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Speaker Spotlight: Jeff Cobb
Aaron Wolowiec
JULY 16, 2021
Jeff Cobb helps individuals and organizations leverage the power of learning to navigate change, drive innovation, and shape a brighter future.
Aaron Wolowiec
Partner Spotlight: PROPEL
Aaron Wolowiec
JUNE 18, 2021
Their innovative and culture-driven consulting, coaching, and learning programs can take your organization to the next level. PROPEL can help you achieve culture-driven performance & accountability.
Innovation 
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Change is good…right?
Aaron Wolowiec
OCTOBER 11, 2016
Most of us realize innovation is key to driving a business forward. in conjunction with the National Business Aviation Association , polled association professionals to learn how they set innovation goals, how they support innovation, what rewards and recognition they offer and how they set metrics for innovation.
Social Media 191
191 
Not just any top five list: Innovative and interactive learning formats according to you
Aaron Wolowiec
MAY 25, 2012
Once a comprehensive list was compiled, the program’s advisory board added in their two cents and settled on a top five: Hybrid/virtual meetings; Innovative/interactive learning formats; Unusual/creative meeting spaces; Mobile meeting apps; and. Filed under: Innovation , Learning , Meetings , Professional Development.
Innovation 100
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Change is good…right?
Aaron Wolowiec
OCTOBER 11, 2016
Most of us realize innovation is key to driving a business forward. in conjunction with the National Business Aviation Association , polled association professionals to learn how they set innovation goals, how they support innovation, what rewards and recognition they offer and how they set metrics for innovation.
Social Media 100
100 
No more learning silos
Aaron Wolowiec
NOVEMBER 8, 2016
“The demographic shifts, revamped business models, digitization of products, rise in big data analytics and new forms of competition require organizations to fuel perpetual skill upgrades,” King said in her new whitepaper. “HR Enter a self-developing organization. Old assumptions and stale practices need to be abandoned.
LMS 190
190 
No more learning silos
Aaron Wolowiec
NOVEMBER 8, 2016
“The demographic shifts, revamped business models, digitization of products, rise in big data analytics and new forms of competition require organizations to fuel perpetual skill upgrades,” King said in her new whitepaper. “HR Enter a self-developing organization. Old assumptions and stale practices need to be abandoned.
LMS 183
183 
Sharing our Great Ideas
Aaron Wolowiec
MARCH 4, 2014
Likewise, many of the ideas garnered at this conference can be immediately tweaked and applied to your own organization. It’s confusing to know who to listen to and how it all applies to our organizations. Scott Oser, president, Scott Oser Associates. Some may say we’re kindred spirits. Monday, March 10, 1:30 – 2:45 p.m.
Michigan 100
100 
DEIA Data Collection: Overcoming the Hurdles to Advance Our Missions
Aaron Wolowiec
NOVEMBER 11, 2022
One of the questions organizations struggle with regarding diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (DEIA) is, “How do we measure our efforts to ensure we are making the impact we are striving for?” Data-driven decisions are a good way to eliminate bias in any situation.
Innovation 49
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Disney-inspired conference experiences
Aaron Wolowiec
AUGUST 3, 2016
According to Disney’s culture statement , following are the core values of Disney’s approach to guest experiences: Innovation – We are committed to a tradition of innovation and technology. Consider, for a moment, your organization’s events, particularly it’s major annual meeting.
Conference 113
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Disney-inspired conference experiences
Aaron Wolowiec
AUGUST 3, 2016
According to Disney’s culture statement , following are the core values of Disney’s approach to guest experiences: Innovation – We are committed to a tradition of innovation and technology. Consider, for a moment, your organization’s events, particularly it’s major annual meeting.
Conference 100
100 Bonus content: Event Garde e-news – January edition
Aaron Wolowiec
JANUARY 4, 2015
A: I try not to make the same old resolutions like “lose weight,” “get organized,” etc. Filed under: Innovation , Leadership , Marketing Tagged: Event Garde , Heidi Brumbach , New Year , Technisch Creative. Innovation Leadership Marketing Event Garde Heidi Brumbach New Year Technisch Creative' Why or why not?
