Steve Jobs would have celebrated his 62nd birthday today. Here’s one of the many smart things he said:
“Remembering that you are going to die is the best way I know to avoid the trap of thinking you have something to lose. You are already naked. There is no reason not to follow your heart.”
Indeed.
And another one:
“I would trade all of my technology for an afternoon with Socrates.”
I don’t know, Socrates might get on my nerves after a while.
Now, some good learning and other bits…
Got chapters? Wouldn’t you like them to be a bit more forthcoming with member data and information about their activities? Billhighway feels your pain – they dive into the reasons chapters are resistant to share and they provide a roadmap for solving the chapter data-sharing challenge.
I usually only feature free learning events on Brain Food but I make the rules so I can make exceptions. Learning · Technology · Design (LTD) is a virtual conference designed for those of you who work in the business of lifelong learning, continuing education, and professional development. The registration for individuals and organizations is quite affordable when you compare it to all the expenses required to attend an in-person conference.
This three-day event starting March 1 is put on by Tagoras — aka Celisa Steele and Jeff Cobb. This isn’t their first time at the conference rodeo. In the last few years, LTD has been a highly regarded in-person conference too.
The ASAE Great Ideas Conference also kicks off soon — Sunday, March 5. Watch the #ideas17 hashtag on Twitter to vicariously enjoy the learning.
If you’re an association leader, please participate in the Association Leadership 2020 governance model survey. Your contribution will help association executives and elected officers better understand what governance models are being used, what’s working and what’s not, what’s the ‘tipping point’ for governance change, and who’s a resource if you want to learn more about specific models and ideas.
Now, onto the list of this week’s free webinars and learning events. If your organization has a webinar scheduled in the next few weeks, please send me the link. I’ll be happy to feature it as long as it’s not too product-centric.
Mon 2/27 at 2 p.m.* – The Membership of Things
Members are requesting more mobile, nimble, personalized, and efficient engagements, similar to the experiences they have with the likes of Amazon and Netflix. Integrated systems allow you to collect and analyze data on all the content your members engage with, and deliver them personalized, highly-targeted messaging. Learn what communication channels have the highest impact with your members, how your members are interacting with your organization, and ways to create a meaningful dialogue with your members. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.
Host: Abila
Presenter: Amanda Myers, director of member strategy, Abila
*All times are Eastern Standard Time unless otherwise noted.
Tue 2/28 at 12 p.m. – Exploring Unique Learning Formats
Find out why engagement is important to the overall meeting and event experience. Discover new learning and session design formats – Fishbowl, Spectogram, Open Space and more – that can transform your meetings into engaging experiences. Discuss the opportunities and challenges these types of sessions might create. CMP credit. More info/register.
Host: MPI
Presenter: Jessie States, CMM, manager of professional development, MPI
Tue 2/28 at 12 p.m. – Social Media Quick Wins + Live Stream #Assnchat (Columbia MD Idea Swap)
Looking for ways to improve your event social media efforts? Even better if they are easy tweaks that make for the greatest impact? Hear ideas for fine-tuning your association’s social media presence with no-cost or low-cost solutions. Come for the swap on social media tools and stay for a live Association Chat to see these ideas in action and a behind-the-scenes look at a live streaming event. Location: Columbia MD. More info/register.
Organizer: Association Networking Group
Presenter: KiKi L’Italien, founder, Amplified Growth
Tue 2/28 at 12:30 p.m. – 8 Content Design Tips for a Virtual Classroom
Moving your in-person content to a virtual space isn’t as simple as just “putting it online.” To keep learners engaged, extra preparation is needed to enhance your current materials for an online experience. This webinar will give you a toolkit of resources and a strategy to get the job done. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.
Hosts: WebCourseworks and .OrgCommunity
Presenter: Karen Hyder, virtual event producer, Kaleidoscope Training and Consulting
Tue 2/28 at 1 p.m. – Why the AMS Platform Supersedes All Else
Innovation today is moving at light speed and to deliver a world-class member experience your association needs to be able to leverage a strong platform to take you there. Learn how to evaluate association management software based on important, often overlooked criteria; avoid hidden costs; and attract next generation thinkers and staff with a strong technology platform. More info/register.
Host: NimbleUser
Presenters:
- Rob Banwar, account executive, NimbleUser
- Sig VanDamme, chief customer officer, NimbleUser
Tue 2/28 at 1 p.m. – The Future of Event Technology: 2017 Trend Watch
As ideas, apps, and innovations continue to explode onto the event scene, technology that was once considered far-off in the distance is literally around the corner. Learn which technologies should be implemented to create a seamless and personalized onsite journey; how technology will change the way attendees consume content both in the short-term and beyond; and practical ways to implement the latest tech. 1 CMP credit. More info/register.
