The weekly list of free educational events and resources for the association community…
I’m back in the saddle again—and this photo captures my hiking buddies climbing up a tricky portion of the saddle between Big Spring and Squaw Canyons in the Needles district of Canyonlands National Park in Utah—one of my favorite places.
Association mojo. At times, it’s a struggle, isn’t it? I’ve been feeling out of sorts since coming back from a week of hiking in beautiful, quiet southeastern Utah. It’s like, ugh, back to this messed-up reality again—thank goodness I love my work, I tend to bury myself in it these days.
Sure, other people may have it worse than you during this pandemic, but those despondent, lackluster and fried feelings of yours are real. If you’ve lost your spark amidst all the challenges coming your way at work, WBT Systems shares advice for getting your association mojo back.
Engaging members by career stage. Members value different benefits throughout different stages of their career journey. Billhighway explains how some association chapters are engaging early-career members.
Remote watercooler. At MIT Technology Review, Tanya Basu shares ideas for helping remote workers recreate watercooler moments—the same ideas can help you simulate conference hallway conversations too.
Luring members/customers to your LMS. WBT Systems says, “The LMS is the workhorse for the professional development team, but it has many more uses beyond hosting online courses.” They share ten ways to encourage members and prospective customers to browse through the educational programs you offer via your LMS.
UBIT for virtual trade shows. You may not have learned this when studying for the CAE exam, but for virtual trade shows, Unrelated Business Income Tax (UBIT) is a serious issue. At MeetingsNet, Rob Carey shares advice from George Constantine and Jeffrey Tenenbaum on what you need to know about UBIT.
Virtual conference sponsors. Bruce Rosenthal and Chris Gloede wrote a post for Association Success that explains what virtual conference sponsors want and don’t want. Their advice will help you adjust your sponsorship packages to today’s reality for businesses.
Quick hits before we get to the list of next week’s free education:
- How to adapt your communication approach and expectations with both mentors and mentees during pandemic times. (Megan Burke Roudebush, Fast Company)
- How to update old blog posts for SEO. (Joshua Hardwick, Ahrefs)
- Tips for living online: lessons from six months of the COVID-19 pandemic. (Pamela Scott Bracey, PhD, The Conversation)
- How to read more books. (Christian Jarrett, Psyche)
Good eats—skip down to the list of free webinars if you prefer take-out. If you’re a home cook, check out the weekly In The Kitchen posts on my Grabbing the Gusto blog.
- When in a time crunch, this recipe for maple barbecue glazed fish is a cinch. It’s one of my standbys for boldly flavored fish like Spanish mackerel.
- Southwestern flavors are always a favorite in this house, so we enjoyed this taco casserole. I went with two layers instead of three (so less cheese and tortillas) and added jalapeños to the mix. I used this recipe for homemade taco seasoning.
- I keep getting all kinds of peppers (sweet, bell, shishito, poblano) in my CSA share so I’ve been sautéing eggplant with peppers, red onion, garlic, basil and red wine vinegar. I suspect you’ll see this mentioned again in the near future.
- Kale and baby greens have also made regular appearances in the CSA share lately, so I’ve been sautéing them with red bell pepper, onion, and garlic.
Here are the educational events scheduled for next week. If you have a free webinar or event coming up, please send me the link before Wednesday evening the week before it’s scheduled. I’ll be happy to feature it as long as it’s not too product-centric.
Fri 10/9 at 10 a.m.* – Member ROI Simplified: Safeguarding Your Organization’s Future
The most important method for safeguarding your organization’s future is to research, embrace, and maximize your Member ROI. Learn how to measure your current ROI in actual dollar numbers, use the numbers for influencing the membership decision, grow your ROI, and prove beyond a doubt that membership in your organization is a good business decision. More info/register.
Host: Ed Rigsbee, CAE, president at Rigsbee Research
*All times are Eastern Daylight Savings Time unless otherwise noted.
Fri 10/9 at 12 p.m. – Is Your Organization Ready to Take the Full Advantage of Digital Events?
