Association Brain Food

Association Brain Food: 8.16.24

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

“The most important decision you will ever make is to be in a good mood.” —Voltaire

Chapter ambassadors. Billhighway shares everything you need to know about launching a chapter ambassador program. Ambassadors help boost member engagement, expand your association’s and chapters’ reach, and ensure consistent brand messaging while offering meaningful volunteer opportunities and career-building experiences.

Virtual conferences. Fíonta reminds us of the advantages virtual conferences have over in-person events. They describe tactics for delivering a memorable and enjoyable online conference experience, including how to hold on to attendees’ attention, minimize virtual fatigue, facilitate connections, and please sponsors.

Membership. Aptify shares 50 ways to boost member recruitment and retention. I bet a craft beer you haven’t given all of these solid ideas a shot.

Association reading. When I first started reading association blogs back in the 2000s, it was a life-transforming experience. I kid you not. Blogs gave me the inspiration and education I needed at that point in my career. Lead Marvels shares their list of must-read association blogs. Yes, mine’s one of them, but so are many others that deserve a place on your regular reading list.

Awards programs. How often does a magazine like The Economist share something about associations? Hardly ever, which is why my eyes opened up when I saw the headline, “What is the point of industry awards?” Don’t worry. At first, they paint a painfully comical and accurate portrayal of awards galas. But hang on for the rest of the article about the positive impact awards make.

AI for associations. Need to catch up on AI? In Nimble’s AI success kit, you get four useful resources: two 30-minute webinar recordings about AI for associations and two white papers—an introduction to AI for associations and a guide to developing an AI strategy.

Website hosting. A few months ago, a website firm serving the association market went out of business and left their association clients adrift. Rene Shonerd of Half Moon Consulting explains how to prevent this nightmare from happening to your association by mitigating risks in your web hosting agreements.

Board’s AI stewardship. In a series of articles for Naylor, Jeff De Cagna advises associations to take a thoughtful approach to AI stewardship by helping your board understand AI’s capabilities and limitations, create AI governance measures, and anticipate AI’s evolution and impact. Boards should build their capacity for ethical decision-making, understand the stakes, and steward their associations toward ethical, purposeful, and responsible AI adoption.

Extra credit

A long but fascinating article about a VR genius who’s shaking up military tech (and avoiding the government’s moribund procurement practices) and who’s thriving despite a history of lockstep lies about him from the press. | Jeremy Stern, Tablet

Americans want businesses to stay quiet on public policy. Just 38% said companies should take a political stance—a fall of ten points in two years. | Zach Hrynowski, Gallup

AI is confusing—here’s your cheat sheet. | Jay Peters, The Verge

Beware: Phishing attacks are using URL shorteners to hide malicious links. | Stu Sjouwerman, KnowBe4

You never grow old at the table

Like many of you, I was at ASAE Annual earlier this week, so I never had the opportunity to cook. Back home, when it was my turn to make dinner, pasta seemed like the right choice since I was still pretty tired. Pasta is my soul food. I settled on fettuccine in a white clam sauce, but zhuzhed it up with zucchini, summer squash, red bell pepper, onion, tomato, garlic, white wine, lemon, canned clams, pasta water, butter, and fresh oregano and basil. It hit the spot and I have leftovers for today’s lunch!

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 8/16 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. Because it’s not an official ASAE event (and is organized by consultants, not by ASAE staff), you don’t have to be an ASAE member to attend. August’s main topics are a post-conference discussion of the good, bad, and questionable at ASAE Annual and getting the most out of your ASAE membership. More info.

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

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

Fri 8/16 at 4 p.m. – Online Communities Series: How to Revive a Dying Online Community

Don’t shut down an unengaged community. There’s still hope! Learn how to identify key issues that are affecting your community’s performance, craft strategies to get things back on track, and measure the impact of your approach. More info/register.

Host: Fridays@4

Speaker: Catherine Hackney, founder, Confident Communities Consulting

Mon 8/19 at 8 a.m. – Risk/Audit for Emerging Technologies (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: Sanja Kecic, Cyber Security Expert

Mon 8/19 at 12 p.m. – Lunch and Learn: Marketing AI Show & Tell

Join us for a little show and tell about Marketing AI tools. More info/register (ASAE members only).

Host: ASAE Marketing Professionals Community.

Tue 8/20 from 11 a.m. to 1:05 p.m. – Event Marketers Week: Resilience & Wellness

The only virtual gathering for top B2B event and experiential marketers, focused on your growth, wellness and overall betterment. We’ll tackle the unique challenges of one of America’s most stressful professions in a community setting that’s focused on you, while offering a platform for sharing insights to help you thrive both personally and professionally. Learn from experts in resilience and wellness, creativity and design thinking, and event leadership—all from the comfort of your desk. More info/register.

Host: Zuddl

Tue 8/20 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 8/20 at 12:30 p.m. – Why Good Ideas Die: The High Cost of Poor Change Management

Explore the challenges of driving a high-performing change outcome. Hear about the human factors involved in business change and transformation. More info/register.

Host: Staaterman Strategic Advisory

Speaker: Mark Vincent, Founder of Applied Change Ltd.

Tue 8/20 at 1 p.m. – Amplify Your Learning Business: Strategies for Success

Hear proven and practical strategies for turning stale learning programs into stellar learning experiences. Learn how to develop a comprehensive strategy to guide your growth, govern technology and set a clear vision for your learning initiatives. More info/register.

Host: D2L

Speakers:

Kevin MacLeod, Learning Experience Architect, D2L
Margot Miller, Program Manager, IRCP, National Society of High School Scholars
Connie Ryan, Founder & President, Professional Development Institute

Tue 8/20 at 2 p.m. – Renewals Reinvented: Leveraging Member Insights for Greater Retention

Learn how to use member data to supercharge your renewal strategy. Hear real-life success stories about creative ways to personalize your approach and make renewals more engaging. Whether you’re looking to improve retention rates, increase engagement, or simply refresh your renewal strategy, this webinar will equip you with fuel to reimagine your renewal process with insights from your members. More info/register.

Host: PropFuel

Tue 8/20 at 2 p.m. – Leveling Up Your State Public Affairs Program: Benchmarking & Strategies

Learn how to have a greater impact on the policy landscape and benchmark the effectiveness of your state public affairs program. Hear what other teams are doing that you could also be doing. Get information about the five tiers of public affairs maturity—from Just Getting Started, all the way to Strategic—and get strategies to help you level up from one tier to the next. More info/register.

Host: Quorum

Tue 8/20 at 2 p.m. – Benchmark Your Advocacy: 2024 Data-Driven Insights and Tactics

Understanding what time of day and day of week your audience is most engaged, or what channels they use the most to take action is a must if you want to run successful advocacy programs in an already crowded space. Hear about the findings of VoterVoice’s 2024 Advocacy Benchmark Report, packed with the latest data, trends, and actionable strategies to elevate your grassroots efforts. Discover the secrets behind top-performing advocacy campaigns and learn how to leverage this data to optimize your grassroots communication strategies. More info/register.

Host: VoterVoice

Speakers:

Seth Chase, Government Affairs Director, Association of Women’s Health, Obstetric, and Neonatal Nurses
Lauren Schwartz, Senior Digital Advocacy Strategist, REAL Strategies
Amanda Allen, Director, Communications and Office Management, New York Chapter American College of Physicians

Tue 8/20 at 2 p.m. – Keys to Driving Webinar and Digital Event Registration

Learn best practices to increase your audience from tens to thousands and deliver maximum results. Hear about the latest performance benchmarks, quick wins to boost your success, optimizing and personalizing your email invitations, tips for content that converts, and how gen-AI tools can help, and new ways to get out of the email inbox and promote across channels. More info/register.

Host: American Marketing Association

Speaker: Mark Bornstein, VP of Marketing and Chief Evangelist, ON24

Wed 8/21 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. – Event Marketers Week: Creativity & Design Thinking

Host: Zuddl

Wed 8/21 at 12 p.m. – Are You Talking to Me?! CPC vs EPC

While the definitions of “compliance” and “preference” are pretty clear cut, the email marketing world has often interchanged these terms in efforts to build member engagement and improve campaign performance. The goal of an EPC (Email Preference Center) is rooted in maintaining compliance and adhering to CANSPAM laws. With more emphasis now placed on creating personalized digital experiences and user journeys, the lines are getting blurry around what you need to provide to maintain compliance, and what you want to collect to personalize communications. Learn about the mechanics behind a Communications or Content Preferences Center, how it differs from the traditional EPC and what associations should plan for in the future. More info/register.

Host: HighRoad Solutions

Speakers: Maneesha Manges, CXO, and Morgan Mulgrew, Strategic Account Manager, HighRoad Solutions

Wed 8/21 at 12 p.m. – Using Probing Questions & Internal Communications Measurements to Encourage Leadership Support

Learn how to effectively communicate the operational value of internal communications and create project champions. Find out about the questions to ask when starting a conversation with decision-makers, ways to measure where you are and the progress you want to see, defining goals and how to work toward them, quantifying loss due to poor internal communications, and understanding and aligning assumptions with reality. More info/register.

Host: L-12 Services Corp.

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

Wed 8/21 at 1 p.m. – MasterTHIS: Content Strategy – Day 1

Sessions are: 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: Content Marketing Institute

Speakers:

Michael Brenner, Founder, Marketing Insider Group
Analisa Goodin, Founder & CEO, Catch+Release
Ariana Keil, Growth Marketing Manager, Canto

Wed 8/21 at 1 p.m. – Mastering Mobile Optimization: Strategies for Increasing Conversions on Smartphones

Explore key strategies for optimizing mobile user experiences to drive conversions. With nearly 70% of the global population using smartphones, understanding mobile behavior and trends is crucial to driving growth. Learn how to enhance speed, maximize screen space, and optimize calls-to-action to improve your mobile engagement. More info/register.

Host: American Marketing Association

Speaker: Mary Kate Cash, Head of Growth Marketing for North America, AB Tasty

Wed 8/21 at 2 p.m. – Next-Gen Nonprofit Marketing: Social Media Strategies

Discover the strengths of various social media platforms and how to leverage them effectively to reach your target audience. Get tips on creating compelling content that resonates with younger audiences and drives engagement. Understand how to track and measure the success of your social media campaigns to ensure you’re meeting your goals. Explore real-world examples of nonprofits that have harnessed the power of social media to engage and grow their supporter base. More info/register.

Host: Feathr

Thu 8/22 at 11 a.m. – AI and Human Collaboration: Creating High-Quality Content Together

Learn how to use AI tools to build detailed audience personas from existing data, create and repurpose content with AI, and test content with AI to gauge audience preferences. Find out about the critical role of human oversight in maintaining content authenticity and creativity. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.

Host: UST Education

Speaker: Adrian Speyer, VP Marketing & Community, Customer Leaders Institute

Thu 8/22 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. – Event Marketers Week: Event Leadership

Host: Zuddl

Thu 8/22 at 1 p.m. – How to Grow Your Online Course Catalog with Third-Party Content

It’s through your catalog of products that you can improve the skills and knowledge of individual learners and hope to realize broad change in the fields, professions, or industries you serve. Ensuring your products are effective and of high quality is of paramount importance. But you don’t have to build everything in your catalog yourself. Learn about factors to consider when determining whether to create content or curate content, practical considerations for how to offer third-party courses to your learners, and specific existing online courses that might make sense for your learning business to leverage. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.

Host: Leading Learning

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

Thu 8/22 at 2 p.m. – Data Strategy Workshop: Thinking Big with Data for Associations

Learn about the tools and strategies needed to leverage data effectively, ensuring you can make a greater impact on your mission. Discover the potential of big data and how it can drive innovation within your organization. Learn practical ways to bridge the gap between your current data capabilities and your data-driven goals. Participate in a hands-on exercise to map your big ideas to actionable data strategies. More info/register.

Hosts: Fíonta and Salesforce

Speakers:

Nicole Adair, Principal Solution Engineer, Salesforce
Ashley Goad, Director of Data and Architecture, Fíonta
Lex Grace, Solution Engineer, Salesforce
David Manuel, Manager, Technical Architect, Fíonta

Thu 8/22 at 4 p.m. – Strategic Planning: Why It Fails and A New Approach

Hear the reasons behind strategic planning failures and a new approach to tackle this common issue. Learn about the pitfalls of traditional strategies and explore innovative methods to achieve success. More info/register.

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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Association Brain Food: 8.9.24

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

ASAE Annual. I love meeting Association Brain Food readers at ASAE Annual, so if you see me there, please stop (or interrupt) me to say hello. If you’re an industry partner who needs help with content that educates your audience and enhances your reputation in our community, message me in the event app and we’ll find a time to talk while at Annual or after.

Association strategy. Yes, yes, a thousand times yes. Dean West at Association Laboratory says, “Stop designing your association for retired people.” He warns against relying on yesterday’s programs and generational stereotypes to guide your strategy. “Too many associations default to programs designed to serve existing audiences they know instead of learning about and serving future audiences that will be the heart of their industry or profession.”

Generative AI. Andy Fabian at Mighty Citizen explains what generative AI tools like ChatGPT can and can’t do for your content. “Generative AI can help you start your content or just fine-tune it… [but] it can’t write your final draft for you.” He says AI shouldn’t replace your writers (thank you!) because it’s not that creative, produces “meh” work, and can’t guarantee accuracy.

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

Conference design. Dilhara Muthukuda at Event Garde calls out five program formats that kept her engaged at a recent conference. Although she’s describing an in-person conference, you can use them for a virtual conference too.

Technology assessments. .orgCommunity says periodic technology assessments connect your association’s abilities with your intentions. They explain why it’s so essential to conduct preventative and proactive assessments to ensure you have the best systems, processes, and people in place to achieve your association’s goals.

