Aaron Wolowiec

NOVEMBER 24, 2023

Dive into our latest post on inclusive meeting facilitation to discover helpful techniques that transform meetings from mundane to magnetic. Whether you're a seasoned facilitator or just starting, learn how to create an atmosphere where every voice is not only heard but actively shapes the discussion.

How To 130

How To 130

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.

Analysis 245

Analysis Michigan Team Organization 245

Aaron Wolowiec

NOVEMBER 3, 2023

Event Garde is a professional development consulting firm committed to lifelong learning—for ourselves, our community and those who attend the meetings we facilitate—believing in its ability to create well-connected leaders and to foster performance improvement.

Conference 130

Conference 130

Aaron Wolowiec

SEPTEMBER 2, 2022

Often as facilitators we create questions to get to a particular outcome, to the extent that it guides the conversation in a narrow direction. Being clear about our own agenda for a question - the ways in which all questions are loaded and are directly connected to our own worldview – is super important.

230

230

Aaron Wolowiec

APRIL 15, 2022

Aaron and his co-facilitator brainstormed a course of action and turned to nonviolent communication. During a recent strategic planning session, participants were working in small groups when Aaron overheard a participant make a comment that didn't sit well with their colleague. This is how it went.

Communications 246

Communications Course 246

Aaron Wolowiec

SEPTEMBER 1, 2023

Event Garde is a professional development consulting firm committed to lifelong learning—for ourselves, our community and those who attend the meetings we facilitate—believing in its ability to create well-connected leaders and to foster performance improvement.

Conference 130

Conference 130

Aaron Wolowiec

SEPTEMBER 17, 2021

Having recently planned and facilitated a number of in-person meetings and events for a variety of clients and industries, Aaron Wolowiec shares 11 stand-out observations for keeping your members and attendees both safe and comfortable.

Industry 246

Industry 246

Aaron Wolowiec

OCTOBER 1, 2021

Having attended, planned and facilitated a number of in-person meetings over the last couple of months, following are 10 hotel challenges Aaron experienced that you should be aware of and plan to overcome as you work on fall and winter events.

246

246

Aaron Wolowiec

DECEMBER 29, 2017

Lindsay Gross, Certified Top Facilitator for Event Garde, is Gardian of the Month for January.

124

124

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.

Project 49

Project 49

Aaron Wolowiec

MAY 6, 2014

I recently facilitated two sessions on meeting planning and professional development for the Michigan Society of Association Executive’s (MSAE) Academy of Association Management. Facilitated. Accreditation. Annual conferences. Board/committee meetings. Case studies/reports. Certification. Communities of practice. Competency-based.

Education 100

Education Michigan Certificate Revenue 100

Aaron Wolowiec

DECEMBER 9, 2022

For day 7 of our 12 days of recipes, we invite you to check out this luscious Crustless Cranberry Pie shared by Dilhara Muthukuda, Event Garde Facilitator.

48

48

Aaron Wolowiec

MARCH 4, 2014

Donna currently serves as the director of executive search services for the Michigan Association of School Boards ; however, she also has extensive experience as a management consultant, coach and facilitator and specializes in membership, non-dues revenue and business innovation. Some may say we’re kindred spirits.

Michigan 100

Michigan Social Media Innovation Revenue 100

Aaron Wolowiec

DECEMBER 15, 2022

For day 11 of our 12 days of recipes, we invite you to check out this delectable Corn Pudding shared by Dilhara Muthukuda, Event Garde Facilitator.

47

47

Aaron Wolowiec

DECEMBER 3, 2014

Always the bridesmaid (facilitator) and never the bride (learner), it was a chance for me to turn the tables and become a participant in ATD’s Master Instructional Designer Program. I fled this week from the blustery temperatures of Grand Rapids, MI to a warmer climate in Dallas, TX. It all started at Gerald R. Ford International Airport.