Navigating to the digital domain and online events took many event planners by surprise. While this domain creates lots of uncertainties, it also provides much more opportunities for the event organizers and their organization stakeholders. Learn how to evaluate your digital infrastructure, where to start with transforming your offline event into online, and which types of event exist and how to approach each of them. 1 CMP credit. More info/register (fee for MPI non-members).
Host: MPI
Presenter: Elina Jutelyte, Founder and Event Consultant, Endo-Exo
Fri 10/9 at 1 p.m. – How to Go Virtual (While Still Creating an Engaging Experience)
Learn how to take events online in a way that will deliver high value, create an engaging experience, and preserve the outcomes you were seeking to achieve with your in-person conference. Hear about some major considerations for online engagement. Find out how to design for virtual-first experiences, satisfy the desire to network, and keep your members engaged. We’ll also touch on the tech because we know it’s on your mind. More info/register.
Host: Matchbox Virtual Media
Presenters:
- Ann H. Hoover, Vice President of Programs, Association Health Law Association
- Allen Lloyd, CAE, Executive Director, Montana Society of CPAs
- Arianna Rehak, CEO & Co-Founder, Matchbox Virtual Media
- Heather Varndell, Digital Strategist & Assistant to CSO, Matchbox Virtual Media
Fri 10/9 at 2 p.m. – Making Learning Intentional in The Turbulent Twenties (Foresight Fridays with Jeff De Cagna)
Enjoy compelling future-focused learning and discussion about this article. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.
Host: Jeff De Cagna, executive advisor for Foresight First LLC
Fri 10/9 at 2 p.m. – Facilitative Listening Skills Workshop
Explore and practice a variety of listening skills in breakout sessions in Zoom. Improve your facilitative listening skills and learn new techniques that you can employ right away. More info/register.
Host: Laurie Dougherty, Certified Facilitator and Qualified Trainer of Facilitation Methods
Mon 10/12 at 11 a.m. – The ROI Member Recruitment Brochure: How to Create Brochures That Positively Influence Membership Decisions
Learn to determine who should be membership targets, which features of membership should be highlighted, how to develop an effective brochure layout, decision motives for joining, and how to train your members to use the brochure. More info/register.
Host: Ed Rigsbee, CAE, president at Rigsbee Research
Mon 10/12 at 1 p.m. – Chatting with Agnes & Cecilia
This series of 15-minute videos cover hot topics and issues related to 501c organization management. A new episode is posted every Monday by 1 p.m. More info.
Hosts:
- Cecilia Sepp, CAE, CNAP, principal and founder, Rogue Tulips LLC
- Agnes Amos-Coleman, MBA, CMP, education, conference, event, certification consultant, Amos-Coleman
Tue 10/13 at 11 a.m. – How to Manage Conflict in a Remote Workplace
Learn the two most important tools for having better conflict conversations so you can tackle your conflict head on and get to the more important things on your plate. More info/register.
Host: Association Success
Presenter: Jamie Notter, Co-Founder and Culture Designer, Human Workplaces
Tue 10/13 at 1 p.m. – Impactful Learning and Moderating
Learn how to prepare your presenters for conferences that help support adult learning theory when interacting virtually. Build your skills around how to leverage pace, tone, and view to create more engaging learning experiences. Practice how to utilize breakout rooms for successful learning experiences. Take away a tip sheet to share with your virtual moderators, and to use for running meetings smoother yourself. More info/register.
Host: The Collaborative
Presenter: Christina Rowe, founder, The Collaborative
Tue 10/13 at 2 p.m. – Marketing Your Association While Building Your Personal Brand in 2020 (Association Chat)
Find out how what Sherron thinks associations need to know about marketing in today’s difficult climate and how she has elevated her personal brand to experience greater resilience and opportunity. More info/register.
Host: KiKi L’Italien, senior consultant, Tecker International, LLC, and host, Association Chat
Guest: Sherron Washington, M.A., marketing and communication professional
Wed 10/14 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. – Zoomtopia: Zoom Users Conference
Discover how video-first unified communications are empowering the workforces of today and transforming the workspaces of tomorrow. The agenda will also be packed with exciting product updates, guest speakers, virtual networking opportunities, and customer appreciation. More info/register.