Membership app. Bulletin describes how a membership app improves engagement by providing a centralized communication channel on your members’ phones. Unlike social media channels, your association controls your app—a tangible daily reminder of membership value.

Micro-volunteering. Elisa Pratt recaps a recent association community discussion about micro-volunteering. Participants shared different takes on micro-volunteering at their associations, including practices that challenge common assumptions and difficulties they’re encountering.

Benchmarking reports. Mark Athitakis at Associations Now suggests associations conduct benchmarking studies to help members (and others) better understand your industry’s workforce development needs. Benchmarking reports are also an effective content marketing tactic for associations and industry partners. You don’t have to look far for examples in our community, like Billhighway and Mariner Management’s benchmarking report on chapter performance, MGI’s on membership, and the one Mark mentions, MCI’s on engagement.

AI vs humans. Seeing the encroachment of AI into the arts, communication, and marketing, Mark Schaefer reminds us of the “durability of human creativity” and “emotional connection to actual people.” With AI, competence is now a commodity. If you or your brand want to stand out in your market, you must become known, trusted, and loved. Lean into your human mind and heart when communicating with your audience.

Extra credit

Overly detailed board of directors’ minutes are a legal liability. | by Edward McMurray, Levin Ginsburg Attorneys at Law

After almost a century in print, Dale Carnegie’s How to Win Friends and Influence People still has lessons to teach us. | by Kevin Dickinson, Big Think

We are in the beginnings of a new renaissance. 30 years ago, there weren’t any architectural firms specializing in sacred architecture. Now, they can’t keep up with demand. | by Jeremy Wayne Tate

Presence: culture is about calendars, not offices—how to intentionally design your team’s use of calendar time. | by Bruce Daisley

Teenage girls need Judy Blume more than ever. | by Kat Rosenfield, The Free Press

Why time slows down when we’re afraid, speeds up as we age, and gets warped on vacation. | by Maria Popova, The Marginalian

You never grow old at the table

I told you I’d return to this sauce soon. We’ve been enjoying a huge pan full of eggplant and vegetables in choo chee Thai curry sauce from Nancie McDermott’s Quick & Easy Thai: 70 Everyday Recipes. Here’s what you throw in the pan: eggplant, mushrooms, red bell pepper, red jalapeños, onion, garlic, coconut milk, red curry paste, chicken broth, fish sauce, soy sauce, palm sugar, garlic chives, cilantro, and Thai basil.

On the hunt for a corn recipe, I spotted this comment in my Word doc recipe for spicy Southern hot corn: “OMG, so damn delicious, the best corn dish I’ve ever had.” You know, it is pretty darn good. I used roasted red bell pepper and red jalapeños in addition to green jalapeños. Red jalapeños aren’t hot like their green brothers, but I’m adding them to everything since I have a surplus harvest.

Another night, another favorite sauce: catfish with sautéed red jalapeños, garlic chives, Herdez chipotle salsa cremosa, and cilantro. On the side, roasted Brussels sprouts, broccoli stems, carrots, red jalapeños, red onion, and garlic powder.

And an old favorite for the end of the work week: tilefish with spiced breadcrumbs. I added, what else, red jalapeños and poblano pepper to the crumb mix. On the side, sautéed red and green cabbage with bacon, onion, red bell pepper, red and green jalapeños, garlic, and chicken broth.

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 8/9 at 2:30 p.m.* – Why Strategic Planning Fails and A New Approach

Hear the common reasons traditional strategic planning fails and a new way of looking at strategic planning that starts with a data-driven analysis. More info/register.

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

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

Fri 8/9 at 4 p.m. – The Future of Equity in Associations/Nonprofits

As an association and/or DEI professional, you may be familiar with the Society for Human Resource Management’s (SHRM) recent announcement that they are dropping the “E” from DEI to focus solely on inclusion and diversity. Our panel will discuss the future of equity as part of DEI in associations/nonprofits and share their opinions on SHRM’s decision, and if this is what the future holds for other organizations. More info/register.

Host: Fridays@4

Speakers:

Samantha (Sam) Evans, ICE-CCP, CAE, MBA, Certification Manager, International Association of Accessibility Professionals
Haley M. Jones, CAE, Director of Member Engagement, American Staffing Association
Sharon Newport, CAE, Principal, Sharon Newport, LLC

Sat 8/10 at 4 p.m. – 2024 ASAE Annual Welcome Happy Hour (Cleveland OH)

Catch up with AWTC community members, expand your network, and find your people before navigating the next few days. This IRL opportunity, to socialize and network with your industry peers, is brought to you by the generous support of our sponsors. Location: Cleveland OH. More info/register.

Host: Association Women Technology Champions

Mon 8/12 at 8 a.m. – The 250th Episode!! Legacy: What We Leave For the Future (Radio Free 501c, the podcast of Rogue Tulips Consulting)

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

Guest: Agnes Amos-Coleman, RE+ Events

Tue 8/13 at 12 p.m. – LGBTQIA2+ 2024 Community Call

This event is a unique and inclusive opportunity for association professionals across all career stages to connect and engage over lunch. It’s a space where you can openly share and discuss topics that are current and significant to the LGBTQIA2+ association community. 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

Tue 8/13 at 1 p.m. – Enhance Your Marketing Strategy With Signals and AI

Signals and data provide insight into the buyer’s journey and help marketers identify, qualify, and convert customers. AI then analyzes these signals and suggests the next best actions to take, and when to act. Learn how to identify and use signals throughout the buyer’s journey, create demand using strategies that capture and act on signals, integrate AI to increase marketing and sales impact, and evaluate success using unified metrics across sales and marketing. More info/register.

Host: American Marketing Association

Speakers: Millie Beetham, Director of Revenue Generation, and Deeksha Taneja, Vice President of Growth & Optimization, ZoomInfo

Tue 8/13 at 2 p.m. – Think Like a Reporter: How to Make Your Press Release Enticing

Using examples from nationally award-winning campaigns, learn how to find story angles that your press release readers will love and that editors won’t want to pass up. More info/register.

Host: Notified

Speaker: Ann Wylie, Wylie Communications

Tue 8/13 at 5 p.m. – Becoming the Marketing Leader Your Company Needs

Learn how to assert ideas and shape marketing strategies—what you need to do to be heard, drive decisions, and get things done across your organization; what the difference is between marketing ICs and leaders and how to avoid common mistakes (that even mid-level marketers make) that hinder influence; and how to leverage your influence to optimize product launches, campaigns, positioning, and drive growth. More info/register.

Host: Maven

Speakers:

Andy McCotter-Bicknell, Head of Competitive Intel at Apollo.io, previously ClickUp and ZoomInfo
Julien Sauvage, GVP, Marketing at Clari, previously Gong and Salesforce
Natalie Taylor, Head of Marketing at Capsule

Wed 8/14 at 9 a.m. – Using Behavioral Science in B2B Marketing

Explore how understanding the psychological factors influencing decision-making can transform marketing strategies. Hear insights on leveraging behavioral science to drive better customer engagement and conversion rates. A panel of B2B marketing experts will share real-life case studies and practical examples of how companies have successfully applied these principles to achieve remarkable results. More info/register.

Host: Adzact

Speaker: Nancy Harhut, author, Using Behavioral Science in Marketing

Wed 8/14 from 1 to 4 p.m. CDT – Hear From the Experts: Lessons Learned from Common Pitfalls Encountered in Credentialing Programs (Chicago IL)

We’ll tackle the key themes that align with roles in Governance and Operations, Test Administration, and Assessment Development and Delivery, covering the range of experiences and common pitfalls encountered in credentialing programs. Location: Chicago IL. More info/register.

Host: Certification Network Group

Speakers:

Tara McNaughton, Associate VP Psychometrics and Assessment, American Osteopathic Association
Eileen Odonnell, Project Manager, Dental Assisting National Board
Willaim “Bill” Seifarth, Executive Director, CEO, National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians
Tara Whittington, Director of Marketing, National Commission for the Certification of Crane Operators
Kate Kahoa (moderator), Senior Psychometrician, PSI

Wed 8/14 at 1 p.m. – Green Meetings: Quick Wins

Explore a range of effortless green meeting initiatives that are easy to implement. Gain insights into scaling social impact initiatives to seamlessly fit into your event schedule. Learn how to integrate sustainability into your venue and transportation choices for a more eco-friendly approach. Discover effective strategies to collaborate with venues and F&B directors, reducing your meeting’s carbon impact. 1 CMP credit. More info/register.

Host: Prevue Meetings

Speakers:

Amanda Gourgue, Chief Meeting Revolutionist, Meeting Revolution
Roger Lehner, Sr. Operations & Sustainability Executive, IMEX
Rachael Riggs, CMP, DES, SEPC, General Manager, Environmental Strategy & WellBeing Leader, Maritz

Wed 8/14 at 2 p.m. – Expert Exchange: Using and Collecting Advocate Stories to Drive Impact

Your advocates have unique perspectives and powerful stories. But how can you effectively harness these powerful stories to make an impact on legislators? In this “Ask Me Anything” style webinar, get practical tips on using advocate stories to engage legislators and drive policy impact. More info/register.

Host: Quorum

Speakers: Natalia González, Senior Account Manager, and Craig Plazure, Vice President, Beekeeper Group

Wed 8/14 at 2 p.m. – 10 Tips for Creating Great Webinar Content that Drives Engagement

Whether in the form of compelling presentations or just great conversations, keeping your audience’s attention means telling compelling stories and delivering engaging and interactive experiences. Learn how to source and prioritize content themes, use AI to find inspiration and build content, turn content themes into compelling narratives, and architect audience engagement. More info/register.

Host: Content Marketing Institute

Speakers:

Mark Bornstein, VP of Content Marketing, ON24
Stephanie Stahl, Managing Director, Content Marketing Institute

Thu 8/15 at 10 a.m. – Legal Latte: Brewing Up Solutions for Common Issues Facing Your Non-Profit or Association

Hear about critical legal topics impacting your nonprofit or association, such as the new overtime law, expense management, and more. Get practical solutions and insights to help you navigate the complex legal landscape. We will also have dedicated time for Q&A, allowing you to address concerns and gain valuable knowledge from our panel. More info/register.

Host: Profound Leadership

Speaker: Edward R. McMurray, attorney at Levin Ginsburg

Thu 8/15 at 11 a.m. – Cut the Sh*t. Cue the Genius. Town Hall: Event Profs Unscripted

Hey there, eventprofs! Tired of swimming through a sea of “meh” projects and dodging client curveballs? Yeah, we thought so. It’s time to grab a seat and dish on the real! So, are you in? Drag your beautiful, stressed-out self to this no-holds-barred throwdown. We’re gonna laugh, we’re gonna cry, and we’re gonna figure this shit out together. More info/register.

Host: Dahlia El Gazzar

Thu 8/15 at 12 p.m. – Addressing Burnout: Strategies for Leaders

Burnout is the #1 reason employees are citing as they quit in record numbers. Learn the signs and components of burnout so you can assess how much it’s impacting you and your organization, the unique set of factors that have led us to this point and why action is needed now, and the strategies you can implement right away to help your organization thrive now and into the future. More info/register.

Host: Brain Aware Training

Speakers: Justin Reinert, VP of Partnerships, and Heloisa Vila, Director, Product & Learning Experience, Brain Aware Training

Thu 8/15 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 8/15 at 1 p.m. – Breaking Up with Your LMS: The Signs, The Search, and the Solution

Learn when it’s time to break up with your learning management system (LMS) by uncovering key red flags. Discover how unparalleled support, actionable insights, and scalable growth opportunities will ensure your organization’s success. Uncover how the right LMS can enhance learner engagement and drive better learning outcomes. More info/register.

Host: BenchPrep

Speakers: Evan Burton, VP of Sales, and Chris Titone, Sr. Customer Success Manager, BenchPrep

Thu 8/15 at 2 p.m. – Design for Impact: How to Increase Engagement Without Increasing Costs

How to transform your event vision into tangible experiences that drive emotional engagement, effectively use resources to reach your goals, and demonstrate the value of your events. More info/register.

Host: Smart Meetings

Speakers: Devon Montgomery Pasha, CMP, CED, director of North America for Event Design Collective

Fri 8/16 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. Because it’s not an official ASAE event (and is organized by consultants, not by ASAE staff), you don’t have to be an ASAE member to attend. August’s main topic is ASAE24 Post Con: The Good, the Bad, and the Questionable. More info.

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

Fri 8/16 at 4 p.m. – Online Communities Series: How to Revive a Dying Online Community

Host: Fridays@4

Speaker: Catherine Hackney, founder, Confident Communities Consulting

Tue 8/20 from 11 a.m. to 1:05 p.m. – Event Marketers Week: Resilience & Wellness

Host: Zuddl

Tue 8/20 at 2 p.m. – Renewals Reinvented: Leveraging Member Insights for Greater Retention

Host: PropFuel

Wed 8/21 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. – Event Marketers Week: Creativity & Design Thinking

Host: Zuddl

Wed 8/21 at 12 p.m. – Are You Talking to Me?! CPC vs EPC

Host: HighRoad Solutions

Speakers: Maneesha Manges, CXO, and Morgan Mulgrew, Strategic Account Manager, HighRoad Solutions

Thu 8/22 at 11 a.m. – AI and Human Collaboration: Creating High-Quality Content Together

Host: UST Education

Speaker: Adrian Speyer, VP Marketing & Community, Customer Leaders Institute

Thu 8/22 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. – Event Marketers Week: Event Leadership

Host: Zuddl

Thu 8/22 at 1 p.m. – How to Grow Your Online Course Catalog with Third-Party Content

Host: Leading Learning

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

Thu 8/22 at 2 p.m. – Data Strategy Workshop: Thinking Big with Data for Associations

Hosts: Fíonta and Salesforce

Speakers:

Nicole Adair, Principal Solution Engineer, Salesforce
Ashley Goad, Director of Data and Architecture, Fíonta
Lex Grace, Solution Engineer, Salesforce
David Manuel, Manager, Technical Architect, Fíonta

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.

