, immigration, regulation, and other issues? What do the different scenarios signal for capital markets and portfolios? This discussion offers a chance to gain insights into how the upcoming election could shape the market landscape. More info/register.

Host: ASAE Reston-Loudoun Swap

Speakers: Lydia E. Wolf, Senior Wealth Advisor, and Meghan Shue, Head of Investment Strategy, Wilmington Trust N.A

Fri 10/18 at 1 p.m. – Talk with CAEs

An online space for CAE candidates to ask questions about the CAE (e.g., exam preparations, eligibility, exam content outline, study strategies, practice questions, tips and advice, etc.) and current CAEs to share their knowledge and experience with the exam. More info/register.

Lead facilitator: DeeJay Hastings, CAE, Executive Consultant, Lewis Association Consultants

Fri 10/18 at 3 p.m. – The Informal Consultants Networking Extravaganza

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. In October, we will have breakout groups on different topics suggested by the community, plus our usual agenda: welcome and sharing of good news, topics or questions from the group, suggested topics from the facilitator, and questions and sharing about getting the most out of our ASAE participation. More info.

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

Fri 10/18 at 4 p.m. – What’s unique about nonprofit investing and why does it matter?

Learn what’s uniquely important about the management of reserves and how to work more effectively with advisors in support of the volunteer leadership’s efforts to be effective investment stewards. More info/register.

Host: Fridays@4

Speakers: Ryan Frydenlund, CIMA®, CIPM, Director of Operations, Raffa Investment Advisers

Tue 10/22 at 12 p.m. – Unpacking Data Governance: Defining Roles, Processes, and Priorities

Hear a general introduction to data governance, what it is, who owns it, and the key questions organizations need to address. Effective data governance strategies, in the long run, are key to eliminating redundancy, reducing organizational liability, and running a strong association. Then dive into facilitated discussions in breakout rooms, each focused on a specific aspect of data governance: Data Quality and Data Dictionaries, Establishing a Data Governance Charter and Teams, Standard Operating Procedures for Data Governance, and Planning and Roadmapping for Data Governance. More info/register.

Host: Association Women Technology Champions

Speakers:

Norma Castrejon, DelCor Technology Solutions, Strategic Consultant
Dana Karstensen, MBA, IOM, CAE, America Society of Anesthesiologists, Data Governance Product Manager
Alex Mouw, CAE, Amazon Web Services, Principal Strategic Advisor
Evan Reid, MPP, The American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, Senior Director of Analytics

Wed 10/23 at 11 a.m. – A New Year, A New Way of Thinking: Reframing Your Association Business Model in a New Competitive Environment

Associations earn the attention of their industry and/or profession by thinking like a media company. Learn how to reframe your business and revenue models to effectively compete with organizations influencing the Attention Economy of your members, prospective members, and key stakeholders. Hear how to develop and implement innovative 360 sponsorship models that use existing digital channels and incorporate emerging technologies like AI, Augmented Reality, Virtual Reality, and the Metaverse. Find out how to apply media company strategies to consistently control and monetize content and branding across digital media channels, creating new channels to optimize member engagement, drive revenue, and sustain organizational relevance in a competitive environment. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.

Host: UST Education

Speaker: Brian Miller, VP, Strategic Partnerships, Multiview

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

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

Host: ASAE

Demos: iMIS by ASI, Fonteva, Netforum AMS, Credivera, GrowthZone, Altai Systems, Personify MC Professional, Impexium, Cannolai, and Aptify AMS

Wed 10/23 at 11 a.m. – Securing Executive Buy-In: Advocating for Technological Change in Associations

Join our panel discussion featuring executives from leading associations to learn effective strategies to communicate the value of technological advancements to your executive team and board of directors. Discover how to align tech initiatives with organizational goals, build a compelling business case, and navigate the challenges of implementing significant technological changes in the association landscape. More info/register.

Host: fusionSPAN

Speakers:

Juan Sanchez, Inteleos
PJ Sawchuk, Epic Solutions Partner
Tadu Yimam, NACUBO

Wed 10/23 at 12 p.m. – Enhancing Chapter Operations: The Power of Dashboards

How many of us struggle with getting component volunteers to submit reports? How many have a file folder full of individual spreadsheets or reports? Maybe you have great chapter data, but can you make this data meaningful for your chapters, board or staff? When attempting to track chapter effectiveness, knowing what to measure is just one part of the equation. The other is knowing how to collect, store and share that data, in addition to recognizing and tracking the data trends. See the dashboards and hear the stories of how two associations answered these challenges. More info/register.

Host: Billhighway, Impexium and Mariner Management

Speakers:

Christi Beatty, CAE, AGC of America
Jennifer Steffan, NIGP
Peggy Hoffman (moderator), Mariner Management

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

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

Host: Association Women Technology Champions

Wed 10/23 at 12 p.m. MDT – AWTC Denver Networking Lunch (Englewood CO)

Join us for a dynamic networking lunch to connect, collaborate, and enjoy great company in a welcoming environment. Don’t miss this fantastic opportunity to expand your network and exchange ideas. Location: Englewood CO. More info/register.

Host: Association Women Technology Champions

Wed 10/23 at 12 p.m. – I got my CAE, now what?

The Certified Association Executive (CAE) is a standard for industry excellence but figuring out how to leverage this in our association careers in often a question mark. Explore differing perceptions about the CAE, learn how to leverage your credential in a tight job market, and identify smart continuing education to take your skills to the next level. More info/register.

Host: Association Xchange

Speakers:

Lowell Aplebaum, EdD, FSAE, CAE, CEO, CPF, founder, Vista Cova
Leslie Hortum, managing partner, SpencerStuart
Phylicia Ross, CAE, senior associate, Pharmaceutical Product Stewardship Work Group
W. Arnold (moderator), CAE, APR, Fellow PRSA, principal, PRDC

Wed 10/23 at 1 p.m. – The Role of AI in Strategic Planning

AI represents a seismic disruption to how we lead our associations. There is a significant opportunity for associations to utilize AI to enhance their strategic planning—to improve performance and impact, enhance innovation and agility, and to save time and money—and to do so effectively and ethically. Hear about the potential (and limitations) of AI and fresh insights into developing AI-human collaboration capability. Learn how to think critically and use judgement whilst benefiting from all of the benefits of AI and machine learning. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.

Host: UST Education

Speakers:

Andrew Chamberlain, Managing Director, Elevated
Elisa Pratt, Chief Executive, Brewer Pratt Solutions

Wed 10/23 at 1 p.m. – Rational is Overrated: Embracing Disruptive Thinking for Sustained Growth

This session embodies the innovation principles it teaches. Learn actionable strategies to enhance your organization’s innovation capabilities with a focus on: generating and fostering new ideas consistently under the right conditions; the convergence of diverse groups, skills, and mindsets; and problem-solving within set timeframes and supportive environments. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.

Hosts: Fonteva and Protech

Speaker: Isabelle Perreault, Founder & CEO, Differly Inc.

Thu 10/24 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. – Association Management System (AMS) Demo Days

Host: ASAE

Demos: Personify MC Trade, Aplusify, Protech, YourMembership AMS, AC MemberSmart by Advanced Communities, MemberSuite by GrowthZone, Nimble AMS, Mem360 – AMS Built on Oracle NetSuite, Glue Up

Thu 10/24 at 12 p.m. – Looking Forward 2024 Solutions: The Association Strategies Essential to Success

Get a first look at data from Looking Forward® 2024 Solutions, yearly research that tests 120 strategies currently being implemented by associations. Learn about key strategies that associations believe are critical to success and why they are so essential to the future of associations, the principal challenges facing association strategy as the sector continues to change in relation to current events, and how to access the Looking Forward Dashboard, filter for the specific information you need, and download reports to share with your staff or board. More info/register.

Host: Association Laboratory

Speakers:

Francine Johannesen, CAE, Executive Director, Texas Academy of General Dentistry
Stefanie Svisco, Executive Director, APA Florida
Nikki Golden, CAE, Strategist, Association Laboratory
Felicia Kenan, JM, MPA, CAE, CMP, Strategist, Association Laboratory
Dean West, founder and President, Association Laboratory

Thu 10/24 at 12 p.m. – Nonprofits & Associations: Attracting Talent for Corporate Sponsorship Roles

Learn how to attract top talent to fill corporate sponsorship roles in nonprofits and associations, and identify the skills and attributes that align with your organization’s mission and sponsorship goals, ensuring the right fit for long-term success. Find out how to create compelling job descriptions, optimize your recruitment process, and build a team that excels in securing vital corporate partnerships. Hear about hiring a corporate sponsorship executive team member versus outsourcing corporate sponsorship engagement. More info/register.

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

Guest: Leah York, President, Talbott Talent

Thu 10/24 at 12:30 p.m. – Finding Daylight in the Legislative and Executive Branch Gift Rules

Learn how to cultivate relationships without tripping over ethical lines. More info/register.

Host: Gary Gallant, Managing Partner, Gallant Law Group.

Thu 10/24 at 1 p.m. – From Strategy to Execution: Ruthlessly Aligning Your Association for Success

Your association has a strategic plan, now what? Learn how to develop clear goals to enhance the volunteer experience and guide volunteers to serve in the most effective roles; analyze and organize staff resources to optimize program development and eliminate inefficiencies, building a lean, focused team; and cultivate a future-focused board culture that recognizes and supports the chief staff officer’s role in driving organizational alignment. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.

Host: UST Education

Speaker: Tip Tucker Kendall, Executive Director, National Grants Management Association

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.

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Association Brain Food: 10.4.24

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

“As long as autumn lasts, I won’t have enough hands, canvas or colors to paint the beautiful things that I see.” ~Vincent van Gogh

Generations. It’s time to ditch tired generational stereotypes, says Jennifer N. Dienst at PCMA Convene. Generational labels lead to negative outcomes. Focus on values shared by different segments instead—which is also the advice offered by David Allison in his book about Valuegraphics. He believes values are a more accurate predictor of behavior than generational identity, which makes attracting the interest and loyalty of younger generations more challenging, but when you figure it out, more effective.

Membership renewals. Impexium dives deep into the details of membership renewals, such as the difference between retention and renewal, metrics, reasons members don’t renew, and, best of all, solutions for your association’s renewal challenges.

Content strategy. Jimmy Daly at Superpath explains why you need a documented content marketing strategy, how to assess whether your strategy is working, and what solutions to put in place if it’s not.

Call-to-action (CTA). If you’re stuck in a “click here” rut, give these call-to-action alternatives from Email Maven a try.

Website design. Because we’re wired to recognize and respond to faces, Simon Sterne at WebdesignerDepot suggests your web design takes advantage of the human face’s universal appeal and psychological impact.

Workplace challenges. This member research report from Halmyre Strategies describes the challenges faced by various professions as a new generation enters the workforce, including burnout, work-life balance, client demands, questioning the value of credentials, diversity, and changing workforce roles. They explain how associations can address these issues and meet the changing needs of industry professionals.

Extra credit

Ever wonder why home builders no longer build starter homes and why homes are so darn expensive? This post also explains why the proposals of pandering politicians won’t work. | Scott Lincicome, The Dispatch

Responses to 12 common anti-free speech, pro-censorship arguments. Sadly, these answers are increasingly necessary for fending off the illiberal ideas of both sides. | Greg Lukianoff, Quillette

The case for seafood self-reliance: how regional seafood hubs can reduce dependence on imported fish—never more important than when ports close and supply chains are disrupted. | Ben Seal, Civil Eats

In an era of fakes, how to know when someone online is real. | Cordilia James, The Wall Street Journal (gift link)

You never grow old at the table

Earlier this week, I made a new Giada recipe, pork chops with onion marmellata. Translation: a whole delicious mess of herby, jammy, sweet and slightly tangy caramelized onions. On the side, what else, roasted broccoli with red onion, garlic powder, and red pepper flakes.

Because we spent the weekend in southern NJ, we brought home Italian subs, as usual, from the Italian Kitchen in Pennsville, and I was relieved of my regular Sunday night dinner duty. Before leaving for NJ, we had pan-seared mackerel with sweet peppers and thyme and leftover veggies. I used onion, chives, and garlic chives instead of leeks, and added red jalapeños to the pepper mix.

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

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

Fri 10/4 at 1 p.m.* – Talk with CAEs

Lead facilitator: DeeJay Hastings, CAE, Executive Consultant, Lewis Association Consultants

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

Mon 10/7 at 8 a.m. – Nonprofits and Taxes in 2025: What is the Impact? (Radio Free 501c, the podcast of Rogue Tulips Consulting)

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

Guest: Pete Sepp, President, National Taxpayers Union

Mon 10/7 at 12 p.m. – Practical Ways Nonprofits Can Use Generative AI (AWS Nonprofit Generative AI Week)

Learn ways your nonprofit can harness the power of generative AI. Watch demos on how to enhance donor and member engagement. Explore examples of automating repetitive tasks, customizing a Q&A bot, and generating personalized outreach content like email and mailers. More info/register.

Host: Amazon Web Services (AWS)

Speaker: Omar Tabbakha, Solutions Architect, AWS

Mon 10/7 at 12 p.m. – Leading Member Engagement from the Out-side In (Membership Monday)

Could we’ve been thinking about engagement all wrong, focusing on what we want members to do and how we define value? Hear about a new way of thinking about engagement, one that encourages you to view the world from your members’ perspective and flip your focus to helping them achieve their most important goals and solve their most pressing problems. This member-centric approach will allow your association to move from being a “nice to have” to becoming a vital partner in your members’ success, leading to increased recruitment and improved retention in the process. More info/register (ASAE members only).

Host: ASAE

Speaker: Elizabeth Engel, founder, Spark Consulting

Tue 10/8 at 12 p.m. – Driving Change, Impact and Growth in Your Organization

Go beyond traditional change management to explore a number of additional concepts, such as the impact and role of a multi-modal approach to change management involving communication, coaching, training, monthly reinforcement, and events; when to use and not use external vs. resources; and using change management to drive competitive differentiation, impact, and growth. More info/register.

Host: Braintrust Professional Institute

Speakers: Randall Craig and Ronja Francoeur, Braintrust Professional Institute

Tue 10/8 at 12 p.m. – Generative AI in action: Real-world use cases (AWS Nonprofit Generative AI Week)

Hear from nonprofit leaders who are using generative AI in their organizations, including their insights into their journey, challenges faced and the tangible benefits achieved. More info/register.