Host: Zoom
Wed 10/14 at 11 a.m. – The ROI of Words: How to Write Website Copy That Will Drive Member Renewal and Recruitment
You can no longer depend on interns or web designers to write your member value copy for influencing renewals and retention. They do pretty, you must do effective. Learn how to write the kind of benefit (or what’s in it for me) copy that will influence the decision to join or renew. More info/register.
Host: Ed Rigsbee, CAE, president at Rigsbee Research
Wed 10/14 at 12 p.m. – What Will You Need to Budget for the Unexpected?
2020 has provided challenges no one ever expected, let alone budgeted for. So how are associations planning their budgets, decisions and logistics for the future, especially when training and conferences provide many associations with necessary non-dues revenue? Join our professional development panel of pros to find out. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.
Host: ASAE
Presenters:
- Erik Burns, Ed.D., MBA, MA; Director, Corporate Engagement, American Association of Pharmaceutical Scientists
- Dawn Gannon, MBA, CAE; Sr. Program Manager, Virtual
- J David Rozsa, CAE, ACA; CEO, Metacred, Inc.
Wed 10/14 at 12:30 p.m. – Cybersecurity for Nonprofits – What Is Noise and What Is News
Hear about strategies that nonprofit organizations can incorporate to mitigate cybersecurity risk through the implementation of the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Cybersecurity Framework and other risk management initiatives. The panel will also provide an overview of both U.S. and international cybersecurity trends for 2020 and recap developments in the cybersecurity field that are relevant to the nonprofit sector. More info/register.
Host: Venable LLP
Presenters:
- Ari Schwartz, Managing Director of Cybersecurity Services, Venable LLP
- Grant Schneider, Senior Director of Cybersecurity Services, Venable LLP
Wed 10/14 at 1 p.m. – #ExpoChat on Twitter
ExpoChat is a Twitter-based conversation on topics related to the trade show industry. More info.
Wed 10/14 at 2 p.m. – FAQs and Best Practices About Converting to a New AMS
Moving to a new AMS can be a monumental effort with lots of risk. Hear what to expect and learn how to prepare. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.
Host: ACGI Software
Presenter: Ben Muscolino, President at AMS Geeks
Wed 10/14 at 2 p.m. – 26 Engaging Formats for Virtual and Hybrid Events
A re-broadcast of one of the most popular sessions from the 2020 ASAE Virtual Annual Meeting & Exposition, this high-energy session features a panel of experts sharing their best tips for engaging audiences virtually, using a rapid-fire format that shares one example for each letter of the alphabet. The format is half the fun, as this team will use a new ABC style that involves quick discussion to spark ideas and share practical tips planners can try immediately. Come to learn about trending issues, and leave with a new setup you can implement in your events. More info/register.
Host: ASAE
Presenters:
- Beth Surmont, CMP, CAE, Director of Experience Design, 360 Live Media
- Christine Peck, Senior Director, Education and Learning Services, SmithBucklin
- Carol McGury, MPS, Executive Vice President, SmithBucklin
- Sharon Newport, CAE, Chief Operating Officer
Wed 10/14 at 4 p.m. – Association Consultants Virtual Forum
A group of association consultants, first convened by the ASAE Key Consultants Committee at the 2020 Great Ideas Conference, has been meeting virtually since March, when most of the group shifted to working remotely. Since then, the group has discussed a wide range of topics, with a particular focus on shifting and adapting strategies, practices, and mindsets amid the coronavirus pandemic. Join us to engage in organic dialogue with your fellow association consultants. This town hall will allow you to network with peers in breakout rooms as well as in a larger group. More info/register.
Host: ASAE
Thu 10/15 at 10 a.m. – 5 Things Every Event Organizer Must Do in 2021
Hear lessons learned and best practices from a panel of association meeting planners. Our panelists will share: the pros and cons of the technology they used, how they kept their audience engaged, and their biggest challenges. More info/register.
