The weekly list of free educational events and resources for the association community…
Train-the-trainer. With the switch this past year to online courses and conferences, many associations came to the troubling conclusion that their instructors and presenters didn’t know how to provide an enjoyable or effective learning experience. WBT Systems suggests fixing that by launching a train-the-trainer program and explains how to get one going.
AMS business case. Do you have AMS envy? I feel your pain, but if your CEO or board doesn’t, getting their buy-in for a new AMS can be challenging. MemberSuite describes how to make a case for a new AMS. It takes some effort, but it’s totally doable.
Remote work skills. Working remotely requires a different set of skills than working in an office. Achurch Consulting identifies five competencies you should seek in remote employees and suggests interview questions that will help you determine whether candidates have those skills.
Collaborative innovation. Greg Satell says great innovators cultivate long-standing relationships with trusted thought partners. Because innovation is a highly social activity, collaboration is increasingly becoming a competitive advantage. How can your association facilitate this collaboration among staff and members?
Surface inclusion. Michael Slepian at the Harvard Business Review reminds us that an organization with a diverse workforce is not necessarily an inclusive one. Employees, volunteers and members may not feel like they belong if your DEI efforts only result in “surface inclusion.”
Social connections. Barbara Palmer at PCMA Convene spoke to author Marissa King about social networks and connections. King made some interesting observations about what the pandemic has done to our professional networks, how people develop and maintain connections in different ways, and how the move to digital might affect our connections in the future.
Quick hits
- 6 tried-and-true ways to extract content from your subject matter experts. (Mindi Zissman, MarketingProfs)
- 10 mindfulness tips to help boost your focus and productivity—excellent suggestions and very doable. (Marina Khidekel, Thrive)
- People who adopt a self-compassion mindset are more likely to achieve their goals (Jeff Haden, Inc.)
Good eats
Skip down to the list of free webinars if you prefer takeout. If you’re a home cook, check out the fortnightly (or sometimes more irregular) In The Kitchen posts on my Grabbing the Gusto blog.
Thanks to a “hockey with friends” night and leftovers another night, I only had dinner duty twice last week. One night, I pulled a couple of Korean-style gochujang burgers out of the freezer and served them with leftover pasta pesto salad.
I made pesto pasta salad for a party but didn’t follow a recipe. Later, I realized I forgot to add olive oil and red wine vinegar so a list of ingredients would help. Here’s what I usually put in mine:
- Cooked fusilli
- Red, orange and/or yellow grape tomatoes, halved
- Red, orange and/or yellow bell pepper, chopped
- Corn cut off the cob (or thawed frozen)
- Cucumber, quartered lengthwise, deseeded and sliced
- Tiny broccoli florets
- Sweet onion, chopped
- Basil pesto
- Fresh mozzarella balls, sliced in halves or quarters
- Grated parmesan cheese
- Olive oil, red wine vinegar and salt to taste
Another night, we had black drum fillets baked with fresh chervil, Aleppo pepper flakes and butter. On the side, a mix of greens (kale, pac choi and radish) sautéed with bacon, poblano and orange bell pepper, onion and dried cranberries.
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 5/28 at 12 p.m.* – EventTech Chat
A weekly conversation about meeting and event technology, including software, hardware, and audiovisual for in-person and online events. More info/register.
Host: Brandt Krueger, founder Event Technology Consulting
*All times are Eastern Daylight Time unless otherwise noted.
Mon 5/31 at 1 p.m. – The Pandemic Recovery Journey of IAAPA (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.
Guests: Reno Deschaine
Hosts:
- Cecilia Sepp, CAE, CNAP, principal and founder, Rogue Tulips LLC
- Agnes Amos-Coleman, MBA, CMP, education, conference, event, certification consultant, Amos-Coleman
Tue 6/1 at 12 p.m. – Rethink Tech Adoption: The Secret to Building a Data Analytics Culture (2021 Data Analytics Network)
How do you empower your team to get curious about analytics? What do you do when your colleagues resist the new platform you worked so hard to secure? The secret is culture. You must build a culture of analytics that stems from curiosity and openness to learning. Hear tips and insights about how to build a data culture in your organization and why that matters. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.