Content 100
100 Nonprofits struggling to meet demand
Aaron Wolowiec
APRIL 15, 2014
Leaders from more than 5,000 organizations participated in the sixth annual survey. But 55 percent of organizations have three months or less cash-on-hand and 28 percent ended their fiscal year with a deficit. As another cost saving tool, organizations are relying more on volunteers. Take Meals on Wheels, for example.
America 100
100 
Our screwed up thinking about creating conference experiences
Aaron Wolowiec
FEBRUARY 10, 2015
As conference organizers, we need to learn about the power of experience. We’ve had experiences with institutions and organizations. Filed under: Associations , Innovation , Meetings Tagged: attendees , beliefs , conference , experiences , Jeff Hurt , Velvet Chainsaw Consulting. Photo courtesy of Jeff Hurt.
Conference 100
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Extreme trends or the new normal?
Aaron Wolowiec
JULY 9, 2013
I’ll talk to two experts in innovation, Jeff de Cagna , founder of Principled Innovation LLC, and Sarah Sladek , founder of XYZ University. Her book, “ The End of Membership as We Know It ” explores the new challenges and opportunities facing organizations. I’ll ask de Cagna what he thinks about all this, so stay tuned.
Georgia 100
100 Thinking and thriving
Aaron Wolowiec
JULY 16, 2013
Jeff De Cagna, founder of Principled Innovation LLC. To start us off, I spoke with Jeff De Cagna , founder of Principled Innovation LLC. A: Quite honestly, I was very concerned about the advice being given to association leaders about how to build organizations that will thrive in the years ahead. Q: Who should read this book?
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Achieve more: The art of collaboration
Aaron Wolowiec
MAY 2, 2012
A few years ago, the Michigan Society of Association Executives (MSAE) introduced a new award recognizing innovative collaboration. Even more than that, I was challenged to think about collaboration in a new and somewhat innovative way. But that’s an aside. Be more deliberate about collaboration.
Michigan 100
100 
Motown magic continues to attract business
Aaron Wolowiec
AUGUST 20, 2013
In addition, CVB will help ASAE pick an organization to which members will give back when visiting Detroit. And that’s why ASAE will continue to work with the Detroit CVB to tell the story of reinvention to its members, Graham said. It will work with the CVB to plan various events and educational tours for the 2015 meeting.
Detroit 100
100 The absolute trap: How the word “never” is holding you back
Aaron Wolowiec
MAY 8, 2012
It’s a limitation preventing you, your department, your organization and your industry from achieving more. And breaking through this barrier is an important part of the innovation process. Filed under: Innovation , Leadership , Organizational Behavior. Call it a rule, a policy, a culture or “the way we’ve always done it.”
Innovation 100
100 Bonus content – Event Garde e-news – December edition
Aaron Wolowiec
NOVEMBER 30, 2015
And individually, we belong to networks and organizations that enhance our personal and professional goals. Filed under: Associations , Innovation , Professional Development Tagged: Aaron Wolowiec , branding , Event Garde , Event Gardeian of the Month. Our commitment to learning and professional development.
Content 100
100 
The millennial mantra: give
Aaron Wolowiec
DECEMBER 15, 2015
The researchers studied nine organizations to learn how they engaged millennials in their campaigns. The organizations reported varying levels of success, but after analysis, there are some clear takeaways. GivingTuesday is quickly gaining traction, so now may be the time to think about how your organization can join the cause.
millennials 100
100 There’s an app for that
Aaron Wolowiec
DECEMBER 10, 2013
Results at Hand develops mobile-centric solutions for associations, events and direct sales organizations. For its newest research project, r@h has designed the 2014 Mobile Readiness Survey to gauge the mobile readiness of associations.
