The weekly list of free educational events and resources for the association community…
2024 association trends. Fíonta shares what they’ve been hearing and seeing lately in the association community and what they suspect is on the horizon. As you might expect, AI is on the list, but they look beyond the usual discussion points. They also give their take on sunsetting, membership models, subscription tactics, community and releasing the need for perfection.
Education program marketing. TopClass LMS published another recap from the recent Learning Business Summit. This time, they suggest eight marketing principles you should revisit or explore, most of them based on behavioral science. Humans… so persuadable!
Mentoring programs. The Art of Mentoring’s guide on association mentoring programs explains how to address potential pitfalls and design issues you might encounter around chapter relations, funding, code of conduct, CE credits, matching and success metrics.
Opportunity or doom. “It’s the end of the world as we knew it,” says Dean West at Association Laboratory. “In 2024, the data continues to show how the historical assumptions that drove association strategy are less and less valid.” The Lab’s recent environmental scan prompted this wake-up call for associations. I only hope everyone pays attention to his warning.
Loneliness. Chavie Lieber at the Wall Street Journal describes how startups are attempting to provide a cure for the loneliness epidemic (gift link). Their solutions will help some people, but can’t association chapters play a role too? Chapters should offer plenty of member-organized social meetups, not just education programs.
Event marketing. You’ve probably seen survey reports about people registering later for events than in the past. Lots of folks stay on the fence and then decide to save their money and time. Your marketing plan has to work extra hard to convince your audience to make the trip. GrowthZone explains what to do before, during and after an event to help increase registrations and attendance.
Association email benchmarks. Higher Logic’s 2023 Association Email Benchmark Report rounds up data and trends based on the emails of 1500 associations. The report also provides information about privacy regulations and Gmail/Yahoo email authentication for bulk senders, along with tips for improving email performance.
Quick hits
“Despite Google’s protestations to the contrary, the reasons for Gemini’s shortcomings are mostly political, not technological.” | by Nate Silver
A reality check about the State of the Culture, 2024. Or a glimpse into post-entertainment society—it’s not pretty either way. | by Ted Gioia
A country shaped by poetry: Somaliland’s poets have toppled governments and ushered in peace. | by Nina Strochlic, Noema
The School of Resentment is ascendant, but ephemeral; the Western Canon may yet endure. It better or people will keep getting dumber. | by Corbin K. Barthold, City Journal
Italian rugby players burst into Nessun Dorma in the locker room after their Under-20s Six Nations win. | via ClassicFM
Yasher Ali’s dog comes home with his buddy—video.
Chillax with the jellyfish cam at Monterey Aquarium.
You never grow old at the table
I get it. You’re not exactly wowed by the idea of fish cakes. But if you like crab cakes and you like fish, what’s not to like? We loved these flounder cakes—a NYT recipe by Sam Sifton, but the link goes to an archive site. I used Emeril’s Essence, Old Bay and ground red New Mexican chile for spices, a mix of Ritz, Saltine and roasted garlic wasa crackers, and cilantro instead of parsley.
For the side, I rounded up most of the vegetables in the kitchen, chopped or sliced them, and spread them on two sheet pans to roast: butternut squash, sweet potato, Brussels sprouts, carrots, broccoli stems, red onion, garlic powder, smoked paprika, ground ancho chile and s/p.
Earlier in the week, tasty and bright citrusy coconut black sea bass with roasted broccoli on the side. And the next night, creamy pesto swordfish, what an excellent idea. I added lemon and orange zest to the pesto cream sauce along with Parmesan cheese.
If you’d like to subscribe, please complete the form at the bottom of this post. I won’t share or sell your email address.
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’m happy to feature it as long as it’s not too product-centric.
Fri 3/8 at 4 p.m. EST* – Movie Discussion on 9 to 5 and Its Relevance in 2024
Join us for a networking discussion about the 1980 movie “9 to 5” and how it is still relevant today. More info/register.
Host: Fridays@4
Facilitator: Marjie George
*All events are online at Eastern Daylight Time unless otherwise noted.
