The weekly list of free educational events and resources for the association community…
12 more days until I see many of you at ASAE TEC in Washington DC! Woo hoo! Let the countdown begin! Get on it, register now!
Tech-averse members. The International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials (IAPMO) didn’t let their assumptions about members get in the way of their learning business. WBT Systems describes how IAPMO developed online courses that plumbers need to maintain licensing or transition into less physically demanding roles. They also developed resources to help their members get used to and succeed at online learning.
Workforce assessment. Do you really know what your employees prefer—working in the office, from home or both? Achurch Consulting suggests conducting a workforce assessment to understand how your employees feel about current working conditions, what’s working well (or not) and what you need to do to improve organizational culture, policies, and practices.
86 the IT department. Because IT departments are isolated from the core business, Joe Peppard believes they prevent organizations from being “innovative, agile, customer-focused and digitally transformed.” Since many associations already outsource operational IT functions, as long as someone owns the strategic and holistic technology perspective, what he’s proposing makes sense to some degree, although you’d have to tweak his idea for smaller organizations.
Chief Digital Officer. Perhaps having a Chief Digital Officer (CDO) makes the “no-IT” plan more doable. A CDO’s role, says Ashley Neal at Sidecar, is to “drive growth and strategic renewal by transforming an organization’s traditional analog businesses into digital ones.” We already see this role in many associations, for example, Reggie Henry, CAE, at ASAE and Prabhash Shrestha, MS, PMP, CAE, at ICBA. A CDO “will not only help to quickly grow your business but will also allow your organization to take risks that it might not have otherwise taken.” That’s what we need!
Bad conference habits. Brandt Krueger has seen five of our old bad in-person conference habits rear an even uglier head in virtual conferences. It’s time to stop these knee-jerk practices in both conference settings. “Death by PowerPoint was bad in our in-person events, but the 45 Minutes of Lecture and Slides Followed by 15 Minutes of Q&A needs to end yesterday,” he says. Don’t even get him started on “We’re going to wait a few more minutes for people to arrive.”
Event experience mapping. Maybe if you did an event experience mapping exercise, you would understand how it feels for an attendee to sit through that boring PowerPoint or arrive for a session on time and then have to wait for it to begin. Event Farm shares techniques for crafting an event experience that will get attendees excited, meet (or exceed) their expectations and deliver your desired business outcomes.
Quick hits
- 70 content ideas for social media posts. (Kat Sullivan, Marketing Solved)
- A 20-year truck driver tells us why America’s shipping crisis will not end. (Ryan Johnson, Medium)
- Non-targeted broadcast PR releases and pitches are spam. (David Meerman Scott)
- 3 steps to make the most of your best hours of every day. (Jeff Brooks, Moceanic)
Good eats
Skip down to the list of free webinars if you prefer takeout.
- If you always ignore green or Napa cabbage when shopping for produce, give it a chance in this cabbage, sausage and bean casserole. Pick a spicy sausage—Aidell’s chicken Italian sausage was fantastic. I also added poblano, serrano and orange bell pepper.
- For Thanksgiving, I was on sides duty. I made Brussels sprouts roasted with bacon and red onion and drizzled with a balsamic/maple glaze. My butternut squash and poblano gratin was also a big hit—not enough leftovers! I also brought cranberry ginger chutney. My recipe is adapted from an old Saveur recipe. I halved the celery, doubled the ginger, added jalapeño, used only brown sugar, and subbed maple syrup for honey.
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 12/3 at 12 p.m.* – Building Your Meeting in 2022+
Event and meeting professionals have been on quite the rollercoaster ride these past two years – from business as usual to an abrupt halt, followed by a gradual yet cautious climb back to business (as not so usual). With that, the way we plan, design, and attend events has changed several times over as well. Learn how to set yourself up for success in this new era of meeting design. 1 CMP credit. More info/register (possible fee for MPI non-members).
Host: MPI
Presenters:
- Kellie Mayrides, CMP, Account Executive, CORT Events
- Kerri Otto, MBA, Account Executive, CORT Events
*All events are at Eastern Standard Time and online unless otherwise noted.
