The weekly list of free educational events and resources for the association community…
Un-hybrid conference. At some point in 2021, associations will switch from virtual-only conferences to hybrid conferences. Or will they? Can you imagine planning and producing two simultaneous conference experiences—one for on-site attendees and one for the virtual audience? Yikes. WBT Systems proposes a different doable solution: host your in-person conference first and your virtual conference later.
Chapter bright spots. If you were at the Association Component Exchange (CEX) last week, you heard about the “bright spot” concept. Billhighway explains how to identify bright spots—chapters that are achieving success by doing something different, something others chapters can replicate.
Innovation and membership growth. MGI’s 2020 Membership Marketing Benchmarking Report found a correlation between innovative associations and membership growth. MemberSuite digs into that finding and explains how to create a culture of innovation that delivers real membership value.
Accessible virtual events. Matchbox Virtual Media—with the help of Joan Eisenstodt, Samantha Evans and Gift Tshuma—published an Accessibility Guide for virtual events. With all the focus these days on inclusion, please don’t forget about accessibility.
Agile budgeting. Fall is traditionally the budget season for many associations, but I have a feeling 2021 budgets will truly be living documents. At the Harvard Business Review, Darrell K. Rigby, Joost Spits and Steve Berez suggest an agile approach to budgeting for uncertain times. Associations will profit, ha ha, from this guidance too.
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.
- Our Election Night tradition is a big plate of cheesy baked pasta. This year, I went with a recipe for Baked Rigatoni with Lamb Ragu from Ina Garten’s new cookbook, Modern Comfort Food. Yes, indeed, it is a huge casserole of comfort food that I’m still enjoying. Add it to your repertoire—if you’re a lamb lover like me.
- I probably should have chosen a different preparation for the greens I served on the side—a mix of kale, collards and baby mystery greens—but I guess I had comfort on the mind when I picked this creamed greens deluxe Swoonworthy, I’m telling you, so good.
- Earlier in the week, we enjoyed pan-seared vermilion snapper in a dry vermouth (instead of white wine), tomato and basil sauce. It’s one of my favorite ways to prepare all kinds of fish.
- The next night, I baked speckled trout fillets with lemon juice, Aleppo pepper flakes and butter. Nothing else is needed to enhance that amazing trout flavor.
- Every two weeks, I feed Tony, my sourdough starter, and need to do something with the discard. So I made sourdough maple walnut bread on Sunday for a breakfast treat. It was sort of like a quick bread—no rise needed. Still enjoying that too!
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 11/6 at 10 a.m.* – 2020 Election’s Impact on Associations (NYSAE Engagement Lounge)
Join a discussion that evaluates the results of the 2020 US Presidential Election and their impact on the association and not-for-profit sector. The conversation will cover the closest election results of 2020, an update on potential unreported or contested results and where things stand, and the new balance of power in Congress and how they will work together. More info/register.
Host: New York Society of Association Executives (NYSAE)
Presenter: Michael Taylor, Vice President, Public Affairs, Kellen
*All times are Eastern Standard Time unless otherwise noted.
Fri 11/6 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 11/6 at 2 p.m. – Foresight Fridays with Jeff De Cagna
Our topic is the ASAE Research Foundation ForesightWorks action brief on Transparent Organizational Ethics. Please review the action brief before Friday’s session. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.
Host: Jeff De Cagna, executive advisor for Foresight First LLC
Mon 11/9 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 11/9 at 1 p.m. – Chatting with Agnes & Cecilia
This series of 15- to 20-minute videos cover hot topics and issues related to 501c organization management. New episodes are posted by 1 p.m. every Monday. Check out Cecilia’s Nonprofit Executive Spotlight series too.
Hosts:
- Cecilia Sepp, CAE, CNAP, principal and founder, Rogue Tulips LLC
- Agnes Amos-Coleman, MBA, CMP, education, conference, event, certification consultant, Amos-Coleman
Mon 11/9 at 3 p.m. – Leading Into Tomorrow: Using Foresight to Expand Association Leadership in Critical Domains
In this series, learn how association leaders use foresight to guide members, industries, and society through future changes. Today’s domain is mobility and logistics, and the drivers of change conversation topics are: toward a spectrum of abilities and virtualized meetings. More info/register.