Mon 3/11 at 8 a.m. – The Duty of Foresight (Radio Free 501c, the podcast of Rogue Tulips Consulting)
Every week Rogue Tulips brings the nonprofit community intriguing guests discussing vital topics affecting nonprofit organizations around the world—and we have fun doing it! Episodes are published Monday mornings in both audio and video format, available on YouTube, Spotify, Amazon Music, iHeart Radio, Apple Podcast, and Google Podcast (to name a few!).
Host: Cecilia Sepp, CAE, CNP, principal and founder, Rogue Tulips Consulting
Guest: Jeff De Cagna, FASAE, executive advisor, Foresight First LLC
Mon 3/11 at 11 a.m. – World Café: Shifting International Growth from Ad-Hoc to Strategic
Explore what triggers associations to shift from an ad hoc to a more intentional approach to international growth. Hear why associations decided to go global and what board conversations and research facilitated their process. More info/register.
Host: ASAE
Speakers:
- Eryn Carter, CAE, Executive Director, Association of Legal Administrators
- Jim Piechowski, CAE, Senior Director, Global Business Development, HOCK International
Moderators:
- Jakub Konysz, MBA, CAE, Founder and CEO, Global Navigators
- Christine Kokaisel, CAE, Senior Director, Membership, American Academy of Neurology
- Donald P Whittle, Director of Membership, International Coaching Federation
Mon 3/11 at 12 p.m. – Membership Mondays: What Does Member Engagement Mean to You?
What are you looking for when talking about member engagement? What tools have worked/haven’t worked in capturing that information? More info/register.
Host: ASAE
Tue 3/12 at 11 a.m. – Social Media & AI Bootcamp Series 2024: Generative AI in Social Media Marketing: Wins, Pitfalls, and Everything In Between
Learn about the latest social media tools, activating AI-powered capabilities across listening and automation and building an intelligent social enterprise in this disruptive landscape. Find out how generative AI is transforming social media workflows, best practices on leveraging AI for social media marketing, and how brands can benefit from a more unified approach when harnessing gen AI because of better data unification and therefore models.
Host: American Marketing Association
Speaker: Buddy Waddington, Manager, Insights and AI, Sprinklr
Tue 3/12 at 12 p.m. – Tech Tuesday Slam Dunk: Successful Strategies to Manage Your IT Project Portfolio
Managing your IT project portfolio is like juggling multiple March Madness brackets—requiring skill, precision, and strategic thinking. Join an interactive discussion around diverse strategies for keeping all your IT projects running like a championship team. Share your own or discover insights on successfully navigating the chaotic yet exhilarating game of IT project portfolio management. More info/register.
Host: ASAE
Facilitators: Reggie Henry of ASAE and Dave Coriale of DelCor Technology Solutions
Tue 3/12 at 12 p.m. – LGBTQIA2+ 2024 Community Call
Openly share and discuss topics that are current and significant to the LGBTQIA2+ association community. Whether you have burning questions, pressing issues, or insightful experiences to share, this judgment-free zone welcomes your valuable contributions. Support, learn from each other, and build a stronger, more inclusive community. More info/register.
Host: ASAE
Tue 3/12 at 1 p.m. – 7 Tips for Marketing to Millennials
Studies show that Millennials are now the largest B2B tech buyer group, making 59% of B2B buyers, with over 30% leading the charge and making those purchase decisions. Learn seven practical tips to apply to your marketing strategy to attract this audience and pull them through your buyer’s journey from prospects to advocates. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.
Host: UST Education
Speaker: Sam Bush, Senior Partner Marketing Manager, FloQast
Tue 3/12 at 1 p.m. – Ethical Blind Spots of AI in Education: Reimagined
AI promises revolutionary learning experiences, but without careful consideration, it can also perpetuate harmful biases and inequalities. Learn how to identify and mitigate the ethical risks of AI in their classrooms, including bias in data sets, algorithmic transparency, and strategies for human-centered AI implementation. Explore practical solutions for promoting fair and responsible AI use in your teaching practice, ensuring every student benefits from the potential of this powerful technology. More info/register.
