The weekly list of free educational events and resources for the association community…
Associations and the future of colleges. Jeff Cobb of Tagoras/Leading Learning asks a provocative but reasonable question: Could associations replace colleges? For many of us, the answer is a resounding “Yes.” Associations have a role to play in the training, credentialing and lifelong learning market, but few have taken advantage of those opportunities. To get a sense of what your association is missing, take a few minutes to read Jeff’s article and then share it with your staff and board.
Online learning myths. Online learning is getting a bum rap because many people are equating it with the emergency remote instruction received by school-age kids and college students this spring. WBT Systems sets the record straight by debunking myths about the effectiveness of online learning.
Memorable virtual gatherings. Inspired by Priya Parker’s The Art of Gathering, MemberSuite describes the seven essential elements for creating a memorable virtual conference instead of the typical series of webinars with accompanying chat box.
Backcasting your future. I had never heard of “backcasting” until reading this article from the American Alliance of Museums. It’s “a planning method that helps people and organizations figure out how to create their preferred future.” Backcasting starts with “a vision of what you want the world to be, and identifying actions you could take to make this future come true.” Although Elizabeth Merritt wrote this article for the museum community in 2019, it’s applicable to the association community in 2020.
Virtual board meetings. At the Harvard Business Review, Keith Ferrazzi and Sarah Zapp discuss the upside of virtual board meetings: shorter agendas, crisper presentations, more inclusive and bolder conversations, and broader exposure to key executives and outside experts.
Virtual event challenges. Michelle Russell at PCMA describes how the National Association of Realtors tackled (and overcame) virtual event challenges, such as VIP speakers with broadcasting restrictions, Zoom security (this was back in the Zoom bombing days), and staff/speaker tech training. A huge help: journey mapping each event role.
Virtual event data. Rob Miller of Gravitate Solutions writes about the valuable new data provided by virtual events—data on attendees, speakers, topics, sessions, sponsors and exhibitors. He says, “Consider the data, and its tremendous value to the organization, before you commit to another [event] platform.”
Quick hits before we get to the list of this week’s free education:
- 10 basic guidelines to minimize PDF usability problems. (Jakob Nielsen and Anna Kaley, Nielsen Norman Group)
- Keep an eye on your coronavirus risk budget. (Leana S. Wen, Washington Post)
- Why do babies in medieval paintings look so old and scary? Side note: anyone else miss going to art museums? (Hannah Keyser, Mental Floss)
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 for more.
- If you like spicy, check out this recipe for cherry pepper sauce. Although meant for pork chops, I served it with bluefish. I also added eggplant (in season!), onions and basil. It’s a keeper.
- My mint was getting leggy and in need of a serious pruning so I made a coconut mint chutney for blueline tilefish. It’s more like a pesto than a true chutney, but nevertheless, tasty.
- Sunday’s dinner was the highlight of the week thanks to shrimp kielbasa from Locals Seafood. OMG. So good. I’ll buy more of that.
- But the Sunday sides weren’t too shabby either. First, a sweet bell pepper and zucchini clafoutis. I subbed sour cream for crème fraîche, and added corn, onion and jalapeno. It wasn’t as pancake-y as fruit clafoutis I’ve made, more like a frittata, but plenty tasty.
- My regular collards got an upgrade thanks to ground chorizo. I often add bacon to my greens but chorizo, wow. The rest of the mix included red bell and corno del toro peppers, onion, carrots and jalapeño.
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.
Until next week, stay awkward, brave and kind.*
*I picked this up from Brené Brown, known mostly as a shame researcher, whose podcast I’ve been enjoying lately. She also said, shame is not a tool for social justice, but for oppression. I wish more people would listen to her and shut up.
Fri 7/24 at 1 p.m.* – How to Go Virtual (While Still Creating an Engaging Experience)
Learn how to take events online in a way that is going to 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
*All times are Eastern Daylight Savings Time unless otherwise noted.