Host: Meetings Today
Presenter: Brooke Gracey, CrowdCompass
Tue 2/28 at 1 p.m. – Cloud Infrastructure for Nonprofits
Learn about the pros and cons of moving your entire IT infrastructure into the cloud, and tips for selecting and implementing cloud-based infrastructure. Hear a comparison of a few of the most popular services, and the successes and struggles of nonprofits that recently implemented cloud infrastructure. More info/register.
Hosts: Idealware and NetSuite
Tue 2/28 at 2 p.m. – The 15 Coolest Things I’ve Learned about Digital Marketing in the Past Year (Association Chat)
Watch/participate live or view the recording.
Host: KiKi L’Italien, founder, Amplified Growth
Tue 2/28 at 2 p.m. – Not on My Watch: How to Integrate Cybersecurity into Your Meeting Preparations
Eliminating cyber threats is impossible, so protecting against them without disrupting your meeting or its participants is a management issue. Find out what realistic steps you can take to secure your registration data and protect your organization’s computer system and, if the worst occurs, how to communicate about a hack to attendees, suppliers, and stakeholders. 1 CMP credit. More info/register.
Host: MeetingsNet
Presenters:
- MaryAnne P. Bobrow, CAE, CMP, CMM, Bobrow Associates, Inc.
- Jonathan Howe, president and senior/founding partner, Howe & Hutton, Ltd.
- Sue Pelletier (moderator), content director, MeetingsNet
Tue 2/28 at 2 p.m. – ASAE Technology Section Roundtable: The Business of IT (Washington DC)
Discuss ideas for how a CIO can create value for their organization and communicate that value to stakeholders and fellow leaders. Come ready to share how you’ve gained trust within your organization or bring your own business of IT questions to pose to your colleagues. Location: Washington DC. More info/register.
Host: ASAE Technology Section
Tue 2/28 at 2 p.m. – Top Database Expert Reveals How to Use Data to Achieve Your Mission
Find out which ten questions you should ask within your organization to help determine if your data management is effective and mission-focused. These questions will give you the guidance you need to have the important conversations within your organization that will propel you to greater heights with your data management. More info/register.
Host: Wild Apricot
Presenter: Wes Trochlil, president, Effective Database Management
Tue 2/28 at 2 p.m. – Tech-Driven Ideas to Transform Your Events
From unique gamification concepts to unconventional presentation formats, event tech has the power to revolutionize the way your attendees experience your gathering from start to finish. Learn about new ways to take advantage of existing mobile app technology, and uncover innovations that are sure to astonish your attendees—delivering a unique and exciting event experience. More info/register.
Host: BizBash and QuickMobile
Presenters: Scott Lockey, managing director, strategic partnerships, and Kerry J. Plowman, global product marketing operations, QuickMobile
Tue 2/28 at 2 p.m. – How to Empower Your Team to Promote Your Event Activities
Learn how to empower your team to continue driving traffic to your educational sessions, networking receptions, and other important activities, on your behalf, throughout your event. Hear about six different promotional efforts you can delegate to your team, three key preparations that’ll make trusting your team much easier, and a few quick tips to take your on-site event promotions to the next level. More info/register.
Host: etouches
Presenter: Robyn Davis, trade show strategy specialist, When I Need Help
Tue 2/28 at 3 p.m. – DC Small Association Forum for Executives (Washington, DC and conference call)
This roundtable is a free-flowing discussion around the most pressing issues facing executives with 9 or fewer employees. Location: Washington DC or virtual. More info/register.
Host: ASAE Executive Management Section
Facilitator: Shira Harrington, chief engagement officer, Purposeful Hire, Inc.
Tue 2/28 at 4:30 p.m. – ASAE Technology Section Happy Hour (Washington DC)
Join the ASAE Technology Section Council for happy hour at the Capitol City Brewing Company. Location: Washington DC. More info.
Organizer: ASAE Technology Section Council
Wed 3/1 at 12 p.m. – Email Trends: What’s in Style for 2017?
Many associations are diligent about keeping their website design current, but allow their email templates to fall out of style, even though email is the number-one communication channel to members. Learn the styles and techniques that will ensure your email communications reflect your organization’s vibrant community. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.
