The weekly list of free educational events and resources for the association community…
Online education revenue. WBT Systems recapped a recent Non-Dues-A-Palooza webinar where Will Hold, the CEO of the National Alliance for Insurance Education & Research, described how his association quintupled their online education revenue by offering subscriptions, corporate learning portals and learning paths focused on job roles.
Pseudo-science generational labels. I’ve written frequently over the years about generations but now, thanks to this open letter to the Pew Research Center from Professor Philip N. Cohen, I’m going to only talk about career stages and ages. Definitely look at what he has to say, especially if you’re using labels like Gen X, Millennial and Gen Z.
Usability testing. Sometimes a topic starts to regularly pop up in my life. Suddenly, I see references to it in different places. Usability testing is the latest version of that phenomenon—and it’s a good thing to learn about over on the Fionta blog since it solves lots of problems and increases the value of your technology investments.
Hybrid advocacy. At the ASAE website (members-only, probably), Quardricos Driskell of the American Urological Association writes about the hybrid future for advocacy. He describes the state of advocacy now and shares advice for the successful implementation of a hybrid government advocacy model.
Young professionals. In another ASAE article, Brooke Wilson of Live 360 Media, a YP herself, suggests five changes to consider if you’re serious about appealing to the next generation.
Newsletter suggestion. I always enjoy reading The Art of Noticing newsletter from Rob Walker, author of a book by the same name. He features one aspect of noticing in each edition, an ice-breaking exercise and a curated selection of good reads.
Quick hits
- How to create an editorial calendar that will streamline your content strategy. (Neil Patel)
- Almost all LinkedIn user data has been scraped and is up for sale on the dark web. (Stu Sjouwerman, KnowBe4)
- Why security awareness training should be required from Day 1 for new employees. (Lauren Patrick, eLearning Industry)
Good eats
Skip down to the list of free webinars if you prefer takeout. If you’re a home cook, check out the irregularly published In The Kitchen posts on my Grabbing the Gusto blog.
- Here’s a winner for the pressure cooker (cook for 90 minutes) or slow cooker: char siu pork roast, think Chinese-style pulled pork. I doubled the recipe and added several shakes of hot sauce to the marinade/sauce. On the side, a slaw made with green cabbage, carrot, red bell pepper, sweet onion and cilantro with a dressing of hoisin sauce, lime juice and grapeseed oil. We rolled up the char siu and slaw in flour tortillas.
- For our veggie, sweet and spicy Szechuan-style green beans. I omitted the sugar and used garlic chives in place of the garlic and green onions.
- Another night we had baked speckled sea trout with a topping of panko bread crumbs, parmesan and romano cheeses, fresh chervil, cayenne, onion powder and melted butter. Odd but tasty.
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 7/16 at 12 p.m.* – Your Ultimate Guide to Hybrid Experiences, Abridged
A few months ago, MPI in partnership with Radisson Hotels engaged Brandt Krueger to rewrite the hybrid playbook we launched a decade ago with new knowledge, best practices, and methods for hosting events that connected two or more audience groups. We’ll showcase highlights from the playbook as well as a curated Q&A with Krueger that will enable you to find success in the hybrid events world. 1 CMP credit. More info/register (possible fee for MPI non-members).
Host: MPI
Presenters:
- Jessie States, CMP, CMM, MPI Academy Director, MPI
- Brandt Krueger, Technical Producer, Event Technology Consulting
*All times are Eastern Daylight Time unless otherwise noted.
Fri 7/16 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 7/16 at 1 p.m. – The No BS Guide to Digital Transformation
The research is clear: the key to lasting, responsive digital transformation is intentional and focused culture change. Still, associations struggle to get beyond “digitizing” and truly “go digital.” Hear some findings from the new, deeply researched whitepaper, The No BS Guide to Digital Transformation: How Intentional Culture Change Can Propel Associations Forward. Find out how the Construction Specifications Institute (CSI) embarked on their digital transformation project on behalf of their members and their industry. More info/register.
Host: Propel
Presenters:
- Elizabeth Weaver Engel, M.A., CAE, founder, Spark Consulting
- Hugh Seaton, Head of Construction Technology Practice, Cimatri
- Maddie Grant, founder, Propel
Fri 7/16 at 1 p.m. – Associations and The Business of Belonging
Join an insightful discussion on how you can unlock the true value of community-driven business. Learn how to make community your competitive advantage, measure the quantifiable value of community, and develop a framework for building out your community strategy. More info/register.