Host: Association Analytics
Presenter: Monica H. Kang, Founder & CEO of InnovatorsBox and Co-Founder of Culture of Analytics
Tue 6/1 at 12 p.m. – The Science of Meetings & Events Series: The Science of Trust
An event planner is the sixth most stressful job in America. In a survey of meeting professionals, the most stressful element of their job is the dependency on other people. Learn about trust, trustworthiness, how to know who to trust, and what to do when you can’t. 1 CMP credit. More info/register (fee for MPI non-members).
Host: MPI
Presenter: Yoram Solomon, Author, The Book of Trust
Tue 6/1 at 2 p.m. – Building Aligned Teams Through Organizational Design
Are you using an organizational design that’s left over from the industrial revolution? If so, you may find it hard to successfully align your team with your mission. Learn about the role of disruptive vs. stabilizing functions in your organization’s design and how they are essential to building aligned teams, and gain a deep understanding of why, in order to bring about change, innovation, and meaningful progress, organizations need to adopt a new type of organizational model. More info/register.
Host: Wild Apricot
Presenter: Sarah Olivieri, nonprofit business strategist and founder of PivotGround
Wed 6/2 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. – Event Tech Innovation Summit
Event tech is ready and eager to power the next generation of hybrid events. This event is designed to inspire you and show you how you can take your event to the next level. Join our handpicked event tech experts as we cut through the noise to provide you with valuable advice and tangible takeaways. More info/register.
Host: Event MB
Wed 6/2 at 12 p.m. – Planning a Return to the Office: A Candid Conversation About How and Why
Learn how associations are managing a return to the office after more than a year of remote work, and why going back is important to improving collaboration and culture. Several voices from a diverse group of associations and a legal authority will discuss the ins and outs of planning a return, key risks and how to answer the common question, “why should I?” 1 CAE credit. More info/register.
Host: Association Insights In Old Town (now aka Monthly Events In Cyberspace)
Presenters:
- Laura Withers, IOM, Vice President, Strategic Communications, NTCA-The Rural Broadband Association
- Kathy Compton, Senior Vice President, Brand & Engagement, The American Institute of Architects
- Michele E. Rinn, CAE, SPHR, SHRM-SCP, Sr Vice President, Human Resources, National Rural Electric Cooperative Association
- Andrew D. Goldman, Esq., Attorney, Your In-House Law
Wed 6/2 at 1 p.m. – #ExpoChat on Twitter
ExpoChat is a Twitter-based conversation on topics related to the trade show industry. More info.
Wed 6/2 at 2 p.m. – Choosing the Best Convention Destinations for 2021
Find out the best destinations for large-scale events. The rankings are determined by many factors, including available exhibit space, nearby hotel rooms, average hotel cost, travel time from the nearest international airport to the convention center, the number of daily flights, and local risk factors — including the prevalence of Covid-19. Hear about the methodology and findings of the second-annual Convention Cities Index and key role safety plays in the industry’s recovery. 1 CMP credit. More info/register.
Host: Northstar Meetings Group (NMG)
Presenters:
- NMG’s vice president and content director Loren Edelstein
- NMG’s associate editor Elise Schoening
- GeoSure’s CEO Michael Becker
Wed 6/2 at 2 p.m. – On the Edge of Your Seat: Creating Hybrid Events that Thrill Your Audience
As digital programs and events become more prevalent in the industry, so does the expectation from audiences. Attendees are no longer satisfied with sitting passively at their computers, watching a fully digital or a hybrid program. Hear ways to increase not only your attendees’ engagement, but also their overall satisfaction attending your next event. 1 CMP credit. More info/register.
Host: PCMA
Presenter: Will Curran, Founder & Chief Event Einstein, Endless Events
Wed 6/2 at 3 p.m. – Four New Association Survey Reports Portend Opportunities for Corporate Sponsorships
Four major new surveys show challenges and obstacles facing associations. The Partnership Professionals Network (PPN) has analyzed the survey reports and identified ways in which robust sponsorship programs can mitigate these situations. Join the PPN Idea Exchange discussion. More info/register.
Host: Partnership Professionals Network
Presenters:
- Bruce Rosenthal, PPN Co-Convener and Principal, Bruce Rosenthal Associates, LLC
- Dan Kowitz, PPN Co-Convener and Founder & CEO, JSB Partnership Consultants
Thu 6/3 at 12 p.m. – Adding Value by Leading with a Global Mindset
Learn how to add value by leading with a global mindset and embracing uncertainty, volatility, complexity and multicultural inclusiveness. Hear about the relevance and use of the global mindset leadership model in addressing the critical ways associations contribute to society and become an invaluable part of our professional and personal lives in a changing world. More info/register.
Host: ASAE International Associations Professionals Community
Presenters:
- Sylvia Gonner, CAE, Founder & Principal, CultureWiz
- Sirin Köprücü, Principal, StrategicStraits, Inc.
- Guilherme Lopes, Executive Director, ISTAT
Thu 6/3 at 12 p.m. – Kick Off Panel: The Future of Community
Join us for a deep dive conversation into the future of community technology with leading strategists from Higher Logic, Verint, and Beezy. From AI to APIs and everything in between, we’ll discuss what to expect from community platforms in the next five years. More info/register.
Host: The Community Roundtable
Thu 6/3 at 2 p.m. – The CIO Hour: Trust but Verify
In this monthly webinar, non-techies can ask tech questions and learn key information to increase their association’s IT success. Come boost your IT IQ with this month’s topic: Trust but Verify. Learn how association staff can monitor servers, websites, and applications with low cost and free tools in an easy-to-understand terms. There will also be time to ask ANY tech question of our CIO and get answers to help you with problems you may be facing today. More info/register.
Host: 501Works
Presenter: James Marquis, chief technology officer, 501Works
Thu 6/3 at 3 p.m. – Unrelated Business Income Tax (UBIT): Latest Update Nonprofits & Associations
As membership dues and conference registrations decline, associations are expanding products and services to generate additional income. These activities may be considered unrelated business income (UBI). Executives must carefully monitor the level of UBI activity, as it may jeopardize their exempt status. Learn exactly what UBI means, the interpretations and IRS guidance. 1.5 CAE credits. More info/register.
Host: U.S. Transactions Corp.
Presenter: Jennifer Eubanks, Principal, CPA Department
Fri 6/4 at 12 p.m. – Inclusive Experience for your Virtual Events
With an opportunity of paving a new way through humanity, it is imperative for event professionals to ensure the experiences they design to deliver a message of ‘inclusivity as natural behavior’ that makes everyone feel welcome. How do you create an inclusive experience in a virtual environment? Let’s talk about ten best practices that make sure all attendees experience your events to its full potential. 1 CMP credit. More info/register (fee for MPI non-members).
Host: MPI
Presenter: Sonali Nair, CMP, DES, Education Chair, MPI Experiential Designers and Marketers Advisory Board
Fri 6/4 at 4:00 p.m. – Career Book Open Discussion
We will discuss the book Promote Yourself: The New Rules for Career Success, by Dan Schawbel. While reading the book in advance is encouraged, it’s not required. Plan to attend what is sure to be a lively and productive discussion on how to take hold of your own promotion and win in your career. More info/register. (Must join Fridays@4 for free first.)
Host: Fridays@4
Tue 6/8 from 10 a.m. to 1:45 p.m. – SURGE Forward
This year, we’ll talk about the technologies, ideas and opportunities that will change membership forever. We’re taking the hard-learned lessons from 2020 and establishing a new normal for association pros. At SURGE, you won’t simply listen to the speakers. You’ll engage them directly in our live chat, and you can ask questions during their presentations. Through this interactive networking, you will build real relationships with like-minded and innovative association professionals. CAE credits. More info/register.
Host: Sidecar
Tue 6/8 at 1 p.m. – The New Association Tech Ecosystem
Learn about differing technology philosophies and why associations choose one or the other, four popular association tech stack models and which became more popular post-COVID, popular association software solutions providing specialized functionality, and how CRM platforms fit in association tech stack models. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.
Host: Ricochet Advice
Presenters:
- Beth Power, Association Technologist
- Chris Gloede, Ricochet Chief Consultant
Wed 6/9 from 10 a.m. to 1:45 p.m. – SURGE Forward
This year, we’ll talk about the technologies, ideas and opportunities that will change membership forever. We’re taking the hard-learned lessons from 2020 and establishing a new normal for association pros. At SURGE, you won’t simply listen to the speakers. You’ll engage them directly in our live chat, and you can ask questions during their presentations. Through this interactive networking, you will build real relationships with like-minded and innovative association professionals. CAE credits. More info/register.
Host: Sidecar
Wed 6/9 at 3 p.m. – Analytics in Action: How to Boost Event Registration Revenue with Data
With the pandemic almost/nearly/hopefully close to behind us, we can start adding in-person events back in the mix and with that, look for ways to maximize our attendance and revenue across all events. Learn how to use engagement data to reach new attendees, leverage data to provide a personalized and relevant experience to different member segments, uncover registration trends by event categories and customer segments, understand and analyze event loyalty and overlap, and determine who is most likely to attend your event based on historical data, demographics and behavior. More info/register.
Host: Association Analytics
Presenters:
- Bill Conforti, SVP of Strategy & Solutions, Association Analytics
- Greg Pollack, Vice President of Sales, Association Analytics
Thu 6/10 from 10 a.m. to 1:45 p.m. – SURGE Forward
This year, we’ll talk about the technologies, ideas and opportunities that will change membership forever. We’re taking the hard-learned lessons from 2020 and establishing a new normal for association pros. At SURGE, you won’t simply listen to the speakers. You’ll engage them directly in our live chat, and you can ask questions during their presentations. Through this interactive networking, you will build real relationships with like-minded and innovative association professionals. CAE credits. More info/register.
Host: Sidecar
Thu 6/10 at 2 p.m. – Let’s Talk Brand and Your Association Board: Ask Me Anything
A rebrand done right, with buy-in (and excitement!) from your board and stakeholders, can have a significant impact on your association. In this “Ask Me Anything” style webinar, you’ll hear from our branding experts on methods for getting buy-in from your board on a rebrand as well as hear from the National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners about their rebrand journey, including obstacles and lessons learned. More info/register.
Host: Mighty Citizen
Presenters:
- Gardiner Rhoderick, Creative Director, Mighty Citizen
- Michele Stickel, Director of Marketing and Strategic Projects, National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners
- Moderator: Nicole Araujo, Client Engagement Director, Mighty Citizen
Thu 6/10 at 3 p.m. – Attainable AI Ethics for Associations
As associations invest more in content personalization, predictive modeling, marketing automation, voice recognition, or facial recognition, it’s imperative we understand the math behind the AI. Join an interactive discussion with four association experts who will grapple with this question. Then, join us in working groups to discuss attainable ways the association community can address ethical AI. 1.5 CAE credits. More info/register.
Hosts: Association Women Technology Champions and the ASAE Technology Professionals Council
Presenters:
- Tim Hopkins, CAE, consultant, McKinley Advisors
- Katherine Matthews, CAE, Manager, Data & Analytics, for the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards
- Alexis Redmond, JD, MA, CAE, director, career management resources for the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association
- Evan Reid, Data Analytics Manager at the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association
Fri 6/11 at 12:30 p.m. – Navigating the Legal Side for the Return of Live Events
What should planners be aware of when returning to live events? Should planners incorporate any new steps or change anything in their current contracting processes? Are there any new things to communicate in your contract? How to best approach contract commitments like force majeure, attrition, and hybrid event needs with your hotel partner? More info/register.
Host: Hopskip
Presenters:
- Barbara Dunn, Partner at Barnes & Thornburg LLP, representing groups
- Lisa Sommer Devlin, Devlin Law Firm, P.C. representing hotels
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.
Creative Commons photo by Kunal Shinde via Unsplash
Association Brain Food 