Host: Amazon Web Services (AWS)

Speakers:

Niraj Swami, Conservation Technology Strategy & Enablement, The Nature Conservancy
Sami Hassanyeh, SVP Digital Strategy & Membership, AARP
Sherrie Caltagirone, Founder & Executive Director, Global Emancipation Network

Tue 10/8 at 12 p.m. – Tech Tuesday

Whether you’re a tech-savvy pro or just getting started, Tech Tuesday is your go-to spot for the latest trends, game-changing tools, and insider tips that will take your organization to the next level. Connect with the brightest minds, share your ideas, and be part of the conversation that’s shaping the future of our industry. More info/register (ASAE members only).

Host: ASAE Technology Advisory Council

Facilitators:

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

Tue 10/8 at 12 p.m. – LGBTQIA2+ 2024 Community Call

Openly share and discuss topics that are current and significant to the LGBTQIA2+ association community. Whether you have burning questions, pressing issues, or insightful experiences to share, this judgment-free zone welcomes your valuable contributions. Let’s come together to support, learn from each other, and build a stronger, more inclusive community. More info/register (ASAE members only).

Host: ASAE LGBTQ Association Executives and Supporters

Tue 10/8 at 1 p.m. – Unlocking the Power of Effective Data Governance

Learn what data governance is, why it’s important, as well as the policies, roles, and responsibilities that enable an association of any size to operationalize data governance processes. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.

Host: UST Education

Speaker: Emilio Arocho, Senior Director of Managed Services, Association Analytics

Wed 10/9 at 1 p.m. – Bridging the Gap: Nurturing Student Members as They Transition to the Workforce

Explore proven and tailored strategies to engage student members, showcase the value of continued membership post-graduation, keep them connected to your association, and seamlessly guide them through the transition from student to professional membership. Hear success stories and case studies from an association that effectively retained student members. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.

Host: UST Education

Speaker: Ryan Graham, Chief Revenue Officer, PropFuel

Wed 10/9 at 1 p.m. – Not-So-Everyday AI: 7 AI Tools Every Association Professional Should Know

Learn about InVideo, Gamma, Mindsmith, HeyGen, Fotor, ChatGPT, MyGPT, and Chatbot Builder. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.

Host: Fonteva

Speaker: Dan Streeter of Mission Fuel

Wed 10/9 at 1 p.m. – Ask Axios Pro: Decoding the Lame Duck

Join a virtual conversation and live Q&A on policy moves to watch during the upcoming lame duck period. Hear about legislation that’s still on the table, key lawmakers, and how Congress will prepare for its reshuffling ahead of the 199th session. More info/register.

Host: Quorum

Thu 10/10 at 10 a.m. – Networking Decoded: Unlock the Power to Elevate Your Connections and Amplify Your Impact (Big Buzz Breakfast Club)

Learn how to set your intention and develop a networking strategy to meet your goals, build authentic connections that go beyond the superficial, follow up to maintain and nurture relationships for long-term benefits, and leave a positive, lasting impression. More info/register.

Host: Big Buzz Idea Group

Thu 10/10 at 11 a.m. – Why You Need Security Operations: The Power of Proactive Protection

Learn about the impact security operations have on attack remediation and recovery, and post-incident security hardening; the crucial questions to ask your IT provider; and how security operations mitigate the dwell time, downtime, and cost of cyberattacks. More info/register.

Host: Artic Wolf

Speakers:

Chris Ecker, CTO at DelCor Technology Solutions
Jason Anderson, Senior Sales Engineer at Arctic Wolf

Thu 10/10 at 11:30 a.m. – The Art And Science Of Certification: Building Credible And Engaging Experiences

Learn how to craft certifications that truly engage learners and deliver results. Discover how to blend the art of compelling vision and learner engagement with the science of strategic planning and data-driven optimization. Learn to define your program’s purpose, identify your ideal audience, and build a brand that captivates. Expand your reach through strategic partnerships and distribution channels. Collaborate with Subject Matter Experts to develop engaging content and create a comprehensive learning journey that fosters growth and inspires action. Embrace a culture of continuous improvement, utilizing feedback to enhance your program’s effectiveness. Gain insights into launching and optimizing your program for long-term success, leveraging data-driven insights and establishing a user-friendly platform. More info/register.

Host: eLearning Industry

Speakers: SweetRush Client Solutions & Marketing, Learning & Knowledge Management, Account Manager, and Instructional Designer staff

Thu 10/10 at 12 p.m. – Suit Yourself: Build a Work Wardrobe that Works for You

Learn how to focus on tools, not rules, when building your wardrobe; how women are often unfairly judged for their appearance at work and how to navigate this difficult truth; and how to build a strong visual identity that says you know who you are by focusing on color theory, cuts that are in harmony with your lines, quality, and clarity of vision for yourself and your style. More info/register.

Hosts: The Expansive Woman Project and Ethical Aesthete

Speaker: Ali Miller, professional stylist and CEO, The Ethical Aesthete

Thu 10/10 at 12:30 p.m. – Eliminating State & Federal Lobbying Disclosure Chaos

Learn three effective strategies for managing nationwide compliance. More info/register.

Host: Gary Gallant, Managing Partner, Gallant Law Group.

Tue 10/10 at 1 p.m. – Webinar Wizardry Part 1: Engagement Tools to Keep Your Audience Hooked

Learn about key engagement tools that can transform a webinar from mundane to magical, ensuring high audience interaction; the effective use of interactive features like polls, quizzes, and chat functions to maintain audience interest throughout the webinar; and creating a webinar engagement plan that incorporates interactive elements to keep your audience engaged from start to finish. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.

Host: UST Education

Speakers: Nicole Crabtree, Director of Events, and Reilly Moriarty, Marketing Manager, UST Education

Thu 10/10 at 3 p.m. – Be a Smart SaaS: Being Strategic About Specialized Systems

Learn how to evaluate and select the most cost-effective SaaS solution that aligns with your specific needs, optimize your use of SaaS investments to achieve maximum value, streamline system operations and minimize complexity within your SaaS environments, and enhance system performance and leverage existing investments to achieve better outcomes. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.

Host: UST Education

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

Fri 10/11 at 4 p.m. – 2025: Our Year to Thrive!

Host: Fridays@4

Speaker: Cynthia Mills, FASAE, CAE, CMC, CPC, CCRC, founder, The Leaders’ Haven

Tue 10/15 at 11 a.m. – Solving the Employee Turnover Problem

Host: UST Education

Speaker: Jamie Notter, Co-Founder, PROPEL

Tue 10/15 at 1 p.m. – AI-Powered Solutions for Improved Website Content Findability: Bringing Your Most Valuable Information to the Forefront

Host: UST Education

Speakers: Johnny Clayton, Chief Growth Officer, and Adam Hostetter, CEO, FUSE Search

Wed 10/16 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. – CMEpalooza Fall

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

Wed 10/16 from 11 a.m. to 5:25 p.m. – Guru 2024: The World’s Largest Virtual Email Marketing Conference

Host: Guru Media Hub

Thu 10/17 from 11 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. – Guru 2024: The World’s Largest Virtual Email Marketing Conference

Host: Guru Media Hub

Thu 10/17 at 12:30 p.m. – 3 Key Strategies to Develop Impactful Microcredential Programs

Host: .orgCommunity

Speaker: BenchPrep’s CEO, Ashish Rangnekar

Thu 10/17 at 1 p.m. – How to Choose the Right System: Identifying, Articulating, and Documenting Requirements

Host: UST Education

Speaker: Dave Coriale, CAE, President, DelCor

Thu 10/17 at 1 p.m. – The Path to Learning Business Maturity

Host: Tagoras

Speakers: Jeff Cobb and Celisa Steele, founders, Tagoras

Fri 10/18 at 1 p.m. – Talk with CAEs

Lead facilitator: DeeJay Hastings, CAE, Executive Consultant, Lewis Association Consultants

Fri 10/18 at 3 p.m. – The Informal Consultants Networking Extravaganza

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.

Creative Commons licensed photo by Yoksel Zok via Unsplash

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

Association Brain Food: 9.27.24

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

“Life shrinks or expands in proportion to one’s courage.” ~Anais Nin

Engagement. Amanda Kaiser makes a good point: “Every minute, members can decide whether to engage or to lean away.” Open your email or not. Go to your website or to Google. Are you earning their permission to provide content, benefits, events, ideas, answers, and connections?

More on engagement. MCI surveyed association members and customers for their Association Engagement Index 2024. The report recommends taking a multichannel approach; personalizing the journey so members/customers quickly find what they need; and tracking their place on the engagement loop of consume, contribute, collaborate, and co-create. They offer other recommendations alongside the study’s useful benchmarks, such as “frequency of engagement.”

Online learning strategy. D2L explains what you need to know to build and implement a strong strategy for your online learning initiatives, including success criteria, communication plan, and much more.

Non-dues revenue. If you’re a podcast listener, check out Association RevUP from Professionals for Association Revenue. Each episode (25 minutes max) hosted by Carolyn Shomali features association industry professionals discussing an element of association business—culture, sales, partnerships, data, strategy, etc.

Event close. How your attendees leave your event is as important as how they are welcomed, says Julius Solaris of Boldpush. Check out the creative ideas in the post and comments.

Member recruitment. YourMembership describes 13 steps small-staff associations should take to attract and recruit new members. The entire list seems pretty essential to me—are you doing all these things?

Creativity. “Productivity is a drag. Work is divine. The machines can have our chores, but we can’t afford to outsource creation,” writes Sara Tillinger Wolkenfeld at The Atlantic. Amen. Don’t lose what makes us spectacularly human.

Extra credit

The reader’s quest: how literature helps us find meaning and understand the world. | by Henry Oliver, The Common Reader

We are in a writing renaissance—thanks to Substack. | by Sam Kahn, Compact

You never grow old at the table

An old favorite for dinner last week: shrimp and grits. The original recipe is from a chef whose restaurant was a Chapel Hill institution, so you know it’s going to be good. He makes a killer Atlantic Beach pie too.

A newer favorite, flounder with creamy jalapeño sauce. Make a big batch of this sauce and freeze half of it for an encore appearance. On the side, roasted broccoli with red onion, garlic powder, and red pepper flakes.

Another favorite for a family meal: southwest sweet potato skillet with ground chorizo and chicken—and all kinds of other ingredients. On the side, creamed collards with mushrooms.

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

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

Fri 9/27 at 1 p.m.* – SEO Memorial Service: A Fond Farewell To Things That Don’t Matter Anymore

Hear clear and compelling evidence that most legacy SEO metrics and tactics have slim to no impact on SEO outcomes. Learn about a major mindset shift that eliminates most of the metrics and tactics associated with SEO in favor of a single metric that defines and drives organic ranking success, plus a practical, step-by-step methodology for choosing SEO pillar topics and publishing content quickly that ranks fast. More info/register.

Host: American Marketing Association

Speaker: Ryan Brock, Chief Solution Officer at DemandJump and author of Pillar-Based Marketing: A Data-Driven Methodology for SEO and Content that Actually Works

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

Fri 9/27 at 4 p.m. – Open Discussion: How are you keeping political discussions civil at work?

Come prepared to share your organization’s plan on how to keep political discussions civil at work. Are political discussions prohibited? Are employees already taking sides? Share what’s happening where you work. More info/register.

Host: Fridays@4

Mon 9/30 at 8 a.m. – A Conversation about Membership (Radio Free 501c, the podcast of Rogue Tulips Consulting)

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

Guest: Kimberlee Berry, CAE, Vice President of Membership, NABA

Tue 10/1 from 9:15 a.m. to 4 p.m. – Wonk Week (Washington DC)

The leading conference for public affairs and advocacy professionals, offering deep dives into grassroots mobilization, lobbying tactics, knowledge management, PAC strategy, and beyond. Meet and learn from industry trailblazers and thought leaders, gaining actionable insights to elevate your organization. Location: Washington DC. More info/register.

Host: Quorum

Tue 10/1 from 11 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. – Empowering Revenue Teams with Go-to-Market Intelligence

As GTM strategies for B2B companies rapidly evolve, revenue leaders must be empowered with the latest insights and strategies to address new opportunities and challenges. Empower 2024 is built by GTM leaders for GTM leaders with separate and specific tracks curated for sales, marketing, and RevOps and roundtable working sessions focused on sharing actionable ways to build pipelines and achieve growth goals in 2024 and beyond. More info/register.

Host: SalesIntel

Tue 10/1 at 12 p.m. – 2024 Association Trends Study

Learn how association professionals are leveraging technology to provide greater member value, addressing the constantly changing needs of members, and how their attitudes and outlooks about technology have changed. Hear about the findings of the 2024 Association Trends Study and the transformational power of technology and its role in shaping the future of member engagement and association growth. More info/register.

Host: Momentive Software (formerly Community Brands)

Speakers:

Pam Loeb, Principal, Edge Research
Tirrah Switzer, Senior Director of Product Marketing, Momentive Software

Tue 10/1 at 12 p.m. – 2nd Annual Data Analytics Network Data Science Fair (Arlington VA)

We are recruiting data nerds to talk about their coolest project. And yes, we want you to create an old school science fair board as your visual! Can we count on you to tell your best data story at the Science Fair? Location: Arlington VA. More info/register.

Host: Data Analytics Network

Tue 10/1 at 1 p.m. – Webinar Wizardry Part 1: Engagement Tools to Keep Your Audience Hooked

Host: UST Education

Speakers: Nicole Crabtree, Director of Events, and Reilly Moriarty, Marketing Manager, UST Education

Wed 10/2 from 9:15 a.m. to 3 p.m. – Wonk Week (Washington DC)

Host: Quorum

Wed 10/2 at 11 a.m. – Planning a Successful Website Redesign from RFP to Launch

Is a website redesign in your future? Hear expert tips about how to get started, budgeting for a redesign, getting the best results, designing your RFP, and choosing the best partner. More info/register.

Host: Results Direct

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

Wed 10/2 at 12 p.m. – Beyond Events: Building a High Value Sponsorship Program

Hear about strategies for creating a year-round sponsorship program that replaces one-off event income with revenue gains that you can count on. Learn how to solve your sponsor’s biggest business challenges and earn the right to raise your fees, design a clear packaging strategy with customizable offerings, and train your team to approach sponsors with confidence and win-win-win value. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.

Host: AIOT

Speaker: Lewis Flax, association sponsorship consultant, Flax Associates

Wed 10/2 at 2 p.m. – How to Dream Up a Gathering You Actually Want to Host (and Five Reasons Your Community Will Thank You for It)

We all have to start our artful gathering practice somewhere, so why not begin by dreaming up a gathering you actually want to host? Come up with a gathering idea that’s meaningful to you and leaves your community wanting more of this kind of time together. Let’s brainstorm some ideas together. More info/register.