Host: 360 Live Media
Presenters: Beth Surmont and Brooke Wilson, lead experience designers, 360 Live Media
Thu 10/15 at 10 a.m. – Gaining Influence in a Vendor’s Platform Roadmap (Connect 2020 Technology Track)
Hear about a three-pronged approach to gain influence with your online community vendor and get your ideas on their roadmap. More info/register.
Host: Community Roundtable
Presenters:
- Cy Jervis, Cloudera
- Jon Allan, VP & GM, Communities & Web Self-Service, Verint Intelligent Self-Service
- Steve Nguyen, Principal Program Manager, Microsoft
- Adrian Speyer, Head of Community, Vanilla Forums
Thu 10/15 at 10:30 a.m. – Thriving Internationally in Times of COVID-19 and Beyond
Explore the opportunities presented by the intersection of digital transformation and internationalization. Learn how two successful associations navigated the crisis and positioned themselves for success internationally. Discuss best practices for operating internationally without getting on a plane. More info/register.
Host: Factum Global
Presenters:
- Thomas Smith, Executive Director, American Society of Civil Engineers
- Scott Stuart, CEO, The Turnaround Management Association
- Francisco Gomez, Founder and CEO, Factum Global
Thu 10/15 at 11 a.m. – Virtual Event Tech Day: 20 Experts Answer the Top 20 Questions About Virtual Events
Join us for a unique opportunity to listen to the top 20 experts on virtual events answering the 20 most pressing questions about virtual event technology. 20 speakers x 20 questions = 20×20, a new event format to explore the present and future of virtual events. More info/register.
Host: EventMB
Thu 10/15 from 11 a.m. to 6:15 p.m. – Zoomtopia: Zoom Users Conference
Discover how video-first unified communications are empowering the workforces of today and transforming the workspaces of tomorrow. The agenda will also be packed with exciting product updates, guest speakers, virtual networking opportunities, and customer appreciation. More info/register.
Host: Zoom
Thu 10/15 from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. – Unprecedented Leadership During Unprecedented Times (Planet IMEX Association Leadership Forum)
A thought-provoking, intellectually demanding learning experience for senior-level leaders in the association community, participants will be inspired and challenged by visionaries and role models from a variety of professional and trade association backgrounds. The forum leverages strategic conversations and collaborative peer learning to help you apply advanced leadership concepts. You will leave inspired, motivated, and ready to embrace change to drive your association forward. 4 CAE credits. More info/register.
Host: ASAE
Presenters:
- Susan Robertson, CAE, president and CEO, ASAE: The Center for Association Leadership
- Richard Yep, FASAE, CAE, chief executive officer, American Counseling Association
- Vicki Deal-Williams, FASAE, CAE, chief staff officer for multicultural affairs, American Speech-Language-Hearing Association
- Jeffrey Shields, FASAE, CAE, president & CEO, National Business Officers Association
- Jeffrey S. Tenenbaum, Esq., managing partner, Tenenbaum Law Group PLLC
Thu 10/15 at 12 p.m. – Virtual Events Suck, But Yours Doesn’t Have To
Learn more about ways to improve virtual events in a discussion on the panelists’ latest research “Virtual Events Suck, but Yours Doesn’t Have To.” More info/register.
Host: Constellation R
Presenters: Dion Hinchcliffe, Liz Miller & R “Ray” Wang
Thu 10/15 at 12:30 p.m. – Make Buying Technology Less Painful and More Fun
Learn a step-by-step process and key considerations for choosing new technology that includes all of the appropriate internal and external stakeholders. Topics include strategy, requirements, proposals, demos and selection, implementation, and buying in a pandemic. More info/register.
Host: Personify
Presenter: Erin Geoffroy Sullivan, Director of Marketing at Personify
Thu 10/15 at 1 p.m. – Grow & Retain Members: Customize Your Joining Process
Salesforce and other Association Management Software (AMS) allow organizations to use the critical pieces of data to customize the online journey for members and donors. A well-researched, goal-oriented and theme-based join process can help you achieve increased engagement at the cost of a few clicks. Discover the possibilities of customization and enhancement to your joining process. More info/register.