Host: Community by Association
Presenters:
- David Spinks, Co-Founder, CMX
- Tirza Austin, Manager, Online Community, American Society of Civil Engineers
Fri 7/16 at 4 p.m. – Getting the Most From Your ASAE Annual Meeting Experience
The prospect of effectively networking at a conference as big and chockful of options as the ASAE Annual Meeting can be overwhelming. Hear practical tips and tactics for planning an effective networking strategy and using the ASAE Annual Meeting to advance your career. More info/register (must join first for free before registering).
Host: Fridays@4
Presenters:
- Jennifer Baker, MSW, CAE, senior director, ASAE Business Services, Inc.
- Cortney Whitlow, manager, meeting registration and industry partner engagement, ASAE
Mon 7/19 at 12 p.m. – A Fireside Chat about the Future of Virtual Events with ACE Virtual Events
Hear about the opportunity to build a different audience compared to in-person events, the ability to use different virtual event concepts, creating monetizing strategies, and learning to minimize logistic expenses by using virtual events. More info/register.
Host: Remo
Mon 7/19 at 1 p.m. – New CSE Position and Respecting Your Predecessor (Chatting with Agnes & Cecilia)
This series of 15- to 20-minute videos covers 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.
Guest: Victoria Elliott
Hosts:
- Cecilia Sepp, CAE, CNAP, principal and founder, Rogue Tulips LLC
- Agnes Amos-Coleman, MBA, CMP, education, conference, event, certification consultant, Amos-Coleman
Tue 7/20 at 6 a.m. – Designing for Change: Planning Successful Events When the Landscape is Constantly Shifting
Moving forward means being innovative in your event design to deliver quality experiences that meet the needs of your delegates—whether they’re online, hybrid/blended or in-person—and adapt to last-minute changes. Learn how to design an event program that’s agile and includes a variety of experiences, adapt your plans without doubling your workload or breaking your budget, expand your options by complementing in-person events with online components, and maximize revenue through creative pricing and sponsorship models. More info/register.
Host: MemberWise
Presenter: Results Direct Mobile
Tue 7/20 at 11 a.m. – Hybrid Futures: How Peer Learning Can Bridge the Virtual/In-Person Audience Gap
Hear best practices in helping participants connect and learn from each other, gained from 10 years of collaborating with the top event professionals at PCMA, MPI, Adobe, Workday, Salesforce, Slack and more. 1 CMP credit. More info/register.
Host: PCMA
Presenter: Brudis Limar III, Head of Revenue – Sales and Marketing, e180
Tue 7/20 at 11 a.m. – How Unifying Your Data Expands Reach, Revenue, & Impact
Associations and publishers alike have long struggled with customizing content for different segments of their membership and audience. Integrating and managing data from disparate sources, leveraging data to create better digital experiences, and using data to grow new revenue are difficult concepts to understand, much less implement. Hear how HIMSS approached and addressed these issues, taking control of their data to grow their audience and tailor their outreach. Learn how to use these strategies to deliver better engagement and personalized experiences, boost recruitment and retention efforts, and support new product development. More info/register.
Host: Silverchair
Presenters:
- Steve Lieber, HIMSS
- Jake Zarnegar, Hum / Silverchair
Tue 7/20 at 12:30 p.m. – Meetings of Membership Minds
These impromptu, casual discussions about membership concepts, issues, and challenges are conducted live online and open to membership professionals to comment and offer insights. More info/register.
Hosts: Dan Ratner, The Business of Membership, and Scott Oser, Scott Oser Associates
Tue 7/20 at 2 p.m. – The Joy of Hybrid: Secrets to Making a Hybrid Remote Office Work
While “hybrid” might sound like the perfect compromise between work from office (WFO) and work from home (WFH) models, a successful transition requires intentionality and an emphasis on equity in the work environment. Without an intentional approach to workplace transition, leaders risk instituting arbitrary reasons for either WFO or WFH policies. Employees will quickly see through their veneer and cry foul. To help leaders create hybrid-remote policies and procedures that are equitable, legal, and embrace an inclusive culture, we will share actionable tips and “secrets” to optimize your burgeoning hybrid workplace. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.