Host: Priya Parker, Art of Gathering

Thu 10/3 at 12 p.m. – What’s Going on in SEO: Ask Me Anything with Top Agency Leaders

Ask top industry experts the big questions, challenge the status quo, and learn how to build strategies that thrive in the ever-changing SEO ecosystem. More info/register.

Host: Clearscope

Speakers:

Allie Decker, co-founder, Omniscient Digital
Eric Enge, president, Pilot Holding
Amanda King, consultant/founder, FLOQ
Wil Reynolds, founder, Seer Interactive

Thu 10/3 at 12 p.m. – Member ROI Group

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

Host: Ed Rigsbee

Thu 10/3 at 1 p.m. – Supercharge Your Membership Strategy With AI

Learn about diverse applications of AI that extend beyond text and image creation and unlock new possibilities for enhancing member engagement and support. Hear about the current landscape of marketing AI and how it can significantly benefit membership organizations and associations like yours, easy-to-use AI tools that you can implement immediately to enhance your membership strategy and drive measurable results, and actionable AI experiments tailored to streamline your workflow and elevate your association’s processes, making a real impact from day one. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.

Host: UST Education

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

Thu 10/3 at 2 p.m. – A Journey Through Finance Digital Transformation

Hear from an association that has been transforming and automating their accounting procedures. This transformation has allowed the finance team to transition from number-crunching to becoming valuable financial resources for the entire association. Find out why they undertook this digital transformation, what components and resources made this transformation possible, what challenges they faced during this journey—from change management among staff to data-related issues, and what long-term benefits have resulted, including improved financial data, staff productivity and shorter closing cycles. More info/register.

Host: 501Works

Speakers:

Bereket Haile, Controller, RIMS, the risk management society®
James Marquis, CIO, 501Works

Thu 10/3 at 3 p.m. – Curious Leadership Shift #3: Creating a Curious Culture

Learn how to create an organizational culture where curiosity thrives, employees feel empowered to ask questions, and collaboration leads to groundbreaking solutions. Hear how the three shifts—Growth Mindset, Operations Excellence, and Curious Culture—work together to transform your leadership and organization. Leave with practical tips to inspire a culture of curiosity that fuels ongoing innovation and growth. More info/register.

Host: Lateral Solutions

Thu 10/3 at 3 p.m. – Custom App Development Process for Nonprofits/Associations

Many nonprofit/association leaders want to build a custom web or mobile app for their organization, however, they’re not familiar with the process and unknowns like technology, user flow, timeline and cost. Learn about the process of building a custom app, including the cost and timeline. More info/register.

Host: Simpalm

Fri 10/4 at 1 p.m. – Talk with CAEs

Lead facilitator: DeeJay Hastings, CAE, Executive Consultant, Lewis Association Consultants

Tue 10/8 at 12 p.m. – Driving Change, Impact and Growth in Your Organization

Host: Braintrust Professional Institute

Speakers: Randall Craig and Ronja Francoeur, Braintrust Professional Institute

Tue 10/8 at 1 p.m. – Unlocking the Power of Effective Data Governance

Host: UST Education

Speaker: Emilio Arocho, Senior Director of Managed Services, Association Analytics

Wed 10/9 at 1 p.m. – Bridging the Gap: Nurturing Student Members as They Transition to the Workforce

Host: UST Education

Speaker: Ryan Graham, Chief Revenue Officer, PropFuel

Thu 10/10 at 11 a.m. – Why You Need Security Operations: The Power of Proactive Protection

Host: Artic Wolf

Speakers:

Chris Ecker, CTO at DelCor Technology Solutions
Jason Anderson, Senior Sales Engineer at Arctic Wolf

Thu 10/10 at 3 p.m. – Be a Smart SaaS: Being Strategic About Specialized Systems

Host: UST Education

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

Creative Commons licensed photo by Trisha Downing via Unsplash

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

Association Brain Food: 9.20.24

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

On my schedule. On Thursday (9/26), ASAE is hosting a webinar about a possible existential threat to associations: legislators who want to apply the 21% corporate tax rate to the non-donation net revenue of tax-exempt organizations, like associations. Whether you work for an association or industry partner, please make the time to understand the implications of this bill and the actions you can take to help defeat it.

Membership app adoption. Clowder provides advice on increasing the adoption of your membership mobile app. They identify six common mobile engagement strategies and share tactics for implementing them.

Motivation to learn. TopClass LMS describes marketing messages that persuade members to become learners and elements of online education programs that stoke the intrinsic motivation of learners.

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

Community. Reflecting on his stay in India, Dean West of Association Laboratory defines the real value associations offer: “to join, congregate, or otherwise build relationships with peers… to participate in a community.” Don’t rely on membership, people are the solution. Focus on the emotional aspects of community by understanding what members and non-members find meaningful in their participation in your association.

Non-dues revenue. Lori Zoss-Kraska and Bruce Rosenthal share key themes from the non-dues revenue sessions at ASAE’s Annual Meeting and their conversations with other attendees.

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

Student membership. Rachel Mace at Association Analytics examines the external factors driving the decline in student memberships and alternatives to student membership that might do a better job of engaging Gen Z.

Time management. Jonny Thomson at Big Think talks with Oliver Burkeman, author of Four Thousand Weeks: Time Management for Mortals, about the sixth century Rule of Saint Benedict. The Rule is “a sort of model of moderation and rhythm that finds time for work, time for prayer, and time for rest.” Because “you will never achieve everything there is to achieve… you have to decide what to exclude from your finite life’s passing.” Decide how long you want to work on something. When time is up, stop working on that task, that’s it.

Conferences. Julius Solaris shares what he loved about the Connect Marketplace event—ideas to consider for your association’s next conference. Chaviva Gordon-Bennett at Bizzabo explains why smaller conferences are making a bigger impact than large ones.

Extra credit

Should we use a carousel for our website? | by Jared Smith (hat tip to Deanna Marchetti, a fellow attendee at virtual Solutions Day earlier this week)

We may be close to rediscovering thousands of texts that have been lost for millennia. Their contents could reshape how we understand the ancient world. | by Justin Germain, Works in Progress

A devastating bipartisan report on global threats and American weakness is met with indifference by both parties and candidates. | by Walter Russell Mead, The Wall Street Journal (gift link)

Half of local U.S. labor markets won’t meet future workforce needs. The need for credentialing programs presents an untapped potential economic opportunity for associations. | by Anna Helhoski, NerdWallet (hat tip to the Leading Learning newsletter)

Why does the West not defiantly express solidarity with the women of Iraq, Afghanistan, or any nation that stands by while women are abused by religious extremists? Too often, we are throttled by cultural relativism. | by Yasmine Mohammed, The Free Press

You never grow old at the table

For Sunday dinner, I made roasted chicken Provençal, but with a few changes: a whole head of garlic, red onion instead of shallots, and nearly a cup of white wine/dry vermouth. On the side, mashed potatoes to soak up the yummy sauce and roasted broccoli with red onion, garlic powder, and red pepper flakes.

Another night, boneless pork loin chops with cranberry thyme sauce. Getting into autumn flavors! On the side, a throwback to summer: green beans with basil pesto, which was also our vegetable when we had jerk-pecan crusted pan-fried tilefish later in the week.

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

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

Fri 9/20 at 1 p.m.* – Talk with CAEs

Lead facilitator: DeeJay Hastings, CAE, Executive Consultant, Lewis Association Consultants

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

Fri 9/20 at 3 p.m. – The Informal Consultants Networking Extravaganza

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 a discussion facilitated by Jeff De Cagna about the impact AI will have on association consulting work, and a conversation about getting the most out of your ASAE membership and naming ourselves the Consultants Collaborative to better represent our community within ASAE. More info.

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

Fri 9/20 at 4 p.m. – Communication Audits, Analysis & Answers

Conducting a communication audit of emails, websites, social media pages and other tools is an important exercise to ensure that your organization presents itself in a positive, on-brand voice. Learn how to conduct a communication audit and what to do with the results. Hear about the most common inconsistencies, a timeline for how to implement changes, and ideas for improving the effectiveness of your association’s visual and written communications efforts. More info/register.

Host: Fridays@4

Speaker: Denise Gavilan, owner of Gavilan & Associates LLC

Mon 9/23 at 8 a.m. – Cybersecurity for Associations (Radio Free 501c, the podcast of Rogue Tulips Consulting)

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

Guest: Brian Scott, ClearTone Consulting

Tue 9/24 from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. – Email Camp: Deliverability Domination

Find out how to overcome deliverability challenges so you can land in your fans’ hearts, minds, and inboxes. More info/register.

Host: Sinch Email

Tue 9/24 at 12 p.m. – Trends Talk: The Future According to Gen Z

Learn how Gen Z is driving innovation across industries—from tech and sustainability to mental health and digital culture. Discover the shifts in consumer behavior, social impact, and what brands need to know to stay ahead of the curve. More info/register.

Host: Sarah Sladek, Founder and CEO, XYZ University

Guest: Jenk Oz, Gen Z entrepreneur, founder of Thred Media

Tue 9/24 at 12:30 p.m. – Engage, Empower, Excel: Transforming Performance in the New Era of Work

Learn how to unlock your team’s full potential in the new era of work. Find out how to shift from traditional practices, such as performance management, to new ways of enabling performance with continuous feedback, recognition, and growth. Discover practical tips to empower managers and build high-performing teams, and strategies to drive exceptional results and create a workplace where employees feel valued and motivated. More info/register.

Host: Association Universe

Speakers: Adri Glover, Sr. People Operations Leader, and Radhika Samant, Chief Operating Officer, Bonusly

Tue 9/24 at 1 p.m. – How Open Access Will Affect Your Journal Strategy and Revenue

Learn about the White House directive that all U.S. taxpayer-funded research must be publicly available by December 31, 2025, including who is affected, how it impacts associations, and the timeline for implementation. Hear about new business models associations are exploring for life post-open access and processes organizations are using to develop new member benefits and generate non-dues revenue. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.

Host: UST Education

Speakers:

Kate Fryer, CEO, Endocrine Society
Pam Harley, Partner, Clarke & Esposito
David Jackson, Executive Officer, ASPET
Joanna M. Pineda, CEO & Chief Troublemaker, Matrix Group International, Inc.

Tue 9/24 at 3 p.m. – Making Informed Decisions: What You Need to Know Before Purchasing Technology for Your Association

Learn how to assess your organization’s unique requirements and set clear goals for your technology purchase; research and compare different vendors, including key questions to ask and red flags to watch out for; create a realistic budget and calculate the return on investment (ROI) for your tech purchase; successfully implement new technology and integrate it with your existing systems; and choose technology that can scale with your association and adapt to future needs. More info/register.

Host: Cadmium

Speakers:

Megan Shankle, Vice President, Client Relations, ISG Solutions LLC
Jessie Reyes, Director of Marketing; Melissa Roberts, Strategic Account Manager; and Sarah Sheinhorn, Solutions Engineer, Cadmium

Wed 9/25 from 9 a.m. to 2:10 p.m. – LMS Demo Days

Watch presentations from a limited number of industry partners that offer LMS platforms. More info/register.

Host: ASAE

Presenters: TopClass LMS by ASI, Thought Industries, Blue Sky eLearn, BenchPrep, Freestone LMS by Community Brands, and D2L

Wed 9/25 at 9 a.m. – Activate: The Marketing Event for Event Marketers

Steal new ideas, blueprints, and playbooks from the best marketing minds in the world. No talk is longer than 10 minutes. It’s innovative ideas from thought leaders in the event industry to help you cut through the noise and get the marketing results you want. More info/register.

Host: Gleanin

Keynote: Seth Godin

Wed 9/25 at 10 a.m. – Global Policy Outlook: Elections, AI, Trade, and More

Hear about current and upcoming global elections and their potential implications, AI policy developments and their regulatory impact, trade policy, including sanctions and tariffs affecting international operations, and energy policy trends and their influence on global markets. More info/register.

Host: FiscalNote

Speakers:

Michaela Karamperi, Global Policy Specialist, FiscalNote Professional Services
Lucas Machado, Global Policy Advisor, FiscalNote Professional Services
Simantini Ray, Research Analyst, FiscalNote Professional Services
Eric Seipp, Associate Consultant II, FiscalNote Professional Services
Thomas Adlam (moderator), Senior Manager of Client Engagements, FiscalNote Professional Services

Wed 9/25 from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. – Email Camp: Email Geek Supershow

Defend your title as an email geek with rounds of email marketing strategy and inspiration. More info/register.

Host: Sinch Email

Wed 9/25 at 12 p.m. – AWTC Meet & Greet

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

Host: Association Women Technology Champions

Wed 9/25 at 12 p.m. – Building Capacity at the Top of the Funnel: Setting Up Your Paid Ads Strategy

Many teams tend to lean too heavily into the creatives and gloss over critical pieces like audience building and keyword selection that directly influence spending. Hear about a simple framework to formulate your digital ad strategy and how to set up, manage and report on the results of your campaigns in HubSpot. More info/register.

Host: HighRoad Solution

Speakers: Garra Swayne, Strategic Account Manager, and Kat Ybarra, Sr. Digital Advisor, HighRoad Solution

Wed 9/25 at 12 p.m. – The Four Most Common Barriers to Association Growth

Learn about the four most common structural barriers that can hinder your association’s growth. Find out how to spot the key indicators of stagnant growth, how they relate to these barriers, how these barriers are affecting your association’s vitality, and how to overcome these obstacles and transform them into drivers of sustainable growth. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.

Host: Halmyre

Speaker: Christine Saunders, Founder and President, Halmyre

Wed 9/25 at 12 p.m. – Election Season Essentials: Navigating Nonprofit Lobbying and Political Activity Rules

Get clear guidance on the often-misunderstood rules surrounding lobbying and political activities. Learn what constitutes lobbying, the distinctions between lobbying and political activity, and how these regulations impact public charities, private foundations, and other nonprofit organizations. More info/register.

Host: Your Part-Time Controller

Speaker: David Trimner

Wed 9/25 at 12 p.m. – Leveraging Research for Earned Media to Boost Your Association’s PR Efforts

Learn how to uncover compelling stories within your research findings and connect your data to current industry trends and socio-economic landscapes to craft narratives that resonate. Hear how to set clear objectives, create a comprehensive strategy for releasing your research, and align your research goals with your organization’s broader objectives to maximize impact. Hear best practices for targeting media outlets, creating consumable content, and leveraging various platforms to spread your message. More info/register.