Host: Aplusify
Presenters:
- Neeraj Garg, COO, Aplusify
- Barbara J. Armentrout, CAE
- Teri Carden, Founder, ReviewMyAMS
Thu 10/15 at 1 p.m. –Event Hack Hybrid Games
Back in April 2020, we came together to hack the future of virtual events in the OG EventHack event. We’ve invited the best minds in events to work together and produce the industry’s largest playbook on hybrid events. Join us in this ten-week series, where the Virtual and In Person teams will square off and compete to produce the best hybrid crossover ideas. More info/register.
Host: Socio
Thu 10/15 at 2 p.m. – The Return to F2F: Considerations Before You Head Back On Site
Hear taskforce recommendations for Covid-related waivers, social-distancing challenges, sick attendees, and more. Identify the health and safety issues that must be addressed before logistical planning for an event begins. Understand how to use your attendee registration sites to enhance onsite health and safety. Learn best practices for navigating the patchwork of pandemic-related state and national rules while keeping your attendees and staff healthy and safe. 1 CMP credit. More info/register.
Host: MeetingsNet
Presenters: Laura Konwinski, Senior Director of Global Compliance, and Andrea de Miro, Operations Leader for Ancillary Meetings, BCD Meetings & Events
Thu 10/15 at 2 p.m. – 5 Tips for Taking Your Internal Events Virtual
Learn how a virtual event platform can help you raise the bar of your biggest companywide events. We’ll talk best practices for using enterprise-class video streaming, audience engagement tools, feedback surveys and attendee networking to make sure your internal event is the dynamic and energizing masterpiece you need to get your teams ready to succeed. More info/register.
Host: Smart Meetings
Presenter: Brian Ludwig, Senior Vice President, Sales, Cvent
Thu 10/15 at 4 p.m. – How to Avoid Pandemonium When Marketing During a Pandemic (ASAE Reston-Loudoun Idea Swap)
Learn how to approach marketing in the next six to 18 months, how the brain works when dealing with so many crises, the new marketing playbook including new member personas, habits to embrace in 2020, and 15 tips to help you in your marketing efforts now. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.
Host: ASAE
Presenter: Sheri Singer, President, Singer Communications
Fri 10/16 at 10 a.m. – Breaking News: Reporting on Covid-19’s Impact on the Meetings Industry
Learn how the panel of editors has been covering the pandemic, how they perceive the industry evolving, their analysis of their latest research, and what they expect for the future. 1 CMP credit. More info/register.
Host: Northstar Meetings Group
Presenters:
- David Blansfield, Executive Vice President and Group Publisher, Northstar Meetings Group
- Loren Edelstein, Vice President and Content Director, Northstar Meetings Group
- James Lancaster, Editor, AMI Magazine
- Lauren Arena, Editor, M&C Asia
- Paul Harvey, Deputy Editor, M&IT
Fri 10/16 at 10 a.m. – Member ROI Simplified: Safeguarding Your Organization’s Future
The most important method for safeguarding your organization’s future is to research, embrace, and maximize your Member ROI. Learn how to measure your current ROI in actual dollar numbers, use the numbers for influencing the membership decision, grow your ROI, and prove beyond a doubt that membership in your organization is a good business decision. More info/register.
Host: Ed Rigsbee, CAE, president at Rigsbee Research
Fri 10/16 at 11 a.m. – After Lockdown: Meetings & Events Post-Crisis
Join your peers for this critical conversation on how the Coronavirus crisis has changed the execution of meetings, events, conferences, and trade shows. Discuss new guidelines for social distancing, sanitation, and food preparation and review ways meeting professionals are utilizing technology to expand the reach of their events to include those impacted by travel restrictions. 1 CMP credit. More info/register (registration fee for MPI non-members).
