The weekly list of free educational events and resources for the association community…
NAIOP’s mentoring program engages chapter members of all ages—and what association with chapters wouldn’t want to have something like that? Billhighway talked to Courtney McNair Bulger, vice president for membership and chapter relations for NAIOP, to find out how they did it.
Does your email marketing program deliver the way you want it to? Yes, no, maybe so? Whatever your answer, check out the helpful email deliverability tips from Ernie Smith at Associations Now.
It’s a one-two punch. Last week, WBT Systems explained how to prepare a business case for a new LMS. Now they’re back with advice on how to present that persuasive case for a new LMS to decision-makers. And if another type of technology is on your wish list, much of their guidance still applies.
If you can swing it, original research is one of the most valuable types of content you can share with your audience. Lisa Murton Beets at the Content Marketing Institute shares eight questions you need to ask before starting down that path.
Thinking about the CAE? Check out these CAE exam prep tips from 14 certified professionals, including me, over at Web Scribble.
Some quick hits before we get to the list of free webinars:
- Should you use a carousel on the home page of your website? (Jared W. Smith)
- Finally, Google Chrome’s next update will block autoplay videos that have sound. (The Verge)
Way off-topic: Check out my Grabbing the Gusto blog for the list of recipes I’ve made this week or plan to make in the coming week, and my list of recommended fiction and non-fiction ebooks (including cookbooks) on sale right now. I was away last weekend so the latest posts are from two weeks ago.
Now, the main event: free professional development events for the association community. If your organization has a free webinar or event coming up, please send me the link. I’ll be happy to feature it as long as it’s not product-centric.
Mon 4/16 at 1 p.m.* – Growing Membership in the Digital Age
From social media outlets to email and telemarketing, hear what works for other associations and tips to determine what’s right for you. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.
Host: Marketing General Inc.
Presenter: Rick Whelan, president, Marketing General Inc.
*All times are Eastern Standard Time unless otherwise noted.
Tue 4/17 at 12 p.m. – Board Relations and Leadership DC Idea Swap (Washington DC)
Hear about some of the key issues and challenges facing association leaders and board members, including governance gaps, board leadership, development needs, fundraising and financial difficulties, and confusion over the Board’s role/responsibilities. 1 CAE credit. Location: Washington DC. More info/register.
Host: ASAE Greater / National Capital Community
Presenter: Steve Worth, Senior Consultant, Worth Consulting, LLC.
Tue 4/17 at 2 p.m. – The Race for Relevance (Association Chat)
Host: KiKi L’Italien, founder, Amplified Growth
Presenter: Mary Byers, CAE, speaker, author, facilitator and consultant
Tue 4/17 at 2 p.m. – Chatbots and Events: Can an Industry That’s All About People Embrace the Virtual Assistant?
Meetings and events often lag behind the cutting edge of technology, so it’s no surprise that event chatbots are just now hitting the meetings trends lists. Learn what chatbots are, and how event planners can take advantage of them; the challenges and opportunities of using chatbots for events; and the future event capabilities of chatbots and virtual assistants. 0.5 CMP credit. More info/register.
Host: MeetingsNet
Presenter: Brandt Krueger, owner, Event Technology Consulting, and instructor, Event Leadership Institute
Tue 4/17 at 2 p.m. – 5 Proven Ways to Spark Action in Your Event Participants
As event organizers and experience designers, we get so caught up in creating an amazing event that we sometimes forget to do everything we can to realize the outcomes that we want beyond the event. Events are ultimately organized in order to foster new connections, new learning, and new action. Learn proven and creative techniques to inspire action in your event participants. 1 CMP credit. More info/register.
Host: PCMA
Presenter: Steve Garguilo, co-founder, Action Surge
Wed 4/18 at 8:30 a.m. — Partnership Professionals Idea Exchange Meeting (Washington DC)
Join a discussion about the dozens of ways associations benefit from having corporate partners. Location: Washington DC. More info/register.
Host: ASAE Partnership Professionals Section
Wed 4/18 at 1 p.m. – How to Build Successful Online Learning Experiences
Learn how to build a business case for moving in-person education online; what it takes to engage learners in an online environment; how to differentiate your organization through online learning; when to consider a custom platform that supports high-end learning experiences; and lessons learned in achieving internal buy-in, project momentum and organizational alignment. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.
Host: Talented Learning
Presenters:
- John Leh (moderator), CEO and Lead Analyst, Talented Learning
- Stephen Flatman, VP Examinations, AICPA
- Seewan Eng, Sr. Director of Technology, New Teacher Center
- Edward Daciuk, Principal Learning Strategist, ExtensionEngine
Wed 4/18 at 1 p.m. – Exploring Solutions for Associations Run by Volunteers or a Small Staff
Join a discussion about the unique needs of associations that are run entirely by volunteers or with a very small paid staff. Together, we will explore how these organizations can maximize benefits of the limited time and funds available to them, with solutions that have the same power and flexibility enjoyed by large organizations with dedicated staff. More info/register.
