Thanksgiving is a good time to start a daily habit of gratitude. Research scientists have lots to say about the positive impact of a daily gratitude practice. With a little Googling, you’ll see dozens of articles about their findings, including some in Newsweek, Science of Us, and Headspace.
Unlike other good habits, this one doesn’t take much effort, I can vouch for that. Every morning (okay, most mornings), I write down three things I’m thankful for. I do this in my Word doc journal, but you could do it in a notes app on your phone, in a real journal, or whatever fits into your daily routine. Try it, you’ll like it.
Now, a few good reads and listens from the past week…
One of the most thought-provoking and informative discussions I’ve heard lately was an Association Chat from a few weeks ago featuring association consultant and futurist, Shelly Alcorn. Listen in as Shelly and host KiKi L’Italien talk about disruption and the future of associations.
Alex Mouw of Results Direct walks us through five ways associations can be helpful and present in the lives of their busy members.
Planning an AMS selection/implementation or some other technology project? The experts at DelCor answer questions about scheduling IT projects, putting together a project team, and planning for project success.
And now for something completely different…I enjoyed this article about hypnosis from Aeon. The subtitle says it all: “Look into my eyes: the fantastical history, mysterious healing power and emergent neuroscience of hypnosis.”
Now on to the list of this week’s free webinars and learning events. If your organization has a webinar scheduled in the next few weeks, please send me the link. I’ll be happy to feature it as long as it’s not too product-centric.
Tue 11/29 at 12 p.m.* – It’s All about the Experience, Nothing More
Learn how to create an event experience with a balance of passive and active interaction using an interactive mobile event app. Discover how to create pre-event moments, encourage attendee connections and collaboration, and ensure participants are engaged in the moment and long after the event is over. More info/register.
Host: MPI
Presenters:
- Scott Lockey, managing director, partnerships, QuickMobile
- Banks Holcombe, director, partnerships, QuickMobile
*All times are Eastern Standard Time unless otherwise noted.
Tue 11/29 at 2 p.m. – ASAE’s Path Forward (Association Chat)
Find out how the leaders of the American Society of Association Executives (ASAE) anticipate working with the incoming presidential administration. Watch/participate live or view the recording.
Host: KiKi L’Italien, founder, Amplified Growth
Guests:
- John Graham, CAE, president and CEO, ASAE & The Center for Association Leadership
- Scott Wiley, CAE, president and CEO, The Ohio Society of CPAs and chair of the ASAE Board
Tue 11/29 at 2 p.m. – The Future of Event Technology: 2017 Trend Watch
Explore what’s in store for event technology in 2017. Find out which technologies should be implemented to create a seamless and personalized on-site journey, and how technology will change the way attendees consume content both in the short-term and beyond. More info/register.
Host: BizBash
Presenters:
- Brooke Gracey, senior mobile events app strategist, CrowdCompass by Cvent
- Grazia Mohren, vice president of marketing, BizBash Media
Tue 11/29 – Toolkit of the Month: Blogging Maturity Assessment
1 CAE credit. More info/register.
Host: HighRoad Solution
Wed 11/30 at 10 a.m. – Coffee, Tea, and PD!: Year in Review [Virtual] Holiday Party
The holiday season is upon us: take a moment to reflect on what you’ve learned and accomplished thus far in 2016 and share what you’re looking forward to in 2017 in a tour through four “food for thought” stations. More info/register.
Host: ASAE Professional Development Section Council Engagement Committee
Wed 11/30 at 12 p.m. – Cybersecurity: How to Protect Your Association from Hackers, Thieves, and Black Hats
Learn about methods for enhancing cybersecurity within your association and safeguarding your members’ confidence. Find out how to audit your infrastructure and cyber vulnerabilities. Discover the best practice tools to secure your association and your member data and the risks associated with not taking action. More info/register.
Host: Aptify
Presenter: Josh Hiller, white hat hacker cybersecurity expert and lead innovation engineer, Aptify
Wed 11/30 at 12 p.m. – DC Small Staff Association Brown Bag Lunch Group (Washington DC)
This casual lunch group of association colleagues is specifically for those who work at small staff associations. Attendees share ideas and ask questions about other associations’ best practices. More info/register.
Host: ASAE Small Staff Association Professionals
Wed 11/30 at 1 p.m. – 4 Easy Ways to Generate Non-Dues Revenue
Learn how you can increase the flow of non-dues revenue into your association with four ready assets you can tap: marketing and membership lists, conferences and exhibitions, conference and exhibition content, and “non-endemic” event sponsorships. More info/register.
Host: OpusDX by Digitell
Presenters:
- Bob James, The New Hughes Group
- David James, Bethesda List Center
- Randy Lieberman, Foundation Marketing Group
- Steve Parker, Digitell, Inc.
- Michael Hart (moderator), Michael Hart Associates
Wed 11/30 at 1 p.m. – Partnering with CVBs, DMOs, and Tourism Offices for Outstanding Events
Discover how five meeting planners have benefited from the unique services offered by CVBs, DMOs and Tourism offices. Learn how to boost your on-site staff at little or no charge, what questions to ask CVBs to discover the benefits they provide, and tips from planners who have worked successfully with CVBs. More info/register.
Host: Meetings Today
Presenter: Bonnie Wallsh, MA, CMP, CMM, chief strategist, Bonnie Wallsh Associates
Wed 11/30 at 2 p.m. – Should You Beware the New Meetings Block Buster?
Airbnb and other alternative accommodation services are digging deep in-roads into the travel market. Learn about the disconnect between how planners think their attendees are booking and what’s really happening; what event accommodations challenges are on the rise, and how to get on top of them; and the up- and downsides of making peer-to-peer accommodations providers your next best frenemy. 1 CMP credit. More info/register.
Host: MeetingsNet
Presenters:
- Dianne Davis, meetings and marketing consultant, Owner, Tulnet
- Jim McCaul, director of communications, Destination Marketing Association International
Barry McDonald, vice president of sales & marketing, onPeak
Lisa Hurley (moderator), content director, Special Events magazine and MeetingsNet
Wed 11/30 at 2 p.m. – Getting What You Deserve
Learn how to successfully negotiate your next pay raise by using Convene’s Annual Salary Survey results and tips from negotiation experts featured in Convene. 1 CE credit. More info/register.
Host: PCMA
Presenter: Michelle Russell, editor in chief, Convene Editorial
Thu 12/1 at 2 p.m. – Maximize Your Event’s Sponsorship Potential
Learn how sponsors assess the value of event sponsorships. Get tips for pitching sponsorships. Find out how to develop strategies to help sponsors achieve their goals while not disrupting the goals of the event. More info/register.
Host: Successful Meetings
Thu 12/1 at 5:30 p.m. – ASAE Collaborate Happy Hour (Washington DC)
Members of ASAE Collaborate’s Communications, Marketing and MMC communities are invited to a holiday happy hour. More info/register.
Host: ASAE Communications Section Council’s Collaborate Subcommittee
Sponsor: Hawai‘i Visitors & Convention Bureau
Fri 12/2 at 3 p.m. – Personalizing Email and Web Experiences
1 CAE credit. More info/register.
Host: HighRoad Solution
That’s it for this week. 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 professional development for the association community, please send me the link via email or Twitter.
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Association Brain Food 