Host: OnWrd & UpWrd

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

Wed 9/25 at 12:30 p.m. – Data Modeling for Direct Mail: Boosting Multi-Channel Reach and Response

Learn how even incremental efforts and investments in your data can have a tremendous impact on your direct mail and multi-channel marketing campaign results. Hear about real-life case studies and best practices from client direct mail and digital campaigns where data modeling strategies pinpointed audience members, increasing their propensity to respond and buy. More info/register.

Host: Marketing Pro Pulse

Speaker: Jesse Simms, VP at Giant Partners

Wed 9/25 at 1 p.m. – Crystal Ball Predictions for the Future of Associations

Hear where associations can find new opportunities for partnerships, revenue, and growth; how inherent advantages with networking and connections can be better leveraged; what associations should be thinking about with in-person, virtual, and hybrid events; and how to repackage association content to achieve additional membership goals. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.

Host: Fonteva

Speakers:

Don Dea, Chair, Board of Directors, Guide Dog Foundation for the Blind & America’s VetDogs
Erin Fuller, FASAE, CAE, Chief Strategy Officer, MCI USA
Thad Lurie, CAE, CIP, Senior Vice President, Digital and Technology, American Geophysical Union
Rhea M. Steele, MS, FASAE, CAE, ODCP, Chief of Staff and VP of Strategy & Governance, School Nutrition Association

Wed 9/25 at 1 p.m. – Food Waste: How You Can Help Lessen One of Our Industry’s Most Vexing Issues

Learn how to save money and the planet by changing ordering procedures, enroll the chef in creative meal planning with less kitchen waste, engage your guests in minimizing food waste, donate leftover food with no risk, handle “push back” from caterers and venues, make a difference with composting, and tell the story in the media and with key stakeholders. More info/register.

Host: Meetings Today

Speaker: Nancy Zavada, CEO of MeetGreen

Wed 9/25 at 1 p.m. – Navigating Challenges for Women in the Meetings & Incentives Industry

Get a first look into the findings of a survey by Prevue and SITE’s Women in Leadership Committee, which sheds light on the specific hurdles faced by industry women in their professional journeys. Topics include finding the right balance, climbing the career ladder, breaking age discrimination barriers, addressing issues of sexual harassment, and the significance of leadership and mentorship. 1 CMP credit. More info/register.

Host: Prevue Meetings

Speakers:

Rhonda Brewer, Vice President, Sales, Motivation Excellence
Norma Dean, Director National Specialty Sales, Delta Air Lines
Anne Marie Rogers, Director of Meetings & Incentives, Direct Travel

Wed 9/25 at 1 p.m. – Quit Venting: The Hidden Costs of Sticking With Outdated Event Tech

Learn about the hidden costs of maintaining outdated event technology and how consolidating your event tech stack can lead to improved ROI, smoother operations, and elevated event experiences. Hear practical insights, real-world examples, and expert advice on making the transition to a more efficient and effective event tech solution. More info/register.

Host: Bizzabo

Speakers:

Angie Ahrens, Director, Global Events, MRI Real Estate Software
Clark Hager, Senior Director, Sales Engineering, Bizzabo

Wed 9/25 at 2 p.m. – 2024 Association Community Trends & Strategies

Hear about the latest trends and benchmarks from the 2024 Association Community Benchmark Report and discover game-changing community strategies to enhance member engagement and improve your online community’s performance. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.

Host: Higher Logic

Speakers: Tiffany Moule, Customer Advisor; Bekah Weidner, Sr. Consultant – Platform Advisor; and Kelly Whelan, Content Marketing Manager, Higher Logic

Wed 9/25 at 2 p.m. – Event Data + Sourcing Insights Straight from The Cvent Source

Based on event and sourcing data compiled from Cvent’s platform, hear analysis on what those data trends mean for event organizers. Get insights into top event markets, trends in meeting size and RFP response metrics, and shifts in event format and best practices for optimizing each type. 1 CMP credit. More info/register.

Host: MeetingsNet

Speakers:

Kelli Kopec, Senior Manager, Product Marketing, Cvent
Tanya Anderson Perry, VP, Sales & Marketing, FUSION Performance Group
Charlene Smith, Americas Regional Manager, GSMM, Global Events

Wed 9/25 at 2 p.m. – FBO Community September Virtual Meetup

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

Wed 9/25 at 3 p.m. – Embracing Data Analytics to Reinvent Your Content Marketing

Standing out in a sea of digital noise these days requires more than just creativity—it demands a data-driven approach. Learn how to harness the power of data analytics and AI to transform your content marketing efforts with data-driven insights. More info/register.

Host: Association Analytics

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

Thu 9/26 from 9 to 11:30 a.m. – LMS Demo Days

Watch presentations from a limited number of industry partners that offer LMS platforms. More info/register.

Host: ASAE

Presenters: Crowd Wisdom by Community Brands, Maple LMS, and Enigma Chat

Thu 9/26 from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. – Email Camp: Omnichannel Smackdown

When you tag team your communications channels, it’s not even a competition. Learn how to get them working in beautiful harmony. More info/register.

Host: Sinch Email

Thu 9/26 at 11 a.m. – How to De-escalate Leaders in High-Stress, Business Situations

Learn a six-step process to get someone in a high-pressure situation to move from angry and frustrated to productive and cooperative, activate emotional intelligence you didn’t know you had, and forensically listen so people feel heard, seen and validated – even in a crisis. More info/register.

Host: Convincing Company

Speakers: Crisis Communications Expert Adele Gambardella and Retired FBI agent and Hostage Negotiator Chip Massey, Convincing Company

Thu 9/26 at 11 a.m. – Event Innovation: The Latest Event Trends You Should Steal

Learn the secrets trade shows, conferences and confex events are implementing, including immersive experiences, next generation digital displays, smart badges, and QR codes. More info/register.

Host: Grip

Speakers:

Ross Sudentas, CEO, ExpoFP
Allison Woodall, National Sales Manager, American Tradeshow Services
Hew Leith, SVP of Marketing, Grip

Thu 9/26 at 12 p.m. – Captain Your Launch: Mastering B2B Product Launches

Learn the key steps to crafting a launch strategy that aligns your entire organization—from executives to sales teams—around clear objectives and a unified market approach. Hear practical insights on setting the right launch objectives, defining target audiences, and tracking the KPIs that matter most. More info/register.

Host: Marchitect

Speakers:

Beth Caplow, VP of GTM and Portfolio Marketing, Forrester
Tamara Grominsky, PMM Camp

Thu 9/26 at 12:30 p.m. – Maximize Your Investment and Post-Event Potential: Turn Content into Revenue Streams and Member Value

Association events are a goldmine for content and sponsorship opportunities. Your annual conference can fill your content calendar while generating non-dues revenue to fund your content throughout the year, enhance member benefits by providing valuable continuous content, and offer industry partners richer options beyond simple brand awareness. Learn how to identify content that provides incredible member value, develop non-dues revenue models that work before, during and after your event, create a content calendar filled with engaging content, and use content to create FOMO to grow your annual attendance. More info/register.

Host: .orgCommunity

Speaker: Dan Turnbull, business development, WorkerBee.TV

Thu 9/26 at 12:30 p.m. – The Remote Workforce and Multistate Tax and Employment Law Compliance: What Your Nonprofit Needs to Know

Many nonprofits employ employees to work in multiple states and are faced with the challenging task of complying with a multitude of (often dissimilar) state tax laws and employment laws, including paid sick leave, family and medical leave, disability benefit, and/or wage and hour laws. Learn about considerations to be aware of when determining solutions to this complex topic, common pitfalls, and tips for ensuring compliance. Hear about specific types of policies your nonprofit may consider implementing for compliance and, if policies already have been implemented, how such policies may be updated to address evolving state laws and/or trends in your nonprofit’s hiring and retention practices. More info/register.

Host: Venable LLP

Speakers: Jennifer G. Prozinski, Walter R. Calvert, Hayley F. Degnan, and Meriem El-Khattabi, Venable LLP

Thu 9/26 at 1 p.m. – From Constraint to Opportunity: Leveraging Video for Business Growth With Minimal Resources

Hear about changing trends in consumer behavior towards video content and their implications for business strategies; different video types crucial for B2B growth, including product demos, customer testimonials, and explainer videos, and their significance in driving engagement and conversions; and strategies to produce compelling video content efficiently, optimizing impact while effectively managing resources such as time and budget constraints. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.

Host: UST Education

Speaker: Peter Matejcek, CEO, INhouse Video

Thu 9/26 at 1 p.m. – Associations at Risk: 2025 Tax Reform Implications

Influential legislators and policy think tanks have called for taxing ALL tax-exempt organizations across the board, applying the 21% corporate tax rate to ALL non-donation net revenue. Membership dues, sponsorships, investment income, and educational program revenue are only a few examples of what is at risk. We must engage as a community now to help ensure this doesn’t happen. Learn about the policy landscape, implications of harmful taxes, and how we can act now to advocate for our community. More info/register—you don’t have to be a member to attend.

Host: ASAE

Speakers:

Sara Barba, Principal, Integer, LLC
Mary Kate Cunningham, CAE, Senior Vice President, Public Policy, ASAE
Jeff Evans, Director, Public Policy, ASAE

Thu 9/26 at 1 p.m. – Board Evaluations for Improved Director Effectiveness

According to OnBoard’s 2024 Boardroom Insights Survey, 17% of board members are considered ineffective by their peers. Learn how to leverage board evaluations to enhance the effectiveness of both individual directors and the entire board, objectively assess board and director performance, anticipate future challenges through practical futurism, and improve decision-making by understanding different problem-solving styles. More info/register.

Host: OnBoard

Speaker: Donna Hamlin, Managing Partner, Founder and CEO of BoardWise

Thu 9/26 at 1:30 p.m. – Not-So-Everyday AI: AI Assisted Certificate/Certification Program Creation in 60 Minutes or Less

Learn how to leverage AI to build a complete certificate/certification program from start to finish in just 60 minutes. From defining key competencies to generating exam questions, creating engaging content, and prepping candidates for success, we’ll guide you step-by-step through the tools and strategies that can streamline and supercharge your certification development process. More info/register.

Host: Dan Streeter, MissionFuel

Thu 9/26 at 2 p.m. – The Art of High-Impact Booth Graphics

Learn how to tell your brand story with high-impact booth graphics and the must-know details of the art production process. Whether you’re exhibiting in a portable, inline, or a large island display, get practical tips and strategies to help you stand out on the show floor with graphics that are a true reflection of your brand. More info/register.

Host: Skyline Exhibits

Speakers: Morgan Fletcher, Graphic Designer, and Matt King, Manager of Graphics Support, Skyline Exhibits

Thu 9/26 at 3 p.m. – Curious Leadership Shift #2: Mastering Operational Excellence

Explore how efficient systems and processes create the backbone for curiosity-driven leadership. Learn how to streamline operations without stifling creativity, enhance productivity, and align your team’s efforts toward achieving breakthrough results. Hear about the final critical shift: creating a Curious Culture that keeps your organization adaptable and forward-thinking. More info/register.

Host: Lateral Solutions

Thu 9/26 at 9 p.m. – Building a Consistent Practice of Foresight

Learn how boards, CEOs and other contributors can collaborate to build a consistent practice of foresight. More info/register.

Host: Philippine Council of Associations and Association Executives

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

Fri 9/27 at 1 p.m. – SEO Memorial Service: A Fond Farewell To Things That Don’t Matter Anymore

Host: American Marketing Association

Speaker: Ryan Brock, Chief Solution Officer at DemandJump and author of Pillar-Based Marketing: A Data-Driven Methodology for SEO and Content that Actually Works

Fri 9/27 at 4 p.m. – Open Discussion: How are you keeping political discussions civil at work?

Host: Fridays@4

Tue 10/1 from 9:15 a.m. to 4 p.m. – Wonk Week (Washington DC)

Host: Quorum

Tue 10/1 from 11 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. – Empowering Revenue Teams with Go-to-Market Intelligence

Host: SalesIntel

Tue 10/1 at 12 p.m. – 2024 Association Trends Study

Host: Momentive Software (formerly Community Brands)

Speakers:

Pam Loeb, Principal, Edge Research
Tirrah Switzer, Senior Director of Product Marketing, Momentive Software (formerly Community Brands)

Tue 10/1 at 12 p.m. – 2nd Annual Data Analytics Network Data Science Fair (Arlington VA)

Host: Data Analytics Network

Tue 10/1 at 1 p.m. – Webinar Wizardry Part 1: Engagement Tools to Keep Your Audience Hooked

Host: UST Education

Speakers: Nicole Crabtree, Director of Events, and Reilly Moriarty, Marketing Manager, UST Education

Wed 10/2 from 9:15 a.m. to 3 p.m. – Wonk Week (Washington DC)

Host: Quorum

Wed 10/2 at 11 a.m. – Planning a Successful Website Redesign from RFP to Launch

Host: Results Direct

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

Thu 10/3 at 2 p.m. – A Journey Through Finance Digital Transformation

Host: 501Works

Speakers:

Bereket Haile, Controller, RIMS, the risk management society®
James Marquis, CIO, 501Works

Creative Commons licensed photo by Will Myers via Unsplash

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Association Brain Food: 9.13.24

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

On my calendar. Join me at the virtual .orgCommunity Solutions Day on Wednesday, September 18. I’m looking forward to hearing association success stories about automation, website redesign, data analytics, AI, content personalization, and more.

Product ideas. James Young at Product Community shares ten revenue-generating product ideas. He doesn’t think of them as visionary, but some of them are new to me. He explains how to build product lines using a framework involving product extensions—an interesting and potentially fruitful strategy.

Professional development. We’re at a crossroads in professional development, says Tracy King of InspirEd. Because skills are the new workforce currency, associations must focus on designing and delivering what members need: digital badges, certificates, and hands-on learning programs.

Community. People seek places to belong where they can make a difference—a community. But associations have a hard time delivering the personal and emotional experiences people want from communities. GrowthZone explains how to use the five pillars of communities to engage members: direction and desired outcome, shared responsibility, personal value, progress awareness, and ongoing ecosystem—you’ll find a lot of sound advice here.

Association marketing. Earn up to four CAE credits in the Association Academy’s Association Creative Marketing Masterclass, which meets for four weeks on Thursdays, 1-2pm ET, starting September 19. Taught live by leading association heads of marketing, this course teaches you how to evaluate marketing copy and layout. Each class features a live review of real association marketing collateral, along with recommendations for improvement.