Creative Commons licensed photo by Katarzyna Pe via Unsplash

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Association Brain Food: 8.2.24

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

ASAE Annual exhibitors. Association exec Christopher Ware writes about the onslaught of self-centered, irrelevant, and pointless emails he’s getting from ASAE Annual exhibitors. His complaint reminded me of two posts (pre-Annual and post-Annual) I wrote about the same topic back in the summer of 2015. Same old, same old. If you’re worried we’re talking about your company, then read our advice.

Association competitive analysis. How do you attract sponsors, exhibitors, and advertisers, and maintain their engagement and loyalty when you’re up against a wide range of competing alternatives? A new white paper from Fonteva and Protech featuring the advice of Bruce Rosenthal and Mary Byers describes a step-by-step approach for conducting a competitive analysis as a path to financial sustainability and mission success.

Membership. GrowthZone’s latest association survey report reveals a few common challenges: associations have a hard time proving the value of membership and persuading members to make time for association engagement. Many of them admit to not having documented plans for member engagement, young professional recruitment, and lapsed member reengagement—that’s a good place to start.

Association boards. Jeff De Cagna of Foresight First and Patrick Dorsey of Impexium invite association professionals to The Future of Association Boards (FAB) Community Dialogue, a multi-month exploration of the future of association boards hosted on LinkedIn. In the announcement video, Jeff makes a point of calling for the participation of young professionals, so please join the conversation.

Association marketing maturity. In its Marketing Benchmarks for Associations report, Mighty Citizen assesses the marketing maturity of associations in six categories: research/analytics, branding/strategy, marketing/SEO, UX design/content, technology, and team dynamics. They share trends, benchmarks, need-to-know best practices, and next steps for increasing your association’s marketing effectiveness.

Sponsorship strategy. In this comprehensive guide to tiered and à la carte sponsorship models for in-person, virtual, and hybrid events, EventMobi offers advice for pricing, selling, and delivering sponsorships, measuring ROI, and crafting post-event reports for corporate revenue partners.

Website content. Most blog posts are marketing dead ends. Mark Schaefer says the biggest mistake marketing and communication teams make today is not treating each post and web page like a mini-landing page for your organization. As part of your marketing ecosystem, blog posts must do their part in keeping people on your site and encouraging them to subscribe, follow you, or explore within.

Respecting your staff. Elizabeth Engel, CAE, of Spark Consulting brings up a frustrating scenario I bet many of you have experienced: your boss listens to a consultant saying what you’ve been telling them for months or years. She asks whom your leadership (paid and volunteer) actually listens to and who’s allowed to be honest?

Extra credit

Five habits for CEOs (and others) who want to become better active learners. | by David Novak, Chief Executive (hat tip to Don Dea)

The power of feeling lucky: only people who believe in luck have it. | by Nir Eyal

The loneliness epidemic is still a problem for remote workers. I wonder how associations and employers can work together to tackle this issue. | by Cloey Callahan, WorkLife

Today, knowledge work is less about creating new things than it is about talking about those things. Yikes. Thankfully, that’s not what knowledge work is like for me. | by Derek Thompson, The Atlantic (free archive link)

Six great hiking apps for adventurous travelers. | by Kayla Matthews, Afar

You never grow old at the table

Every year during our July beach trip, I make North Carolina shrimp scampi with pasta. We finish dinner with key lime pie from Bill’s Seafood Market in Sunset Beach. The same lady has been making their pies and soups for 27 years! My scampi includes onion, red bell pepper, tomatoes, garlic, red pepper flakes, white wine, lemon juice, shrimp, butter, pasta water, linguine, and fresh basil. So good.

I had half a jar of Herdez chipotle salsa cremosa so I used it as a sauce for big eye tuna with sautéed red jalapeños, garlic chives, and cilantro.

Since we had a cool spell of 80-degree weather this past weekend, I decided to do something with three packages of short ribs in the freezer. But I pulled them out too late for a low-and-slow recipe. Instead, I found an America’s Test Kitchen recipe for the Instant Pot: rustic Italian braised beef short ribs. On the side, roasted Brussels sprouts with bacon, red onion, garlic powder, and cayenne.

We enjoyed the short ribs over polenta. I never make polenta the traditional way. I know, mamma mia! Instead, I follow this quick microwave method. Not a purist. And yes, yellow cornmeal grits will do—as long as they’re not instant. Grits, polenta, not much of a difference in my opinion.

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 8/2 at 4 p.m. – Building a Purpose-Driven Brand for Nonprofits and Associations

Drawing on the 3-I Framework of Influence, Income, and Impact, hear about a holistic approach to brand development that aligns with the unique needs and goals of mission-driven organizations. Find out why a clear and authentic purpose is essential for an organization’s success and brand strength. Discover strategies to ensure all branding elements and communications consistently reflect their core purpose. Learn how to identify, engage, and nurture a community that shares and supports organizational purpose, assess how well activities and communications align with stated purpose, and measure the resulting impact. More info/register.

Host: Fridays@4

Speaker: Elona Washington

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

Mon 8/5 at 8 a.m. – The Role of the Woman in Transforming the World (Radio Free 501c, the podcast of Rogue Tulips Consulting)

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

Guest: Lesedi Lesetedi, Botswana Open University

Mon 8/5 at 3 p.m. – Why You Need a Ghostwriter on the Content Team

Hear advice for brands about effectively partnering with ghostwriters for content marketing. We’ll clear up a few misconceptions about ghostwriting and share proven tips for empowering ghostwriters to deliver great brand content. More info/register.

Host: Erika Heald

Speaker: Mindi Zissman, ghostwriter for risk, insurance, and compliance organizations

Tue 8/6 at 12 p.m. – Large Language Models for Associations (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 8/6 at 1 p.m. – The Simplest of Terms: Translating Tech Talk for the Non-IT Audience

Learn how to convey complex and abstract concepts to non-technology audiences to keep the lines of communication open and clear between the business and technology teams. Hear how evaluate the target audience to determine communication needs and make the intangible tangible. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.

Host: UST Education

Speaker: Olivia Wilkins, Business Analyst/Project Manager, PerByte

Tue 8/6 at 1:10 p.m. – Lessons in Learning: How Can We Make Learning Neuroinclusive?

Expand your understanding of inclusion to address neurotype differences. Learn about the high rate of nondisclosure due to discrimination and why it’s vital to design inclusive environments regardless of disclosure. Discover practical strategies for creating neuroinclusive learning spaces, both place-based and online, with recommended resources. More info/register.

Host: InspirEd

Speakers:

Carolyn B. Thompson, president, Training Systems
Tracy King, CAE, CEO, InspirEd

Wed 8/7 at 12 p.m. – Are Your Nonprofit Employees Still Exempt? A Review of the DOL’s 2024 Final FLSA Overtime Regulation

In April 2024, the U. S. Department of Labor issued a Final Rule substantially raising the salary threshold for salaried exempt employees under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). The first change took effect July 1, 2024, and more changes are coming over the next three years. Learn about the most common exemptions under the FLSA, DOL’s increased salary thresholds, common FLSA pitfalls, how the FLSA applies to nonprofit organizations and how it differs from the for-profit sector, best practices for managing the Rule change, and the interplay between state labor laws and the FLSA. More info/register.

Host: Whiteford, Taylor & Preston LLP

Moderator: Eileen Johnson, Co-chair of Whiteford’s Associations & Nonprofit Organizations Section

Speakers: Whiteford’s Labor and Employment Law Partners Lisa Brauner and David Stevens

Wed 8/7 at 12 p.m. – Achieving Work-Life Balance for Leaders and Their Teams

If you’re tired of work-life balance training that only deals with stress and time management at the personal level, and ignores issues of leadership or productivity, hear action-oriented guidance on how you can define a balance that powers your career, yet still gives you a life. Learn how to develop a clear understanding of the seven dimensions of balance, define your own desired balance, using the Personal Balance Sheet framework, broaden your focus and still perform, avoid burnout, and balance work vs life issues when leading a team. More info/register.

Host: Braintrust Professional Institute

Speakers: Randall Craig and Ronja Francoeur, Braintrust Professional Institute

Wed 8/7 at 2 p.m. – Finding and Welcoming New Participants

Growing your event audience can not only help boost your bottom line, but also can enhance the on-site experience with new and diverse voices. What are the best channels for finding and engaging new participants? How can you accelerate the registration process and make sure they feel welcome at the meeting? Industry experts will share strategies for thoughtfully increasing your attendee base—and ensuring new participants will want to come back year after year. 1 CMP credit. More info/register.

Host: Northstar Meetings Group

Speakers:

Valerie Bihet, Founder, VIBE
Wendy Porter, Founder and Chief Event Strategist, Wendy Porter Events LLC
Connie Samuels, Director of Events & Education, NAPEO
Elise Schoening (moderator), Editor, Meeting News; Senior Editor, Northstar Meetings Group

Thu 8/8 at 2 p.m. – Managing Ch-Ch-Ch-Ch-Changes in Association Projects

Discover how to better manage organizational change by empowering you and your staff with needed change competencies—the ability to react to and manage change repeatedly. Hear how a technology consulting firm developed a successful change process platform to help their association clients with technology adoption, which can also be used to help manage change in other key areas of your association. More info/register.

Host: 501 Works

Speakers:

Joe Plasterer, principal, Starkweather Association Services and co-founder, Cirrus Change Readiness
Melinda Starkweather, CMP, co-founder, Starkweather Association Services and Cirrus Change Readiness
James Marquis, CIO, 501Works

Thu 8/8 at 2 p.m. – Privacy Compliance for Nonprofits: Protect Your Donors & Members

Learn how to do impactful outreach while also protecting the privacy of your supporters and avoiding legal pitfalls. Hear about the regulatory frameworks that potentially impact you, how compliance is woven into your marketing and advertising, and how a cookie-lite world may change things. More info/register.

Host: Feathr

Speaker: Aleksander Levental, co-founder and CEO, Feathr

Fri 8/9 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.

Facilitators:

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

Sat 8/10 at 4 p.m. – 2024 ASAE Annual Welcome Happy Hour (Cleveland OH)

Host: Association Women Technology Champions

Fri 8/16 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. Because it’s not an official ASAE event (and is organized by consultants, not by ASAE staff), you don’t have to be an ASAE member to attend. August’s main topic is ASAE24 Post Con: The Good, the Bad, and the Questionable. More info.

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

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

Association Brain Food: 7.19.24

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

Association Brain Food won’t appear next Friday, July 26, because I’ll be at the beach most of the week. The next edition will go live Friday, August 2.

Awards programs. Should your association have an awards program? Is it really worth the effort? Don’t look at your awards program as merely a nice thing to do, says OpenWater. A well-planned awards program delivers meaningful benefits year-round to members, your industry, and your association—and they explain how.

Associations Evolve. I enjoyed reading the 2024 Associations Evolve Journal. They’re now accepting submissions for the 2025 edition.

Association AI. Betty Bot’s Executive Guide to AI for CEOs and Boards explains how to make the case for AI to your board. The guide describes AI’s potential, like making personalization at scale possible, and reviews the challenges and concerns associated with adopting AI. The appendix includes an AI readiness survey and a 12-week AI adoption plan.

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.

Association due diligence on vendors. Mark Wallach of Engagement Mobile Strategies describes three techniques for determining whether an industry partner (vendor) is seeking a mutually fruitful relationship with your association or merely a transaction. His advice will help you find partners who are known, liked, and trusted within the industry for good reason.

Member invitations. You can’t overstate the difference in impact between a blast email invitation and a personal invitation to a member about attending a meeting—or any other ask. Lowell Aplebaum of Vista Cova says you must invest time in crafting personal invitations that explain why that particular person has been invited.

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

Extra credit

How did Silicon Valley turn into a creepy cult? Tech titans are now acting as philosophers and have bizarre theories about everything. In other words, God is a deliverable for the R&D team. | by Ted Gioia

Construction workers unearthed a life-size marble sculpture of Hercules buried deep in a Roman sewer. Stunning. | by Sarah Cascone, artnet News

Adventures on a $499 Amtrak rail pass through unfairly overlooked flyover America. [I have fond memories of sleeper car adventures across America—not as racy as it sounds.] | by A.M. Hickman

You never grow old at the table

An excellent meal for a steamy night: ribbonfish in choo chee Thai curry sauce with brown rice and roasted broccoli. A funny name for a keeper recipe from Nancie McDermott’s Quick & Easy Thai: 70 Everyday Recipes. My adaption includes red onion, red bell, coconut milk, red curry paste, fish sauce, soy sauce, palm sugar, garlic chives, cilantro, and Thai basil. Man, I love this sauce. It’d be fantastic with eggplant, mushroom, zucchini, and yellow squash—on my menu for the coming weeks.

On Sunday, I made cold Lithuanian beet soup—Šaltibarščiai. How about those accent marks! To avoid heating up the kitchen so early in the day, I used the pressure cooker to make hard-boiled eggs and steamed beets. I adapted my recipe from one in a Lithuanian cooking Facebook group. Mine includes beets, cucumber, hard-boiled eggs, chives, dill, horseradish, cider vinegar, lemon juice, sour cream, and buttermilk. Quite a luminous color!