Hosts: ClubExpress and ReviewMyAMS
Wed 4/18 at 1 p.m. – Leveraging a CVB/DMO for Your Meeting
Learn how to leverage local DMOs to add value to your meetings; get more out of your site visit, with the help of the local DMO; plan and execute a perfect dine-around or off-site dinner event for your next meeting, with the help of the local DMO; and how a DMO can create efficiencies and lower costs for a meeting. 1 CMP credit. More info/register.
Host: Meetings Today
Presenter: Terri Woodin, Vice President of Marketing and Global Meeting Services, Meeting Sites Resource
Wed 4/18 at 2 p.m. – SEO Power – How to Reach Your Audience (Association Chat)
Host: KiKi L’Italien, founder, Amplified Growth
Wed 4/18 at 2 p.m. – Event Planning Essentials: 3 Tips to Build a Sponsorship Program
Learn how to build a financially profitable event with your partnerships bearing the financial responsibility, not just your registration or organizational budget. Find out how to create business goals and a sponsorship strategy that support meeting those goals. Learn three new ways to think about your sponsorship or exhibit sales and outreach. Take away a sponsorship template and checklist to jumpstart your next event’s sales. 1 CMP credit. More info/register.
Host: Pathable
Presenter: Mike Dilbeck, CSP
Wed 4/18 at 2 p.m. – Cut Through the Clutter: How to Grab Your Attendees’ Attention and Keep It
Your attendees are constantly connected, distracted, and unfocused because of the nonstop emails, phone calls, and social media posts taking over their everyday lives. But don’t consider their phones a threat; look at them as an opportunity to acquire their attention and enhance your event. Hear about new ways to get your attendees engrossed and involved in your experience by utilizing the tools you already have, as well as tools you didn’t know you needed, while still staying on budget. Find out why you need to rethink how your speakers are presenting. More info/register.
Host: BizBash
Presenters:
- Ruben Trevino, Evenium
- Dahlia El Gazzar, DAHLIA+
Wed 4/18 at 3:30 p.m. – Google AdWords for Nonprofits
Join a Group Zoom chat about Google AdWords for Nonprofits one-month analytics, use by associations, successes, and questions. Attendance limited to 50 people. More info/join chat.
Presenter: Alyssa Brown, Marketing Lead, Academy of Integrative Health & Medicine
Wed 4/18 at 4 p.m. – 18NTC Nonprofit Technology Conference Round Up
Matt Eshleman has been attending NTC for many years, and will share his experiences and expertise with you and answer questions. Whether you were able to attend or missed it this year, Matt will get you up to date on the trends and tendencies of nonprofit technology and your peers around the nation. He’ll share insights on the sessions he attended and the overall direction our community is headed. More info/register.
Host: Community IT Innovators
Presenter: Matt Eshleman, Chief Technology Officer, Community IT Innovators
Thu 4/19 at 11:30/12 p.m. – Using Lean Innovation to Identify New Revenue Streams and Increase Member Engagement (Alexandria VA)
The convergence of several key technology innovations has thrown the rate of change into warp speed. Yet, many associations wonder why the products and services they’ve been offering for the last 20+ years are failing to maintain, let alone increase, their revenue. You can’t solve today’s problems with yesterday’s methods. Learn how to use lean innovation to increase customer engagement and identify new revenue streams; identify insights into the “jobs” your members and prospects are trying to do; identify the obstacles faced in trying to do those jobs; and prototype, test and deliver new solutions or messaging that you don’t spend a dime on until they’re proven to be effective. 1 CAE credit. Location: Alexandria VA. More info/register.
Organizer: Alexandria Brown Bag
Presenter: Dave Schulman
Thu 4/19 at 5 p.m. – An Association Cyber Security Event You Can’t Afford to Miss! (Washington DC)
Each time we interact with email, a web browser or our mobile devices, we are opening a new portal for the bad guys. Social engineering, phishing and malware attacks are continually evolving to disrupt our business. Examine strategies and evaluate educational opportunities that will help protect your organization from today’s cyber security threat. Location: Washington DC. More info/register.
Host: Enabling Technologies
Presenters: Scott Barr, Director of Security, and Chris Stegh, CTO, Enabling Technologies
Tue 4/24 at 8:30 a.m. – Measure What Matters Workshop (Alexandria VA)
Google Analytics offers a wealth of website data, but which data are relevant to advancing your organization’s mission? How do you avoid the pitfall of just looking for large numbers? Join this Coffee Talk to share strategies to leverage Google Analytics to meaningfully measure success, generate revenue, and improve your users’ experiences. 1 CAE credit. Location: Alexandria VA. More info/register.
Host: Results Direct
Tue 4/24 at 12 p.m. – Chapter Roundtable in Washington DC
Connect with fellow Component/Chapter Relations Professionals (CRPs) to network and discuss current chapter challenges, such as how to measure and increase the health of chapters; best practices for chapter operations (volunteer tools, processes, etc.); and how to get the right statistics to prevent national and chapter level members from leaving. Lunch provided. 1 CAE credit. Location: Washington DC. More info/register.