Mon 7/27 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 7/28 at 11 a.m. – Rooting Out Racism: How to Get Started at Your Association
Learn how to identify the racist policies, bylaws and practices at your association that passively and actively allow inequities to continue. This conversation will be a starting point for those unsure of where to begin, as well as a welcome space for those who have already started this process to share their experiences. More info/register (donation requested).
Host: Association Success
Presenter: Maxine Crump, CEO of Dialogue on Race Louisiana
Tue 7/28 at 11:30 a.m. – Proven Strategies to Increase Member Retention
Learn how to nurture relationships with your members to make them stick around and feel like they can’t afford to leave. Hear how your association peers are currently increasing retention and how vital it is to convey the value of membership. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.
Host: Community Brands
Presenters: Tara Pawlak, Membership Marketing Expert, and Tirrah Switzer, Association Advocate, Community Brands
Tue 7/28 at 12:30 p.m. – Meetings of Membership Minds
These impromptu, casual discussions about membership concepts, issues, and challenges are conducted live online and opened to other membership professionals to comment and offer other insights. More info/register.
Host: The Business of Membership
Presenters: Dan Ratner and Scott Oser
Tue 7/28 at 1:30 p.m. – Racism in the Workplace: A Conversation on What We Can Do to Move Forward
Join the FindSpark community for an open and honest conversation about racism at work and steps everyone can take to make teams and companies inclusive and equitable. Our speakers represent a range of FindSpark community members – from early career professionals to experienced diversity, inclusion, and equity practitioners to educators. More info/register.
Host: FindSpark
Tue 7/28 at 2 p.m. – 3 Learning Science Lessons for an Impactful Learning Program
While many organizations are aware of the learning sciences needed to propel their lifelong learning programs forward, they are unsure how to turn these great ideas into products that make professional learning better and into profitable products. Learn about three learning science lessons you can use to make lifelong learning part of your business strategy and help learners improve their professional skills. More info/register.
Host: Association for Talent Development
Presenter: Emily Leary, Senior Director of Customer Operations, BenchPrep
Tue 7/28 at 2 p.m. – Hybrid Events: What You Need to Know Now
What will events in the near future look like? Hybrid events that provide engaging in-person experiences, while also incorporating key virtual elements, enable event professionals to offer a dynamic event for attendees however they choose to participate. Learn the definition and core elements of a hybrid event, common hybrid event challenges (plus tips for successfully navigating them), and best practices for virtual and in-person attendee engagement. More info/register.
Host: Cvent
Presenter: McNeel Keenan, vice president of product management, Cvent
Tue 7/28 at 2 p.m. – Redesigning Your Website During a Pandemic
Many website redesign plans were pushed to the side as people were trying to adjust to the new norm. Now that this task has come to the forefront again, learn how to manage a project like this. More info/register.
Host: DC-Metro Association-Nonprofit Tech Network
Presenter: Justin Watson, President at AS Creative Services
Tue 7/28 at 3 p.m. – Boost Membership & Non-dues Revenue in a Virtual World with Open Communities
Find out how opening your online community to the outside world can bolster member engagement, increase non-dues revenue, drive prospecting, reinvent content strategy and elevate your hybrid events in this newfound virtual era. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.
Hosts: ProTech Services and Breezio
Presenter: Breezio President and CEO Benjamin Muscolino
Wed 7/29 at 11 a.m. – Back to Basics: Using Web Analytics to Drive Your Marketing Campaigns
People are spending more time online than ever before. As your association experiences this growth in online interaction with members and prospective members, it’s important to have a clear picture of where your web visitors are coming from, what they’re doing while on your site, and which ones are repeat visitors. Learn about using web analytics to drive your marketing – so you can stay on top of membership, virtual event attendance, and any other goals. More info/register.
Host: Feathr
Presenter: Aidan Augustin, Co-Founder & President of Feathr
Wed 7/29 at 12 p.m. – Grassroots Influence Pulse: Identifying the Tactics and Practices That Predict Legislative Success
Hear about trends in grassroots influence tactics, how advocacy professionals are spending their time, the ROI of their tactics, and the activities that are less likely to lead to positive legislative results along with other findings from the biennial Grassroots Influence Pulse (GRIP) research. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.