Innovation culture. When Sheri Jacobs of Avenue M polled association professionals, she learned they struggle with prioritizing innovation because of limited time, risk aversion, and lack of leadership support. She shares tips for fostering a culture of experimentation that balances innovation and reality.

Post-event attendee engagement. You put a ton of effort into planning, promoting, and hosting a conference, but once it’s over, attendees drift away. When will you hear from them again? EventMobi explains how to use a year-round community and content hub to keep attendees connected with each other and your association.

Experimentation culture. Here’s more advice on building a culture of learning and experimentation from Adam Grant at Strategy+Business. He describes how leaders can create the psychological safety people need to constantly rethink what’s possible.

Member experience. For their 2024 State of Associations Member Experience (MX) report, Forj surveyed over 1000 association members about membership expectations and experiences. The data revealed interesting findings about learning. The report offers advice on elevating MX, such as adopting an agile mindset and rethinking your approach to learning if you want to outpace the competition.

Extra credit

Managing legal and other AI risks for associations. | Holly E. Peterson, Tenenbaum Law Group PLLC

Are press releases still relevant? | Michelle Garrett, Notified

Why can’t the U.S. build ships? Sobering. | Brian Potter of Construction Physics, Noahpinion

You never grow old at the table

We spent a few days in Buffalo last week with trips to Niagara Falls (what a blast, put it on your list!) and Toronto to visit the Hockey Hall of Fame. No hiking this time, instead we walked several miles a day to breweries (my favorites were Big Ditch, Resurgence, Frequentem, Spotted Octopus, and Gene McCarthy’s/Old First Ward), two historical bars (Ulrich’s 1868 Tavern and Founding Fathers Pub—be prepared to get quizzed on history by the bartender owner), and a gin bar (Graylynn).

The food highlights were beef on weck (OMG!) at Charlie the Butcher’s, chicken finger salad and pepperoni pizza at Bada Bing Bar & Grill, poutine at Big Ditch (even better when topped with blue cheese dressing leftover from the wings), and stuffed banana peppers at Gene McCarthy’s.

When I was back on dinner duty, I pan-seared tilefish fillets topped with a pecan jerk rub. On the side, green beans with basil pesto.

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

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

Fri 9/13 at 4 p.m.* – Strategic Thinking: How to See Your Work Differently

Unless you are a unicorn, thinking strategically takes time and practice. Gain tips and tools to become more strategic, think more strategically and, even more importantly, communicate strategically. More info/register.

Host: Fridays@4

Speaker: Jessica Kinghorn, principal consultant of Kinghorn Strategy

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

Mon 9/16 at 8 a.m. – Unplug and Flourish: The Sabbatical Journey (Radio Free 501c, the podcast of Rogue Tulips Consulting)

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

Guest: Laura Caputo, JD, La Roca Consulting

Tue 9/17 at 12 p.m. – Intro to AI Webinar for Associations and Nonprofits

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

Host: Sidecar

Speaker: Thomas Altman, Co-Founder, Tasio

Tue 9/17 at 12 p.m. – Maximizing Your Online Communities (CRVM September Crunch and Munch)

There are multiple opportunities and successful strategies to maximize an online community. How are you using your community? This is an open discussion, so come with your experiences, ideas and questions. More info/register (ASAE members only).

Host: ASAE Component Relations and Volunteer Management Council

Facilitators:

Elizabeth George, Chief Membership Office, American Guild of Organists
Kevin Whorton, President, Whorton Marketing

Tue 9/17 at 1 p.m. – How Well Do You Know Your Members?

Challenge your understanding of your association’s members. Hear the findings from the recently released 2024 State of Association Member Experience Report and put your knowledge to the test. Discuss emerging trends in member engagement and learning preferences. Learn more about adopting an agile mindset to stay competitive and relevant. More info/register.

Host: Forj

Tue 9/17 at 1 p.m. – How Better Data Leads to Better Engagement

Accurate data allows you to segment and serve your members more effectively. But how do you get it? Learn how one association used personalized communications to gather data that boosted member retention, non-dues revenue, and year-round member engagement. More info/register.

Host: PropFuel

Tue 9/17 at 1 p.m. – How to Repurpose Your Event Content Like a Pro

Hear about the importance of repurposing content to extend the content’s lifespan beyond the event. Learn how to use different content formats to offer your message in new ways and measure the impact and success of your re-purposed content. More info/register.

Host: American Marketing Association

Speaker: Victoria Akinsowon, Team Lead, Content Marketing, Cvent

Tue 9/17 at 2 p.m. – Mastering Remote Onboarding: Proven Strategies for Seamless New Hire Integration

Learn how to craft a customized onboarding checklist that ensures every new hire has a smooth transition into your company; foster a strong company culture among remote employees; enhance team cohesion, improve communication, and boost collaboration in a virtual environment; leverage technology for effective remote onboarding, and evaluate and enhance your onboarding program. More info/register.

Host: Association Universe

Speaker: Tim Buteyn, President of ThinkingKap Learning Solutions

Wed 9/18 at 12 p.m. – From Fizzle to Fire: Reinvigorating Volunteerism in Your Member Communities

Dive deep into the challenges of low volunteerism and hear about strategies to support components—from chapters to SIGs to online communities. Explore innovative approaches to attract a diverse pool of volunteers, leveraging technology, social media, and community partnerships. Learn how to guide leaders in fostering a supportive, inclusive, and empowering environment for their volunteers. Discover how to use data and feedback to understand volunteer needs and tailor recruitment and retention efforts. Share effective practices, and resources to power volunteerism in your member communities. More info/register.

Hosts: Billhighway and Mariner Management

Speaker: Peggy Hoffman, president and executive director, Mariner Management

Wed 9/18 at 12 p.m. – Making the Case to Double Your Membership Recruitment Budget

Learn how to build a compelling case for doubling your membership recruitment budget, demonstrate the value of a larger investment to your leadership and board, and unlock the potential for significant membership growth. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.

Host: Marketing General Inc.

Speakers: Michelle Peterson and Elisa Joseph Anders, Marketing General Inc.

Wed 9/18 at 12 p.m. – The Power of Pie: Connecting and Collaborating Through Culinary Delights

Explore how strategic food choices can elevate attendee focus and drive productivity at events. Dive into the delicious world of The Pie Network, where food does more than just satisfy—it connects. Learn from Valentina’s expertise in transforming events through immersive, sensory-engaging strategies. Find out how pie and other culinary delights can foster community engagement and boost retention rates at gatherings. More info/register.

Host: Tracy Stuckrath, founder and event planner, thrive! meetings & events

Guest: Valentina Ruffoni, founder and event strategist, Beyond The Event

Wed 9/18 at 1 p.m. – Associations & Non-Profits: Digital Initiatives to Grow Sponsorship Revenue

Hear about innovative digital initiatives and ideas that associations and nonprofits can leverage to boost their sponsorship revenue and stand out from other purpose driven organizations. Gain expert insights on transforming your digital strategy to attract and retain sponsors effectively. More info/register.

Host: Growth Owl, LLC

Speakers:

Michelle Brien, Chief Marketing Officer, Matchbox
Lori Zoss-Kraska, Founder/CEO, Growth Owl, LLC

Wed 9/18 at 2 p.m. – Alternative Venues for Small Groups

Learn how to find alternative venues and what to consider during the site-selection process. Hear about creative ways to integrate the venue’s character into the event design process, from branding to room layouts. Find out how to navigate logistical challenges, such as A/V and accessibility, in non-turnkey venues. 1 CMP credit. More info/register.

Host: Northstar Meetings Group

Speakers:

Megan Janel Zimmer, Senior Event Experience Strategist, Encore
Elise Schoening (moderator), Editor, Meeting News; Senior Editor, Northstar Meetings Group

Wed 9/18 at 3 p.m. – How to Build a Marketing Plan and Get It Approved for 2025

Learn how to build a powerful marketing plan that aligns with your business objectives, gain plan approval from executives and board members, and flawlessly execute your marketing plan by turning ideas into measurable results. Hear about the advantages of scenario planning and how it can prepare your marketing team to adapt to the ever-changing economic landscape. More info/register.

Host: Exit Five

Speakers:

Dave Gerhardt, Founder of Exit Five
Rowan Tonkin, CMO at Planful

Thu 9/19 at 12 p.m. – Association Systems: Do You Have the Right Tech Stack for Your Association’s Needs?

Have you ever wondered whether your association has the right technology platforms? Are you keeping up with the latest tech? Are you focusing on the right projects? Should you first focus on tools rather than projects? If you’re thinking about doing a technology assessment, explore the first step: looking at your core association systems. More info/register.

Host: Achurch Consulting

Speakers: Tammy Marko, PMP, Technology Consultant, and George Rears, MBA, PMP, CSM, Technology Consultant, Achurch Consulting

Thu 9/19 at 12 p.m. – Leveraging Corporate Social Responsibility Funds for Sponsorships (Alexandria VA)

Is your association looking for new ways to grow non-dues revenue, or seeking to engage corporate sponsors beyond their marketing teams? If so, CSR funds could present opportunities for you. Find out why and how to start conversations with CSR teams. Location: Alexandria VA. More info/register.

Hosts: NoVa Association Senior Executives and PAR: Professionals for Association Revenue

Speaker: corporate partnerships guru Bruce Rosenthal of Bruce Rosenthal Associates

Thu 9/19 at 12 p.m. – Unlock Your Organizational Superpower: Embrace Diversity

Learn how diversity fuels innovation, creates a broad tapestry of workforce talent, connects to your diverse stakeholder base, retains and engages top workforce talent, and aids in understanding the role of employee resource groups. More info/register.

Host: Association Xchange

Speakers:

Kelli C. Baxter, Executive Director, American Translators Association
Randy Townsend, Inaugural Editor-in-Chief, George Washington Journal of Ethics in Publishing, George Washington University
Damita Snow (moderator), CAE, ENV SP, Director, Accessibility & Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Strategy, Publications & Standards, American Society of Civil Engineers

Thu 9/19 at 12 p.m. – Which Governance Model is Right for You?

Many of our governance challenges are rooted in the governance model we use. Perhaps it’s a poor fit for the association, or maybe we’re just not applying it correctly. Learn which models to consider, and the pros and cons of each. More info/register.

Host: Zzeem Consulting

Thu 9/19 at 12 p.m. – Member ROI Group

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

Host: Ed Rigsbee

Thu 9/19 at 1 p.m. – Advocating as a Woman in a Male Dominated World

Women are breaking barriers and taking on leadership roles in fields once considered exclusive to men. However, the path to leadership for women in these environments can be challenging. Learn how to advocate for yourself and your career by speaking up, expressing your goals, and seeking support. More info/register.

Host: Association Women Technology Champions

Speaker: Nallely Suárez Gass, Director of Professional Services, Elevar Development

Thu 9/19 at 1 p.m. – Unlocking Growth: Strategies and Frameworks for Learning Businesses

Drawing on a new executive briefing from Leading Learning, this session explores essential strategies that can drive your learning business forward. Discover the two primary levers that underlie growth, the critical importance of growing your reach and impact along with revenue, and how to align growth tactics to your core goals. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.

Host: Leading Learning/Tagoras

Speakers:

Jeff Cobb and Celisa Steele, co-founders of Tagoras and Leading Learning
Ujjwal Gupta, CPO and co-founder of BenchPrep

Thu 9/19 at 3 p.m. – Craft a Compelling Communication Strategy to Boost Member Engagement

Learn about the importance of setting a primary goal to guide your communication plan, options for prioritizing audiences and research to understand communications preferences of members, implementing communication strategies to elevate member engagement, metrics to track to evaluate your activities, and ways to assign responsibilities for executing of your communication strategy. More info/register.

Host: Grype Digital

Speakers:

Farra Trompeter, Co-Director at Big Duck
Farhad Khan, CEO & Membership Strategist at Grype Digital

Thu 9/19 at 3 p.m. – Curious Leadership Shift #1: Cultivating a Growth Mindset

Unlock your leadership potential by embracing a growth mindset—the foundation of curiosity and continuous learning. Learn how shifting from a fixed mindset to a growth-focused one allows leaders to view challenges as opportunities, inspire innovation, and create a resilient team. Hear actionable strategies to nurture personal and organizational growth. More info/register.

Host: Lateral Solutions

Thu 9/19 at 4p.m. – Award Winning Marketing Campaigns Using Digital Platforms

Hear the success story behind the American Institute of Architect’s (AIA) membership marketing campaign that not only achieved unprecedented recruitment and retention levels but also clinched the prestigious ASAE Gold Circle Award. Learn about the pivotal role of collaboration in the campaign’s success, crafting compelling videos that resonate with both potential and existing members, leveraging digital platforms for maximum reach, and establishing a digital library to build capacity for efficient deployment, repurposing, and redeployment across multiple campaigns. More info/register.

Host: ASAE Reston-Loudoun Swap

Speaker: Mike Skiados MBA, CAE, Managing Director, Membership Strategy and Engagement, AIA

Fri 9/20 at 1 p.m. – Talk with CAEs

Lead facilitator: DeeJay Hastings, CAE, Executive Consultant, Lewis Association Consultants

Fri 9/20 at 3 p.m. – The Informal Consultants Networking Extravaganza

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 a discussion facilitated by Jeff De Cagna about the impact AI will have on association consulting work plus a conversation about getting the most out of your ASAE membership. More info.

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

Fri 9/20 at 4 p.m. – Communication Audits, Analysis & Answers

Host: Fridays@4

Speaker: Denise Gavilan, owner of Gavilan & Associates LLC

Tue 9/24 from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. – Email Camp: Deliverability Domination

Find out how to overcome deliverability challenges so you can land in your fans’ hearts, minds, and inboxes. More info/register.

Host: Sinch Email

Tue 9/24 at 1 p.m. – How Open Access Will Affect Your Journal Strategy and Revenue

Learn about the White House directive that all US taxpayer-funded research must be publicly available by December 31, 2025, including who is affected, how it impacts associations, and the timeline for implementation. Hear about new business models associations are exploring for life post-open access and processes organizations are using to develop new member benefits and generate non-dues revenue. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.

Host: UST Education

Speakers:

Kate Fryer, CEO, Endocrine Society
Pam Harley, Partner, Clarke & Esposito
David Jackson, Executive Officer, ASPET
Joanna M. Pineda, CEO & Chief Troublemaker, Matrix Group International, Inc.

Wed 9/25 from 9 a.m. to 2:10 p.m. – LMS Demo Days

Watch presentations from a limited number of industry partners that offer LMS platforms. More info/register.