Hosts: ASAE Research Foundation and Visit Flanders
Tue 11/10 at 10 a.m. – Top Tips for Choosing a CMS
Hear about the features of leading CMS products for associations including Sitefinity and WordPress and the top factors to consider when making your selection. More info/register.
Host: Results Direct
Presenter: Alexandra Mouw, CAE, digital strategist, Results Direct
Tue 11/10 at 11 a.m. – How to Scale Community Globally
Learn how to scale your community for a global market and adopt a better appreciation and mindset when addressing a global audience versus a single regional language approach. Find out how to expand your existing playbook to plan accordingly to incrementally grow their community to serve a global audience. More info/register.
Host: Community By Association
Presenter: Dani Weinstein, Community Builder, Strategist and Advisor
Tue 11/10 at 1 p.m. – Building Your 2021 Communications Plan
Discover everything that needs to go into your 2021 communications plan. Learn how to set goals that bring value, define activities and tactics for your goals, identify key audiences, and manage your plan throughout the year (no matter what it brings!). 1 CAE credit. More info/register.
Host: Mighty Citizen
Presenters: Rachel Clemens, Chief Marketing Officer, and Nicole Araujo, Client Engagement Director, Mighty Citizen
Tue 11/10 at 2 p.m. – How to Master AMS Selection from Your Home Office
AMS selection has always been a difficult decision, and it can feel like you need to put on your investigator’s cap in order to get real answers from vendors regarding pricing and integrations. So, how do you get the answers you’re looking for without the ability to attend in-person demos or corner a salesperson to get the low-down on their AMS or other association technology solution? Learn how you can perfect the AMS selection process without ever leaving your living room. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.
Hosts: ReviewMyAMS and Protech Associates
Presenters:
- Teri Carden, founder, ReviewMyAMS
- Terry Brown, VP of Project Services, Protech
Tue 11/10 at 2 p.m. – New Congress, New Problems
Hear about key policy areas likely to emerge in the coming years, tips for building relationships with new legislators in a virtual world, and best practices for maximizing your government relations strategy in 2021. More info/register.
Host: FiscalNote
Tue 11/10 at 2:30 p.m. – Association Board Leadership & Governance in the Era of Business as Unusual
As the nation cautiously moves forward after the initial wave of Covid-19, associations are preparing to address a variety of uncertainties in their upcoming board meetings and planning sessions. The panel will discuss how interactions between board and leadership have evolved during this pandemic, how boards have led through the unforeseen challenges of Covid-19, how associations are navigating the new virtual environment to ensure ongoing engagement, scenario considerations leaders and boards are planning, and opportunities associations can leverage to support their community and membership. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.
Host: ASAE Business Solutions and OnBoard
Presenters: Sharon Newport, CAE, Lynda J. Patterson, FASAE, CAE, Susan Robertson, CAE, and Johnnie White, MBA, CAE, CMP
Tue 11/10 at 3 p.m. – Leading Into Tomorrow: Using Foresight to Expand Association Leadership in Critical Domains
In this series, learn how association leaders use foresight to guide members, industries, and society through future changes. Today’s domains are lifelong learning and the circular economy, and the drivers of change conversation topics are: higher education 3.0, microlearning, beyond recycling, and ethical consumption. More info/register.
Hosts: ASAE Research Foundation and Visit Flanders
Tue 11/10 at 3 p.m. – The Secret to Communication with Speakers and Attendees in a Virtual World
One of the main challenges with planning virtual and hybrid events is good communication. On this webinar, we’ll explore how to identify patterns of misunderstanding, follow the path of least resistance, and give speakers and attendees enough information to keep them satisfied while still in the planning stages. 1 CMP credit. More info/register.
Host: PCMA
Wed 11/11 at 8 a.m. – 6 Ways to Build Value in a Pandemic
Let’s get ready to knock-off 2020’s business challenges and kick-off 2021 stronger than ever. Join us for a weekly breakfast series of strategy, planning and engaging peer discussions on common challenges faced by Associations, along with best practices to overcome them. More info/register.