Michigan 100

Michigan Dallas Chicago Content 100

Aaron Wolowiec

NOVEMBER 27, 2012

Those who really learn about your members and their needs, facilitating an education experience unique to each audience. part speaker, part facilitator, part educator). And, of course, we can’t forget the time it takes to not only facilitate the program, but to travel to and from the program. Activities.

Tips 100

Tips Cost Video Conference 100

Aaron Wolowiec

JULY 26, 2016

The most powerful reason learning transfer is ineffective, as was revealed during the ATD International Conference & Exposition 2016, is that 90 percent of training is designed without a well-defined strategy that facilitates it. During the training. 1) State the “what’s-in-it-for-me” information at the beginning.

Organization 113

Organization Case Study Course Analysis 113

Aaron Wolowiec

MAY 27, 2014

I would argue that while each of those areas are important to keeping an association running, the connections that you facilitate – which members can’t get anywhere else – are equally important. For an association, the most logical place to start in facilitating these connections is at your events. I guess I’m a joiner after all.

Social Media 100

Social Media Conference Content Survey 100

Aaron Wolowiec

SEPTEMBER 3, 2013

Aaron Wolowiec facilitates an “Ask the Experts” panel during the 2013 Michigan Meetings Expo. I may not be your nerdy best friend ; however, I was pleased to have the opportunity to partner with Destination Michigan earlier this year to help facilitate the 2013 Michigan Meetings Expo.

Michigan 100

Michigan Resources Products Event Planning 100

Aaron Wolowiec

JULY 26, 2016

The most powerful reason learning transfer is ineffective, as was revealed during the ATD International Conference & Exposition 2016, is that 90 percent of training is designed without a well-defined strategy that facilitates it. During the training. 1) State the “what’s-in-it-for-me” information at the beginning.

Organization 100

Organization Case Study Course Analysis 100

Aaron Wolowiec

DECEMBER 13, 2012

Facilitator interviews. Speakers/facilitators. Whether this means recruiting them to serve as presenters, facilitators or curators, or simply featuring their blogs and industry resources within your established community, bring them into the fold. Social media feeds/conversations. Participant discussions/chat transcripts.

Content 100

Content Newsletter Social Media Case Study 100

Aaron Wolowiec

JULY 7, 2015

Challenge: Practice activities facilitated during face-to-face programs don’t seem to translate into a digital environment. Challenge: Learners want to share their experiences, but this is difficult to facilitate when all of the lines are muted for optimal sound quality. Solution: Segment and sequence content into smaller modules.

Committee 100

Committee Review Content Industry 100

Aaron Wolowiec

OCTOBER 17, 2012

So, here are 25 I’ve collected and curated (and, in some cases, facilitated) within the last year. Participate in engaging, facilitated conversations that explore industry questions/issues that truly matter. Conversations That Matter. Conversations may be tailored to any member segments/topics. Deep Dive Sessions. talk show-style).

Strategy 100

Strategy Education Innovation Industry 100

Aaron Wolowiec

MARCH 26, 2012

Part of being an effective educator, facilitator or content leader involves understanding how adults learn best. Andragogy is a theory that holds a set of assumptions about how adults learn. Specifically, andragogy places value on the process of learning. Adults are goal oriented.

Case Study 100

Case Study Content Education Innovation 100

Aaron Wolowiec

AUGUST 23, 2016

This month’s guest blog post is by Jennifer Grau , president of Grau Interpersonal Communication , who is a listening trainer, coach, facilitator, speaker and consultant. Jennifer Grau, president, Grau Interpersonal Communication.

Conference 180

Conference Communications Social Media Process 180

Aaron Wolowiec

NOVEMBER 3, 2015

Facilitators have difficulty reeling in discussion in the allotted time to cover all topics planned within their presentation outlines. I recently did this for a client and following were the responses that bubbled to the surface: Attendee engagement within presentations is often minimal or formulaic.