For dinner, chicken enchilada casserole, enough for a few nights. I had leftover red enchilada sauce in the freezer from the last time I made this. For the chicken, I dusted breast tenderloins in flour and sautéed them in oil in a skillet. I added poblano and garlic to the recipe and used frozen corn.

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 7/19 at 12 p.m. – Cybersecurity Questions You Should be Asking

If you pay attention to cyber-news, you know the rate of incidents continues to climb. More data stolen, more companies extorted, more downtime experienced, and more reputations and brands tarnished. Learn what’s driving this surge in cybersecurity incidents, whether phishing really is that big of a risk and training is that important, what AI has to do with cyber risk, how you can understand if your IT team is doing the right thing, and how you know if you’re doing enough. More info/register.

Host: ClearTone Consulting

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

Fri 7/19 at 1 p.m. – From Live to Lasting: Transforming Webinars into Engaging eLearning

Learn strategies to maximize the impact of your existing webinar content by transforming it into versatile, on-demand courses. Discover how on-demand learning can enhance accessibility and flexibility for your learners. Get acquainted with the tools and platforms essential for converting webinar recordings into comprehensive eLearning courses. Explore methods to add interactive elements such as quizzes, polls, and discussion boards to keep learners engaged. Understand how to break down webinar content into manageable, bite-sized pieces to facilitate easier consumption and ongoing engagement. 0.75 CAE credit. More info/register.

Host: Blue Sky eLearn

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

Fri 7/19 at 3 p.m. – The Informal Consultants Networking Extravaganza

A monthly networking meeting for full-time consultants who work with non-profits and associations. It’s not an official ASAE event so you don’t have to be an ASAE member to attend. This month, besides news-sharing and advice-seeking, the focus is Business Development at ASAE24: Carrie McIntyre, founder of Navigate, will share tips for connecting, explaining what you do to a colleague (or potential client), and advice on following up. If you’re not attending ASAE this year, Carrie’s tips and advice will still have value as they are applicable throughout your business year. More info.

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

Fri 7/19 at 4 p.m. – Volunteers: the Good, the Bad, the Struggles, and the Victories

Bring your success stories, your sticky situations, and your questions. Together we can celebrate or find a path forward. More info/register.

Host: Fridays@4

Facilitator: Fridays@4 board member Heather Story

Mon 7/22 at 8 a.m. – Legacy Conferencing (Radio Free 501c, the podcast of Rogue Tulips Consulting)

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

Guest: Matty Rubinstein

Tue 7/23 at 1 p.m. – Are Gen Zs Joiners? How to Engage the Next Generation of Members

62% of associations are experiencing flat or declining memberships due to their inability to recruit Gen Z. Learn proven strategies to engage young members, including how to identify the primary obstacles preventing next gen engagement and growth, increase your association’s value among young people, utilize the new ‘cycle to engagement,’ and create a culture of belonging. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.

Host: Forj

Speaker: Sarah Sladek, CEO of XYZ University

Tue 7/23 at 2 p.m. – Level Up: Unlocking the Power of Gamification to Boost Event ROI

Discover the transformative power of gamification in enhancing your events. Hear about innovative strategies to boost attendee engagement, satisfaction, and event ROI. More info/register.

Host: Bizzabo

Speakers:

Jeff Campbell, CEO/Founder, Incentli
MK Granados, Director of Revenue Optimization, Informa

Wed 7/24 at 12 p.m. – AWTC Meet & Greet

Connect with new faces in the association tech community! Join us for a 30-minute welcome event to forge fresh connections and discover our vibrant Slack community. Attending ASAE Annual? Start networking early and get to know your AWTC colleagues. More info/register.

Host: Association Women Technology Champions (AWTC)

Wed 7/24 at 1 p.m. – Continuing the Association Competition Conversation

Hear about the mindsets and strategies required to maintain relevance in a rapidly changing environment. Learn about the necessity of identifying and leading from your strengths, concentrating your resources, changing business models and dues structures, and getting the product and service mix right—and sunsetting programs when necessary. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.

Host: Fonteva

Speakers:

Mary Byers, CAE, CSP, Author of Race for Relevance: 5 Radical Changes for Associations
Bruce Rosenthal, Corporate Partnership & Sponsorship Consultant, Bruce Rosenthal Associates, LLC
Leonard Toenjes, CAE, President, Associated General Contractors (AGC) of Missouri

Wed 7/24 at 1 p.m. – Creating Events with AI

Learn how the event experts at Cvent are using AI to gain efficiencies in their event planning processes. Walk away with a new understanding of AI technologies on the market and how they can help you save time; how to use AI in the pre-event, live event, and post-event stages; and the value and impact of AI on your events 121%. 1 CMP credit. More info/register.

Host: Meetings Today

Speaker: Brooke Gracey, Marketing Director, Cvent

Wed 7/24 at 2 p.m. – Navigating Tomorrow: Association Business Teams of the Future

Explore the changing landscape of association business needs. Learn about the future of work for association business development teams, including the shifting roles, essential skill sets, and diverse talents required for success. From leveraging advanced technologies to fostering a culture of adaptability, discover how forward-thinking associations are redefining team dynamics to stay agile, innovative, and resilient. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.

Host: Professionals for Association Revenue

Speakers:

Dan Cole, Sr. Director, Exposition Sales, AVIXA
Anthony Simone, Vice President, Development, The Bill of Rights Institute
Sean Soth, Founder & Leadership Advisory Board Chair, Professionals for Association Revenue

Wed 7/24 at 2 p.m. – Membership Reset

Findings from our recent Membership Reset report reveal that associations have consistently faced downward membership trends, posing a significant risk to both member success and the sustainability of association business models. It’s time for a membership reset. Hear strategies to refocus your approach to membership, including actionable ideas for delivering on the promise of membership, the role membership can play in your association, and guidance on how to re-invest resources and attention to membership. More info/register.

Host: McKinley Advisors

Speakers: Caroline Baugher, Practice Director; Susan Davis, M.S., CAE, Senior Consultant; and Patrick Glaser, M.A., MPA, Chief Practice Officer, McKinley Advisors

Wed 7/24 at 2 p.m. – Creative Sponsorship Ideas for 2024 and Beyond

Event partners are looking to get more out of sponsorships than just their logo on a PowerPoint slide or a piece of signage. They want to be included, connect with the audience and reap the benefits of the event as much as any attendee. Hear about innovative ways to engage brands, incorporating partners into pre- and post-event marketing, and digital sponsorship ideas for hybrid events or webinars. 1 CMP credit. More info/register.

Host: Northstar Meetings Group

Speakers:

Karen M. Gonzales, CMP-F, CEM, Director, Global Business Development, IAEE
Lizzie Wilcox (moderator), Associate Editor, Northstar Meetings Group

Thu 7/25 at 12 p.m. – Key Takeaways and Insights from MGI’s 2024 Membership Marketing Benchmarking Report

Learn how successful associations are prioritizing new member recruitment, continuously innovating, and using effective marketing strategies to expand their membership. Find out how to apply insights from the report and drive growth for your association during this period of expansion. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.

Host: Marketing General Inc. (MGI)

Thu 7/25 at 1 p.m. – 5 Things Every Speaker Should Know Before They Start Training

Are you ready to elevate your training sessions and leave a lasting impact on your audience? Hear about the five essential elements every speaker needs to know before stepping in front of their audience. Whether you’re a seasoned speaker or just starting out, this session will equip you with the tools and insights to deliver engaging, impactful, and memorable presentations. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.

Host: Event Garde

Speaker: Aaron Wołowiec, Founder & President, Event Garde

Thu 7/25 at 1 p.m. – Abstract Management Professionals Meetup

Join fellow AM professionals for a July networking chat and get together. More info/register (ASAE members only).

Host: ASAE Abstract Management Community

Fri 7/26 at 1 p.m. – Talk with CAEs

Facilitators:

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

Fri 7/26 at 4 p.m. – How Are You Planning for Succession for Your Own Position and for Your Board

Join this open networking discussion to hear best practices about succession planning. More info/register.

Host: Fridays@4

Facilitator: Shelly Trent

Mon 7/29 at 8 a.m. – A DEI Story (Radio Free 501c, the podcast of Rogue Tulips Consulting)

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

Guest: Samyuktha Neeraja

Tue 7/30 at 11 a.m. – AI Use Cases for Now and Later: Insights and Forecasts from Association CIOs

Pull back the curtain on artificial intelligence in action to discover how AI is reshaping member services, streamlining operations, and driving innovation in associations today. Our panel of association CIOs will share real-world examples of AI implementation, discuss challenges they’ve overcome, and offer their visions for AI’s future role in association management. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.

Host: UST Education

Speakers:

Gayathri Kher, President, fusionSpan
Kapil Kher, Senior Vice President of IT at AVIXA
Thad Lurie, Senior Vice President of Digital & Technology, AGU

Tue 7/30 at 1 p.m. – Top 5 Tips to Preparing for a Data Clean-Up Project

Data clean-up has the dubious honor of being both a vital strategic initiative and the project most likely to be postponed, reprioritized, or tabled. Hear about five best practices on how to prepare for a data clean-up project so that you can better position yourself and your organization for success. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.

Host: UST Education

Speaker: Sidney Galati, Sales & Partnerships Manager, Bumblebee Data

Wed 7/31 at 12 p.m. – Increase Comms Engagement by 10% Today

Engagement scores suffering? Newsletter not getting traction? Learn what to keep, stop, and start doing in your emails to reach your target audience. Hear how to understand the big picture when you communicate, identify which details to drill down on and perfect in your newsletter, and use your newsletter to drive audiences to your intranet. More info/register.

Host: L-12 Services Corp.

Speakers:

Amy Hager, CAE, IOM, CEO, Amy Hager Solutions
Lizabeth Wesely-Casella, Founder & CEO, L-12 Services Corp.

Wed 7/31 at 1 p.m. – The End of Expertise and How Associations Must Adapt

Hear how industries are being disrupted by the public’s lack of trust in our institutions, how associations are being affected by this same trends, how associations are modifying their services to maintain their credibility and retain members’ trust, and what organizations are doing to keep their organizations safe spaces for facts, open discussion, and expertise. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.

Host: UST Education

Speakers:

Lindsay Currie, CAE, Executive Officer, Council on Undergraduate Research
Matthew Hughes, President & CEO, World Affairs Council of America
Joanna M. Pineda, CEO & Chief Troublemaker, Matrix Group International, Inc.
Tara Puckey, Executive Director, The Radio Television Digital News Association

Wed 7/31 at 1 p.m. – The Art of Persuasive Writing: Secrets from the Masters

Unlock the secrets of the greatest communicators and learn how to write with clarity, impact, and persuasion. Discover proven techniques to craft compelling messages that resonate with your audience. From mastering the active voice to using simple yet powerful metaphors, gain practical insights to elevate your writing and influence others effectively. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.

Host: UST Education

Speaker: Bill McGlade, President, Community Leaders Institute & epIQ Creative Group

Wed 7/31 at 1 p.m. – Strategic Marketing for Associations: Communicate Your Value to Engage Members

Discover the distinct roles of marketing strategy and marketing planning and how they need each other to drive success. Learn about the six key elements to set the direction for your marketing communications, ensuring alignment with your strategic objectives. Get practical tips for crafting winning marketing communications plans. More info/register.

Host: Mercury Creative Group

Speakers: Cheri Quinn, Director of Brand Strategy, and Emily Youngblood, Director of Client Services, Mercury Creative Group

Wed 7/31 at 1 p.m. – Critical Contract Clauses

Learn about critical contract clauses that can make or break a meeting’s success, including force majeure clauses, food and beverage cost increases, security issues and dealing with controversial new laws. More info/register.

Host: Meetings Today

Speaker: attorney Joshua L. Grimes, Esq., Grimes Law Offices, LLC

Wed 7/31 at 3:30 CDT – Invitation to AI Roundtable: Cutting Through the AI Clutter (Chicago IL)

There’s so much noise around AI, unending lists of AI tools, and ways to use them. Let’s cut through the clutter and focus on how we can use AI to drive member engagement, improve member benefits, and differentiate your organization. Be ready to bring ideas, and AI solutions you’re considering or already working on. Location: Chicago IL. More info/register.

Host: Association Women Technology Champions

Thu 8/1 at 11 a.m. – Bringing Your Data to Life

In the age of AI, data is the fuel we use to feed our efforts to provide a truly personalized experience to our members. The more we know about our members, who they are, where they work, what they need, the better we can serve them. However, your members aren’t sitting still, they’re evolving in their interests and progressing in their careers. Your data needs to evolve with them. Learn strategies for bringing your data to life, making sure it stays up to date and relevant, and is continually being fed across your systems to meet your members where they are. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.

Host: UST Education

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

Thu 8/1 at 12 p.m. – 10 Awkward Questions to Ask your Tech Vendor

Learn how asking awkward questions will help you determine if you are investing in the right association management system to meet your association’s needs. More info/register.

Host: Ellipsis Partners

Speakers: Moira Edwards, CAE, President, and Jim Pearson, MS Ed, PMP, Senior Consultant, Ellipsis Partners

Thu 8/1 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 8/1 at 1 p.m. – Fundraising and Sponsorships: Understanding Who you Are and How to Properly Expand to New Revenue Verticals

Learn essential strategies for identifying and articulating your organization’s unique value proposition, targeting the right sponsors, and diversifying your revenue streams. Through expert insights and practical advice, you’ll gain the tools needed to build sustainable financial growth and establish robust partnerships that align with your mission and goals. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.