Fri 12/3 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
Fri 12/3 at 4 p.m. – The DEI Debacle: Trying to Do It All Is Ineffectual
In no other American corporate construct do we tend to celebrate effort over impact like in the context of DEI. How did we get here? And more importantly, how should we move forward with authentic purpose and not as a means to simply check off another box? More info/register (must join before registering).
Host: Fridays@4
Presenter: Nikki Lanier, CEO of Harper Slade
Mon 12/6 at 1 p.m. – Must Know Technology Trends for Associations (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 around 1 p.m. every Monday. Check out Cecilia’s Nonprofit Executive Spotlight series too.
Guest: Miguel Neves
Hosts:
- Cecilia Sepp, CAE, CNAP, principal and founder, Rogue Tulips LLC
- Agnes Amos-Coleman, MBA, CMP, education, conference, event, certification consultant, Amos-Coleman
Tue 12/7 at 11 a.m. – 5 Digital Non-Dues Revenue Models That Work for Both Members AND Sponsors
Learn about proven non-dues revenue models that are truly sustainable because they provide high value content for members while also generating sponsor support and non-dues revenue. Hear about the value of planning your digital content calendar and your sponsorship model at the same time. 1.5 CAE credits. More info/register.
Host: U.S. Transactions Corp.
Presenter: Dan Stevens, President, WorkerBee.TV
Tue 12/7 at 11 a.m. – Using Event Media to Drive Revenue for Your Meeting
Learn how event media can drive significant revenue for your meeting, including new media that was created for fully virtual events, and how it can now integrate into onsite meetings, as well as traditional media such as daily newspapers and meeting guides. Examine how transition plans and expanded reach can drive and protect advertising revenues. 1 CMP credit. More info/register.
Host: PCMA
Presenters:
- Julie Welsh, Senior Manager, Exhibits, American Heart Association
- Donna Sanford (moderator), Vice President, Sales & Marketing, Ascend Media
Tue 12/7 at 12 p.m. – Data Analytics Network Year in Review
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.
Host: Association Analytics
Wed 12/8 at 12:30 p.m. – Handling Post-Pandemic Harassment and Discrimination Claims
During the pandemic, some employees developed informalities in the way they interact with co-workers and others over Zoom. Some experienced mental health struggles or lost their edge in social interaction skills. Some developed divisive political views that they wear on their sleeve. These and other evolutions can create a risk of workplace friction and employer liability for harassment and discrimination. Hear about best practices—and landmines—in handling employee and third-party claims of harassment and discrimination. More info/register.
Host: Venable LLP
Wed 12/8 at 1 p.m. – 2021 Year in Review: Professional Development Takeaways and Foresight
In this town hall, we’ll look back at 2021, with an eye to what we can learn from the year that’s been and what we might carry forward. Drawing on survey data collected by Leading Learning from practitioners working in the business of lifelong learning, we’ll get into specific areas of focus like personalization, social learning, data analytics, artificial intelligence, and more. We’ll also offer three takeaways with profound implications for how associations approach their educational offerings in 2022. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.
Host: ASAE Professional Development Professionals Community
Presenters: Celisa Steele and Jeff Cobb, co-founders and managing directors of Tagoras and Leading Learning
Wed 12/8 at 1 p.m. – Cyber Security Issues and Insurance Implications: What You Need to Know for 2022 and Beyond
The cyber insurance market has changed drastically in just the last five months, and you need to know how to position your organization for market increases and corrections. Find out the must-knows of IT cyber insurance woes and how best to mitigate them. Hear lessons learned and best practices from a panel of experts that includes a CFO, CIO, insurance broker and carrier. 1.5 CAE credits. More info/register.
Host: U.S. Transactions Corp.
Presenters:
- Derek S. Symer, Partner, AHT Insurance
- Dave Fitzsimmons, Sr. Vice President of Finance and Administration – National Association of Chain Drug Stores
- Rich Gatz, Claims Counsel at Coalition, Inc.
- James Marquis (moderator), Chief Innovation Officer, 501Works
Wed 12/8 at 1 p.m. – Live from IAEE Expo: #ExpoChat on Twitter
ExpoChat is a Twitter-based conversation on topics related to the trade show industry. More info.
Wed 12/8 at 3 p.m. – Special Interactive Design Session
Get a jump start on your 2022 thinking and planning. Find out how to think about your events through a product development lens. Learn core design constructs to help you think about your event in new ways, and break into interactive groups for prototyping and a product pitch competition, with a prize for the winning team. More info/register.