Host: ASAE

Presenters: TopClass LMS by ASI, Thought Industries, Blue Sky eLearn, BenchPrep, Freestone LMS by Community Brands, and D2L

Wed 9/25 from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. – Email Camp: Email Geek Supershow

Defend your title as an email geek with rounds of email marketing strategy and inspiration. More info/register.

Host: Sinch Email

Wed 9/25 at 12 p.m. – AWTC Meet & Greet

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

Host: Association Women Technology Champions

Wed 9/25 at 2 p.m. – 2024 Association Community Trends & Strategies

Host: Higher Logic

Speakers: Tiffany Moule, Customer Advisor; Bekah Weidner, Sr. Consultant – Platform Advisor; and Kelly Whelan, Content Marketing Manager, Higher Logic

Thu 9/26 from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. – LMS Demo Days

Watch presentations from a limited number of industry partners that offer LMS platforms. More info/register.

Host: ASAE

Presenters: Crowd Wisdom by Community Brands, Maple LMS, Enigma Chat, and the rest to be announced

Thu 9/26 from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. – Email Camp: Omnichannel Smackdown

When you tag team your communications channels, it’s not even a competition. Learn how to get them working in beautiful harmony. More info/register.

Host: Sinch Email

Thu 9/26 at 12:30 p.m. – Maximize Your Investment and Post-Event Potential: Turn Content into Revenue Streams and Member Value

Host: .orgCommunity

Speaker: Dan Turnbull, business development, WorkerBee.TV

Thu 9/26 at 1 p.m. – From Constraint to Opportunity: Leveraging Video for Business Growth With Minimal Resources

Host: UST Education

Speaker: Peter Matejcek, CEO, INhouse Video

Thu 9/26 at 1:30 p.m. – Not-So-Everyday AI: AI Assisted Certificate/Certification Program Creation in 60 Minutes or Less

Host: Dan Streeter, MissionFuel

Thu 9/26 at 9 p.m. – Building a Consistent Practice of Foresight

Learn how boards, CEOs and other contributors can collaborate to build a consistent practice of foresight. More info/register.

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

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

Association Brain Food: 9.6.24

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

Chapters and membership. Your association and chapters vie for your members’ attention and time, so how do you become membership partners instead? Billhighway shares Elizabeth Engel’s advice for tackling this conundrum, including how to help chapter volunteers excel at member recruitment, engagement, and retention.

Podcast recommendations. I love Lead Marvels’ curated list of association podcasts, but it’s missing two of my favorites: Leading Learning from Tagoras and Reboot IT from DelCor Technology Solutions.

RFP for an AMS. Impexium describes the steps for creating a request for proposals (RFP) for association management software (AMS). They cover the planning process, elements of an RFP, factors to keep in mind when selecting an AMS partner, and advice from technology consultants at Achurch Consulting, DelCor, Effective Database Management, and Ellipsis Partners.

Association AI. Ray van Hilst at Yoko Consulting summarizes AI discussions at last month’s ASAE Annual Meeting. Sure, AI helps you do more with less, but he advises not falling for the Shiny Object Syndrome. Don’t adopt AI for the sake of it. Instead, understand how it aligns with your strategic objectives, supports your mission, and enhances your services. He also addresses ethics and transparency concerns, AI policies, and “shadow” AI tools.

Video marketing. VideoRequest describes how associations are using videos to increase brand awareness, raise funds, engage volunteers, and promote events.

Volunteers. Peggy Hoffman of Mariner Management says, “The traditional volunteer model—long terms, rigid roles—isn’t resonating with today’s members. They crave flexibility and opportunities to contribute their skills in meaningful ways.” She describes how to move away from the traditional model if you want to get more members involved in volunteering.

Pricing. Dr. Michael Tatonetti of Pricing for Associations suggests guidelines and questions for focus groups that will help you determine the real value of your association’s product.

Extra credit

Payment processors vs. payment gateways: key differences explained | Wade Tetsuka, CPA, US Transactions Corporation (UST)

The Taliban’s assault on music: The group announced it destroyed over 21,000 musical instruments in the past year—part of its broader, brutal effort to crush the spirit and culture of the Afghan people. Islamic fundamentalists are the scourge of civilization. | Ahmad Sarmast, Lesley Rosenthal and Jessica Lustig, The Wall Street Journal (gift link)

You never grow old at the table

In a twist on the traditional insalata caprese, I topped tomato slices with goat cheese instead of fresh mozzarella, along with fresh basil, black olives, and balsamic vinaigrette. I loved the creaminess of goat cheese, plus it’s more flavorful than mozzarella. Slivers of kalamata olives added a nice salty bite.

We had the caprese salad before enjoying an old (easy) favorite, pork Milanese. On the side, green beans sautéed in a mix of almond and olive oil—I added oil from a jar of almond butter to the pan—with red onion, garlic, fresh tarragon, and slivered almonds. Fed up with never finding tarragon in our local supermarket, I decided to grow my own.

Another night, I made baked black sea bass with linguiça and chickpeas. On the side, roasted broccoli and carrots with red onion and garlic powder.

In the mood for lemon, I found a recipe I will make again: lemon butter chicken tenderloins. Another quick one!

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

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

Fri 9/6 at 1 p.m.* – Talk with CAEs

An online space for CAE candidates to ask questions about the CAE (e.g., exam preparations, eligibility, exam content outline, study strategies, practice questions, tips, and advice, etc.) and current CAEs to share their knowledge and experience with the exam. More info/register.

Lead facilitator: DeeJay Hastings, CAE, Executive Consultant, Lewis Association Consultants

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

Fri 9/6 at 4 p.m. – Panel Discussion: How Associations and Nonprofits Can Honor Hispanic Culture & the Role of Culture in Belonging and Cultivating Inclusion

In honor of Hispanic Heritage Month, join a panel discussion on how association staff and members can celebrate Hispanic culture, the role of culture in belonging, cultivating inclusion, etc. More info/register.

Host: Fridays@4

Speakers:

Shari N. Olarte, MA, CAE, Director of Governance at the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy

Mon 9/9 at 8 a.m. – Consistent Messaging for Nonprofits (Radio Free 501c, the podcast of Rogue Tulips Consulting)

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

Guest: Stephanie Malench, Write by Steph

Mon 9/9 at 12 p.m. – Membership Mondays

This session will feature a member-led discussion on membership success, exploring the topics: How do you define “success” for members within your organization? What are the primary challenges you encounter when measuring success? How are trends or technologies influencing your methods? More info/register (ASAE members only).

Host: ASAE Membership Professionals Advisory Council

Tue 9/10 at 11 a.m. – Improving Web Accessibility: Building a Culture of Online Inclusivity from Remediation to Localization and Beyond

Even as your association works to bring your website into compliance with federal and state accessibility mandates, you’re likely learning about emerging litigation and lawmaking from state, federal, and global agencies that will continue to affect you. Learn where to start with accessibility and how to develop a sustainable approach to accessibility governance for your website. Find out why web accessibility needs to be a priority for your organization, the different levels of compliance—and what “WCAG AA 2.1” means, how common website issues create barriers to inclusivity, what you need to improve the user experience, how to create a manageable remediation plan for technical accessibility issues, and how to build in inclusivity from the start when you’re planning a new site or redesign. More info/register.

Host: Association Women Technology Champions

Speakers:

Rob Bean, Partner & Strategist at Refactored
Kelly Jan, Senior Business Development Executive at Recite Me

Tue 9/10 at 11 a.m. – Optimizing the Budget Building Process

Learn how an annual budget process assessment can set the stage for change and improved performance. Explore options for finding the right time to begin the budget building process and how even a small change has many benefits. Hear about the funding-first approach to budget building and how prioritizing budgeting for revenue and support on the front-end of the budget building process helps with funding assessments and aligning and scaling programs, activities, and operations to available funding. Find out about special tactics for budgeting for salaries, and how decentralizing the budget building process and documenting budget assumptions is key to success. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.

Host: UST Education

Speakers:

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

Tue 9/10 at 11:30 a.m. – Beyond Event Attendance: Proven Approaches to Boost Attendee Engagement

Event planners are finding that while attendance numbers are on the rise, the quality of engagement leaves much to be desired. Learn how to create a comprehensive attendee engagement plan, develop attendee personas to tailor your engagement efforts, identify the key performance indicators and metrics to measure the success of your engagement strategy, and gain insights from the Community Brands Events Trends 2024 Research Study to benchmark your engagement strategies amongst your peers. More info/register.

Host: Community Brands

Tue 9/10 at 12 p.m. – Tech Tuesdays

Host: ASAE Technology Professionals Advisory Council

Facilitators:

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

Tue 9/10 at 12 p.m. – LGBTQIA2+ 2024 Community Call

Host: ASAE LGBTQ Association Executives and Supporters

Tue 9/10 at 1 p.m. – Maximize Your Investment and Post-Event Potential: Turning Your Content Into Revenue Streams and Member Value

With proper planning, your annual conference can fill your content calendar while generating non-dues revenue. This approach provides valuable, continuous content to members, extends access to non-attendees, and offers industry partners richer sponsorship options, beyond brand awareness, and metrics to accurately demonstrate success. Learn how to identify content that provides exceptional member value; compare and assess proven non-dues revenue models for their effectiveness before, during, and after your event; design a content calendar filled with engaging content; and use content to create FOMO and increase annual attendance. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.

Host: UST Education

Speaker: Dan Turnbull, Business Development Representative, WorkerBee.TV

Tue 9/10 at 2 p.m. – Treat Yo’ Self To Success: Marketing Benchmarks and Strategies for a More Effective 2025

Hear results from the 2024 Marketing Benchmarks for Mission-Driven Organizations report, showcasing how you can leverage the data and insights to better understand how you stack up to your peers and create a plan for improved marketing maturity in 2025 and beyond. Learn about quick wins you can start today, what long-term success looks like, and how to implement each. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.

Host: Mighty Citizen

Speakers: Brianna Martin, Director of Brand Marketing, and Jarrett Way, Senior Marketing Manager, Mighty Citizen

Tue 9/10 at 2 p.m. – Best Practices for Managing the “Easy Button”

In a time of lean corporate planning teams, third-party, agency and independent planners can fill skill gaps in teams, augment staffing, and help reach goals by leveraging their vast expertise. And often they can offer their services for little or no cost to you. Learn how to find consulting partners that fit your needs, what questions to ask when considering a partner and the range of services you can outsource, and how and when to integrate these resources into your organization. More info/register.

Host: Smart Meetings

Speakers:

Yvette Campbell, CMP, meeting broker, Meetings Made Easy
Michelle Crosby, CMP, CITP, account executive, Brightspot Incentives and Events

Tue 9/10 at 9 p.m. – Conversations Dominating Association Planning

Hear about strategies associations implement to stay ahead of the curve. More info/register.

Host: Philippine Council of Associations and Association Executives

Speaker: Belinda Moore, consultant, Strategic Membership Solutions, and founder, Answers for Associations

Wed 9/11 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. – Panel Discussion: How Practice Tests Can Support Your Program (Alexandria VA)

Dilve into the multifaceted world of practice exams, exploring their types, development, and economic implications. Hear an in-depth analysis of various practice test formats—ranging from standardized tests to specialized subject exams—and their efficacy in preparing students and professionals alike. Explore the intricacies of content development, including the methodologies for creating high-quality, reliable practice materials. Learn about the economic aspects of practice test preparation, examining costs, market trends, and the impact of technological advancements. Location: Alexandria VA. More info/register.

Host: Certification Network Group

Speakers:

Laura Brooks, Technical Enablement Program Manager, Pure Storage
John Dight, VP Business Development/Certification Consultant, Surpass
James Gamito, MSHRM, Account Director, Prometric
Corina Owens, Ph.D., Vice President, Client Services, Alpine Testing Solutions, Inc.
Ibidun Layi-Ojo (moderator), Director, Examinations, CFP Board

Wed 9/11 at 12 p.m. – Elevating Volunteer Engagement: How to Create a Thriving Volunteer Community

In nearly 500 conversations with members from various member organizations, member strategist and author, Amanda Lea Kaiser found a complicated tangle of reasons members don’t volunteer. Learn how to welcome potential volunteers, extinguish burnout of long-time volunteers, and encourage more volunteer collaborators, contributors, and leaders. More info/register.

Host: GrowthZone

Speaker: Amanda Kaiser, engagement strategist, Kaiser Insights

Wed 9/11 at 1 p.m. – 7 Writing Mistakes Your Communications Team Is Making Now

Learn scientific, proven-in-the-lab writing techniques you and your team can use to craft engaging, relevant content that resonates with stakeholders; cut through the noise of competing communications; use AI tools to write better, easier and faster; and create empathetic, human communications in the AI world. More info/register.

Host: Ann Wylie

Wed 9/11 at 2 p.m. – Fall 2024 Legislative Preview: Congress Crunch Time

Hear about legislative priorities and key bills Congress aims to address before the end of the fiscal year, implications of potential delays and the strategies lawmakers may employ, impact of the upcoming elections on legislative activities and priorities, and how critical appropriations and the NDAA could shape policy outcomes. More info/register.

Host: CQ

Thu 9/12 at 11 a.m. – Educating Your Membership on How to Increase the Value of Your Business

Hear about a proven approach to educating your membership on how to increase the value of their business. Learn how “the market” views business valuation and closing the gap between the seller’s and buyer’s perceptions. Find out about the top three business and founder risks that lead to business failures. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.

Host: UST Education

Speaker: Eric Krucke, Business Transitions Practice Leader, Aprio

Thu 9/12 at 1 p.m. – Supercharge Your Membership Strategy With AI

Explore the diverse applications of AI beyond text and image creation and new possibilities for enhancing member engagement and support. Learn about the current landscape of marketing AI and how it can significantly benefit membership organizations and associations like yours. Find out about easy-to-use AI tools you can implement immediately to enhance your membership strategy and drive measurable results. Learn how to design and apply actionable AI experiments tailored to streamline your workflow and elevate your association’s processes, making a real impact from day one. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.

Host: UST Education

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

Thu 9/12 at 1 p.m. – An All-Star Panel’s Reflections on a Rockin’ ASAE Annual

Hear what brought the panelists to ASAE Annual, what they learned and observed, what ASAE got right with this conference, what sessions stood out to them and why, their key takeaways, and how participation has changed their vantage points or practices. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.