Hosts: ASAE Business Services and HighRoad Solution
Presenter: Jenny Lassi, director of operations, HighRoad Solution
Wed 3/1 at 12 p.m. – DC Small Staff Association Brown Bag Lunch Group (Washington DC)
This casual lunch group of association colleagues is specifically for those who work at small staff associations. Attendees share ideas and ask questions about other associations’ best practices. More info/register.
Host: ASAE Small Staff Association Professionals
Wed 3/1 at 12 p.m. – Advanced Google Analytics: How to Get a 360-Degree View of Your Visitors
Learn how the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) underwent a major web analytics overhaul to obtain a single, 360-degree view of their users’ engagement, purchases and conversions across their dozens of web properties. Find out how to determine what properties need to be a part of your web analytics tracking, identify the cross-platform data you should be collecting from advanced Google Analytics on a regular basis to obtain a single view of users across web properties, and implement advanced Google Analytics across your web properties. More info/register.
Host: Beaconfire RED
Presenters:
- Jen Boland, analytics and conversion lead, Beaconfire RED
- Juan Sanchez, director of IT, AOTA
- Stephanie Yamkovenko, digital editor, AOTA
Wed 3/1 at 3 p.m. – HighRoad U Office Hours
There’s so much going on in associations today around digital that we are offering a weekly 1-hour office hour program with an expert. Bring your specific challenges, questions or current work to get expert feedback and guidance. More info/register.
Host: HighRoad Solution
Wed 3/1 at 4 p.m. – Association Open House (Washington DC)
Hear about the emerging shifts and trends in volunteering that associations should discuss within their strategic visioning and planning process. Learn more about the Institute and its IOM credential. 1 CAE credit. Location: Washington, DC. More info/register.
Host: Institute for Organization Management
Presenter: Lowell Aplebaum, CAE, Institute faculty member
Thu 3/2 at 9 a.m. – AENC Membership Round Table (Raleigh NC)
Discuss member engagement – onboarding, engaging, and tracking – with AENC peers. 1.5 CAE credits. Location: Raleigh NC. More info/register.
Facilitators: Michelle Calton, vice president, membership development, and Alison Gordon, director of member engagement, North Carolina Technology Association
Thu 3/2 at 1 p.m. – Insider Tips on How to Use Snapchat for Your Event
Get a crash course on how to use Snapchat for events. Learn how to attract new attendees via Snapchat, design a geofilter for your event, craft a compelling Snapchat Story for your event, and tie Snapchat into your larger social media event marketing strategy. More info/register.
Host: Eventbrite
Presenter: Christy Huggins, senior social media manager, Eventbrite
Thu 3/2 at 2 p.m. – Re-Engagement Campaigns: Bring Your Members Back
Acquiring new members is significantly more costly than retaining the members you have, so whether your association struggles to renew paying members or not, learn to be proactive by experimenting with re-engagement campaigns to rope your disengaged members back in. More info/register.
Host: Real Magnet
Thu 3/2 at 2 p.m. – This Is How Our Most Successful Clients Fill Their Events
Learn about three trends preventing people from registering for your events, one simple way to avoid event-related cash flow problems, and a proven three-step process to fill events fast and cut your workload in half. More info/register.
Host: Wild Apricot
Presenter: Terry Ibele, growth specialist, Wild Apricot
Thu 3/2 at 3 p.m. – Tough Times Don’t Last, But Resilient Leaders Do! (Loudon County VA Idea Swap)
Resiliency – the ability to bounce back from tough times – is an essential ingredient for change leaders at all levels. Resilient leaders do more than simply survive tough challenges, they are transformed and thrive in them. Learn how you can regain or strengthen your resiliency, and leave with concrete actions you can take to inoculate yourself for future challenges you might face. 1 CAE credit. Location: Leesburg VA. More info/register.
Host: ASAE Greater Washington / National Capital Community
Presenter: Kevin Nourse, PhD, president, Nourse Leadership Strategies
Fri 1/13 at 3 p.m. – Building Digital Ecosystems that Deliver ROI
For many organizations, digital marketing is a new undertaking. Associations are looking for how to best staff their organizations, craft campaigns and measure programs in the digital age. We created HighRoad U to help all associations evolve fully into digital. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.
Host: HighRoad Solution
That’s it for this week. If you can’t attend a live webinar, go ahead and register if the topic interests you. Most webinar hosts send registrants a link to the recording.
Association Brain Food Weekly is published Friday mornings. If your organization offers professional development for the association community, please send me the link via email or Twitter.
Creative Commons licensed image by Teddy Kelley
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