Hosts: ASAE Meetings & Expo Council and 360 Live Media
Thu 12/9 at 10 a.m. – What’s Working Now: Delivering an Indispensable Mobile App
Members spend 5+ hours a day on their mobile devices, and 90% of that time is on apps. Is your association leveraging a mobile app to reach members where they are? Learn how you can leverage a mobile app to communicate, engage, and provide unique value to your members. Find out what it takes to deliver the right mobile app for your members, what type of app to choose, and how to generate revenue/ROI with your mobile app. More info/register.
Host: Results Direct
Thu 12/9 at 12 p.m. – Sponsorships 101: How to Build a Sponsorship Program to Increase Non-Dues Revenue
Building a strong sponsorship program can sound like a heavy lift for your small staff organization, but it doesn’t have to be. Learn what types of sponsorships you should offer, how to build and market your sales kit, and how to strengthen relationships with sponsors while increasing non-dues revenue. More info/register.
Host: Your Membership
Presenter: Michelle Schweitz, Marketing Director, Community Brands
Thu 12/9 at 12 p.m. – Top 10 Tips to Run a Social Media Audit That Works
Learn what a social media audit is, how to enable the data to be your guide, how to avoid misunderstanding your consumers, why it is important to audit your competitors, and when and how best to use data visualizations. More info/register.
Host: American Marketing Association
Thu 12/9 at 1 p.m. – Crafting the Event Experience Design, Part 3
Learn about the in-event experiential ideation phase, how to tie it back to your experience map, and the tools and technical production needed to bring those ideas to life. 1 CMP/CAE credit. More info/register.
Host: Event Farm
Presenters:
- Ryan Costello, co-founder of Event Farm and Chief Strategist for MemberSuite
- Margaret Launzel-Pennes, CEO of POP Experiential
Thu 12/9 at 1 p.m. – Ultimate Member Engagement: The Power of Data-Driven Decision Making
If you are like most associations, your AMS contains a seemingly endless amount of historical, financial, social and demographic data on members, former members, prospects and more. But this data is useless unless it tells a story and enhances your ability to drive desired results. Learn how to leverage visualizations and analytics to better understand your data, mine the right data to improve your member’s experience, and determine a successful ROI on your collection and analysis of member data. More info/register.
Host: Impexium
Thu 12/9 at 1 p.m. – The Practical Implications of the Mythical Learning Business MBA
Investigate the knowledge and know-how critical for market-facing organizations in the business of professional development. The fact that no academic institution is awarding learning business MBAs (yet!) won’t stop us from digging into strategy, marketing, revenue diversification, product development, innovation, and more, all through the specific lens of a learning business. Get a clearer understanding of the core areas that demand attention if you want to build long-term success for your organization and your learners. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.
Host: Leading Learning/Tagoras
Presenters:
- Jeff Cobb and Celisa Steele, co-founders of Tagoras and Leading Learning
- Meghan Gowen, VP of sales at Cadmium
Thu 12/9 at 2 p.m. – Realigning Your Association in the Wake of the Great Resignation
How can your organization navigate the current shift in the job market during or after the Great Resignation? Hear about best practices to attract, hire and retain staff that align with your organization’s mission and goals. Learn how to reassess your organization’s draw-ins and appeal to the right job seekers, reshape recruitment practices for agile and effective hiring, and reduce staff turnover and solidify a winning team. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.
Host: Protech Associates
Presenters:
- Shawnna Kerns, Senior Marketing Specialist at the National Association of Social Workers
- Alexey Gutin, CEO and Co-Founder of Web Scribble
Thu 12/9 at 2 p.m. – Envisioning a Future Powered by Digital Currencies
Digital transformation and the adoption of digital currencies are key transformative shifts reshaping the business and consumer worlds. This explosion is leading to significant innovation but also a corresponding amount of hype. Where are these two trends actually taking us? Hear the latest insights surrounding digital currencies, strategies for approaching these trends from top executives, and how Blockchain is transforming finance, technology, and digital services. More info/register.