Host: ASAE Government Relations and Advocacy Professionals Advisory Council
Presenter: Amy Showalter, GRIP co-author and Principal, The Showalter Group, Inc.
Wed 7/29 at 12 p.m. – Hybrid Management Models for Associations: All the Benefits
In a world that continues to be impacted by COVID-19, reduced budgets, and increased competition, hybrid management with an AMC partner gives associations maximum flexibility, scalability, and expertise. Gain an understanding of the types of structures that can be put in place and the types of programs an AMC can support. More info/register.
Host: Talley Management
Presenters:
- Tim Bower, Director of TMG Association Solutions Consulting @Talley Management Group
- Joe Sapp, Chief Operating Officer @Talley Management Group
- Ethan Gray, Associate Director of Association Management Services @Talley Management Group
Wed 7/29 at 1 p.m. – F&B 101: Managing Attendee Food Preferences and Dietary Requirements From A to Z
Discover what foods are considered and regulated as allergens around the world. Be aware of the laws that protect attendees with food allergies and other dietary needs. Recognize the steps you and your food service partners need to take to ensure the safety of your guests with dietary needs. 1 CMP credit. More info/register.
Host: Meetings Today
Presenter: Tracy Stuckrath, Senior Event Planner, thrive! meetings & events
Wed 7/29 at 1 p.m. – #ExpoChat on Twitter
ExpoChat is a Twitter-based conversation on topics related to the trade show industry. More info.
Wed 7/29 at 2 p.m. – Bridging the Gap from Strategy to Execution
Learn the reasons why the strategy execution gap persists and what associations can do to mitigate the gap through the following topics: communication of strategy, creation of a team-based performance culture, alignment across and down through the team, important role of leaders and middle managers, and incorporation of agility into strategy execution. More info/register.
Host: .orgCommunity
Presenter: Randall Rollinson, President of LBL Strategies, a Registered Education Provider of the Association for Strategic Planning
Wed 7/29 at 2 p.m. – Keeping Everyone Safe When We Return To Face-to-Face
Meetings and events are going to look very different when the industry returns to face-to-face in light of COVID-19. Learn what the return to events will look like in order to keep everyone involved safe according the research the panel’s organizations have done, as well as standards planners should look out for when deciding on their next meeting venue. 1 CMP credit. More info/register.
Host: PCMA
Wed 7/29 at 4 p.m. – How to Run a Virtual Conference
Learn how to design interactive virtual conferences, what people are getting wrong with virtual conferences, how to choose the right platforms for your virtual conference, approaches to monetize your event, and what the trends are for virtual events in the COVID-19 era. More info/register.
Host: Sprout Events
Presenter: Robin Petterd, founder of Sprout Events
Thu 7/30 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. – The Future of the Event Industry
Get an action plan to go back to business safely in 2021. Learn the best way to use technology for virtual and hybrid events with tracks for event owners and planners. Discuss key issues with your peers. Use our matchmaking features to connect with other attendees. More info/register.
Host: EventMB
Thu 7/30 at 12:30 p.m. – Going Virtual: The VMAE Summit 2020 Success Story
The Veterinary Medical Association Executives (VMAE) held the VMAE Summit, a virtual event conference that delivered educational content, interactive sessions, and social experiences that connected their members to their professional community. Learn best practices for planning a virtual conference, how to maintain value for event sponsors, and the importance of choosing the right virtual event platform. More info/register.
Host: Web Courseworks
Presenters:
- VMAE CEO and AVMA Director of Special Projects, Ralph Johnson
- Courseworks Client Success Manager, Matt Harpold
Thu 7/30 at 2 p.m. – Recruiting and Retaining Association Members (and Driving Non-Dues Revenue) in the Virtual Event Era
Learn how to use membership surveys to identify future marketing opportunities; use digital platforms to drive engagement with members, non-members and employers; drive non-dues revenue from out of the box tactics; use data you already have to recruit new members and engage employers. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.