Social Media 100
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Goodbye e-learning
Aaron Wolowiec
FEBRUARY 11, 2014
Cobb and Steel found organizations that consider themselves to be very successful: • Report increased net revenue from their education offerings as a result of their use of technology for learning. Have a formal, documented strategy for their use of technology for learning. Use a learning content management system (LCMS).
Social Media 100
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Us vs. them
Aaron Wolowiec
JUNE 23, 2015
The key is to figure out how your association, better than other organizations, can truly engage members and potential members. And yes, sometimes this means competition. Elizabeth Engel, CEO and chief strategist for Spark Consulting, LLC. Thanks to 24-7 access to information, simply being experts in a field won’t cut it anymore.
Products 100
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Celebrating two years
Aaron Wolowiec
DECEMBER 3, 2013
Aaron is extremely organized, creative and passionate about creating successful events that leave lasting impressions on event attendees. “Aaron’s event planning expertise, coupled with his experience in the professional development and association arena, instantly made him an integral part of the team,” she said.
Michigan 100
100 
So long, chicken
Aaron Wolowiec
DECEMBER 9, 2014
The innovations within food and beverage in the past year have elevated catering to creative heights not seen before,” socialtables wrote on its blog. “In Table to farm – Recently, the “farm to table” concept, in which organizations serve farm-raised meat and organic vegetables during meals, was all the rage.
Sample 100
100 
What is the key to a successful event? (Hint: Engagement.)
Aaron Wolowiec
NOVEMBER 5, 2012
The more active of a role they have in your organization, the better they are able to remember who you are, what you do and why your work is so important. There are many innovative ways in which to engage your audience to ensure an experience that propels one’s desire to be actively involved. This is, indeed, a true success!
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Back to basics: Education programs
Aaron Wolowiec
MAY 6, 2014
Following introductions and an outline of the day’s learning outcomes, I shared four big ideas that represent the importance of education to our organizations: Meetings represent a significant and increasing proportion of association revenue. Stimulate innovation. It seems like a simple enough question. Prepare for certification.
Education 100
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Call for Presentations: Dead or Alive?
Aaron Wolowiec
NOVEMBER 4, 2014
And by “quality” I mean different, leading-edge, innovative and engaging presentations. I hope this helps spark some ideas of how you might tweak the process within your own organization to ensure the “right” content at your next event. You’re experiencing a trend, I believe, that most other associations are experiencing, as well.
Michigan 100
100 
25 instructional strategies guaranteed to refresh your signature programs
Aaron Wolowiec
OCTOBER 17, 2012
Not to mention the countless organizations now offering education opportunities at competitive rates —even free! ). The number one question I’m asked by association staff, subject matter experts and the media has to do with innovative, engaging and creative instructional strategies. Game Changer Sessions. General Sessions. Smart Talks.
Strategy 100
100 10 tactics to ensure your strategic plan addresses member learning
Aaron Wolowiec
OCTOBER 11, 2012
In my mind, there are really only two possible outcomes: Member learning is well-represented in the strategic plan, both as a core service of the organization and as an important revenue stream. Likewise, it’s entirely possible the organization has created a separate strategic education plan. What did you discover?
Analysis 100
100 Enhance your online education strategy in 90 days
Aaron Wolowiec
APRIL 1, 2013
We discussed simple, but effective tactics for evaluating and developing relevant content, effectively marketing programs, and leveraging innovative instructional strategies to pique member interest. Organized by topic, following are the lightly edited participant insights I think you’ll find invaluable: Identifying relevant content.
Education 100
100 5 Cool Things Associations Are Doing at Meetings and Events
Aaron Wolowiec
JUNE 24, 2014
As the weekly blogger (and deputy editor) for ASAE ’s AssociationsNow.com , I write about some of the innovative things that associations are doing for their meetings and conferences. What other cool and innovative things do you think are occurring in the meetings space, association-related or not? Let Members Do the Planning.