Host: UST Education

Speaker: David Vardeman, Sr. VP, Department Head, Not for Profit & Global Business Development, Capital Bank

Tue 8/6 at 12 p.m. – Large Language Models for Associations (Data Analytics Network)

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

Host: Data Analytics Network

Thu 8/8 at 2 p.m. – Managing Ch-Ch-Ch-Ch-Changes in Association Projects

Host: 501 Works

Speakers:

Joe Plasterer, principal, Starkweather Association Services and co-founder, Cirrus Change Readiness
Melinda Starkweather, CMP, co-founder, Starkweather Association Services and Cirrus Change Readiness
James Marquis, CIO, 501Works

Sat 8/10 at 4 p.m. – 2024 ASAE Annual Welcome Happy Hour (Cleveland OH)

Host: Association Women Technology Champions

Creative Commons licensed photo by Nick Fewings via Unsplash

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Association Brain Food: 7.12.24

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

Curiosity. Anne-Laure Le Cunff at Ness Labs says curiosity keeps you young, helps you learn, and fosters better relationships. She describes nine habits that help curious people grow personally and professionally. She calls these habits the “curiosity matrix.” I see them as “nine rules for better living.”

Email benchmarks and tactics. Here’s a must-read for association membership and marketing professionals: PropFuel’s email engagement benchmarking report, which is based on nearly 13 million emails they sent in 2023. The report includes benchmark data, trends, and advice for improving email practices and campaigns, plus association stories showing the impact of PropFuel’s recommended email tactics on their membership and marketing goals.

Event marketing. 360 Live Media introduces the 6 R’s Framework for increasing event attendance: relevance, reach, retention, reputation, revenue, and ROI. They discuss challenges related to each R and suggest advice and metrics to address each of these pain points and guide your future event planning.

Membership renewal. Besides sharing useful advice about renewal campaigns, Katrina Ciccarelli McAfee at Association Analytics explains how to use the data you already have for more effective renewal messaging. This post reminded me of the extent to which membership marketing tools and tactics have improved in the last several years—so many new things to try.

AI policy. Cimatri shares a sample ‘starter’ policy for responsible AI use. Because it’s licensed under Creative Commons, you can share and adapt it as your organization’s AI maturity grows.

AI consultants. Rahim Hirji says everyone’s an AI expert these days, so beware. Sidebar: I can vouch for the consultants at Cimatri, in case you were wondering.

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.

Extra credit

You’ve read your last free article, such is the nature of mortality. | Tommy Gonzalez, McSweeney’s

Strategies from Wall Street Journal readers for building a corporate culture in a hybrid or remote workplace. | Demetria Gallegos, WSJ (gift link)

A labyrinthine structure from the Minoan era was found on a hilltop in Crete. | The History Blog

Teaching students what it means to be an American. This is how we save our country from illiberal forces on both sides. | Richard D. Kahlenberg, The Liberal Patriot

You never grow old at the table

We had a bunch of friends and family over for a 4^th of July cookout. I made corn salad—no recipe, but it includes bacon, red bell pepper, sweet onion, garlic, fresh corn off the cob (with its juice), and tomato, tossed with a dressing of lemon juice, rice wine vinegar, and fresh basil.

Another accompaniment to burgers and dogs: cole slaw made with green and red cabbage, carrot, sweet onion, and red bell pepper. Some members of my family don’t like mayo (tragic, I know!), so I make my dressing with lime juice, rice wine vinegar, cilantro, hot sauce, and regular olive oil (not extra-virgin).

Nowadays, I never buy extra-virgin olive oil. Because I mainly use olive oil for sautéing or roasting, I buy large jugs of regular olive oil from Costco or BJ’s. I don’t need the more strongly flavored and expensive extra-virgin oil for cooking.

With the leftover corn salad, I made pasta with hot Italian sausage, jalapeño, onion, chard stems, garlic chives, chard leaves, corn salad, evaporated milk, parmesan, pasta water, butter, and fresh basil. Heavy cream is pretty pricy these days too. I keep a bunch of small cans of evaporated milk in the cupboard in case I only need a half cup of cream for a dish. I probably wouldn’t use it if cream was a dominant flavor, but in this case, the cream merely enriches the sauce.

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 7/12 at 11 a.m.* – Cybersecurity for Organizations

How do you improve cybersecurity within your organization? Hear about best practices, things to consider, and steps to take to improve your cybersecurity landscape. More info/register.

Host: Association Women Technology Champions

Speakers:

Brian C. Lynch, CLCS, MLIS, Partner & Asst. Vice President, Ames & Gough
Audra Palmero, Sales Account Executive, Imperva
Wendy Sahli, Director Of Technology, RAPS

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

Fri 7/12 at 1 p.m. – Talk with CAEs

Facilitators:

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

Fri 7/12 at 4 p.m. – Online Communities Series: Part 3 – Leveraging Volunteer Community Champions to Increase Online Member Engagement

Learn how to clearly define the foundation of the volunteer program, find your superusers and engage the right people to be volunteers, work synchronously with volunteers and keep them engaged over time, and prepare for what to do in the best-case and worst-case scenarios. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.

Host: Fridays@4

Speaker: Catherine Hackney, Online Community Consultant Specializing in Association Member Communities

Mon 7/15 at 8 a.m. – Is AI Going to Eat my Lunch? (Radio Free 501c, the podcast of Rogue Tulips Consulting)

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

Guests: Mike Jacka and Bryant Richardson

Mon 7/15 at 1 p.m. – Women in AI: Regulations and Their Global Impact on Ethics

Learn about the emerging challenges in realizing a “fit to purpose” AI blueprint and how to navigate new and existing infrastructures. Get insights on how to determine your goals and choose the right framework for your organization. Hear about resources to apply responsible and explainable AI frameworks. More info/register.

Host: Women in AI

Speakers:

Ana Clarke, Founder & CEO, AC SmartData (Australia)
Nancy Eke-Agu, AI Transformation Leader, JDZ Technology Consulting (Canada)
Emma G Moller, AI Advisor & CEO, Lumiera (Europe)
Charlotte Tao, Co-Founder & AI CTO (USA)

Tue 7/16 at 12 p.m. – Is the Juice Worth the Squeeze? Increasing Your Business Efficiency

Learn how to incorporate greater efficiencies into your operations and processes so that your growth will be smoother and faster. Topics will include: business management processes; improving productivity; getting the right people in the right seats; client journeys, operational efficiencies, and process redesign; technology as enabler or obstacle; outsourcing; innovation; and how to find the inspiration and new ideas to continue to increase efficiencies. More info/register.

Host: Braintrust Professional Institute

Speakers: Randall Craig and Ronja Francoeur, Braintrust Professional Institute

Tue 7/16 at 12 p.m. – Intro to AI Webinar for Associations and Nonprofits

Learn what Generative AI and Large Language Models are and how they work. Get an up-close look at how an actual AI expert utilizes these tools in real-world scenarios. Take away the knowledge and confidence to responsibly implement AI in your workflows. More info/register.

Host: Sidecar

Speaker: Thomas Altman, Co-Founder, Tasio

Tue 7/16 at 12 p.m. – Component Operations (CRVM July Crunch and Munch)

Discuss the various operations your organization has in place for managing components. Funding: How do your components get funded? What models are in place to drive revenue and navigate tight budgets? Component Elections: How does your organization recruit candidates to serve with components? How do you “sell” volunteering? Are your voters turning up? Awards Program: What awards and criteria do your components use to recognize members and leaders? Component Leadership: How do your components structure their leadership team? What positions are in place to effectively manage the component goals. More info/register (ASAE members only).

Host: ASAE Component Relations and Volunteer Management Council

Facilitators: Amy Biedenharn and Regais Wilson

Tue 7/16 at 1 p.m. – Expert Exchange: Navigating Trust in AI and Technology

In this Ask Me Anything session, hear insights about the complexities of cultivating trust in AI and technological innovations, for example, building trust in a digital age, harnessing AI responsibly, and mitigating technology risks. More info/register.

Host: Quorum

Speakers: Aaron Guiterman, Chairman, US Public Affairs, and Jeremy Thompson, Senior Vice President, Washington DC, Edelman Global Advisory

Tue 7/16 at 1:10 p.m. – Lessons in Learning: Is Your Definition of Inclusion in Learning Too Small?

Learn about the nuances of inclusive learning environments, including the critical differences between accommodations and inclusion and why it matters. Discover how inclusive learning goes beyond Alt Text and color accessibility. Learn practical strategies to foster an inclusive atmosphere for all learners. More info/register.

Host: InspirEd

Speakers:

Carolyn B. Thompson, president, Training Systems
Tracy King, CAE, CEO, InspirEd

Wed 7/17 at 11 a.m. – Don’t Be a Data Hoarder

Data hoarding wastes staff time, creates a bad member experience, and costs your association revenue. Fortunately, there are steps you can take to better manage information and fight the tendency to accumulate harmful information. Learn how to streamline your data management process and increase efficiency, improve the quality of your data and make it easier to analyze, enhance the member experience by using more useful data, reduce costs associated with organizing and managing large amounts of data, and create new opportunities for revenue growth driven by better insights. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.

Host: UST Education

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

Wed 7/17 at 12 p.m. – Be Change Ready: Transform Your Component Strategy

Hear from several association change catalysts who’ve taken their chapters to the next level. Find out what they changed, why they did it, and how they harnessed the power of change to drive meaningful progress. Dive into their specific challenges including volunteer burnout, low engagement, and activity without progress. Learn how these CRPs secured executive buy-in and leveraged changes within their associations to generate momentum. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.

Hosts: Billhighway and Mariner Management

Speakers: Peggy Hoffman of Mariner Management plus Jennifer Steffan, JoAnna Leon, Linda Norris-Waldt, CAE, and Glorianne O’Neilin

Wed 7/17 at 12 p.m. – Why the Board’s Duty of Foresight Remains a Radical Idea Ten Years Later

Learn what made the board’s duty of foresight a radical idea in 2014, why the duty of foresight remains a radical idea today, and how association boards and staff partners can act with intention to choose the duty of foresight. More info/register.

Host: Ewald Consulting

Speaker: Jeff De Cagna AIMP FRSA FASAE, Foresight First LLC

Wed 7/17 at 12 p.m. – Can Content Strategy Be Led by AI?

AI is the doer—the magical assistant “robot” we’ve all been dreaming for decades. With it though, comes a lofty set of questions around copyright, intellectual property, ideation and originality. For content marketers, there’s a fine line to balance between the value of accelerated productivity, at the expense of control and ownership. How do you decide when it’s time to turn to AI? Is there even room for AI to build your overall content strategy? Learn about the potential application of AI for associations from a brand and content programming perspective. More info/register.

Host: HighRoad Solutions

Speaker: Aimee Pagano, Director of Programming, HighRoad Solutions

Wed 7/17 at 2 p.m. – Beyond the Numbers: Understanding Data to Drive Strategic Decisions

Learn the fundamentals of data management, including what to collect and how to store it securely. Find out how to democratize your data by visualizing and analyzing data effectively using various tools, compare internal and external data perspectives to identify industry trends, and develop actionable strategies based on data insights for organizational improvement. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.

Host: Association Adviser / Naylor Association Solutions

Speakers: Nate Brown, Software Sales Engineer, and Chad Lloyd, Chief Data Officer, Naylor Association Solutions

Wed 7/17 at 2 p.m. – Digging into the Event Data Goldmine

Learn how to identify KPIs that directly contribute to event and program growth, align event metrics with your organization’s broader objectives, and use analytics to mature your event strategy and increase stakeholder engagement. 1 CMP credit. More info/register.

Host: MeetingsNet

Speaker: Jordan Clark, Sr. Manager, Event Program Design, Cvent

Wed 7/17 at 4:30 p.m. – Suburban Maryland Summer Meetup (Gaithersburg MD)

Join us for a casual meet-up of association pros. Bring a question, an idea or simply a curious mind. We’ll connect over a beverage and snack. Location: Gaithersburg MD. More info/register (ASAE members only).

Host: ASAE Suburban Maryland Network (Columbia Idea Swaps)

Thu 7/18 at 12 p.m. – How to Prepare Your Association’s Data for AI

From assessing the limitations of your current AMS or CRM to implementing solutions that bridge gaps between legacy and modern systems, get a roadmap for consolidating and structuring your data. Learn how to transform fragmented, inconsistent data into a unified, AI-ready resource that can drive your association’s success in the digital age. Hear about practical tools and techniques to navigate the complexities of data preparation, ensuring your association is poised to leverage AI effectively. More info/register.

Host: fusionSpan

Speakers:

Nicole Adair, Principal Solution Engineer, Salesforce
Jason Cookman, Senior Salesforce Architect, fusionSpan

Thu 7/18 at 12 p.m. – Volunteer Recruitment and Engagement

Volunteer engagement is a key metric for association sustainability. And volunteers are the lifeblood of your association. Why do some associations have a line-up of volunteers and others struggle to fill positions? Find out how you can attract and retain great talent on your committees, your task forces and your board. More info/register.

Host: Zzeem Consulting

Thu 7/18 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 7/18 at 1 p.m. – Ensuring Integrity: Offering Exam Prep While Maintaining Accreditation Standards

Professionals seeking certification rely on associations for exam preparation and training. However, many associations hesitate to provide this support due to accreditation concerns requiring a firewall between education and certification. Learn about upholding exam integrity and complying with accreditation requirements, the value in offering learning and exam prep products to enhance the learner experience and organizational growth, and strategies for navigating accreditation standards and offering exam preparation or certification training resources. More info/register.

Host: BenchPrep

Speakers: Laureen Kaczmarek, Learning Consultant, and Ashish Rangnekar, CEO, BenchPrep

Thu 7/18 at 1 p.m. – Nonprofits & Associations: Growing Industry Categories for Sponsorship Outreach

Learn about growing industry categories you might want to consider as you outreach organizations for sponsorship support. More info/register.