Host: D2L
Speakers:
- Van Davis, Chief Strategy Officer at WICHE Cooperative for Educational Technologies
- Robert MacAuslan, Interim Vice President of Artificial Intelligence at Southern New Hampshire University
- Robbie Melton, Interim Provost/Vice President for Academic Affairs, Vice President for Technology Innovation at SMART Global Technology Innovation Center
- Cristi Ford (moderator), Vice President of Academic Affairs at D2L
Tue 3/12 at 2 p.m. – 5 Digital Engagement Trends for 2024
Hear about emerging trends in digital experiences, new insights about audience behavior and top tips for how to successfully drive digital engagement throughout the year. Learn about new types of digital experiences to try, delivering fresh content formats across the funnel, the next phase of live, on-demand and hybrid events, and opportunities to improve personalization and sales conversion. More info/register.
Host: American Marketing Association
Speaker: Mark Bornstein, VP, Content Marketing and Chief Evangelist, ON24
Tue 3/12 at 3 p.m. – Tools and Tactics to Attract New Members in Your Association: Insights for Unprecedented Growth
Discover proven strategies to attract new members and boost your membership growth, including: understanding the needs and behavior of your target audience for effective messaging, the power of storytelling on your public website to attract and engage potential members, identifying the strongest tools in your current membership to attract new members, and best practices to communicate your value proposition to potential members. More info/register.
Host: Grype Digital
Speaker: Farhad Khan, CEO and member strategist, Grype Digital
Wed 3/13 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. – Beyond the Numbers: A Psychometric Q&A
If you’ve ever had a burning question for your psychometric partner this session is for you. We will begin with a breakout session, where participants can sit with panelists to ask specific questions about their exam development, and experience—and get a response from a psychometric point of view. We’ll then transition to a panel discussion format to discuss the full test development life cycle from soup to nuts. More info/register.
Host: Certification Network Group
Breakout speakers:
- Exams and Technology – Marcus Bolton
- Assessment Integrity – William Luse
- Exam Assembly – Frank Williams
- Competency Modeling – Troy Brightson
- Credential Monetization – Christopher Sanders
Wed 3/13 at 11 a.m. – Top 8 Insider Cybersecurity Threats and How to Stop Them
Learn about insider threats—a menace that often eludes conventional IT security tools. Discover how these threats can compromise your organization’s sensitive data and operations, understand why traditional security measures fall short in detecting these threats, and more importantly, learn effective strategies to mitigate them. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.
Host: UST Education
Speakers: Stacey Campbell, Director of Business Development, and Chris Rounds, Senior Solutions Architect, Express Info
Wed 3/13 at 12 p.m. – Elevate Your Team Using CliftonStrengths
Learn about CliftonStrengths and how it helps teams become 6x more likely to engage in their jobs and 3x more likely to report having an excellent quality of life. Discover how teams apply CliftonStrengths to communicate more effectively, engage more actively, and achieve their goals. Hear about examples of learning content and exercises teams use to know themselves better and to identify and fill strengths-gaps. More info/register.
Host: Achurch Consulting
Speaker: Rae Ann S. Johnson, Esq., legal advisor for Achurch Consulting
Wed 3/13 at 1 p.m. – Your Ads Suck: The Transformation Playbook for Skyrocketing Conversions
Get a no-nonsense, actionable guide to overhauling your social ad strategies for Meta, Google, LinkedIn, and more. Discover insider tips and strategies for crafting ads that don’t just attract eyes but actively convert them into leads and sales, ensuring your business stands out in the crowded digital landscape. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.
Host: UST Education
Speaker: Bill McGlade, President, Community Leaders Institute & epIQ Creative Group
Wed 3/13 at 1 p.m. – What an Event Attendee Wants
Hear insights from a survey of conference attendees about their preferences and sentiments regarding in-person and virtual conferences. Explore the key motivators driving attendance and get actionable tips to ensure your event exceeds expectations. Learn about unmet attendee needs and innovative ways to leverage event technology to conquer these challenges. More info/register.