Host: Halmyre
Wed 11/11 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 11/11 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. – RE:VISION 2020
A virtual event where logistical guidance meets thinking about our industry in new and powerful ways, with educational sessions, networking opportunities, and a chance to experience Pathable’s virtual event platform firsthand. Hear from a dynamic roster of industry experts on the topics of attendee engagement, agenda-setting, pricing, planning, exhibitor value, and more. More info/register.
Host: Pathable
Wed 11/11 at 1 p.m. – The Secrets to Structuring Your Total Event Program for 2021
Learn how to realign your total event framework so that virtual, hybrid, and in-person events all have their spot to shine, set up your organization with the right mindset and skillset for successful events in 2021, and structure a flexible, agile tech stack that allows you to execute and capture value no matter the event type. 1 CMP credit. More info/register.
Host: Meetings Today
Presenters: Mike Dietrich, Vice President, Product Marketing, and Alyssa Peltier, Senior Manager, Event Marketing, Cvent
Wed 11/11 at 1 p.m. – #ExpoChat on Twitter
ExpoChat is a Twitter-based conversation on topics related to the trade show industry. More info.
Wed 11/11 at 2 p.m. – Best Practices for Hybrid Events
Learn tips for engaging in-person and remote attendees simultaneously, how to create interaction between both audiences and how combining both live and digital components can generate long-term business benefits. 1 CMP credit. More info/register.
Host: Northstar Meetings Group
Presenters:
- Jennifer Kingen Kush, Founder, Kingen Kush Solutions
- Arianna Rehak, CEO and Co-Founder of Matchbox Virtual Media
- Leah Lazzari, CMP, Manager of Large Events, Matchbox Virtual Media
Wed 11/11 at 2 p.m. – How to Create a Virtual Event Experience that your Audience Will Love
Unfortunately, when experienced events folks move into the virtual setting, they often try to replicate what works for in-person events. However, what works on a stage rarely translates well to digital. To succeed in virtual events we need to reimagine what is possible. Hear newly emerging best practices in virtual events. As speakers and organizers of virtual events, David and Michelle have unique opportunities to talk with people in many different aspects of the events business to learn what works. Here, they offer concise, practical guidance you can quickly put into practice. More info/register.
Host: Accelevents
Presenters: David Meerman Scott and Michelle Manafy, co-authors of the new book Standout Virtual Events
Thu 11/12 at 11 a.m. – Presidential Presence: Making Your Mark in the Board Room
Hear about the leadership environment facing volunteers. Listen to a panel of volunteer leaders discuss their perspective and find out how to prepare your volunteer leaders for success. More info/register.
Host: Ewald Consulting
Presenter: Dean West, FASAE, president, Association Laboratory
Thu 11/12 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. – RE:VISION 2020
A virtual event where logistical guidance meets thinking about our industry in new and powerful ways, with educational sessions, networking opportunities, and a chance to experience Pathable’s virtual event platform firsthand. Hear from a dynamic roster of industry experts on the topics of attendee engagement, agenda-setting, pricing, planning, exhibitor value, and more. More info/register.
Host: Pathable
Thu 11/12 at 12 p.m. – Using Data Analytics to Inform Decisions for Professional Development
Hear how data analytics can be used to inform content strategy, increase event and webinar attendance, and deliver more relevant programming for professional development. Topics include leveraging text analytics from surveys and online community discussions, improving targeted marketing and segmentation for better results, using predictive analytics to determine the likelihood to attend, and best practices for content strategy and data analytics. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.
Host: ASAE Professional Development Professionals Community
Presenters: panel of speakers from Association Analytics, ASAE, and the Colorado Society of CPAs
Thu 11/12 at 12 p.m. – Tackling Uncomfortable Questions About Diversity & Inclusion in Your Communications
Our nation’s racial reckoning this summer rivaled even the global pandemic in its social, political, and personal importance. Most of us want to be part of the solution, but our D&I efforts often feel like awkward baby steps with little impact on the issues. Join this honest — and sometimes uncomfortable — discussion on how to ensure authenticity in your diversity and inclusion initiatives. More info/register.
