Aaron Wolowiec

JANUARY 13, 2023

​How are you going to make this your year to beat the odds and finally meet, and sustain, your workout goals? We’ve come up with a few simple tips to help you along the way.

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Tips 100

Aaron Wolowiec

APRIL 14, 2023

Bias shows up in our lives every day whether we want it to or not. Having a bias is how our brains naturally work. It doesn't mean that we have done something intentionally wrong or harmful. It does mean that our experiences have created biases that may cloud and negatively impact our actions toward those around us. We must work to understand what bias is, how bias is formed, and how to address it when it does.

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How To 100

Aaron Wolowiec

SEPTEMBER 8, 2023

The decision to mandate antiracism or diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB) training should be made carefully. While antiracism training can be valuable and effective when implemented thoughtfully, it is most effective when participants are engaged, willing, and open to the learning process. Mandating it for individuals who are not receptive may lead to a superficial compliance without genuine understanding or behavior change.

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Innovation Technology Process Marketing 130

Aaron Wolowiec

AUGUST 25, 2023

Today, more than ever, organizations are challenged with staffing issues. Whether the challenge lies in finding the right staff member, or budget constraints keep you from hiring a full-time employee, securing an outside contractor may be the perfect solution. Here are just a few of the benefits that come along when you bring in an external partner to plan and manage your meetings and events.

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Organization 239

Aaron Wolowiec

AUGUST 18, 2023

John Bacon is our Gardian of the Month! Find out his strategy for helping someone learn a difficult topic, he share his favorite network and why it's special, how he thinks mentorship aids in knowledge transfer, the book he can't live without, and what the title of a book about his life would be called.

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Strategy 246

Aaron Wolowiec

JULY 28, 2023

It’s pretty few and far between where the registration software an association uses can effectively print the name badges as needed. It’s just TOO basic usually. We then turn to colored stock, various shades of holders, different colored lanyards, a wall of ribbons, stickers, buttons and more to enhance, differentiate and display all the 1,000 things we want to show on our badge.

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Conference Software Products Process 130

Aaron Wolowiec

JULY 21, 2023

Rebecca McKie is our Gardian of the Month! Find out her favorite thing about learning something new and her go-to networking trick. She shares about an experience when she learned something new and applied to her life and a resource that she can't live without. Finally, she shares her favorite summer destination!

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Resources 130

Aaron Wolowiec

JULY 14, 2023

Are you an experienced facilitator? Perhaps you are a novice? The good news is, Aaron has curated these resources that can be helpful at any skill level.

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Resources 130

Aaron Wolowiec

JULY 7, 2023

How do we expect mobile devices to affect event engagement this year? In this post, we will review what opportunities await your association’s events this year and beyond!

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Review 246

Aaron Wolowiec

JUNE 23, 2023

This post sheds some light on the history of Juneteenth, why it is important and steps you can take to educate and open dialogue for your members and/or participants to talk about it.

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Education 214

Aaron Wolowiec

JUNE 16, 2023

Melissa Schank is our Gardian of the Month! Find out how she learns best, how she would help a wallflower feel more comfortable networking, the tools she finds most helpful to retain new knowledge, that one (or two) resources she can't live without, and her favorite thing about summer!

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Tools Resources 246

Aaron Wolowiec

JUNE 9, 2023

Chapter events are a surefire way to get members engaged and excited about being a part of your organization. Plan them the right way to get them to show up post-pandemic!

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Member Engagement Organization 214

Aaron Wolowiec

JUNE 2, 2023

Wouldn't it be nice to have a secret formula that would magically select the perfect F&B that would accommodate all attendees and ensure everyone was happy with every meal? Unfortunately, we haven't found that quite yet, but here are a few tips and considerations you may find helpful while planning your next meeting or conference.

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Tips Conference 246

Aaron Wolowiec

MAY 26, 2023

Kate shares some solutions to the challenge of having “pre-session” rotating slides to show before a presentation and having to swap slideshows for the presentation itself - which often looks and feels clunky. Here's her solution to this big little issue!

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Aaron Wolowiec

APRIL 28, 2023

I recently attended an industry conference. I sat in the opening general session patiently awaiting the keynote speaker to take the stage, but what followed was a 15-minute laundry list of announcements and appreciations that very few people were interested in. As I sit in the audience on this particular day, not as a planner but as an attendee, I realize how this opening has landed – and it’s not a great first impression.

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Conference Industry 246

Aaron Wolowiec

MARCH 31, 2023

Event planners know the importance of visiting an event property, particularly when selecting a new venue for an upcoming event. But what about when returning to a property that you’ve previously contracted for an event? Here are 8 compelling reasons to justify that repeat visit.

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223

Aaron Wolowiec

MARCH 24, 2023

Aaron was recently asked to build and present a custom session on the topics of burnout and innovation. Following represents an overview of his research and key findings.

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Innovation 243

Aaron Wolowiec

MARCH 3, 2023

If it seems more difficult to engage members these days - you are right. But don’t worry because Amanda Kaiser has got a whole passel of solutions for you!

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Aaron Wolowiec

FEBRUARY 24, 2023

Michael Williams is our Gardian of the Month! Find out what he'd like to learn more about, his favorite personal network, how he thinks mentorship aids in knowledge transfer and which season represents him best!