Host: American Marketing Association
Speaker: Kirstin Sargent, Meetings & Events Team Lead, Cvent
Wed 3/13 at 2 p.m. – Special Panel: Women’s Leadership Through the Generations
While the meetings and events industry is nearly 70% female—and more than 85% female in the U.S.—women represent only 20% of C-level positions such as CEO and chairs of boards. Hear from four generations of women in meetings and events about their experiences in the industry, what they’ve learned about the roles women play and their biggest pieces of advice in relation to women empowerment. More info/register.
Host: Meetings Today
Speakers:
- Baby Boomer: Laura Purdy, CEM, CMM, General Manager, Exhibition Place
- Gen X: Twyler Jenkins, President & Chief Strategist, Strategic Event Solutions; CEO and Founder, I Am That Woman Movement
- Millennial: Liz Smith, Vice President of Sales and Marketing and Partner, Eight One Eight Events
- Gen Z: Nikki Gonzales, Chief of Staff, Soundings
Thu 3/14 at 11 a.m. – Beyond Certifications: Core Principles of Membership and Corporate Recognition Programs
Hear about three membership recognition program types. Learn how to implement best practices aligned with international standards; develop recognition requirements through stakeholder engagement, industry validation, and professional review; and achieve transparency in programs through collaboration between industry leaders, professionals, and association staff to ensure fair requirements. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.
Host: UST Education
Speaker: Jeffrey Greenwald, President, Operative Greenwald, Inc.
Thu 3/14 at 11 a.m. – Designing Collaborative Experiences with Breakout Rooms
Learn how to design breakout experiences that will fully engage your learners and boost active participation, create collaborative exercises that encourage engagement and knowledge sharing, and moderate multiple breakout sessions at once. More info/register.
Host: eLearning Industry
Speaker: Alistair Lee, Adobe
Thu 3/14 at 12 p.m. – Managing Volunteers in a New Environment
ASAE’s Research Foundation’s latest research looked at effective models for volunteer management and organizational success based on input from about 700 association executives in 49 associations. to map out a new vision of association volunteer systems. Find out how associations are embracing volunteer management in a changing environment. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.
Host: Association Xchange
Speaker: Peggy Hoffman, FASAE, CAE, president of Mariner Management & Marketing, LLC
Thu 3/14 at 12:30 p.m. – Hidden Keys to Success for the First-Time Chief Staff Executive
Hear priceless lessons learned that are perfect for anyone newly appointed or aspiring to the top spot, such as the professional and personal challenges, rewards, and surprises the panel encountered—including some that are not often discussed. Find out what they wished they’d known before taking on their roles, what surprised them, and what sustains them in their work. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.
Host: ASAE Executive Management Professionals Advisory Council
Speakers:
- Shawn E. Boynes, FASAE, CAE, Chief Executive Officer, American Counseling Association
- Grant Carpenter, Executive Director, Indiana Society of Association Executives
- Ona Alston Dosunmu, J.D., CAE, President & CEO, National Association of College and University Attorneys
- Sharon Kneebone, FASAE, CAE, Executive Director, American Academy of Pain Medicine
- Cynthia Young (moderator), CAE, Executive Director, American Art Therapy Association
Thu 3/14 at 2 p.m. – Contract Clauses You Need in 2024
Learn about what to include—and not include—in venue contracts, real-world force majeure clause triggers in a post-Covid world, and tips for managing AI and data privacy concerns. More info/register.
Host: Smart Meetings
Speaker: hospitality law attorney Darryl Cohen
Fri 3/15 at 1 p.m. – AI Policy Expert Exchange
Elevate your understanding of AI policy in this interactive “Ask Me Anything” style webinar. AI experts will answer all your questions and offer invaluable insights into the present and future of AI policy, including key players shaping the AI landscape, legislative developments to watch in the coming year, the influence of international bodies such as the UN and EU on federal AI policy, and the rise of deep fakes and the urgent need for legislative action. Deepen your understanding of AI policy and its implications for your organization. More info/register.
Host: Quorum
Speakers:
- Reggie Babin, Senior Counsel
- Hans Rickhoff, Partner, Akin
- Ryan Thompson, Senior Advisor
Fri 3/15 at 3 p.m. – The Informal Consultants Networking Extravaganza
This monthly networking meeting is by consultants, for consultants. Feel free to suggest topics or questions for discussion. This meeting is self-organized by the consultant community, not an official ASAE event (meaning an event organized by ASAE staff). More info.
Organizer: Cecilia Sepp, CAE, founder, Rogue Tulips Consulting
Tue 3/19 at 12 p.m. – Intro to AI Webinar for Associations and Nonprofits
Learn what Generative AI and Large Language Models are and how they work, plus get an up-close look at how an actual AI expert utilizes these tools in real-world scenarios. Perfect for AI newcomers and early explorers, this session promises a unique opportunity to see generative AI in action, equipping you with the knowledge and confidence to responsibly implement AI in your workflows. More info/register.
Host: Sidecar
Speaker: Thomas Altman, Co-Founder, Tasio
Tue 3/19 from 3 to 6 p.m. – 2024 AWTC Awards Ceremony (Washington DC)
Celebrate the 2023 AWTC Award Winners at our first in-person awards ceremony. Join us to hear from the 22 amazing women being recognized and mingle with old and new friends. Location: Washington DC. More info/register.
Host: Association Women Technology Champions
Wed 3/20 from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. – Spring Symposium (Washington DC)
Session 1: Navigating the Transformation of Successful Member Engagement
Session 2: Everyone, Every Role has IT Systems Requirements Responsibilities
Session 3: A Practical Approach to Cybersecurity in the Age of Hybrid Work and AI-Powered Fraud
Session 4: Designing Memorable Experiences: Leveraging Design Thinking and AI in Event Management
4 CAE credits. Location: Washington DC. More info/register.
Host: UST Education
Speakers:
- Dave Will, Co-Founder and CEO, PropFuel
- David Coriale, CAE, President, Delcor
- Heinan Landa, Founder & CEO, Optimal Networks
- Bill McGlade, President, Community Leaders Institute & epIQ Creative Group
Wed 3/20 at 10 a.m. – Spring Symposium: Navigating the Transformation of Successful Member Engagement
Dive deep into why and how transformation should be at the heart of your member engagement strategies. Learn about breaking the mold and challenging the status quo. Explore the common pitfalls that hold associations back, like staff turnover, team silos, and the ever-present “time poverty.” 1 CAE credit. More info/register.
Host: UST Education
Speaker: Dave Will, Co-Founder and CEO, PropFuel
Wed 3/20 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. – What Association Leaders Need to Know about AI (Vienna VA)
Learn about AI strategy, planning, and finding the right balance between innovation and risk. Find out how to present AI’s business case to your board, covering opportunity identification, resource allocation, change management, ROI, and ethical considerations, aiming for executive support in AI integration. Location: Vienna VA. More info/register.
Host: designDATA
Speakers:
- Kraig Conrad, CEO of NCMA
- Bob Corlett, CEO of Staffing Advisors
- Erik Haas, VP at designDATA
- Greg Starling, Head of Emerging Tech at DTG
Wed 3/20 at 11:15 a.m. – Spring Symposium: Everyone, Every Role Has IT Systems Requirements Responsibilities
Whether you’re a CEO, VP, project manager, developer, user, or other, you have a role in the requirements project. It is imperative that everyone in the organization understand their role and accountability in a requirements analysis initiative. Find out how requirements play a critical role in every tech-dependent project. Learn about various types of requirements, including business, system, user, functional, and nonfunctional requirements. Delve into how an organization’s characteristics and culture affect the outcome of a requirements analysis endeavor. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.
Host: UST Education
Speaker: David Coriale, CAE, President, Delcor
Wed 3/20 at 12 p.m. – Database Throwdown – AMS vs CRM
The technology landscape within the association industry is always evolving. While the need for CRM-like functionality has been influenced by market factors to provide a more member-centered experience, associations still need to run their businesses. Explore whether future technology stacks will benefit from an “all-in” investment in the CRM model or if AMS will continue to have staying power. More info/register.