Host: Association for Women in Communications – Springfield Chapter
Presenter: Carla Kalogeridis, president of Kaló Media
Thu 11/12 at 1 p.m. – Conquering the Confusion: The Role of the LMS in the Evolving Learntech Landscape
Learn about the “core four” learning platform technologies: the learning management system (LMS), the learning experience platform (LXP), the learning record store (LRS), and the learning content management system (LCMS). Gain an understanding of the fundamental purpose and capabilities of each, how they can complement each other, and why the most established of them—the learning management system—still has a critical role to play in the overall learntech ecosystem of most learning businesses. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.
Host: Leading Learning
Presenters: Jeff Cobb and Celisa Steele, co-founders of Tagoras and Leading Learning
Thu 11/12 at 1 p.m. – Membership Lifecycle Part IV: Renewal, Rejoins & Retention
The Membership Lifecycle: Renewal, Rejoins & Retention session will focus on how smarter, simpler membership management technology can simplify your association’s ability to renew, rejoin and retain members. More info/register.
Host: Impexium
Thu 11/12 at 1 p.m. – Solutions in Action
In the Low Touch Economy, revenue, engagement and growth are happening online. Give your virtual presence the power to make an impact. This webinar will introduce you to partners who create solutions that use video to tell stories members want to hear, make AMS systems efficient workhorses and invaluable sources for data and analytics, turn virtual events into conferences people can’t stop talking about, provide career-changing educational programs, and enhance your organization’s online presence. More info/register.
Host: .org Community
Thu 11/12 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 11/12 at 2 p.m. – Association Snapshot: Data to Help Leaders Navigate the COVID-19 Pandemic
Hear how associations make critical decisions during this ongoing global health crisis and the mid-term to short-term impact on in-person events, member needs, organizational operations, and national policies. More info/register.
Host: ASAE
Thu 11/12 at 2 p.m. – Virtual Event Lessons and Best Practices
As fall meeting season comes to a close, we can finally take a deep breath. Many of you acquired a whole new skill set that will continue to serve you. Even as in-person events come back, they’ll always need a virtual component. Hear a panel of association meeting planners discuss lessons learned and best practices, in particular, 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 11/12 at 2 p.m. – Good Riddance to 2020, on to Trends to Watch for 2021
As we move toward 2021, it’s time to start thinking about planning your next year of operations. Given the uncertainties facing every organization, this webinar will provide guidance to consider, including the latest forecasts for the return to business travel and face-to-face gatherings, how online meetings will likely continue to evolve, challenges—and opportunities—created by changes in the workforce, and embracing an agile planning and budgeting posture. More info/register.
Host: Virtual Inc.
Presenters:
- Jennifer Tombaugh, President, Tauck
- Andy Freed, CEO, Virtual Inc.
Thu 11/12 at 2 p.m. – Aligning Organizational KPIs with Digital Strategies
Almost every organization is in the process of setting goals and key performance indicators (KPIs) for 2021. Unfortunately, many organizations fail to properly disseminate those KPIs and empower departments to assess the metrics and determine how they can contribute to meeting those vital strategic goals. Learn the importance of KPIs, how to disseminate and manage KPIs across the organization, empower your entire organization to meet KPIs, align your organization’s unique goals and objectives with digital strategy, and examples of tactics to support KPIs. More info/register.
Host: Unleashed Technologies
Presenters:
- Christopher Ryan, CEO, Fusion Marketing Partner
- Michael Spinosa, Unleashed Technologies
Thu 11/12 at 3 p.m. – Successful Virtual Event Case Study: American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP)
ACEP’s exhibitors had a wealth of sponsorship and booth options available, bringing them out of the virtual exhibit hall and integrating them into the overall experience. Learn how to redesign how exhibitors are integrated into your virtual event, develop new products both on and surrounding your virtual platform, and create robust booth packages with meaningful engagement features. 1 CMP credit. More info/register.
Host: PCMA
Presenters:
- Jodi Talia, Chief Development Officer, American College of Emergency Physicians
- Donna Sanford, DES, Vice President, Sales & Marketing, Ascend Media
Thu 11/12 at 3:30 p.m. – Using Technology to Facilitate Online Meetings
Whether you are facilitating a team meeting, a member committee or work group, or a board meeting, learn how to leverage new tools for more effective remote meetings. Consider what makes online meetings different and how to adjust for those realities. More info/register.