Hosts: Fast Company and Grayscale
Presenters:
- Michael Sonnenshein, CEO, Grayscale Investments
- Sheila Warren, Head of Data, Blockchain, and Digital Assets, World Economic Forum Executive Committee
- Esteban Ordano, Cofounder and CTO, Decentraland
- Abigail Bassett, Moderator, FastCo Works
Thu 12/9 at 2 p.m. – How to Control Costs When Planning Hybrid Events
Budgeting for events is complex, but budgeting for a new event model can be especially tricky. Learn some inside tips for optimizing your hybrid event budget, with attention paid to strategic, live, and digital elements. Hear about audience considerations, how the destination impacts your event, maximizing your technology decisions, extending investment dollars through a continuous learning environment, and reducing costs with sponsorships. 1 CMP credit. More info/register.
Host: MeetingsNet
Presenters:
- Amanda Wood, Director, Experiential Marketing & Production, Creative Group
- Melissa Van Dyke, Senior Vice President, Customer Experience & Insights, Global, Creative Group
- Sue Hatch (moderator), Content Director, MeetingsNet
Thu 12/9 at 3 p.m. – Budgeting: Impact, Governance and the Future—5 Progressive Budgeting Innovations
The past unpredictable 18 months have impacted budgets in both positive and negative directions. Budget tactics and systems need to evolve and change to stay relevant, and be value-added while also supporting enterprise risk management efforts. Learn about key budget innovation tactics that can supercharge your budgets and make them more effective at enhancing sustainability, supporting mission, and improving financial health. 1.5 CAE credits. More info/register.
Host: U.S. Transactions Corp.
Presenters:
- Michael Gellman, CPA, CGMA, Co-Founder at Sustainability Education 4 Nonprofits
- Paul Preziotti, Partner, Johnson Lambert LLP
Fri 12/10 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 12/10 at 2 p.m. – CMP Education Study Bundle | Ask Me Anything!
Join Vice President of the MPI Academy, Jessie States, CMP, CMM for a jam-packed ask me anything session on all things CMP. More info/register—possible fee for MPI non-members.
Host: MPI
Fri 12/10 at 4 p.m. – How to Have a Career Development Discussion with Your Boss
You are responsible for your own career development, not your employer nor your supervisor; therefore, you need to drive the process. A career development discussion is not just about improving your performance for the next year or setting goals for your current position. It’s about planning for the future, beyond your current position. Learn how to prepare for the career development meeting and initiate the discussion with your boss, and what to ask close out the discussion with a plan. More info/register—must join before registering.
Host: Fridays@4
Presenter: Shelly Trent, SPHR, SHRM-SCP, CAE, JCTC, JCDC
Tue 12/14 at 11 a.m. – Data Collection Dos and Don(u)ts
Poor data collection can keep your organization from gaining valuable marketing insights, building better customer relationships, and even increasing revenue. Hear about best practices for collecting, connecting, and securing data. Learn about web form design tips to streamline the customer experience, security best practices to keep all data safe, and how automation and smart forms can transform data collection workflows for good. More info/register.
Hosts: FormAssembly and Fíonta
Wed 12/15 at 12 p.m. – Virtual Idea Swap: Coaching Chapter Leaders for Success
Year after year, volunteers step up, take on chapter leadership roles, then step aside for the next set of leaders. But what if no one wants to step up? What about when things don’t go as planned? Learn about essential coaching skills for attracting new volunteers and keeping the ones we have motivated on the path to success. Come share your lessons learned, ideas tried, and solutions found. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.
Hosts: Billhighway and Mariner Management
Wed 12/15 at 2 p.m. – Association Rockstars Roundtable
We will talk about ’21 reflections, ’22 projections, and have some fun. Join the conversation on Facebook. More info/register.
Host: Association Rockstars
Presenters: Kuma Roberts, Dewan Clayborn, Amanda Messer Creel, Catherine Brown, Geof Brown, Mary Byers, CAE, Mike Moss, and Sikha Singh
Wed 12/15 at 5:30 p.m. – AWTC End of Year Celebration
Join Association Women Technology Champions as we celebrate the amazing women in technology in the association community. We invite association professional, industry partners, and allies to come party with us, but this year you must be fully vaccinated in order to attend our party. Please be prepared to show proof of vaccination status or your ASAE TEC event badge for entry. More info/register.
Location: Washington DC
Host: Association Women Technology Champions
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 Annie Spratt via Unsplash
Association Brain Food 