Host: Lori Zoss Kraska, MBA, CFRE, founder, GrowthOwl

Thu 7/18 at 1 p.m. – Creating Events with AI

Looking for advice on how to put AI to work in your events? Learn about the AI technologies on the market and how they can help you save time; how to use AI in the pre-event, live event, and post-event stages; and the value and impact of AI on your events. More info/register.

Host: American Marketing Association

Speaker: Brooke Gracey, Marketing Director, Cvent

Fri 7/19 at 12 p.m. – Cybersecurity Questions You Should be Asking

Host: ClearTone Consulting

Fri 7/19 at 1 p.m. – From Live to Lasting: Transforming Webinars into Engaging eLearning

Host: Blue Sky eLearn

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

Fri 7/19 at 3 p.m. – The Informal Consultants Networking Extravaganza

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

Fri 7/19 at 4 p.m. – Volunteers: the Good, the Bad, the Struggles, and the Victories

Bring your success stories, your sticky situations, and your questions. Together we can celebrate or find a path forward. More info/register.

Host: Fridays@4

Facilitator: Fridays@4 board member Heather Story

Tue 7/23 at 1 p.m. – Are Gen Zs Joiners? How to Engage the Next Generation of Members

Host: Forj

Speaker: Sarah Sladek, CEO of XYZ University

Wed 7/24 at 12 p.m. – AWTC Meet & Greet

Host: Association Women Technology Champions (AWTC)

Wed 7/24 at 1 p.m. – Continuing the Association Competition Conversation

Host: Fonteva

Speakers:

Mary Byers, CAE, CSP, Author of Race for Relevance: 5 Radical Changes for Associations
Bruce Rosenthal, Corporate Partnership & Sponsorship Consultant, Bruce Rosenthal Associates, LLC
Leonard Toenjes, CAE, President, Associated General Contractors (AGC) of Missouri

Thu 7/25 at 1 p.m. – 5 Things Every Speaker Should Know Before They Start Training

Host: Event Garde

Speaker: Aaron Wołowiec, Founder & President, Event Garde

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Association Brain Food: 7.5.24

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

Association podcasts. Dave Coriale of DelCor and the Reboot IT podcast started a Linked group, Society of Association Podcasters. He’s inviting association podcasters to share their latest episodes there and you to share episodes you recommend for association professionals and industry partners.

Board development. Lowell Aplebaum and his team at Vista Cova published an excellent report on strategies and practices to prepare your board for effective governance. He gathered these unique approaches for pre-orientation engagement, orientation, and ongoing development from interviews with 35 association leaders. The appendix includes an extensive library of board training resources from 25 associations.

Board stewardship. Board members have to think of themselves as stewards who leave their association better positioned for the future than they found it. In a series of articles (part 1, part 2, and part 3) at Naylor’s Association Adviser, Jeff De Cagna describes the elements and imperatives of board stewardship. Share this insightful series with your board—hopefully, it will change your association’s approach to governance and the future.

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.

Content curation. In one of my past association jobs, members raved most about our daily curated news update—articles we found and selected for multifamily homebuilders and their industry partners. I bet your members would love this valuable benefit too. You like this weekly update, right? Ann Gynn at Content Marketing Institute explains how to deliver curated content to your audience.

Membership models. Tony Rossell of Marketing General Inc. thinks the days of one-size-fits-all membership are over. You’re more likely to attract and keep members with either a combination or tiered membership structure.

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

Microlearning. Tracy King at InspirEd says, “Microlearning thrives within its own ecosystem, in a community of interconnected content. When done right, it’s a powerful tool that drives both business and learning outcomes.” She describes seven roles microlearning can play in your association’s learning portfolio.

Talking AI with your board. Patrick Glaser at McKinley Advisors explains how to discuss AI with your board. He suggests starting with discussions about the impact of AI on your association and industry, and outlining a strategy for AI.

Extra credit

Hit “send” with confidence: a step-by-step email checklist. | Amber Worthen, Email Maven

Top five association podcasts of the week: 6/28/2024. | KiKi L’Italien, Association Chat

Nobody wants to hear how busy you are at work. Seriously. Nobody. | Tony Case, WorkLife

We all need an attention cottage. | Alan Jacobs, The Homebound Symphony

You never grow old at the table

Last week, a new one-pan recipe turned into a keeper: speckled sea trout Thai green curry with green beans over basmati rice from The Fish Store: Recipes and Recollections by Lindsey Bareham.

We went to the beach (Salter Path, NC) for the weekend and had tomato sandwiches (brought from home), shrimp burgers, shrimp melts, and fried flounder. On our way out, we bought—what else—more local NC shrimp. For Sunday dinner, I made a pasta version of this New York Times recipe (archived free version): summer shrimp scampi with tomatoes and corn. I added onion and red bell pepper to the pan, cooked the shrimp last, and added several ladles of pasta water at the end—plus linguine.

On the side, zucchini and summer squash pesto with red bell pepper, broccoli stem, carrot, and onion.

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 product-centric.

Fri 6/28 at 1 p.m.* – Talk with CAEs

Facilitators:

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

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

Fri 6/28 at 4 p.m. – What Have You Done to Make Your Workplace Equitable, Accessible, and Open to the LGBTQIA+ Community

Join your association and nonprofit colleagues for an open networking discussion and best practices sharing about making our workplaces more inclusive for the LGBTQIA+ community. More info/register.

Host: Fridays@4

Facilitator: David Falchek, CAE IOM CMP, Executive Director, Serving Seniors, Inc.

Mon 7/8 at 8 a.m. – Why Fundraising and Marketing Need to Be BFFs (Radio Free 501c, the podcast of Rogue Tulips Consulting)

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

Guest: Vicky Winkler

Mon 7/8 at 12 p.m. – Membership Monday

This month’s topic will be an encore presentation from one of the great sessions we had at our MMC+T conference in May. Join Joseph LoSasso from the National Hydropower Association, and Nathan Chamberlain from the American Association of Nurse Anesthesiology as they present: Break Down Departmental Dams to Release a Flood of Member Value. More info/register (ASAE members only).

Host: ASAE

Tue 7/9 at 12 p.m. – Disability Inclusion and Accessible Marketing 101

Hear guidance on adopting sustained inclusion practices within marketing and communications. Learn how you can leverage disability inclusion in marketing as a competitive advantage, while creating a positive impact for our world. More info/register.

Host: American Marketing Association

Speakers:

Catherine Nichols, VP, Office of Accessibility, Salesforce
Sena Pottackal, Associate, Client Experience, DEI and Corporate Communications, Current Global
Allyce Torres, Director of Marketing and Communications, Disability:IN
Aria Childers, Assistant Manager DEI, American Marketing Association

Tue 7/9 at 12 p.m. – Tech Tuesday: Driving Organizational Growth Through Empowerment and Innovation

Hear Juan’s experiences and strategies on how to foster an environment where innovation flourishes and teams are inspired to reach new heights. Gain valuable insights into creating a culture of empowerment and innovation. More info/register (ASAE members only).

Host: ASAE

Guest speaker: Juan Sanchez, CIO, Inteleos

Moderators: Dave Coriale of DelCor and Reggie Henry of ASAE

Tue 7/9 at 12 p.m. – LGBTQIA2+ 2024 Community Call

A unique and inclusive opportunity for association professionals across all career stages to connect and engage over lunch and a space where you can openly share and discuss topics that are current and significant to the LGBTQIA2+ association community. Whether you have burning questions, pressing issues, or insightful experiences to share, this judgment-free zone welcomes your valuable contributions. More info/register (ASAE members only).

Host: ASAE

Tue 7/9 at 1 p.m. – Navigating the Data Frontier: Defining the Data-Driven Associations

Join a best-practice sharing session to learn from leading industry experts on fostering and building a data-driven organization association. Explore how data-driven strategies can enhance member engagement, inform strategic decisions, and drive organizational growth. Discover practical steps and best practices to transform your association into a data-driven powerhouse, poised for success in the digital age. More info/register.

Host: Association Women Technology Champions

Speakers:

Chantal Almonord, Chief Information & Engagement Officer, ISPOR
Kraig Conrad, Chief Executive Officer and Contract Management Institute Chair, NCMA
Wes Trochlil, Owner, Effective Database Management

Tue 7/9 at 1 p.m. – Advocacy for Associations: Keeping Members Engaged All Year Long

As the Congressional Management Foundation put it, “direct constituent interactions have more influence on lawmakers’ decisions than other advocacy strategies.” How do you activate your members for advocacy in 2024, when they can access all the world’s information and entertainment on a device in their pocket? Learn how to communicate with members to active them for advocacy, teach them to effectively engage lawmakers, and use social media and new technology to super-charge your advocacy efforts. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.

Host: UST Education

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

Wed 7/10 at 11 a.m. – Mastering the Art of Partner and Sponsor Engagement: Strategies for Avoiding Being Ghosted

Hear about the challenges and uncertainties associations face when engaging with potential partners and sponsors. Learn strategies for implementing a multi-channel approach to connect with the right people, including leveraging social media, personalized outreach, and networking events. Discover effective techniques for building and maintaining long-term partnerships, promoting mutual benefits, and avoiding being ghosted by potential partners. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.

Host: UST Education

Speakers:

Marisol Garza, Director of Strategic Partnerships, Multiview
Dianne Vance, Director, Sales And Business Development, American Occupational Therapy Association

Wed 7/10 at 12 p.m. – Getting On the Same Page & Making the Case

Learn how to measure the efficacy of your current internal communications and build a better strategy. Find out about the magic question that provides information re alignment, sentiment, and communication opportunities. Hear about common measurement data and why it may make sense for you to collect your own data, how to use a specific two-question survey to collect powerful data about what’s going on in your organization and a basic business case approach that enables a different type of conversation with leaders. More info/register.

Host: L-12 Services Corp.

Speakers:

Mike Klein, MBA, FIIC, SCMP, Principle, Changing The Terms
Lizabeth Wesely-Casella, Founder & CEO, L-12 Services Corp.

Wed 7/10 at 12 p.m. – Leveraging Agile Leadership in an Evolving Agile Digital Era

Envision a business landscape where change is the sole constant. How do you steer it? Learn a proven framework for embracing agility and fostering innovation. Through strategies, AI, real-world examples, interactive discussions, and actionable takeaways, you’ll develop the skills to survive disruption and thrive in the digital age. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.

Host: AIOT

Speaker: Dr. Maurine Kwende, founder, EMK Learning Solutions LLC

Wed 7/10 at 1 p.m. – Questioning the Orthodox Beliefs of Association Governing

Learn about orthodox beliefs and why they’re detrimental to the work of association boards, CEOs, and staff partners; the most sacrosanct orthodox beliefs of association governing; and how association directors, officers, CEOs, and governance staff can think and act beyond orthodoxy. More info/register. If you register, take this quick LinkedIn poll and see his survey too.

Host: Association Forum Governance SIG

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

Wed 7/10 at 1 p.m. – 2024 State of Membership Survey: An All-Star Panel Weighs In

Hear what association executives and consultants are seeing in the profession and with membership and what these insights mean for all associations moving forward. Learn how associations are adapting to meet the needs of their industries and members, where associations are in their progress on a journey to digital transformation, the current status of hybrid and remote work for association professionals, and where associations are with new initiatives and providing opportunities. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.

Host: Fonteva

Speakers:

Kerri McGovern, MPP, CAE, Senior Director, Membership, Association of Corporate Counsel
Elisa Pratt, MA, CAE, CVF, Chief Executive Officer, Brewer Pratt Solutions
Chuck Salvetti, MA, Director, Membership Development, Association of Women’s Health, Obstetric & Neonatal Nurses
Sarah Sladek, Author and Founder & CEO, XYZ University

Wed 7/10 at 2 p.m. – Crafting Crowd-Pleasing Event Menus

Get an understanding of common dietary restrictions and how to cater to them elegantly. Hear about creative ideas for offering variety while maintaining cohesion in your menu, tips for effectively communicating menu options and collecting guest preferences, and cost-effective strategies to create an impressive dining experience within your budget. 1 CMP credit. More info/register.

Host: Northstar Meetings Group

Speakers:

Tracy Stuckrath, Founder, Thrive! Meetings & Events
Dustin Ward, Executive Chef, Bold Catering & Design
Ryan Whitten, Director of Culinary, Bold American Catering
Sarah J.F. Braley (moderator), Managing Editor, Northstar Meetings Group

Thu 7/11 at 11 a.m. – Planning Like It’s Your Opening Day: Resources to Develop Your Next Annual Budget

Hear about a new approach to annual budgeting—one focused on how to grow revenue, relevance, and relationships, not on how to simply cut expenses. Learn about budgeting aligned to the mission and requirements within by-laws, examples of the budgeting process at all stages of development, and a plan for next year’s association budget built on an “opening day” mindset. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.

Host: UST Education

Speaker: Lawrence M. Paska, Ph.D., CAE, Executive Director, National Council for the Social Studies

Thu 7/11 at 1 p.m. – Do You Trust Your Member Data? Break Your Data Silos with a Single Source of Truth

Data silos lead to inaccurate data, poor member experiences, and frustration for everyone involved. By establishing a Single Source of Truth (SSoT), you can avoid costly customizations, ensure seamless integrations, and create experiences that delight both members and staff. Hear how establishing a SSoT can transform your member-centric organization and allow you to trust your member data again. Learn how data silos alienate members and how to fix them. Find out how to create personalized, engaging member experiences, reduce reliance on IT, and free up resources. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.

Host: iMIS by ASI

Thu 7/11 at 1 p.m. – The Power of Connection: “Handling Difficult Conversations Effectively

Delve into the art and science of conversation and learn how to become an adept conversationalist. Learn how to hone active listening skills, foster empathy, and master the dynamics of engaging dialogue. Hear how to navigate challenging conversations and handle sensitive topics, conflicts, and diverse viewpoints gracefully. Find out how to refine your verbal and non-verbal communication to convey clarity, empathy, and understanding. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.