Washington 100
100 Just two little words
Aaron Wolowiec
NOVEMBER 26, 2013
You realize that meetings are dependent on the economy surviving, innovating and saving. As your organization budgets for community engagement and explores corporate sponsorship opportunities, I hope you’ll consider contributing to Event Garde-ians’ efforts to fight cancer.
Michigan 100
100 
Achieve more: How research should inform your association’s meetings strategy
Aaron Wolowiec
APRIL 9, 2012
The first is characterized as highly innovative, collaborative and experimental, and could easily be classified as an early adopter. Additionally, the five-step research process should be evaluated, tweaked and implemented annually in some form to keep the organization’s education strategy fresh, competitive and valuable.
Strategy 100
100 No more burnout blues
Aaron Wolowiec
SEPTEMBER 17, 2013
A number of research studies and innovative volunteer-supported projects provide us with a new working definition for volunteerism: giving one’s time and talent to drive the mission. Editor’s Note: If any of you are aware of successful volunteer programs within your organizations, please share links and information here!
Committee 100
100 Return on learning (ROL): More than a boring statistic
Aaron Wolowiec
JULY 3, 2012
This will allow participants the opportunity to experiment with ROL and begin to uncover innovative ways to calculate and market ROL for their own events. In other words, this is where conference learning (unique for each attendee) intersects with his or her organization’s mission, vision and values to create a value-add.
Indiana 100
100 
Vote for us for best meeting planning company!
Aaron Wolowiec
DECEMBER 22, 2015
Here’s what others have to say: “Aaron and his staff at Event Garde provided first-rate service to our nonprofit organization. We’re committed to lifelong learning, for ourselves and for our clients, believing in its ability to produce transformational experiences that advance innovation. But don’t just take our word for it.
Michigan 100
100 
What associations can learn from TV show “The Voice” and TV network QVC
Aaron Wolowiec
APRIL 17, 2012
What resources would it take within your own organization to designate and train a qualified social media correspondent? Filed under: Innovation , Meetings , Professional Development , Social Media. What affect would this outreach have on the engagement of your current (or prospective) members?
Social Media 100
100 18 tips for negotiating with speakers
Aaron Wolowiec
NOVEMBER 27, 2012
Included here may be research time to develop unique content, custom Prezi or PowerPoint presentations, innovative instructional strategies, interactive learning exercises, engaging discussion topics and supplementary handouts. Activities. Receiving referrals for other speaking opportunities (assuming good service).
Tips 100
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Adult learning principles – and what makes them relevant
Aaron Wolowiec
MARCH 26, 2012
For those who don’t make their career on the speaker circuit (but sometimes find themselves in front of an adult audience delivering content), knowing these basic principles provides direction when organizing, building and delivering a dynamic learning session.
Case Study 100
100 ORGPRO 2013: Learning and networking just like Apple
Aaron Wolowiec
JUNE 11, 2013
“Learning, relationship development and business can flow quite naturally in the right face-to-face environments, and this is reflective of the type of dynamic learning experiences organizations need to create for their customers and members if they’re going to succeed.”. MSAE’s silent auction will also take place in myLounge.
Michigan 100
100 
Time to cut the fat
Aaron Wolowiec
NOVEMBER 24, 2015
That said, eliminating wasted efforts and minimizing defects can lead to new products and innovations, according to a new whitepaper by Elizabeth Engel , CEO and chief strategist for Spark Consulting , and Guillermo Ortiz de Zarate , director of information systems for National Council of Architectural Registration Boards.
Innovation 100
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7 secrets of thinking like an entrepreneur
Aaron Wolowiec
MAY 3, 2016
On Thursday, April 28, I had the opportunity to present a webinar on learning portfolio audits as part of the CommPartners Education Innovation Series. What if you could replicate the secrets of their startup success within your own department or organization? But what does that have to do with thinking like an entrepreneur?
Education 100
100 
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