Host: Fonteva

Speakers:

Vy Le, MBA, CAE, Director of Membership and Governance, Linguistic Society of America, and Founder and Host, Humans of Authenticity
KiKi L’Italien, Vice President, Marketing and Community Engagement, Big Red M and Editor-in-Chief and Host, Association Chat
Greg Melia, CAE, CEO, Customer Experience Professionals Association
Ben H. Rome, Director of Communications, American Bus Association

Fri 9/13 at 4 p.m. – Strategic Thinking: How to See Your Work Differently

Host: Fridays@4

Speaker: Jessica Kinghorn, principal consultant of Kinghorn Strategy

Tue 9/17 at 1 p.m. – How Well Do You Know Your Members?

Host: Forj

Wed 9/18 at 12 p.m. – From Fizzle to Fire: Reinvigorating Volunteerism in Your Member Communities

Hosts: Billhighway and Mariner Management

Speaker: Peggy Hoffman, president and executive director, Mariner Management

Wed 9/18 at 1 p.m. – Associations & Non-Profits: Digital Initiatives to Grow Sponsorship Revenue

Host: Growth Owl, LLC

Speakers:

Michelle Brien, Chief Marketing Officer, Matchbox
Lori Zoss-Kraska, Founder/CEO, Growth Owl, LLC

Thu 9/19 at 12 p.m. – Association Systems: Do You Have the Right Tech Stack for Your Association’s Needs?

Host: Achurch Consulting

Speakers: Tammy Marko, PMP, Technology Consultant, and George Rears, MBA, PMP, CSM, Technology Consultant, Achurch Consulting

Thu 9/19 at 1 p.m. – Advocating as a Woman in a Male Dominated World

Host: Association Women Technology Champions

Speaker: Nallely Suárez Gass, Director of Professional Services, Elevar Development

Thu 9/19 at 1 p.m. – Unlocking Growth: Strategies and Frameworks for Learning Businesses

Host: Leading Learning/Tagoras

Speakers:

Jeff Cobb and Celisa Steele, co-founders of Tagoras and Leading Learning
Ujjwal Gupta, CPO and co-founder of BenchPrep

Fri 9/20 at 3 p.m. – The Informal Consultants Networking Extravaganza

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 a discussion facilitated by Jeff De Cagna about the impact AI will have on association consulting work plus a conversation about getting the most out of your ASAE membership. More info.

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

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

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

Association Brain Food: 8.30.24

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

Chapter non-dues revenue. Billhighway shares five strategies suggested by Carrie McIntyre of Navigate for helping chapters become proficient at sponsorship and exhibit sales—advice that applies to anyone in business development and sales. The post describes Carrie’s consultative approach to sales, including tips for websites, prospect outreach, relationship building, and feedback gathering.

Awards program. OpenWater explains how to increase award submissions and nominations by avoiding the most common pitfalls in awards program management. Their guidance touches on common issues with marketing, program integrity, administrative hurdles, and recognition.

Trends survey. Association Laboratory invites association executives to take ten minutes to participate in Looking Forward Solutions, an annual trend analysis of strategies across association domains (membership, meetings, advocacy, etc.) that are essential to your association’s success. Every participant receives complimentary access to the Looking Forward Dashboard, which contains more than a dozen sector studies examining the environment facing members, challenges created for associations, and strategies essential to success.

Association workload. Many association professionals feel like they’re “on a continuous uphill climb.” Sharon Rice and Jennifer Proctor at .org Community share strategies to lighten the load for the heavy lifters on your team. By following their advice, you can open space for managers to develop skills and dedicate time to new ideas and initiatives—without heading for burnout.

Association magazines. m3Magazines offers advice for transforming your magazine into a valuable resource for members. They start by reviewing the benefits of a well-crafted print magazine—in case you need to make a case to your leadership team. They also explain how to develop a content strategy, identify the best time for a redesign, decrease costs, and increase revenue.

7-day communications challenge. Gather Voices invites you to participate in their free 7-Day Video Communications Challenge starting Tuesday, September 3. You’ll receive a daily email with a learning tip and an assignment to make a video. By the end, they guarantee you’ll be more comfortable on camera and better equipped to collect content from your members.

Attendee connections. Claire Hoffman at BizBash asked event planners to share their ideas for helping attendees—even introverts—interact and feel connected at an event.

Extra credit

During a Roman burglar’s heist, a book on the homeowner’s nightstand caught his attention. He got so absorbed in it, the owner woke up and called the police, who nabbed the guy. I’d want to read that book too, but not on the job! | Wanted in Rome

Here’s a simple solution to the pessimism culture. Read a book—unless, you know, you’re supposed to be working. | Henry Oliver, The Common Reader

What school didn’t teach us: you need to occasionally lose control. Gen Z needs to drink alcohol, make friends, and blurt out heartfelt impulsive things. “I love you guys!” | Kat Rosenfield, The Free Press

A tribute to the Rick Steves way of travel. I used to love watching him back in my solo travel days. I even met fellow fans on vaporetto #1 in Venice! | Anne Taylor, Hedgehog Review

You never grow old at the table

Kitchen highlight of the week: Jim saying, “This is the best pizza I’ve ever had in my life!” Maybe that was the beer talking, but it really was exceptional, a new keeper recipe from Truly Madly Pizza: One Incredibly Easy Crust, Countless Inspired Combinations & Other Tidbits to Make Pizza a Nightly Affair by Suzanne Lenzer.

I made the dough on Saturday afternoon. She gives instructions for making it by hand or in the food processor, which is what I did. It only calls for a 20-minute rise and then into the freezer it goes. On Sunday morning, I moved the dough to the fridge and made her pizza sauce recipe. Later that night, right before making the toppings, I moved the dough to the counter.

I made one pizza with diced sautéed linguiça, mushroom, onion, red bell pepper, and garlic underneath fresh mozzarella, provolone, and parmesan cheese. The other was a spicy Hawaiian: diced sautéed red onion and jalapeño under the same mix of cheese with diced fresh pineapple and ham on top. For the Hawaiian, I added hot sauce to the pizza sauce. Exquisite! I’m truly madly in love with her dough and sauce recipes and plan to make more dough for the freezer. I had enough pizza sauce left over for another pair of pies.

My other two dinners weren’t too shabby. One night, I made Portuguese-ish pork chops, adapted from The Food of Portugal by Jean Anderson: boneless pork loin chops marinated a few hours in a paste of garlic, salt, black pepper, smoked paprika, ground cumin, and olive oil with white wine, then pan-fried. On the side, collards sautéed with bacon, red onion, jalapeños (red and green), garlic, and chicken broth.

The next night, an old favorite for slightly cooler weather: cranberry chicken parmesan with leftover collards.

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

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

Tue 9/3 at 12 p.m.* – Words Can Be Data Too (Data Analytics Network)

Hear about ASHA’s innovative (yet user-friendly) qualitative analytics toolkit, which has transformed their approach to qualitative analytics, and their journey in qualitative analysis, including the obstacles and breakthroughs. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.

Host: Data Analytics Network

Speakers: Evan Reid, Senior Director of Data Analytics, and Julia Reilly-Edwards, Data Scientist, ASHA

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

Tue 9/3 at 12 p.m. – Pricing Strategy for Service Businesses

Organizations are constantly revisiting pricing questions. This session will help you demystify pricing strategies, explore the tactical parameters, and get clear on the value your organization offers. More info/register.

Host: Braintrust Professional Institute

Speakers: Randall Craig and Ronja Francoeur, Braintrust Professional Institute

Wed 9/4 at 12 p.m. – Navigating the Presidential Election: Insights for Association Investment Reserves

As the upcoming presidential election looms, associations face a crucial need to understand how political shifts can impact their investment reserves. Hear how prudent investment policies can help associations navigate 2024’s political uncertainty. Learn how to strengthen your investment policies and effectively segment your investment reserves in advance of the upcoming presidential election. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.

Host: AIOT

Speakers: Dennis Gogarty, Founder, and Matt O’Lone, Portfolio Manager, Raffa Investment Advisers

Wed 9/4 at 1 p.m. – 15 Ways to Take Your Email Newsletter to the Next Level

Many organizations find themselves stuck between sending outdated, irrelevant newsletter content and trying to keep it fresh and engaging. But it doesn’t have to be this way. Learn about tools and technologies that enhance the sophistication of your newsletters while minimizing the strain on internal resources, thereby saving valuable time. Find out how to optimize your newsletter content and layout, ensuring maximum impact with every email you send. Hear about the core principles of email engagement and applying them effectively to maintain member interest and keep them informed. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.

Host: UST Education

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

Wed 9/4 at 1 p.m. – Beyond the Video Experts: Scaling In-House Video with AI

Learn how to optimize in-house video creation for maximum impact and efficiency, integrate AI seamlessly into your video production workflows to boost creativity and productivity, create non-boring video content that drives real results, and measure the impact and cost savings of in-house video creation. More info/register.

Host: American Marketing Association

Speaker: Melissa Francois, Global Content & Comms Lead, PlayPlay

Wed 9/4 from 2 to 5 p.m. – AI in Action: Strategies for Effective Implementation in Marketing, HubSpot, and Beyond (Alexandria VA)

Are you struggling to reach your company’s marketing and sales goals in a rapidly changing industry? Do you wish you knew more about the strategic frameworks, platforms, and AI-powered tools that could propel your company forward? Network and learn from experts while enjoying complimentary food and beverages. Location: Alexandria VA. More info/register.

Host: Measured Results Marketing

Speakers:

Christopher Antonopoulos, Founder & CEO, Measured Results Marketing
Debbie Bates-Schrott, Chief Marketing Officer, Yes& Agency
Rachel Kellam, Senior Product Manager AI Innovation, HubSpot
Nathan Singer, Strategic Partner Development Manager, HubSpot

Wed 9/4 at 2 p.m. – Ask the Attorney: Trends in Hotel Contracts

From data and on-site security to high A/V costs and limited negotiation room, this year’s contract discussions have been more contentious than ever. Hear about data security and on-site risk management, inadequate and inattentive venue services, escalating A/V costs and other price hikes, limited negotiation flexibility and where to find wiggle room. 1 CMP credit. More info/register.

Host: Northstar Meetings Group

Speaker: Jonathan T. Howe Esq., president and founding partner of Howe & Hutton Ltd.

Thu 9/5 at 12 p.m. – Member ROI Group

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

Host: Ed Rigsbee

Thu 9/5 at 1 p.m. – The Future of Evergreen Content: Build a Sustainable, Search-Everywhere-Optimized Strategy with AI

In today’s rapidly evolving digital landscape, creating great content isn’t enough. Learn how to optimize your content for SearchGPT and other emerging search technologies, create content that aligns with your brand and stays relevant over time, and use AI to build and maintain a consistent content strategy that’s both effective and sustainable. More info/register.

Host: Yodelpop

Speaker: Camille Winer, Founder and CEO of Yodelpop

Thu 9/5 at 2 p.m. – Future of Association Boards (FAB) Community Dialogue September Kickoff

Join your association community colleagues for a LinkedIn Live video event to kick off the FAB Community Dialogue’s September conversations. More info/register.

Host: Future of Association Boards (FAB)

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

Thu 9/5 at 2 p.m. – How Generative AI Can Impact Your Events

Explore cutting-edge AI technologies that enhance event planning, boost attendee acquisition, exhibit and sponsorship sales, and provide actionable insights to your event teams. Learn how AI can be used to measure audience gaps, sales targets, and surface marketing targets—at the click of a button. More info/register.

Host: 501Works

Speakers:

Chris Bonifati CEM, Trade Show organizer for APPA/Global Pet Expo
Joe Colangelo, CEO and Co-Founder of Bear Analytics
James Marquis, CIO, 501Works

Thu 9/5 at 3 p.m. – Easy as Can Be: Association Operations Best Practices

Hear about strategies for effective member management, tools and software to streamline operations, enhancing internal and external communication, implementing continuous improvement processes, and developing leadership and governance within associations. More info/register.

Host: NXUnite by Nexus Marketing

Speakers:

Paul Hanscom, Chief Growth Officer, Ewald Consulting
Farhad Khan, CEO, Member Lounge
Troy Stenback, Consultant, iMIS

Thu 9/5 from 5 to 8 p.m. – AI in Action: Strategies for Effective Implementation in Marketing, HubSpot, and Beyond (Reston VA)

Host: Measured Results Marketing

Speakers:

Christopher Antonopoulos, Founder & CEO, Measured Results Marketing
Debbie Bates-Schrott, Chief Marketing Officer, Yes& Agency
Rachel Kellam, Senior Product Manager AI Innovation, HubSpot
Nathan Singer, Strategic Partner Development Manager, HubSpot

Fri 9/6 at 1 p.m. – Talk with CAEs

Facilitators:

Aaron Grau, CAE, President, Global Association Partners
DeeJay Hastings, CAE, Executive Consultant, LEWIS, LLC

Fri 9/6 at 4 p.m. – Panel Discussion: How Associations and Nonprofits Can Honor Hispanic Culture & the Role of Culture in Belonging and Cultivating Inclusion

Host: Fridays@4

Speakers:

Shari N. Olarte, MA, CAE, Director of Governance at the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy

Tue 9/10 at 11 a.m. – Improving Web Accessibility: Building a Culture of Online Inclusivity from Remediation to Localization and Beyond

Host: Association Women Technology Champions

Speakers:

Rob Bean, Partner & Strategist at Refactored
Kelly Jan, Senior Business Development Executive at Recite Me

Tue 9/10 at 11 a.m. – Optimizing the Budget Building Process

Host: UST Education

Speakers:

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

Tue 9/10 at 11:30 a.m. – Beyond Event Attendance: Proven Approaches to Boost Attendee Engagement

Host: Community Brands

Tue 9/10 at 1 p.m. – Maximize Your Investment and Post-Event Potential: Turning Your Content Into Revenue Streams and Member Value

Host: UST Education

Speaker: Dan Turnbull, Business Development Representative, WorkerBee.TV

Tue 9/10 at 2 p.m. – Treat Yo’ Self To Success: Marketing Benchmarks and Strategies for a More Effective 2025

Host: Mighty Citizen

Speakers: Brianna Martin, Director of Brand Marketing, and Jarrett Way, Senior Marketing Manager, Mighty Citizen

Thu 9/12 at 11 a.m. – Educating Your Membership on How to Increase the Value of Your Business

Host: UST Education

Speaker: Eric Krucke, Business Transitions Practice Leader, Aprio

Thu 9/12 at 1 p.m. – Supercharge Your Membership Strategy With AI

Host: UST Education

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

Thu 9/12 at 1 p.m. – An All-Star Panel’s Reflections on a Rockin’ ASAE Annual

Host: Fonteva

Speakers:

Vy Le, MBA, CAE, Director of Membership and Governance, Linguistic Society of America, and Founder and Host, Humans of Authenticity
KiKi L’Italien, Vice President, Marketing and Community Engagement, Big Red M and Editor-in-Chief and Host, Association Chat
Greg Melia, CAE, CEO, Customer Experience Professionals Association
Ben H. Rome, Director of Communications, American Bus Association

Creative Commons licensed photo by James Lee via Unsplash

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Association Brain Food: 8.23.24

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

Online workshops. TopClass LMS explains how associations benefit by offering virtual workshops or bootcamps that give members and industry professionals the specialized, focused learning experiences and credentials they need—and employers appreciate. They also suggest program elements to enhance the learning experience.