Host: Achurch Consulting
Presenter: Rae Ann Johnson, Esq., legal advisor, Achurch Consulting
Wed 7/21 at 12 p.m. – Chapter Benchmarking Pep Rally
We’re having a pep rally because this year’s Chapter Benchmarking Study is going to look a little different and it’s a BIG deal. We’re striving to continue the conversation around how we can help make chapters a bigger, more strategic focus within the association industry and expand on what we’re hoping to gain as a component relations community. Since this study is different than previous years, we wanted to provide more context, get your thoughts on how we can better help you and your chapters, and also share how you can help us accomplish this community goal. We hope you can join us for this engaging discussion. More info/register.
Hosts: Billhighway and Mariner Management
Wed 7/21 at 1 p.m. – The Fun Starts Here: How to Amaze, Delight, and Engage Your Event Attendees
Join us for an in-depth look at the event industry’s latest engagement tools, new ways to wow attendees, and real activity examples from recent events. More info/register.
Host: Socio
Wed 7/21 at 1 p.m. – The Future of Events: A Sneak Peek Into An Exclusive Industry Report
Hear preliminary insights that highlight the current state of the virtual and hybrid event industry along with some key findings in a survey that gained over 500 completions. Gain valuable findings into the virtual event industry and event industry as a whole that are not yet published anywhere else. Data such success metrics, the current state of the event industry, and the future of the event industry will be published in this sneak peek. More info/register.
Host: Remo
Presenters:
- John Follett of Demand Metric
- Hoyin Cheung, CEO, Remo
Wed 7/21 at 2 p.m. – Professional Development Townhall: Do This, Not That: What’s Working NOW for Email Marketing
Forget what you think you know about email marketing and gain an understanding of the behavioral changes that are now affecting how email users notice, process and respond to your marketing messages. In this session, we’ll take a look at what’s directly impacting the way targeted audiences notice and process the email communications you’re sending. Drawing on data from successful email campaigns executed over the last 30 days, you’ll gain insight into specific B2B and B2C tactics that are working now. More info/register.
Host: ASAE Professional Development Professionals Community
Presenter: Jay Schwedelson
Wed 7/21 at 2 p.m. – #RealTalk Dialogue Series | A Conversation on Ageism
We see it, we hear it, and we usually skip the conversation. Ageism is defined as prejudice or discrimination on the grounds of a person’s age. In this #RealTalk we will discuss ageism as it relates to the meetings industry and beyond. 1 CMP credit. More info/register (possible fee for MPI non-members).
Host: MPI
Presenters:
- Ashton Applewhite, Author, This Chair Rocks
- Tanida Mullen, CMP, Association Sales Manager, Killeen Convention and Visitors Bureau
Wed 7/21 at 2 p.m. – 7 Change Actions Webinar: Designing Experiences that Truly Connect and Engage
Join a discussion about the true meaning of engagement and ways we can thoughtfully and impactfully integrate experiences that connect and inspire. Learn why designing for engagement first can boost interaction, learning, and satisfaction more than programs packed with content—especially as you bridge the gap between in-person attendees and digital participants. 1 CMP credit. More info/register.
Host: PCMA
Presenter: Jenny Sauer-Klein, Founder + CEO, Scaling Intimacy School of Experience Design
Thu 7/22 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. – Mobile App Demo Day
Join us for presentations from a limited number of industry partners that offer mobile apps. Mobile experts will be showcasing apps and sharing their knowledge with the association market. More info/register.
Host: ASAE
Thu 7/22 at 10 a.m. – Community Case Studies
Learn tips, tricks, and best practices from experienced community managers that have overcome the same challenges you’re faced with every day. Leave with new online community strategies and tactics and meet peers who are experiencing the successes and challenges of managing an online community. More info/register.
Host: The Community Roundtable
Thu 7/22 at 11 a.m. – Hybrid Events: The Next Big Challenge
Find out the questions to ask before planning the details of a hybrid event, and hear from those in the thick of it who will share what they are thinking about and how they have started to resolve some of the challenges for their events. More info/register.
Host: Society Street
Thu 7/22 at 11:30 a.m. – The Story of Lost Members: How to Reach and Re-Engage Lapsed Members Where They Are Today
Learn how to improve retention rates by understanding why members lapse, understand behaviors that could be sabotaging your retention rates, and develop strategies for a win-back campaign that can immediately be implemented. CAE credit. More info/register.