Host: HighRoad Solutions
Speakers: Adam Higgins, CTO, and Chandler Miller, Senior Digital Advisor, HighRoad Solutions
Wed 3/20 at 1 p.m. – Non-profits: Spring Cleaning Your Sponsorship Proposal Strategy
Discover practical tips and best practices to refresh your approach, increase your chances of success, and secure valuable partnerships. Don’t miss this opportunity to elevate your sponsorship game and attract the support your organization deserves. More info/register.
Host: Lori Zoss Kraska, founder and CEO, Growth Owl
Wed 3/20 at 1 p.m. – MasterTHIS: SEO
Hear strategies for identifying why website traffic is down and actionable tips for recovery. Learn how to become more visible in search through a framework that actually makes sense. Get answers to questions like: When should you ignore SEO? Do you really have a shot at that phrase? How can you optimize without sacrificing your visitors’ experience? Get a mini-measurement framework using another of marketing’s most vexing tools: Google Analytics 4. More info/register.
Host: Content Marketing Institute
Speakers:
- Andy Crestodina, Co-Founder & CMO, Orbit Media
- Zack Kadish, Sr. SEO Strategy Director, Conductor
- Stephanie Stahl, General Manager, Content Marketing Institute
Wed 3/20 at 1:15 p.m. – Spring Symposium: A Practical Approach to Cybersecurity in the Age of Hybrid Work and AI-Powered Fraud
It’s not possible for busy association leaders to stay up-to-date with all things cybersecurity, especially as the rate of technological change continues to increase exponentially. Get up to speed on the threats and strategies that matter most to organizations like yours in March 2024—a time when employees and members are more dispersed than ever, and when artificial intelligence is raising at least as many questions as it answers. Hear about practical frameworks, real-life examples, and clear action items to turn a complex and intimidating subject into one you’re ready to tackle head-on. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.
Host: UST Education
Speaker: Heinan Landa, Founder & CEO, Optimal Networks
Wed 3/20 at 2:30 p.m. – Spring Symposium: Designing Memorable Experiences: Leveraging Design Thinking and AI in Event Management
Create events that leave a lasting impression by mastering the art of design thinking and AI integration. In the world of event management, the power of a compelling experience cannot be overstated. This comprehensive course will equip you with the design thinking principles that empower human-centric innovation and AI’s advanced capabilities to refine event strategies and enhance engagement. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.
Host: UST Education
Speaker: Bill McGlade, President, Community Leaders Institute & epIQ Creative Group
Thu 3/21 at 11 a.m. – Deep Dive: 2024 Membership Performance Benchmark Report
Hear the results of a survey of 1,478 association and membership professionals. Explore how different generations approach membership issues and decision-making. Find out the top three goals and challenges of your peers. Learn actionable strategies for member retention, engagement, and growth. See the top uses for AI to streamline operations and member engagement. More info/register.
Host: iMIS by ASI
Thu 3/21 from 1 to 2:30 p.m. – Member Engagement Lab: You Pick Your Adventure
Identify new strategies, solve real problems, experiment, and share ideas on member engagement. Which stakeholder group do you most want to engage? Attendees? Potential volunteers? Sponsors? Exhibitors? Students? Young professionals? You’ll vote on the stakeholder group you most want to engage with, and we’ll experiment with many great ideas you can apply immediately. 1.5 CAE credit. More info/register.
Hosts: Impexium and Billhighway
Facilitator: Amanda Lea Kaiser, keynote speaker and author of Elevating Engagement: Uncommon Strategies for Creating a Thriving Member Community
Thu 3/21 at 2 p.m. – Only Marketers in the Building: Successful Campaign Strategies for Small Teams
Discover how to make the most of your resources, leverage digital tools effectively, and craft strategies that punch above their weight. Learn about the different aspects of a marketing campaign strategy, how to set goals, define activities and tactics, uncover risks, discover new opportunities, and manage the campaign. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.
Host: Mighty Citizen
Speakers: Joi Bass, Director of Marketing, and Alicia Ritchey, Senior Marketing Strategist, Mighty Citizen
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 by Wednesday afternoon the week before it’s scheduled.
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