Mobile engagement strategy. Members live on their phones, especially younger ones. Clowder shares six steps for developing a mobile engagement strategy that encourages members to download your membership app, keep it on their phone’s home screen, and build it into their daily routine.

Education revenue. D2L suggests four factors to consider when developing a revenue strategy for your association’s education programs and five models for monetizing those programs. They also include tactics throughout the guide for improving the attractiveness and effectiveness of your online learning programs and portfolio.

Association outlook. What’s on your board’s radar? Find out if you’re overlooking anything by reviewing the executive summary and discussion guide for Association Laboratory’s environmental scan, Looking Forward® Impact. It identifies issues facing members of trade associations, professional societies, and global associations, including competitive factors and strategic challenges. In the appendix, you’ll find instructions on how to access Looking Forward® data via a customizable dashboard.

RFPs. Don’t send your request for proposals (RFP) to more than five vendors, says Wes Trochlil of Effective Database Management. Hundreds of association experts in our community agree. Wes explains why and how to narrow down your unwieldy prospective vendor or consultant list.

Small-staff membership marketing. YourMembership offers guidance on membership marketing for small associations, including tips on personalized communication, joining and renewing procedures, new member onboarding, online communities, and online career centers.

New member digital badges. Recently, I noticed a digital badge on LinkedIn from a new member of Professionals for Association Revenue (PAR). This morning, I saw one from new PAR member Jeff Hanlan who describes the reasons this new member onboarding tactic works so well for both the new member and the association. Kudos PAR!

Conference sacred cows. Michelle Russell of PCMA Convene interviewed event planners about sacred cows well overdue for slaying—“approaches to conferences which have stood the test of time but are as flat as stale beer.” She shares some of their “radical and ripe ideas to reinvigorate the events industry—and why it is slow to evolve.”

Extra credit

Better words for “webinar” per GURU Media Hub research. | via Nancy Harhut

Remote and hybrid association professionals—or those who want to be: did you know about the Virtual Association Network? It’s “a community of peers who understand what it’s like to operate in a virtual or remote environment, so you can get answers quickly and focus on making an impact for the organization you serve.”

Walking Hanoi. I love this pedestrian view of Hanoi, which looks like it hasn’t changed in the 17 years since I was there. | Chris Arnade Walks the World

Something to lift your spirit… A terrorist plot canceled the show, but we Swifties found each other on Cornelia Street. | Agnes Callard, The Free Press

You never grow old at the table

Last Friday, I took the morning off to go fishing with my husband. I caught the biggest catfish of the day! We threw a few back but ended up with seven for the freezer. Blue catfish don’t have the muddy flavor some associate with catfish. I pan-fried it with a creamy jalapeño sauce for dinner that night. Despite the name, this sauce has no cream or dairy. The emulsification of ingredients in the food processor gives it a creamy consistency.

On the side, a sauté bonanza of summer vegetables: eggplant, green beans, zucchini, red jalapeño, onion, tomato, garlic, lemon juice, and fresh basil.

On Sunday, I roasted a brisket low (250°) and slow, using the spice mix in this recipe for a dry marinade, although I added cumin and thyme. I lost track of how long it took to get the roast up to temp, seven or eight hours maybe. Next time, I might boost the oven to 275° if I don’t have all day.

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

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

Fri 8/23 at 1 p.m.* – Building Bridges: Strategies & Best Practices for Working with Subject Matter Experts

Learn how to build bridges with your SMEs that result in high-quality content for your organization’s learning programs. Unlock the secrets to clear and effective communication with SMEs. Discover tools and techniques to keep engagements with SMEs on track and on time. Learn how to set and manage expectations to avoid common pitfalls. Explore strategies to make the learning content creation process smooth and efficient and tips and tricks to ensure your educational materials are top-notch and impactful. 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

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

Fri 8/23 at 1 p.m. – Friend, Foe, or Bot? Decoding LinkedIn Invites

Ever get a LinkedIn invite and immediately wonder, “Is this a real connection or just another pitch in disguise?” We’ve all been there—trying to build a solid network while dodging the spam, the bots, and the endless pitchslaps. Hear about the good, the bad, and the cringeworthy when it comes to connection requests. Learn new strategies and share yours. We all want to make LinkedIn connections that are actually worth our time, don’t we? More info/register.

Host: Irene Koehler, LinkedIn Strategist for High-Profile Entrepreneurs and Business Leaders

Fri 8/23 at 4 p.m. – ASAE Conference Recap

Fridays@4 board member, Kenjie Davis, will facilitate a recap of the ASAE24 conference. Did you attend? What did you learn? What were the key takeaways? If you didn’t attend, find out what you missed. More info/register.

Host: Fridays@4

Mon 8/26 at 8 a.m. – A Conversation with the Founder of USAE News (Radio Free 501c, the podcast of Rogue Tulips Consulting)

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

Guest: Ross Heller, Publisher, USAE (the only weekly community newspaper of associations, CVBs and hotels)

Mon 8/26 at 12 p.m. – Radical Respect: Building Better Team Dynamics and Trust

Giving and receiving candid feedback can be challenging, and when leaders get it wrong, it ‌can significantly harm an organization’s morale, engagement, and productivity. Learn strategies to transform your feedback culture, ensuring it builds trust, drives performance, and fosters a more inclusive and psychologically safe environment, and to create a workplace where diverse perspectives are valued and everyone feels empowered to contribute. More info/register.

Host: Betterworks

Speaker: Kim Scott, the New York Times bestselling author of “Radical Candor” and “Radical Respect”

Tue 8/27 at 12 p.m. – Trends Talk: Leadership and Workforce Development

Not only is Camille championing workforce development efforts for ASAE, she herself has a fascinating background, having worked in leadership roles for numerous organizations and hosting a radio show on trends. In addition, Camille is the founder of a leadership development company. Earlier this year she interviewed me on the LeadHERship Bytes podcast. Listen to a discussion on trends in workforce and leadership development, as well as membership and associations. More info/register.

Host: Sarah L. Sladek, Founder and CEO, XYZ University

Guest: Camille Sanders, CAE, Senior Director of Career and Workforce Solutions, American Society of Association Executives

Tue 8/27 at 1 p.m. – Match Made in Heaven: 6 Ways an LMS Can Drive Growth for Your Business and Engage Your Learners

Supporting your learners on their journey to obtaining career-changing credentials is paramount. Learn how the right LMS will support the entire lifelong learner journey to drive business growth and learner engagement, tips for optimizing the digital learning experience, and strategies for effectively catering to a diverse array of learning preferences, needs, and styles. More info/register.

Host: BenchPrep

Speakers: Jessica Braid, Customer Success Manager, and Kevin Korinek, Senior Director of Customer Success, BenchPrep

Tue 8/27 at 2 p.m. – Future of Association Boards (FAB) Community Dialogue

Join a discussion with association professionals about why you should be involved in FAB, what we have learned in our first month, what we will discuss in September, and how you can get involved. More info/register.

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

Wed 8/28 from 9 to 11 a.m. – EventProfs Vision 2024 (Track 1)

It’s tempting to keep rinsing and repeating the same event playbook, agendas, speaker line-ups, etc. But over time, it has become increasingly difficult to engage participants and turn them into repeat attendees. They’ve come to expect the average run-of-the-mill session format. This event bridges the innovation gap and helps the industry collectively exchange ideas so you can create your own new event session formats. More info/register.

Hosts: Eventprofs VISION and Skift Meetings

Wed 8/28 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 8/28 at 12 p.m. – Tides of Transparency: Communicating the Financial Information That Matters Most to Your Board

Learn how your finance team can support the onboarding and education of successful board members, especially those who do not have experience with financial statements. Find out how to draw attention to what’s important when preparing reports designed to help board members make good decisions and understand the financial picture. Using case studies, we’ll also illustrate ways to effectively convey the financial information that should matter most to your board. More info/register.

Host: Your Part-Time Controller

Wed 8/28 at 12:30 p.m. – End of Summer Report Card for Association Media & Publishing

A casual, open discussion about all things communication and publishing, bring any questions you’ve been wanting to ask other association professionals, for example, navigating bosses who bring up the printing vs. online debate, advertising sales this year, rising printing and mailing costs, new offerings that are working great, annual conferences in 2024, and planning for significant changes in 2025. More info/register.

Host: AM&P Next

Wed 8/28 from 1 to 2:45 p.m. – MasterTHIS: Content Strategy, Day 1

Sessions: Strategies to Scale Your Content Engine for Maximum Impact, 7 Steps To Document Your Content Marketing Strategy, and License the Internet: The Future of Marketing Campaigns. More info/register.

Host: Informa Connect

Speakers:

Michael Brenner, Founder, Marketing Insider Group
Analisa Goodin, Founder and CEO, Catch+Release
Ariana Keil, Growth Marketing Manager, Canto
Stephanie Stahl, Managing Director, Content Marketing Institute

Wed 8/28 at 1 p.m. – Roadmapping Your Organization’s Readiness for Emerging Tech

Hear about emerging technologies on the horizon and a framework for preparing your data, technology, and people to maximize organizational readiness and better support your mission. Take away a clear roadmap for ensuring successful adoption of new technologies within your organization. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.

Host: Fonteva and Protech

Speakers: Rhoni Rakos, Director of Digital Strategy, and Jessica Richardson, Senior Consultant, Marketing Strategy, fusionSpan

Wed 8/28 from 1 to 3 p.m. – EventProfs Vision 2024 (Track 2)

Hosts: Eventprofs VISION and Skift Meetings

Wed 8/28 at 1 p.m. – Accessibility for All: Five Ways AI Can Improve Your Meetings’ Accessibility

While creating environments that are inclusive to all may seem a challenge, AI can provide solutions in every part of the event cycle that can help ensure no one is left out. Learn tips, prompts, and advice to avoid pitfalls in AI. Hear how to better foster accessibility in meetings and events. Find out the latest trends regarding meetings and events accessibility. 1 CMP credit. More info/register.

Host: Meetings Today

Speaker: Samantha Evans, certification director of the International Association of Accessibility Professionals

Wed 8/28 at 1:30 p.m. – Not-So-Everyday AI: 7 Tools Every Association Professional Should Know

Learn about the seven essential AI tools every association professional should know, including practical AI tools designed to enhance your team’s efficiency and creativity, from social media post creation to AI-driven videos and even interactive eLearning all created at the click of a button. Featured tools include InVideo, Gamma, Mindsmith, HeyGen, Fotor, ChatGPT (with a tutorial on effective prompting and 100+ association-specific prompts), MyGPT, and a bonus no-code chatbot builder. More info/register.

Host: Dan Streeter, Mission Fuel

Thu 8/29 at 11 a.m. – So What Is CRM Anyway? How These Modern Tools Can Help You Increase Sales, Members, Sponsors or Just About Anything Else

Whether your organization is selling products, services, memberships or is just supporting a group of interested people (like an NGO), CRM tools will pull you out of the world in which you’re managed by Excel spreadsheets. Hear industry use cases and some of the built-in capabilities available in CRM tools. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.

Host: UST Education

Speaker: Matthew Friedman, Principal Solution Architect, Business Process Associates

Thu 8/29 at 11 a.m. – Captivate and Engage with Video-Based Microlearning

Sharing popular video lessons from renowned psychologist and author Adam Grant, this presentation and live Q&A will show you the power of video-based microlearning that resonates. Learn strategies to hook your learners with video-based storytelling that grabs their attention; turn theoretical concepts into practical skills that apply to real-world scenarios; ensure your learners enter the deep learning space, retain concepts and build muscle memory; and differentiate your audience’s needs by identifying their unique learner profiles. More info/register.

Host: Big Think+

Speaker: Meghan Phillips, VP of Partnerships, Big Think+

Thu 8/29 at 12 p.m. – Unleash the Dragon Within: Leading Transformation in Your Community

We are in the Year of the Wood Dragon—a time brimming with dynamic energy and the potential for transformation. Learn how to unleash the Dragon’s energy to drive innovation, foster collaboration, spark creative problem-solving, and develop long-term sustainability for your community. Find out how to identify the traits of transformational leaders who disrupt for positive impact and move beyond simply reacting to challenges. More info/register.

Host: Hight Performance Group

Speaker: Cathi Hight, President, Hight Performance Group

Thu 8/29 at 3 p.m. – Unconventional Tactics to Build Engaging Member Journeys

Ask your burning questions about your association’s member journey, such as the ideal user experience to enhance member journeys, key engagement features to improve member experience, effective communication techniques to boost engagement, and/or growth opportunities in your member journey. More info/register.

Host: Grype Digital

Speaker: Farhad Khan, CEO & Membership Strategist, Grype Digital

Tue 9/3 at 12 p.m. – Words Can Be Data Too (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 9/3 at 12 p.m. – Pricing Strategy for Service Businesses

Host: Braintrust Professional Institute

Speakers: Randall Craig and Ronja Francoeur, Braintrust Professional Institute

Thu 9/5 at 2 p.m. – How Generative AI Can Impact Your Events

Host: 501Works

Speakers:

Chris Bonifati CEM, Trade Show organizer for APPA/Global Pet Expo
Joe Colangelo, CEO and Co-Founder of Bear Analytics
James Marquis, CIO, 501Works

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

Extra credit

You never grow old at the table

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Extra credit

You never grow old at the table

If you’d like to subscribe, 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:

Extra credit

You never grow old at the table

If you’d like to subscribe, 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:

Extra credit

You never grow old at the table

If you’d like to subscribe, 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:

Extra credit

You never grow old at the table

If you’d like to subscribe, 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:

Extra credit

You never grow old at the table

If you’d like to subscribe, 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:

Extra credit

You never grow old at the table

If you’d like to subscribe, 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:

Extra credit

You never grow old at the table

If you’d like to subscribe, 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: