The weekly list of free educational events and resources for the association community…
Association credentialing programs. WBT Systems shares research from the Society for Human Resource Management, which found that employers value ‘alternative’ credentials—non-degree credentials. However, degrees still get preferential treatment because recruiters aren’t certain what they represent and HR software doesn’t recognize them. WBT suggests ways to overcome these barriers so you can attract more employers and employees to your credentialing programs.
Technology selection. In a recent webinar, MemberSuite’s Ryan Costello asked an association exec, selection consultant, and one of his sales colleagues for advice on knowing when it’s time to upgrade technology, setting project expectations, identifying requirements, and considering the people factor. They also talked about the new direction association management software is taking.
Sponsorship strategy. EventMobi published a comprehensive guide to tiered and à la carte sponsorship models for in-person, virtual and hybrid events. It’s a masterclass in selling, pricing and delivering sponsorships, measuring ROI, and writing a post-event report for sponsors.
Communication challenges. Many irksome communication and meeting issues are symptoms of a bigger unresolved problem: the need to revisit and clarify communication fundamentals. Achurch Consulting advises going back to square one and suggests how to bring clarity and intentionality to the way your team communicates and collaborates.
Digital resource library. Lead Marvels explains how your association and members would benefit from a content hub on your website, like the one I have here on Association Brain Food. A hub like this provides insight on member interests, valuable content for members, bonus ROI for exhibitors, lead generation for supplier members, and non-dues revenue.
Quick hits
Google’s productivity expert’s recommendations for mastering your email. (Mohit Mamoria, Mailman)
A computer scientist explains ‘no-code,’ which is used by non-programmers to build an increasing percentage of the world’s software. (Tam Nguyen, The Conversation)
Good eats
Skip down to the list of free educational events if you prefer takeout.
I’ve been anxiously awaiting the arrival of soft-shell crabs and finally had my wishes granted. They are swooningly delicious. I dusted ours with flour and sautéed them in butter with just a bit of oil. OMG. Thank you, Locals Seafood—the best place to buy NC seafood in the Triangle.
I made a new potato salad recipe for a cookout we hosted last weekend: roasted potato salad with jalapeño-avocado dressing. Roasting potatoes is the way to go for salads, especially when you toss them first with garlic and onion powder. If you make this, cut the dressing recipe in half—it makes way too much, but is tasty. I never thought of using avocado as a mayo substitute, but next time I will probably omit the mayo altogether. I topped baked mahi mahi fillets with some of the leftover dressing the other night and will repeat that with yellowfin tuna tonight.
I made blueberry crumb bars for the cookout since NC blueberries are plentiful right now. They’re easy to whip up in the morning and make a good breakfast pastry 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 by Wednesday afternoon the week before it’s scheduled. I’ll be happy to feature it as long as it’s not too product centric.
Fri 6/3 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 events are online at Eastern Daylight Time unless otherwise noted.
Fri 6/3 at 4 p.m. – ASAE Member Benefits: Make the Most of Your Membership
Hear about ASAE resources members have used to excel in association management. By the end of this session, you will be prepared to explore all ASAE membership and network have to offer and be familiar with opportunities to expand your network and pursue professional development. More info/register.
Host: Fridays@4
Presenter: American Society of Association Executives (ASAE) Member Relations Manager Vanessa Gonzalez-Leyva
Mon 6/6 at 1 p.m. – Future of the Airline Industry in the COVID Era (Nonprofit Conversations with Cecilia Sepp, CAE)
This series of 15- to 20-minute videos covers hot topics and issues related to 501c organization management. New episodes are posted around 1 p.m. every Monday. Check out Cecilia’s Nonprofit Executive Spotlight series too.
Guest: Joost Hasperhoven
Host: Cecilia Sepp, CAE, CNAP, principal and founder, Rogue Tulips LLC
Mon 6/6 at 1:30 p.m. – How to Create an Effective Hybrid Event Strategy
Hybrid events are ever evolving and still a bit of a gray area. Hear about the main pillars to a successful hybrid events program and how you can up-level your attendee’s experience. 0.5 CMP credit. More info/register.
Host: MPI
Presenters: Lisa Vogel and Yvonne deFuria, CMP, Webex Events (formerly Socio)
Tue 6/7 from 9 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. – SURGE: Explore
The goal of SURGE 2022 is to learn from the unfamiliar and go beyond the boundaries of what we think is possible. With lessons learned from two years of a pandemic, the Great Resignation and plenty of new technologies changing the way we work, you’ll be prepared for what comes next. With lessons from association pros who have experienced many of the issues you’re facing today, you’ll learn to look beyond current challenges and develop into a leader of the future. CAE credits. More info/register.
Host: Sidecar
Tue 6/7 at 12 p.m. – Curated Data Exploration
This opportunity is for association professionals to engage in peer-led discussions on topics related to data and analytics. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.
Hosts: Data Analytics Network and Association Analytics
Tue 6/7 at 12 p.m. – Stop Scrolling, Start Designing Intentional Experiences
As we return full-force face-to-face we have to consider the new needs of participants. Having spent the last year hosting events on two continents, there are many shareable takeaways that will be brought forward in this session. Topics include: if we can’t ditch technology, how to integrate it to drive results; define your purpose with tools for stakeholder buy-in; and formats you can experiment with for best event participant ROI. 1 CMP credit. More info/register.
Host: MPI
Presenter: Tahira Endean, CMP, CITP, CED, DES, Event Producer, College Instructor, SITE Global
Tue 6/7 at 2:30 p.m. – The Resignation of Old Ideas: Offsetting Challenges of Association Management
There are several ways to streamline a process that includes various approaches and modern business technology platforms that help organizations thrive. Learn which techniques can you apply to your association. Hear how to optimize association management processes and support the next generation of leaders. More info/register.
Host: Meeting Expectations
Presenters: from Meeting Expectations: Karl Kirsch, CAE, Vice President; Amanda Hammerli, CMP, Association Manager; Amelia Neiger, Education Specialist; and Joey Sirmons (Moderator), Director, Multimedia Production
Wed 6/8 from 9 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. – SURGE: Explore
The goal of SURGE 2022 is to learn from the unfamiliar and go beyond the boundaries of what we think is possible. With lessons learned from two years of a pandemic, the Great Resignation and plenty of new technologies changing the way we work, you’ll be prepared for what comes next. With lessons from association pros who have experienced many of the issues you’re facing today, you’ll learn to look beyond current challenges and develop into a leader of the future. CAE credits. More info/register.
Host: Sidecar
Wed 6/8 at 11 a.m. – Your Knowledge-Base Isn’t Just ONE System, It’s All of Them
For a long time now, the association narrative has centered around: bring all our content into one central location and go from there. A more effective approach is to leave your content where it is and let your search tool find it where it lives. Learn how to let your systems do what they do best while consumers of your respective knowledge enjoy an aggregated and consistent content discovery experience. 1.5 CAE credits. More info/register.
Host: U.S. Transactions Corp.
Presenter: Johnny Clayton, Chief Growth Officer, FUSE Search
Wed 6/8 at 2 p.m. – Secrets for Maximizing Virtual & Hybrid Event Engagement
After two years of virtual and hybrid meetings, what have we learned about what works and what doesn’t when it comes to attendee engagement? Join us as we share tips for formulas for creating a program that offers a mix of education, discussion and networking; the best times to offer networking sessions; encouraging interactions during education sessions, including how to track if your attendees are actually paying attention; scaling your expectations about interactivity based on attendee types and job level; creating live sessions that go beyond a speaker and a PowerPoint; encouraging attendee networking with each other; and soliciting feedback and insights from your attendees. More info/register.
Host: Matrix Group
Wed 6/8 at 2 p.m. – Research Q&A: Understanding Shifts in Convention City Competitiveness
As the world reopens, destinations are eager to welcome back group business. But selecting the right destination for your convention is easier said than done. Northstar Meetings Group’s 2022 Convention Cities Index aims to make the site-selection process easier for planners of large events. Hear about the latest data from the 2022 Convention Cities Index and discuss how and why city rankings have shifted over the past six months. 1 CMP credit. More info/register.
Host: Northstar Meetings Group
Presenters: Elise Schoening, senior associate editor, and Loren Edelstein, vice president/content director, Northstar Meetings Group
Wed 6/8 at 3 p.m. – Data Analytics Trivia
Test your data analytics knowledge or soak up some new knowledge with a group of fun data geeks. We’ll challenge your brain with general analytics questions and throwbacks to previous how-to sessions. And yes, there will be prizes! More info/register.
Host: Association Analytics
Thu 6/9 from 9 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. – SURGE: Explore
The goal of SURGE 2022 is to learn from the unfamiliar and go beyond the boundaries of what we think is possible. With lessons learned from two years of a pandemic, the Great Resignation and plenty of new technologies changing the way we work, you’ll be prepared for what comes next. With lessons from association pros who have experienced many of the issues you’re facing today, you’ll learn to look beyond current challenges and develop into a leader of the future. CAE credits. More info/register.
Host: Sidecar
Thu 6/9 at 10 a.m. – Big Buzz Breakfast Club: Is Your Nonprofit As Secure As It Needs To Be?
Learn about cybersecurity threats, costs involved, managing a hybrid workforce, measures you can take to prevent against compromise and what you should be doing today to secure your organization appropriately. Attendees will have access to a 30-Item Checklist for determining their level of security within their organization. More info/register.
Host: Big Buzz Idea Group
Presenter: Laura Barker, co-founder of BridgePoint Technologies
Thu 6/9 at 11 a.m. – How to Write an RFP (Request for Proposal) for Merchant Services: Improving Your Business Process and Net Income
When releasing an RFP to evaluate new merchant service providers, knowing how the credit card industry works is crucial. Your fiduciary obligation and reputation are on the line. With compliance standards to meet and risks to mitigate, there is much to understand about the credit card processing flow, players, terminology, and musts. Learn how to write your RFP, evaluate your perspective merchant service providers based on the criteria most important for your organization, identify the gaps in your current payments ecosystem, and what to ask to reduce these issues in the future. 1.5 CAE credits. More info/register.
Host: U.S. Transactions Corp.
Presenters: Julie Duncan, VP Sales, Association Practice Leader, and Wade Tetsuka, CPA, President, UST
Thu 6/9 at 1 p.m. – Learning, Practice, and Credentials: Building a Virtuous Cycle for Your Learning Business
Your learning business can support learning’s cyclical nature by connecting it with practice and credentials, creating a virtuous cycle that benefits your learners and your learning business’s reach, revenue, and impact. Learn why, if you offer education, practice, or credentials, expanding to offer the others makes logical and business sense. Explore how to create effective practice opportunities, look beyond competencies and consider outcomes when creating credentials, and use the Learning Business Maturity Model to act on the opportunity for your organization. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.
Host: Leading Learning
Presenters: Jeff Cobb and Celisa Steele, co-founders, Tagoras and Leading Learning
Thu 6/9 at 2 p.m. – You Don’t Need a Buyer Persona, You Need Audience Personas
Sure, your marketing team is aligned under one cohesive strategy. But your colleagues all have different objectives. So why would they operate with a singular buyer persona? Instead, consider a group of audience personas—where a buyer persona is one piece in the puzzle. Learn how to research for personas, map personas to each marketing function, and enact influence marketing after you already have a group of personas. More info/register.
Host: SparkToro
Presenters: Amanda Natividad, VP Marketing, and Rand Fishkin, Co-Founder & CEO, SparkToro
Fri 6/10 at 12 p.m. – AWTC Mindful Networking
Held the second Friday of each month, these intimate, virtual conversations are a chance to form meaningful connections with other women and allies in the association technology community. Each Mindful Networking will feature one of our amazing AWTC award winners, followed by breakout rooms with changing topics (selected by our featured guest). More info/register.
Host: Association Women Technology Champions (AWTC)
Guest: Villy Savino, Vice President of Technology Transformation for CoreNet Global
Fri 6/10 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
Fri 6/10 at 4 p.m. – Find Your Why: A Practical Guide for Discovering Purpose for You and Your Team (Book Club Discussion)
Join us for our inaugural session of the three-part summer book club series. We will discuss the book Find Your Why: A Practical Guide to Discovering Purpose for You and Your Team by Simon Sinek. Reading the book in advance is encouraged, but it’s not required. Plan to attend a lively discussion on how to find your, your team’s and your organization’s underlying purpose. More info/register.
Host: Fridays@4
Wed 6/15 at 11 a.m. – Looking Forward 2022 (Solutions): The Association Strategies Essential to Success
Get the first look at the data from the most current and comprehensive examination of association strategy. Looking Forward® 2022 (Solutions) is yearly research that tests 120 strategies to discover the ideas that association leaders believe are most critical to success. Learn which key strategies are so essential to the future of associations and why, what principal challenges are facing associations as the sector continues to change in relation to current events, and how to access the Looking Forward Dashboard, filter for the specific information you need, and download reports to share with your staff or board. 1.5 CAE credits. More info/register.
Host: Association Laboratory
Presenters: Nikki Golden, CAE, strategist; Meg Whedbee, senior analyst; and Dean West, founder and president, Association Laboratory
Wed 6/15 at 12 p.m. – CRP Idea Swap: Helping Chapters Embrace Change
We need chapter leaders to make changes: huge ones like shifting structures; medium like embracing new volunteer models, support services and affiliate agreements; or easy like changing your schedule. Resistance to change is natural. Anytime you introduce a new process or technology, you have to think about change management from the very start. Unfortunately, we underestimate how our leader training can support us in leading that change. This idea swap will explore how we can use our current and future training opportunities to help chapters embrace change. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.
Hosts: Billhighway and Mariner Management
Wed 6/15 at 2 p.m. – How Associations Make Mission Critical Connections on LinkedIn: Tactics, Ideas and Stories Your Teams Need to Know
LinkedIn is the most impactful professional network in existence. This virtual workshop will give you and your association actionable steps to improve your LinkedIn presence, including embracing and positioning your association’s value proposition on LinkedIn; strategies for Groups, Events, Company Pages and connection outreach; planning for content that connects; building bridges to new association revenue opportunities; and why your team’s individual posts impact hiring and talent acquisition. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.
Host: Professionals for Association Revenue
Presenters:
- Larry Eason, Senior Strategist
- Colleen McKenna, CEO and Founder, Intero Advisory
Thu 6/16 at 3 p.m. – Data Bites & Happy Hour: Tips and Tricks on How to Talk Data (Arlington VA)
Have you ever wanted to be a little more comfortable when talking data? We will share a brief overview on the most important things you should know so you can be just dangerous enough to talk data, and follow with an AMA (Ask Me Anything) session. Then, we’ll wrap up with interactive working groups around tips for speaking about data and the biggest data problems facing us in 2022, including suggested ways to overcome them and take the next step in your data journey. 1 CAE credit. More info/register. Location: Arlington VA.
Hosts: Association Women Technology Champions and Association Analytics
Association Bain 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 by Wednesday afternoon.
Creative Commons licensed photo by Jody Confer via Unsplash
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