Host: UST Education

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

Thu 7/11 at 2 p.m. – Maximizing Email Engagement: Key Takeaways from PropFuel’s 2024 Association Email Engagement Benchmark Report

Ready to take the guesswork out of email engagement? Hear the key insights from PropFuel’s first-ever email engagement benchmarking report, which analyzed 13 million emails to reveal the strategies that work (and ones that don’t). Learn about practical methods to optimize campaign audiences, transform broadcast emails into conversations, and maximize response rates. Get real-world examples of how two associations used strategies from the report to adopt the conversational engagement method and improve their email game. More info/register.

Host: PropFuel

Speakers:

Keith Gentry, Director of Member Engagement and Insights at ACEP
Jenna Goins, Director of Membership and Marketing at NACUFS
Dave Will, Co-Founder and CEO at PropFuel

Fri 7/12 at 11 a.m. – Cybersecurity for Organizations

How do you improve cybersecurity within your organization? Hear about best practices, things to consider, and steps to take to improve your cybersecurity landscape. More info/register.

Host: Association Women Technology Champions

Speakers:

Brian C. Lynch, CLCS, MLIS, Partner & Asst. Vice President, Ames & Gough
Audra Palmero, Sales Account Executive, Imperva
Wendy Sahli, Director Of Technology, RAPS

Fri 7/12 at 1 p.m. – Talk with CAEs

Facilitators:

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

Fri 7/12 at 4 p.m. – Online Communities Series: Part 3 – Leveraging Volunteer Community Champions to Increase Online Member Engagement

Host: Fridays@4

Speaker: Catherine Hackney, Online Community Consultant Specializing in Association Member Communities

Mon 7/15 at 1 p.m. – Women in AI: Regulations and Their Global Impact on Ethics

Host: Women in AI

Speakers:

Ana Clarke, Founder & CEO, AC SmartData (Australia)
Nancy Eke-Agu, AI Transformation Leader, JDZ Technology Consulting (Canada)
Emma G Moller, AI Advisor & CEO, Lumiera (Europe)
Charlotte Tao, Co-Founder & AI CTO (USA)

Tue 7/16 at 12 p.m. – Is the Juice Worth the Squeeze? Increasing Your Business Efficiency

Host: Braintrust Professional Institute

Speakers: Randall Craig and Ronja Francoeur, Braintrust Professional Institute

Tue 7/16 at 12 p.m. – Intro to AI Webinar for Associations and Nonprofits

Host: Sidecar

Speaker: Thomas Altman, Co-Founder, Tasio

Wed 7/17 at 11 a.m. – Don’t Be a Data Hoarder

Host: UST Education

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

Wed 7/17 at 12 p.m. – Be Change Ready: Transform Your Component Strategy

Hosts: Billhighway and Mariner Management

Speakers: Peggy Hoffman of Mariner Management plus Jennifer Steffan, JoAnna Leon, Linda Norris-Waldt, CAE, and Glorianne O’Neilin

Wed 7/17 at 12 p.m. – Why the Board’s Duty of Foresight Remains a Radical Idea Ten Years Later

Host: Ewald Consulting

Speaker: Jeff De Cagna AIMP FRSA FASAE, Foresight First LLC

Wed 7/17 at 12 p.m. – Can Content Strategy Be Led by AI?

Host: HighRoad Solutions

Speaker: Aimee Pagano, Director of Programming, HighRoad Solutions

Wed 7/17 at 1 p.m. – The Art of Persuasive Writing: Secrets from the Masters

Host: UST Education

Speaker: Bill McGlade, President, Community Leaders Institute & epIQ Creative Group

Thu 7/18 at 12 p.m. – How to Prepare Your Association’s Data for AI

Host: fusionSpan

Speakers:

Nicole Adair, Principal Solution Engineer, Salesforce
Jason Cookman, Senior Salesforce Architect, fusionSpan

Thu 7/18 at 1 p.m. – Creating Events with AI

Host: American Marketing Association

Speaker: Brooke Gracey, Marketing Director, Cvent

Fri 7/19 at 3 p.m. – The Informal Consultants Networking Extravaganza

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

Creative Commons licensed photo of Old Glory on top of Chimney Rock in NC by Gene Gallin via Unsplash

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

Association Brain Food: 6.28.24

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

Workforce trends. Association Latinos requests five minutes of your time to get your thoughts on workforce trends in association management. This survey will help them assess inclusivity, equity, and overall well-being in our field. The findings will bridge existing gaps and provide benchmarks for professional development and diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives.

Membership. It’s pretty much impossible to renew a disengaged member, says Fíonta. Their useful advice on member engagement and renewal is bound to increase your association’s retention rate. Even if you don’t have sophisticated software, you can put these tactics to work.

Industry partner trouble. When a website development firm went out of business, several association industry partners jumped to the rescue and helped the firm’s ghosted association clients figure out their options for saving and restoring their sites. In an Association Tech Insider episode, they discuss how associations can better manage responsibilities and relationships with industry partners and what you should do to protect your best interests.

Association podcasts. After you add that episode to your queue, check out five podcast episodes that KiKi L’Italien enjoyed recently.

LMS selection. In recent years, thousands of entrepreneurs and for- and non-profit organizations started online learning businesses. The learning management system (LMS) market has exploded in response. To help you sift through the options, D2L’s buyers guide for associations offers advice on the LMS selection process and walks you through the different system features, capabilities, and support services you’ll encounter out there.

AMS selection. In organizing two Ven-Cons, 501Works has demonstrated their commitment to improving association and AMS partner relationships. They just published the AMS/CRM System Selection Process Survey Results, which shows what 200+ associations and their vendor and consultant partners experience during system selection. Use this information to plan realistic project timelines, learn from the experiences of others, select vendors, and assemble project teams.

Membership. Aptify shares 50 ways to boost member recruitment and retention. See if you can spot anything new that might work for your association.

Online attendee engagement. Workshop participants told Amanda Kaiser that online attendees are more challenging to engage than any other segment, so she’s sharing advice on hosting super engaging virtual meetings.

Member engagement. To understand and get close to your members, follow marketing technology trends. Huh? Yes, says .orgCommunity, because you don’t know what you can do with data unless someone on staff keeps up with what’s possible and knows how to take advantage of the tech you have.

Membership course. Association Brain Food readers can earn up to 10 CAE credits with Chris Gloede’s popular live 10-week Association Academy Member Growth Certificate Course for only $499 with Brain Food promo code ACADEMY (a $50 discount). Thanks to this course, over 1,000 association executives have learned how to conduct research, develop relevant benefits, establish member content gates, evolve recruitment and retention campaigns, and grow membership. See the full course syllabus for more details. The course meets Thursdays, 1-2pm ET from July 11 to September 12. Class size is limited and has sold out in the past, so please register soon.

You never grow old at the table

On a hot summer night, blackened catfish tacos hit the spot. I serve mine with salsa, avocado, and a simple no-mayo slaw (cabbage, carrot, red bell pepper, sweet onion, lime juice, rice wine vinegar, vegetable oil, and cilantro). The blackened spice mix includes smoked paprika, oregano, onion powder, garlic powder, ground ancho chile, cayenne, black pepper, and salt.

On the side, nopalitos (cactus pads) with tomato and onion—an experiment with a jar of nopalitos. I added fresh cilantro and oregano to the recipe. Although I drained and rinsed the nopalitos, they still tasted too pickled for me, but my husband loved them. I prefer the fresh sautéed nopalitos I enjoyed at a Mexican restaurant (Oaxaca) in Sedona. Their flavor resembles green beans.

Sunday, we had a tailgate before the Outlaw Music Festival, which I highly recommend because Robert Plant and Alison Krauss are AMAZING. Lukas Nelson (sitting in for his sick dad, Willie) is also fantastic, and a much stronger singer than his dad these days, with some excellent songs of his own. Earlier in the day, I made spicy Korean pork BBQ in the pressure cooker and served it alongside leftover slaw in hamburger buns and tortillas. Thankfully, we had enough leftovers for another night because it’s sooooo good.

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 6/28 at 1 p.m.* – Talk with CAEs

Facilitators:

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

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

Fri 6/28 at 4 p.m. – What Have You Done to Make Your Workplace Equitable, Accessible, and Open to the LGBTQIA+ Community

Join your association and nonprofit colleagues for an open networking discussion and best practices sharing about making our workplaces more inclusive for the LGBTQIA+ community. More info/register.

Host: Fridays@4

Facilitator: David Falchek, CAE IOM CMP, Executive Director, Serving Seniors, Inc.

Tue 7/9 at 1 p.m. – Navigating the Data Frontier: Defining the Data-Driven Associations

Host: Association Women Technology Champions

Speakers:

Chantal Almonord, Chief Information & Engagement Officer, ISPOR
Kraig Conrad, Chief Executive Officer and Contract Management Institute Chair, NCMA
Wes Trochlil, Owner, Effective Database Management

Tue 7/9 at 1 p.m. – Advocacy for Associations: Keeping Members Engaged All Year Long

Host: UST Education

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

Wed 7/10 at 11 a.m. – Mastering the Art of Partner and Sponsor Engagement: Strategies for Avoiding Being Ghosted

Host: UST Education

Speakers:

Marisol Garza, Director of Strategic Partnerships, Multiview
Dianne Vance, Director, Sales And Business Development, American Occupational Therapy Association

Wed 7/10 at 12 p.m. – Getting On the Same Page & Making the Case

Host: L-12 Services Corp.

Speakers:

Mike Klein, MBA, FIIC, SCMP, Principle, Changing The Terms
Lizabeth Wesely-Casella, Founder & CEO, L-12 Services Corp.

Thu 7/11 at 11 a.m. – Planning Like It’s Your Opening Day: Resources to Develop Your Next Annual Budget

Host: UST Education

Speaker: Lawrence M. Paska, Ph.D., CAE, Executive Director, National Council for the Social Studies

Thu 7/11 at 1 p.m. – Do You Trust Your Member Data? Break Your Data Silos with a Single Source of Truth

Host: iMIS by ASI

Thu 7/11 at 1 p.m. – The Power of Connection: “Handling Difficult Conversations Effectively

Host: UST Education

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

Fri 7/12 at 11 a.m. – Cybersecurity for Organizations

How do you improve cybersecurity within your organization? Hear about best practices, things to consider, and steps to take to improve your cybersecurity landscape. More info/register.

Host: Association Women Technology Champions

Speakers:

Brian C. Lynch, CLCS, MLIS, Partner & Asst. Vice President, Ames & Gough
Audra Palmero, Sales Account Executive, Imperva
Wendy Sahli, Director Of Technology, RAPS

Creative Commons licensed photo by Aleksandra Boguslawska via Unsplash

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

Association Brain Food: 6.21.24

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

Membership reset. A new report from McKinley Advisors got me thinking about the role of membership in associations. Too often, membership “just is.” Yup. “Membership lacks focus and intentionality in execution.” You’ll nod along as the report describes challenges (especially #2) we’ve put up with for way too long. They also suggest next steps, based on client and for-profit research, for delivering your membership promise, for example, infusing community and connection in everything you do.

Inclusion. Which vibe does your association give off? Velvet rope or come party with me? Inspired by a few evening ramblings, Elizabeth Engel of Spark Consulting asks you to examine the impression your association and membership experience are giving to those on the outside looking in. I know which vibe (and bar) I prefer.

AI and events. eShow describes the impact of AI on events and the challenges you must address when using AI. On the plus side, they explain how AI enhances marketing campaigns, personalizes the attendee experience, improves event security, and assists sustainability initiatives.

Content marketing. At Animalz, Ryan Law describes how to find helpful topics for your blog. When you’ve run out of ideas about “general first-order pain points,” write about “more specific second-order pain points, the ones occurring at the same time as first-order pains for the same people.” Here’s another argument for not publishing generic SEO-driven drivel and, instead, helping people solve problems and envision opportunities.

Association trends. The outlook for associations is optimistic, per Marketing General Inc.’s 2024 Association Economic Outlook Report. But a few data points trouble me. Two-thirds of associations plan to develop new products/services, yet only one-third of them plan to hire more staff. They better be proficient at phasing out programs. Also, most associations have abandoned virtual events—a missed opportunity for extending their reach and demonstrating inclusiveness to people who can’t or won’t attend in-person meetings.

Membership course. Association Brain Food readers can earn up to 10 CAE credits from Chris Gloede’s popular 10-week Association Academy Member Growth Certificate Course—only $499 with Brain Food promo code ACADEMY (a $50 discount). Thanks to this course, over 1,000 association executives have learned how to conduct research, develop relevant benefits, establish member content gates, improve recruitment and retention campaigns, and grow membership. See the full course syllabus for more details. The course meets Thursdays, 1-2pm ET from July 11 to September 12. Class size is limited and has sold out in the past, so please register soon.

Extra credit

50 ways to fuel a conversation. | by Debra Fine via Reads with Ravi

From fire hazards to family trees: the Sanborn Fire Insurance maps. | by Tobiah Black, The Public Domain Review

Beautiful. What can we learn from a hospice chef? | by Ann Richardson

You never grow old at the table

Last week, I made pan-seared almaco jack with green curry sauce (keeper!) from Nancie McDermott’s Quick & Easy Thai: 70 Everyday Recipes, along with a package of 90-second jasmine rice. On the side, the standard roasted broccoli and red onion, but this time I tossed it with a spice mix my brother made us for Christmas. I’ve no idea what’s in there, but the broccoli was better than usual.