Conference 100

Conference Committee Review Video 100

Aaron Wolowiec

FEBRUARY 2, 2016

The course continued with a variety of instructional strategies, segmented content sequences and real-life facilitator tips and stories. All in a day’s work with the Association of Outdoor Recreation and Education (AORE) and Jeannette Stawski. Day 3 of Wilderness First Aid.

Handbook 100

Handbook Course Education Content 100

Aaron Wolowiec

AUGUST 7, 2012

Following are the top three challenges we experienced last summer when planning and facilitating a self-directed conference of our own: Buy-in; Organization; and. Facilitator coaching. On the other hand, a program redesign requires dedication, enthusiasm and drive, not to mention a bit more legwork.

St. Louis 100

St. Louis Dallas Education Resources 100

Aaron Wolowiec

DECEMBER 29, 2015

Sharing our deep knowledge, we’re dedicated to performance improvement for the professionals we serve and those who attend the events we facilitate. We’re committed to lifelong learning, for ourselves and for our clients, believing in its ability to produce transformational experiences that advance innovation.

Leadership 100

Leadership Team Innovation Tools 100

Aaron Wolowiec

DECEMBER 15, 2015

Sharing our deep knowledge, we’re dedicated to performance improvement for the professionals we serve and those who attend the events we facilitate. We’re committed to lifelong learning, for ourselves and for our clients, believing in its ability to produce transformational experiences that advance innovation.

millennials 100

millennials Social Media Case Study Analysis 100

Aaron Wolowiec

FEBRUARY 24, 2016

Prompting participants for answers to questions and encouraging group discussions will help the speaker assess what needs to be reiterated and help facilitate a deeper understanding of the material. Negotiate the space. One of the simplest hacks for amping up learning lies in how we set up our meeting spaces.

Content 100

Content Education Communications Process 100

Aaron Wolowiec

DECEMBER 22, 2015

Sharing our deep knowledge, we’re dedicated to performance improvement for the professionals we serve and those who attend the events we facilitate. We’re committed to lifelong learning, for ourselves and for our clients, believing in its ability to produce transformational experiences that advance innovation.

Michigan 100

Michigan Metro Detroit Atlanta 100

Aaron Wolowiec

AUGUST 23, 2016

This month’s guest blog post is by Jennifer Grau , president of Grau Interpersonal Communication , who is a listening trainer, coach, facilitator, speaker and consultant. Jennifer Grau, president, Grau Interpersonal Communication.

Conference 100

Conference Communications Social Media Process 100

Aaron Wolowiec

OCTOBER 31, 2012

7, I’ll have the distinct pleasure of co-facilitating the final MSAE Emerging Professionals brown bag lunch of 2012 with Tammy Dankenbring, sales manager for the Amway Hotel Collection. On Wednesday, Nov. Discussion will focus on successful negotiation techniques.

Tips 100

Tips Price Process Education 100

Aaron Wolowiec

FEBRUARY 4, 2014

Scanning my current commitments, I now serve on the editorial advisory board for Michigan Meetings + Events magazine, I’m a subject matter expert and facilitator for MSAE , I’m the luminaria chair for the East Lansing Relay for Life and I’ve recently been appointed to the ASAE 2014-2015 Professional Development Section Council.

Michigan 100

Michigan Committee Course Association Management 100

Aaron Wolowiec

DECEMBER 18, 2013

As a CMP (certified meeting professional) preparation course facilitator, I’ll borrow a page from our participant reading materials: Identify event goals and objectives. Next, let’s identify step one. After all, getting started is generally the greatest barrier to the implementation of most projects.

Revenue 100

Revenue Industry Project Price 100

Aaron Wolowiec

APRIL 21, 2015

Practice time includes practice activities, facilitator feedback and both pre- and post-assessments. Encourage speakers to build and implement practice exercises that challenge learners. It’s recommended that practice time comprise between 35 and 50 percent of education sessions.

Georgia 100

Georgia Cost Education Case Study 100