Host: Association Women Technology Champions (AWTC)
Presenter: Carol Hamilton, Principal, Grace Social Sector Consulting, LLC
Fri 11/13 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 11/13 at 2 p.m. – Impact Every Day: Advocacy and Communications Strategies That Make a Difference
Join other association professionals for a panel discussion on the value, impact, and contributions of associations to society in the past and explores opportunities for the future. More info/register.
Host: ASAE
Mon 11/16 at 12 p.m. – Creating Safe Spaces: A CEO Dialogue
As we look to the future, many factors must be considered as associations contemplate what the work environment will look like, including how to create safe spaces and foster a feeling of security for staff, members, and others returning to a physical and communal office. Hear insights from industry experts regarding creating safe spaces and CEO colleagues about the factors they are considering when making these difficult decisions, including staggered work schedules, flexible schedules for families with school-aged children or those caring for others, and issues regarding transportation concerns and legal liability for employee health. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.
Host: ASAE
Presenters:
- Georgi Ann Bailey, Hon. AIANYS, CAE, executive vice president, American Institute of Architects, New York State
- Torey Carter-Conneen, CAE, chief executive officer, American Society of Landscape Architects
- Philip Kent, external affairs director, CopernicusMD and Consultative Genomix, member, Covid Consortium
- Jon C. Olmstead, executive managing director, tenant advisory group, Cushman & Wakefield
- Robert Skelton, CAE (moderator), chief administrative & credentialing officer, ASAE: The Center for Association Leadership
Tue 11/17 at 12 p.m. – Component Relations and Volunteer Management Crunch and Munch Monthly Chat
We’ll feature different questions from our community and assist each other with best practice sharing and idea generation. More info/register.
Host: Component Relations and Volunteer Management Section Council
Tue 11/17 at 2 p.m. – Facilitation: The One Skill that Makes Everyone Better (Association Chat)
So much more becomes possible when more people in an organization are capable, competent, and confident in facilitating or making facilitative contributions. After a long career in higher education, association management, and organizational development consulting, Jeffrey Cufaude has one purpose and passion as he begins his final career chapter: helping people facilitate better. More info/reminder.
Host: KiKi L’Italien, senior consultant, Tecker International, LLC, and host, Association Chat
Guest: Jeffrey Cufaude, founder, Facilitate Better
Wed 11/18 at 1 p.m. – Operationalizing Data and Analytics
While theory and strategy are important, this webinar provides a behind-the-scenes look at how associations have operationalized data and analytics. We surveyed close to 200 associations to learn where they are today, what works, what doesn’t, and what it takes to build a more data-driven organization. Learn about the latest trends and hear case studies from peers that can be applied within your own association. More info/register.
Host: Association Analytics
Presenter: McKinley Advisors
Thu 11/19 at 12 p.m. – Chapter Tech Edition: A Few of Our Favorite Chapter Tools for 2021
The shift to virtual has placed an even greater emphasis on the importance of leveraging technology at the local level. Hear about specific tools to help maximize chapter performance in this new reality. Learn how CRPs are leveraging these chapter tech tools on the job and why they’re recommending them to their chapter leaders. These tools come straight from other CRPs, so we’re sure they can work for your association too. More info/register.
Hosts: Billhighway and Mariner Management
Presenters: Peter Houstle and Peggy Hoffman, founders, Mariner Management
Thu 11/19 at 4 p.m. – Digital Member Communications: How Hard Decisions Led to Pandemic Praise (Reston-Loudon Idea Swap)
In 2020, most conversations are happening digitally, but getting here has been a long, at times difficult road, as legacy methods kept us guessing, “who’s actually reading this?” Learn how one association stepped through this digital transition—and was grateful to have done it before the pandemic hit. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.
Host: ASAE Reston-Loudon Idea Swap
Presenter: Laura Withers, Vice President of Strategic Communications for NTCA─The Rural Broadband Association
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