For Sunday dinner, my southwest skillet—shorthand for a mix of ground chorizo and turkey, sweet potato, spinach and beet greens, onion, poblano, red bell, jalapeño, garlic, black beans, corn, chipotle en adobo, spicy spices, cilantro, and 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 6/21 at 12 p.m.* – How to Accelerate Non-Dues Revenue Growth: Proven Sales Tactics for Association Professionals

Sales comes with the territory if your job includes attracting sponsors, exhibitors, or advertisers for your association. Learn about strategies and tactics to help you attract and convert higher-paying customers with less effort, and without sacrificing member value. Find out how to get a prospect’s attention, convert the right companies, and create a better sales experience for your prospect and for yourself. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.

Host: Carrie McIntyre, principal, Navigate

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

Fri 6/21 at 1 p.m. – From Live to Lasting: Transforming Webinars into Engaging eLearning

Learn practical strategies to maximize the impact of your existing webinar content by transforming it into versatile, on-demand courses. Explore effective methods to add interactive elements such as quizzes, polls, and discussion boards to keep learners engaged. Understand how to break down webinar content into manageable, bite-sized pieces to facilitate easier consumption and ongoing engagement. 0.75 CAE credit. More info/register.

Host: BlueSky eLearn

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

Fri 6/21 at 3 p.m. – The Informal Consultants Networking Extravaganza

Topic for this month’s networking meeting for association consultants is: business continuity planning for the solopreneur or small practice consultancy—in addition to any immediate concerns of the group, which will be discussed first. This meeting is self-organized by the consultant community, not an official ASAE event. More info.

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

Fri 6/21 at 4 p.m. – Autism Acceptance at Work

Learn how to create a better work environment, and best support neurodiverse co-workers. More info/register.

Host: Fridays@4

Speaker: Katie Kinde, Incompass Education Coordinator, and autism self-advocate

Mon 6/24 at 8 a.m. – DEI and the STEM Workforce (Radio Free 501c, the podcast of Rogue Tulips Consulting)

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

Guest: Norman Fortenberry, Chief Executive Officer, Great Minds in STEM

Tue 6/25 at 10 a.m. – 10 Awkward Questions to Ask your Tech Vendor

An AMS salesperson might wow you with all the system’s bells and whistles, but asking key awkward questions will help you determine if you are investing in the right system to meet your association’s needs. Learn how asking the right awkward questions can set you and your association up for success. More info/register.

Host: Ellipsis Partners

Speakers: Jim Pearson, MS Ed, PMP, senior consultant, and Moira Edwards, CAE, president, Ellipsis Partners LLC

Tue 6/25 at 11 a.m. – To Take a Stand or Not: A Framework to Discuss and Decide

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

Hosts: crisis communications experts Adele Gambardella and Chip Massey

Tue 6/25 at 12 p.m. – AWTC Leadership Technology Award Spotlight with Tracy Petrillo

Join award winner Tracy Petrillo to discuss perceptions in leadership and how to get your work noticed. Discuss practical approaches to demonstrate trust as you advance your career. Explore the unique value you bring to your work. More info/register.

Host: Association Women Technology Champions

Speaker: Tracy Petrillo, EdD, CAE, Chief Learning Officer, CASBO

Tue 6/25 at 12 p.m. – Insurance for Associations

Insurance prices have gone up and exclusions have increased. Do you have the right protection? Join us as we chat with broker Jodi Nobel to find out what you need to know about your organization’s insurance coverage. More info/register.

Host: Zzeem Consulting

Speaker: Jodi Nobel

Tue 6/25 at 3 p.m. – ASAE Quarterly Consultant Community Call

ASAE’s goal for this meeting is to provide updates to the consultant community and to open lines of communication between ASAE staff and consultant members. These calls are joined by ASAE leadership as needed to answer any questions from members. More info/register (ASAE members only).

Host: ASAE

Wed 6/26 from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. – Engagement Platforms Demo Day

See presentations from a limited number of industry partners that offer Engagement Platforms. Mobile experts will be showcasing apps and sharing their knowledge with the association market. More info/register.

Host: ASAE

Presenters: PropFuel, Accredible, Higher Logic, Clowder, Credivera, SmartJobBoard, eShow, TopClass LMS, Matchbox, Hivebrite

Wed 6/26 from 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. – Unlock Member Loyalty: Volunteer Strategies for Higher Renewals (Arlington VA)

Volunteer (or chapter) programs create a sense of belonging and nudge members into a deeper connection with your association. Learn how to design volunteer programs that tap into members’ aspirations and fuel association loyalty. Discover how fostering a culture of volunteerism both strengthens your association and increases member retention through deeper engagement at all levels. Location: Arlington VA. CAE credits. More info/register (yes, it’s free and lunch is included).

Hosts: Impexium, Billhighway, Mariner Management, and Higher Logic

Speaker: Peggy Hoffman, President & Executive Director, Mariner Management & Marketing

Wed 6/26 at 11 a.m. – Seizing the Moment: Real-Time Event Data Analysis for Immediate Impact

With the phasing out of online cookies, in-person experiences have become one of the most effective ways to gather first-party data. And with generative AI making audiences question everything they see online, in-person events are taking center stage as the most trustworthy way to connect. Learn how to gather essential attendee data at the registration stage, monitor attendee behavior and evaluate interest level without invading privacy, ensure instant access to leads and their engagement history, use AI to analyze attendee data in real time, and drive the sales pipeline by streamlining data flow to CRMs. More info/register.

Host: Skift Meetings

Speakers:

Ben Durham-Kilcullen, Vice President of Engineering for Stova
Angela Tupper, Branded Content Editor for Skift Meetings

Wed 6/26 at 12 p.m. – Employee Mental Health Check-In

Learn how to appropriately check on the mental health of your team, gain insight into privacy “dos and don’ts,” and consider the perspectives of different workforce communities. Walk away with tips for noninvasive ways of showing you care about your team members’ mental health and well-being. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.

Host: Association Xchange (AXC)

Speakers:

Christine A. Glover, SHRM-SCP, VP of HR, Consulting, Marcum
Cynthia White, Director of HR, Consulting, Marcum

Wed 6/26 at 12 p.m. – Unleash the Power of the Voice of Non-Members

Learn how to design and implement effective non-member research despite common challenges, understand the intrinsic and extrinsic factors that motivate professionals within your industry, and the critical differences between non-member and member affinity to your association’s brand and how it influences their sense of belonging. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.

Host: Halmyre

Speakers:

Michael Grant, Director of Communications & Marketing, Canadian Society of Medical Laboratory Science
Diane Webb, Finance & Marketing Manager, Nebraska Pharmacists Association
Christine Saunders, Founder and President, Halmyre

Wed 6/26 at 1 p.m. – Crystal Ball Predictions for the Future of Associations

Learn what the panelists are seeing in their professions and with their memberships, and what this means for associations moving forward. Hear about the roles of associations in workforce development, new opportunities amidst evolving business models, creating organizational cultures that value agility and flexibility, and fostering strategic partnerships beyond transactional relationships. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.

Host: Fonteva

Speakers:

Meredith Ellison, DBA, CAE, Executive Director, Association for the Advancement of Artificial Intelligence
Monica Pemberton, Vice President and Chief Information Officer, American Council on Education
Tracy Petrillo, Chief Learning Officer, California Association of School Business Officials
Natasha Rankin, MBA, CAE, Chief Executive Officer, Irrigation Association

Wed 6/26 at 1 p.m. – Using and Creating Legislative Scorecards

Discover how legislative scorecards can transform your organization’s strategy by ranking and categorizing elected officials based on their voting records, committee involvement, and more. Learn how to leverage legislative scorecards to inform the public, energize advocates, identify champions, and influence officials’ actions. Find out how the Freedom From Religion Foundation, Inc. creates and deploys legislative scorecards to elevate its public affairs strategy. More info/register.

Host: Quorum

Speaker: Ryan Jayne, Senior Policy Counsel, Freedom From Religion Foundation

Wed 6/26 at 1 p.m. – Make your Association’s Value Clear and Compelling

Now, more than ever, your members expect a simple and consistent brand experience to help cut through the content and communications noise they navigate every day. The key to a successful brand lies in having a clear and compelling value proposition. Learn how to use a template to craft a value proposition, write your statement, and apply your value proposition. More info/register.

Host: Mercury Creative Group

Speakers: Cheri Quinn, Director of Brand Strategy, and Emily Youngblood, Client Services Director, Mercury Creative Group

Wed 6/26 at 1 p.m. – The State of DEI in the Meetings Industry and Beyond

Hear about the state of DEI at major tourism and meetings organizations and in the industry in general, how incorporating DEI programs that emphasize supplier diversity can create more engaging events, tips for making your meetings and events programs more inclusive to all, and resources for incorporating DEI elements in your meetings and events programs. More info/register.

Host: Meetings Today

Speakers:

Julie Coker, CEO, San Diego Tourism Authority
Jason Dunn, CEO, National Coalition of Black Meeting Professionals
Elliott L. Ferguson II, President & CEO of Destination DC; Past National Chair, U.S. Travel Association
Al Hutchinson, President & CEO, Visit Baltimore

Wed 6/26 at 2 p.m. – Creating Events with AI

Hear about AI technologies on the market and how they can help you save time; how to use AI in the pre-event, live event, and post-event stages; and the value and impact of AI on your events. 1 CMP credit. More info/register.

Host: MeetingsNet

Speaker: Brooke Gracey, Marketing Director, Cvent

Wed 6/26 at 2 p.m. – How Hotel Costs, Safety Factors Are Impacting Convention City Competitiveness

Hear about new data and trends impacting the site-selection process from the research team behind the 2024 Convention Cities Index (CCi). Planners can use the CCi to compare destinations and evaluate which markets best meet the unique needs of their group. Get a behind-the-scenes look at the CCi research and a peek at the top 25 U.S. cities and top 25 global cities scoring highest on this year’s list. More info/register.

Host: Northstar Meetings Group

Moderators: Loren Edelstein, Vice President, Content Director, and Elise Schoening, Editor, Meeting News, Senior Editor, Northstar Meetings Group

Wed 6/26 at 2 p.m. – FBO Monthly Virtual Meet Up

Monthly Virtual Meet Ups provide professionals in the Finance, Business, Operations and HR community with an opportunity to share pressing problems they are facing and gather input from their peers. These interactive discussions provide a low stake, engaging and informative experience. More info/register (ASAE members only).

Host: ASAE

Wed 6/26 at 3 p.m. – Navigating the Member Journey Part 6: Using Your Data to Create, Track, & Report Association KPIs

Periodically, associations go through an arduous process of defining strategic goals for the next few years. But very often, associations find it hard to measure progress because they lack clear KPIs to track their goals and/or a way to share them across the association. Learn how to identify the key metrics you can use to measure the progress of your strategic goals, use a snapshot dashboard to view all your KPIs in one place, and ensure you have what you need to track and report on your KPIs. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.

Host: Association Analytics

Speaker: Bill Conforti, SVP of Strategy & Solutions, Association Analytics

Thu 6/27 at 12 p.m. – Looking Forward 2024 Challenges: First Look at How the Issues Impact Association Strategy

Thanks to the Looking Forward® Impact survey, we have a sense of how our current environment is impacting association members. Now, let’s examine the logical next question—given the situation members are in, how will this impact association strategy? What are the challenges associations face to their strategies and business model as they endeavor to carry out their mission? Hear about the challenges facing association strategy, the commonalities among associations, and complimentary Looking Forward® Dashboard custom reporting that facilitates conversations unique to your board or staff. 1.5 CAE credits. More info/register.

Host: Association Laboratory

Speakers: Nikki Golden, CAE, strategist, Felicia D. Kenan, JM, MPA, CAE, CMP, strategist, and Dean West, founder and president, Association Laboratory

Thu 6/27 at 12 p.m. – How to Accelerate Non-Dues Revenue Growth: Proven Sales Tactics for Association Professionals

Host: Carrie McIntyre, principal, Navigate

Thu 6/27 at 12:30 p.m. – Ten Years in, OMB Makes Significant Changes to the Uniform Guidance: Learn from the Experts

Ten years ago, OMB took the notable step of consolidating a myriad of circulars that regulated federal financial assistance (i.e., grants) into a “super” circular known as the Uniform Guidance. Now, OMB has published the most significant rewrite of this regulation to date. Hear about these changes and how nonprofits can utilize the new flexibilities to their advantage while remaining mindful and vigilant of compliance concerns and obligations. More info/register.

Host: Venable LLP

Speakers:

Marc Bucalo, Co-Founder, Award Advisors
Dan Durst, Co-Founder, Award Advisors
Diz Locaria, Partner, Government Contracts, Venable LLP

Thu 6/27 at 2 p.m. – Integrations 101

Hear real-world use cases where integrations helped associations improve their business processes and expose new user data and insights. Learn what an integration is and what it is not, why integrations are important for associations, the role of clean data for effective integrations, and what middleware is and whether you need it. More info/register.

Host: 501Works

Speakers:

Josh Carlson, Founder & Chief Innovator, PerByte
Richard Reyes, MBA, Vice President, Digital Strategy, ConnexFM
James Marquis, CIO, 501Works

Fri 6/28 at 1 p.m. – Talk with CAEs

Facilitators:

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

Fri 6/28 at 4 p.m. – What Have You Done to Make Your Workplace Equitable, Accessible, and Open to the LGBTQIA+ Community

Join your association and nonprofit colleagues for an open networking discussion and best practices sharing about making our workplaces more inclusive for the LGBTQIA+ community. More info/register.

Host: Fridays@4

Facilitator: David Falchek, CAE IOM CMP, Executive Director, Serving Seniors, Inc.

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You never grow old at the table

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You never grow old at the table

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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