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Aaron Wolowiec

FEBRUARY 3, 2023

When we talk about successful event planning, the emphasis is quite often on the word “planning” and all the tools and techniques we employ to ensure a successful event. But what about after the event? Let’s take a look at a few ways we can use an After Action Review (AAR) to help wrap up an event planning cycle and guide us in future events.

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Event Planning Review Tools 48

Aaron Wolowiec

JANUARY 13, 2023

​How are you going to make this your year to beat the odds and finally meet, and sustain, your workout goals? We’ve come up with a few simple tips to help you along the way.

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Tips 49

Aaron Wolowiec

DECEMBER 30, 2022

The handwriting has been on the wall – associations have consistently failed to fully resource their volunteer systems. We have in the past 2 years innovated our education and digital strategies, our decision-making models and our workplaces. To a certain degree, we innovated our member engagement strategy as well – and left the volunteer strategy to age another year.

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Strategy Innovation Member Engagement System 130

Aaron Wolowiec

DECEMBER 16, 2022

For day 12 of our 12 days of recipes, we invite you to check out this recipe for these tasty Mini Black Bottom Cupcakes shared by Kara Nacarato, Event Garde Director of Development & Special Initiatives.

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130

Aaron Wolowiec

DECEMBER 16, 2022

Yesenia Murillo is our Gardian of the Month! Find out what subject she'd like to learn more about, one of her favorite professional networks, the resource she thinks you should check out and which season best represents her!

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Resources 223

Aaron Wolowiec

DECEMBER 9, 2022

In today’s busy environment there are many things vying for attendee’s time and money, making it more important than ever to build the “perfect” event to entice them to attend. How do we find just the right mix of structured programming while offering opportunities for organic networking and some fun too?? Here are several ideas to incorporate some “downtime” that keeps attendees engaged – without burning them out.

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Organization 238

Aaron Wolowiec

DECEMBER 8, 2022

For day 6 of our 12 days of recipes, we invite you to check out these yummy Mini Cheesecakes shared by Kate Pojeta, Event Garde Director of Meetings & Technology.

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Technology 48

Aaron Wolowiec

DECEMBER 7, 2022

For day 5 of our 12 days of recipes, we invite you to check out these scrumptious Butter Cookies​​​​​​​ shared by Trevor Mitchell, Event Garde Consultant.

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48

Aaron Wolowiec

DECEMBER 6, 2022

For day 4 of our 12 days of recipes, we invite you to check out these divine Chocolate Covered Brown Butter Millionaire's Bars​​​​​​​ shared by Danielle Guty, Event Garde Facilitator and Project Coordinator.

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Project 49

Aaron Wolowiec

DECEMBER 5, 2022

For day 3 of our 12 days of recipes, we invite you to check out these delectable Soft Cinnamon Cookies with Maple Pecan Frosting shared by Krista Rowe, Event Garde's Director of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion.

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48

Aaron Wolowiec

NOVEMBER 11, 2022

One of the questions organizations struggle with regarding diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (DEIA) is, “How do we measure our efforts to ensure we are making the impact we are striving for?” Data-driven decisions are a good way to eliminate bias in any situation. There are research studies out there demonstrating the fact that successful DEIA efforts do lead to more innovative, productive, and higher earning organizations over their competitors.

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Innovation Products Organization 49

Aaron Wolowiec

OCTOBER 28, 2022

Many of us are back to planning in-person events and while we continue to use our experience to help deliver first-class events, not everything is as it once was when it comes to event planning and execution. Here are some of the key lessons Kara will take with her into 2023.

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Event Planning Class 246

Aaron Wolowiec

OCTOBER 14, 2022

Remote workers are more likely to experience burnout and depression due to long hours, isolation, and communication problems. Burnout can lead to decreased productivity and higher turnover rates in your company. This post discusses how you can use remote working as a benefit for your employees without putting them at risk for burnout or depression.

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Communications Products 246

Aaron Wolowiec

OCTOBER 4, 2022

Association execs are often tasked with choosing or even creating research on which our organizations will base important decisions, but many of us lack formal research training, which can be a little daunting! Fortunately, there's a new, free resource out that can help you develop your skills and confidence in research terminology and methods.

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Resources Organization 242

Aaron Wolowiec

OCTOBER 1, 2022

In basketball, you win as a team, and you lose as a team. It doesn’t matter if you personally play your best game, if you aren’t supporting each other and working together as a team, you won’t be successful. This is true of events too!

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Event Planning Team 241

Aaron Wolowiec

SEPTEMBER 16, 2022

Ahliba Toffa is our Gardian of the Month! Find out her favorite thing about learning something new, her go-to networking tip, the resource she can't live without and a little-known fact about her!

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Tips Resources 242

Aaron Wolowiec

AUGUST 26, 2022

During the Michigan Society of Association Executives, members and attendees had the opportunity to participate in a facilitated exercise to identify and explore current forces at play that are affecting them and their organizations. Following is an overview of those sessions led by Event Garde team members, along with the strategic insights and actionable business intelligence association leaders can apply to their work immediately.

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Analysis Michigan Team Organization 245

Aaron Wolowiec

AUGUST 5, 2022

With sky high flight prices, travel delays, and lost luggage, it’s more important than ever to ensure every site visit is productive, efficient, and flexible. Here are 5 steps to guarantee that you are crafting a worthwhile itinerary for your group.

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Price Products 45