Host: Your Membership
Presenter: Tirrah Switzer, Senior Product Marketing Manager
Thu 7/22 at 1 p.m. – A Year-Round Event Strategy: The Key to Community Building
Learn how to create the perfect combination of virtual, hybrid, and in-person events that nurture relationships throughout the year. We’re bringing together association leaders and event organizers from global associations to reveal their event strategies so that you can learn how to take an omnichannel approach to deliver “everywhere experiences,” identify the right kind of events specific to your audience and goals, and drive ROI for the larger ecosystem of suppliers, sponsors, and exhibitors. More info/register.
Host: Airmeet
Presenters:
- Oscar Cerezales, Chief Strategy Officer, MCI Group
- Lee Gimpel, founder, Better Meetings
Thu 7/22 at 2 p.m. – 3 Must-Haves for Your Post-Pandemic Event Strategy
For the first time in over a year, the idea of returning to in-person events actually seems possible. This comeback will require meticulous planning. Learn how to define your COVID-19 safety protocol, communicate safety measures to attendees, and evaluate event venues in a post-pandemic era. More info/register.
Host: Splash
Presenters:
- Neha Prasad, Founder & President, ANP Safety Consulting
- Bryan Stacy, Founder & CEO, Valheala
- Camille White-Stern, Communications Manager, Splash
- Rebecca Miller, Director, Marketing & Comms, Splash
Fri 7/23 at 4 p.m. – The Importance of Cultural Competence in the Workplace
Cultural competence is the ability to understand and interact effectively with people from other cultures. It is a life-long journey of learning and enlightenment. When individuals seek to better understand and effectively interact with cultural differences, the workplace can become more effective, efficient and enjoyable. Hear how to become a more culturally competent association professional. More info/register (must join before registering).
Host: Fridays@4
Presenter: Dr. Randy Whetstone, Jr., Clinical Assistant Professor at the University of Louisville
Tue 7/27 at 11 a.m. – Seven Ideas to Leverage Your Association’s Data to Drive Member Engagement
Description not available. 1.5 CAE credit. More info/register.
Host: U.S. Transactions Corp.
Presenter: Julie Sciullo, CEO, Association Analytics
Wed 7/28 at 2 p.m. – Don’t Leave Money on the Table: How to Level Up Your Non-Dues Revenue Strategy with Video (NDaP Monthly Expert Series)
Hear about an innovative video playbook based on real-world tactics proven to drive more non-dues revenue. Learn about digital marketing trends that are reshaping the future of non-dues revenue, why co-creating video content with your sponsors and members maximizes value, how to make your existing campaigns more successful by leveraging the power of video, and simple-to-execute ideas to deliver more value to your sponsors, your members, and your organization. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.
Host: Non-Dues-A-Palooza / 100 Reviews
Presenter: Michael Hoffman, CEO of Gather Voices
Thu 7/29 at 12 p.m. – Trends in Volunteer Engagement: Executive Management Dialogue
Even before the pandemic, trends in volunteerism were shifting. Now, organizations are exploring new ways to engage volunteers and establish mutually beneficial outcomes. Micro-volunteering, virtual volunteering and volunteers as community advocates are adding to, and in some cases, replacing, traditional committee roles and long-term commitments. Associations are also examining the lack of diversity within their volunteer structures and the possible barriers to entry that may exist. Join this dialogue to hear insights rethinking models of volunteerism and the trends towards maximizing engagement of this important strategic resource. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.
Host: ASAE
Presenters:
- Megan Kuhman, CAE, senior manager of online communities, ASAE
- Kristine Metter, CAE, president of Crystal Lake Partners
- Artesha Moore, CAE, Vice President of Affiliation, Engagement, and Membership, American Geophysical Union
Thu 7/29 at 4 p.m. – Mindful Networking with Julie Sciullo
Part of AWTC’s Mindful Networking Series, this is a small group setting for participatory conversations led by visionary leaders who will share knowledge but not deliver a formal presentation. Julie is CEO of Association Analytics, a SaaS company providing Acumen. She is an industry leader often spotlighted on podiums and podcasts. 0.5 CAE credit. More info/register.
Host: Association Women Technology Champtions
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 by Wednesday afternoon.
Creative Commons photo by Yasin Küçükdişli via Unsplash
Association Brain Food 