Host: MPI
Presenter: Jessie States, CMP, CMM, MPI Academy Director, MPI
Fri 10/16 at 2 p.m. – Foresight Fridays with Jeff De Cagna
Discuss pre-selected foresight topics and questions. Enjoy compelling future-focused learning. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.
Host: Jeff De Cagna, executive advisor for Foresight First LLC
Fri 10/16 at 2:30 p.m. – A New Approach to Boosting Digital Event Engagement
To provide the best digital experience possible for your audience there’s a lot to learn from how TV, film and social influencers keep fans glued to their screens. Hear about a different way of thinking about how to successfully engage the audience you want while fostering robust participant communication and interaction. 1 CMP credit. More info/register.
Host: PCMA
Presenter: Heather Mason, CEO of Caspian Agency
Tue 10/20 at 12 p.m. – Component Relations and Volunteer Management Crunch and Munch
Grab your lunch or coffee and join us as we discuss the latest topics on our community board and meet your new Component Relations and Volunteer Management Section Council. We’ll feature different questions from our community and assist each other with best practice sharing and idea generation. More info/register.
Host: ASAE Component Relations and Volunteer Management Section Council
Tue 10/20 at 2 p.m. – How to Look & Sound Better on Video: Advice from an AV Digital Master Trainer (Association Chat)
Host: KiKi L’Italien, senior consultant, Tecker International, LLC, and host, Association Chat
Guest: Charles (Chuck) Espinoza, AVIXA Staff Instructor
Tue 10/20 at 4 p.m. – Technology and the Global Nomad (AWTC virtual meetup)
When Alex Mouw decided to take a year to travel around the world with her husband and two children, she also decided to work throughout the trip while home schooling her children. Modern technology is the only reason that this was possible. Alex will share her technology tips for exploring the world while being a senior staffer at a leading web development company and a parent and homeschool teacher. More info/register.
Host: Association Women Technology Champions
Presenter: Alexandra Biddle Mouw, CAE, Principal Digital Strategist at Results Direct
Thu 10/22 at 12 p.m. – Managing Staff Onboarding During a Pandemic: A CEO Dialogue
Successful staff onboarding is an art, even in the best of times. Doing so in a completely virtual environment such as the one we have been in the past six months, is even more complex. Join this CEO dialogue to hear from colleagues the onboarding processes that they have adapted to meet the current work environment. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.
Host: ASAE
Presenters:
- Dany Bourjolly Smith (moderator), SHRM-SCP, lead consultant, Association CareerHQ Recruitment Concierge Team
- Cameron Curtis, CMM, CAE, president & CEO, Association of Air Medical Services & Medevac Foundation International
- Jay Karen, CAE, chief executive officer, National Golf Course Owners Association
- Lane Velayo, CAE, chief executive officer/owner, Synergos
Thu 10/22 at 2 p.m. – Backstage Pass to Producing Your Virtual Conference
Hear the battle scars, lessons learned and much more in this candid conversation on what it takes to produce a virtual event. We will provide you with a realistic picture of the skills and resources you’ll need to launch with special emphasis on uncovering hazards that you might not be aware of until they trip you up in real-time. More info/register.
Host: orgCommunity
Presenters:
- Joanna Pineda, Founder, CEO and Chief Trouble Maker, Matrix Group, Inc.
- Arianna Rehak, CEO, Matchbox Virtual Media
- Dan Stevens, President, Workerbee.TV
Mon 10/26 and Tue 10/27 from 1 to 5:30 p.m. – Association Component Exchange (CEX)
The only conference designed exclusively for component relations professionals (CRPs), CEX is a forum for association professionals who manage, nurture, and work with chapters to share successes, struggles, strategies, and innovations with your peers. We’ll leverage Zoom breakout rooms to bring small groups together to ideate, and share experiences and lessons learned so you can continue to connect with others in this component relations community. 8 CAE credits. More info/register (registration fee – I’m making an exception for this one).
Hosts: Billhighway and Mariner Management
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 or Twitter before Wednesday evening.
Association Brain Food 