Host: Web Scribble
Presenter: Web Scribble’s Director of Marketing Dawn DiLorenzo
Thu 7/30 at 2 p.m. – Getting Healthcare Providers (HCPs) to Return to F2F Meetings
Hear about outcomes from recent medical association virtual congresses and best practices to gain an understanding of how to enhance the HCP experience and create meeting FOMO. Learn how to explore the value live events deliver compared to virtual meetings and create powerful networking opportunities for HCPs. 1 CMP credit. More info/register.
Host: MeetingsNet
Presenters:
- Betsy Bondurant, CMM, CET, President, Bondurant Consulting
- Ashley Williams, MBA, Vice President, Life Sciences Center of Excellence, BCD Meetings & Events
- Maggie Butler, Co-Founder, The CM Group
Thu 7/30 at 2 p.m. – Expert Tips for Maximizing All-Inclusive Events
From incentives to retreats, all-inclusive properties can reduce surprises at the end and streamline planning, but you have to know what questions to ask if you are going to design an event that fits your organization’s goals. Learn how to select the right property for your event, what questions to ask before you sign the contract, and how to prepare your attendees for what to expect. More info/register.
Host: Smart Meetings
Presenters:
- John Gaca, president, DMI Hotels
- Janek Rattinger, corporate director of group sales at Blue Diamond Resorts
Thu 7/30 at 3 p.m. – Data Governance and Data Quality Quick-Start for Associations
Many associations believe that data cleanup challenges are holding them back or stopping them from meaningful data analysis. This session will focus on the data cleaning basics and how your association can take small steps towards better data quality. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.
Host: Association Analytics
Thu 7/30 at 3 p.m. – Content Curation 101: How do Real Estate Agents, Marketers, & Other Business Professionals Find Relevant Articles for Their Audience?
Find out how you can keep your subscribers engaged in between buying cycles with a relevant, personalized newsletter. Learn how to curate outside news sources in order to develop a personalized, automated newsletter for your audience. Then YOU will be the one who is top of mind when they are ready to buy. More info/register.
Host: rasa.io
Presenter: Erica Salm Rench, Director of Customer Success of rasa.io
Fri 7/31 at 1 p.m. – How to Go Virtual (While Still Creating an Engaging Experience)
Learn how to take events online in a way that is going to 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
Tue and Wed 8/4 and 8/5 from 2 to 5 p.m. – Non Dues-a-Palooza Virtual Bazaar
A virtual experience engineered for visual learners, meaningful online conversations, and product introductions that makes sense for associations looking for new and innovative ideas to generate non-dues revenue. The experience includes ten case studies on how associations are kicking butt generating revenue in 2020, six non dues revenue product demos, two interactive happy hours, and one amazing community of association professionals ready to innovate and tackle new ideas to generate new revenue. More info/register.
Host: 100Reviews
Wed 8/5 at 12 p.m. – Key Insights From The 12th Annual Membership Marketing Benchmark Report
Get a preview of the report and learn the most useful membership strategies for 2020. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.
Host: Association Insights in Old Town
Presenter: Tony Rossell, senior vice president at MGI
Wed 8/5 at 1 p.m. – Life After Launch: Managing Your AMS
Organizations need to approach “life after launch” with the same thoughtfulness you applied to the selection and implementation. Hear tips and best practices to increase user adoption and ensure lasting confidence for your new software. More info/register.
Host: Aplusify
Presenter: Rebecca Achurch, PgMP, PMP, CSM, CAE, Founder, Achurch Consulting
Wed 8/5 from 2 to 5 p.m. – Non Dues-a-Palooza Virtual Bazaar
A virtual experience engineered for visual learners, meaningful online conversations, and product introductions that makes sense for associations looking for new and innovative ideas to generate non-dues revenue. The experience includes ten case studies on how associations are kicking butt generating revenue in 2020, six non dues revenue product demos, two interactive happy hours, and one amazing community of association professionals ready to innovate and tackle new ideas to generate new revenue. More info/register.
Host: 100Reviews
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.
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