Host: Billhighway
Tue 4/24 at 12 p.m. – Solving the Marketing Puzzle
Successful marketing is like a puzzle with lots of moving pieces, and it gets more complex every day. Learn the fundamentals of creating a solid strategy to solve the marketing puzzle, including the importance of having a marketing plan, steps you can take to develop a smart marketing plan, and maximizing your marketing ROI. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.
Host: ASAE Marketing Section Council
Presenter: Scott Oser, president, Scott Oser Associates
Wed 4/25 at 12 p.m. – Chapter Roundtable in Alexandria VA
Connect with fellow Component/Chapter Relations Professionals (CRPs) to network and discuss current chapter challenges, such as how to measure and increase the health of chapters; best practices for chapter operations (volunteer tools, processes, etc.); and how to get the right statistics to prevent national and chapter level members from leaving. Lunch provided. 1 CAE credit. Location: Alexandria VA. More info/register.
Host: Billhighway
Wed 4/25 at 1 p.m. – 3 Strategies to Future-Proof Your Association
Join association executives and technologists to discuss technological breakthroughs in mobile, eMarketing, data analytics and membership management that help associations transform their business and serve members more intelligently and profitably. Hear experiences and best practices designed to create unlimited event value, be where your members are, measure and optimize, analyze and visualize, make it personal, and identify and drive new revenue opportunities. Bring your ideas and experiences and be ready to contribute to this engaging discussion on how to future-proof your association. More info/register.
Host: Impexium
Wed 4/25 at 1 p.m. – Site Selection and Inspection: Hidden in Plain Sight
“Hidden in plain sight” are areas we all either take for granted—like the front desk will be in the same place as when we looked at the property—or we don’t consider, such as whether “ADA compliant” really means accessible. Learn how to ask more fully developed questions when writing RFPs or site inspection checklists, inspect a site when you can’t physically go to see it, verify information on a venue’s website, and confirm what you see as part of a contract. 1 CMP credit. More info/register.
Host: Meetings Today
Presenter: veteran planner Joan Eisenstodt, author of Meetings Today’s Friday With Joan monthly newsletter
Wed 4/25 at 2 p.m. – GDPR and Your Organization
Learn about the implications of the new General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) for your organization, including the basics of GDPR, who is impacted, how the regulation will be enforced, and what the regulation means for the daily operations of your association or business. More info/register.
Host: rasa.io
Thu 4/26 at 8:30 a.m. – Measure What Matters Workshop (Reston VA)
Google Analytics offers a wealth of website data, but which data are relevant to advancing your organization’s mission? How do you avoid the pitfall of just looking for large numbers? Join this Coffee Talk to share strategies to leverage Google Analytics to meaningfully measure success, generate revenue, and improve your users’ experiences. 1 CAE credit. Location: Reston VA. More info/register.
Host: Results Direct
Thu 4/26 at 12 p.m. – Chapter Roundtable in Reston VA
Connect with fellow Component/Chapter Relations Professionals (CRPs) to network and discuss current chapter challenges, such as how to measure and increase the health of chapters; best practices for chapter operations (volunteer tools, processes, etc.); and how to get the right statistics to prevent national and chapter level members from leaving. Lunch provided. 1 CAE credit. Location: Reston VA. More info/register.
Host: Billhighway
Thu 4/26 at 1 p.m. – Finding a Blue Ocean for Your Learning Business
Strategy is the backbone of the success of any business, but, given the volatile, hypercompetitive world we live in, strategic thinking is arguably more essential than ever. Learn about the Strategy Canvas, the Four Actions Framework, and the Six Paths Framework from Blue Ocean Strategy—which focuses on creating uncontested market spaces where competitors are irrelevant (blue oceans) rather than fighting with competitors for dominance of existing market space (bloody, red oceans)—in the specific context of organizations providing professional development. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.
Host: CommPartners
Presenters: Jeff Cobb and Celisa Steele, co-founders, Tagoras
Wed 5/2 at 12 p.m. CST – Chapter Roundtable in Chicago IL
Connect with fellow Component/Chapter Relations Professionals (CRPs) to network and discuss current chapter challenges, such as how to measure and increase the health of chapters; best practices for chapter operations (volunteer tools, processes, etc.); and how to get the right statistics to prevent national and chapter level members from leaving. Lunch provided. 1 CAE credit. Location: Chicago IL. More info/register.
Host: Billhighway
Wed 5/2-Fri 5/4 from 12 to 4 p.m. – SURGE Spring 2018
SURGE is an interactive virtual summit with a thesis: By joining together thousands of association professionals, we can harness collective knowledge and push our industry forward. CAE credits. More info/register.
Host: Associations Success
That’s it for now. If you can’t attend a live webinar, go ahead and register if the topic interests you. Most webinar hosts send registrants a link to the recording.
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.
Creative Commons licensed photo by Yair Mejía on Unsplash.
Association Brain Food 