The weekly list of free educational events and resources for the association community…
Looking forward. The Association Laboratory Research Alliance invites association executives to participate in the Looking Forward 2021 study. Participants receive complimentary access to a customizable dashboard allowing you to view the data and download a unique report to guide you, your staff and volunteer leadership. This study investigates more than 60 factors influencing members across six domains, including economic, technology and market psychology. It also assesses 76 challenges across nine association strategy domains, including membership, meetings, advocacy and education.
The future of work. We all used to think working from home was the future of work. Now that the future is here, what’s next? WBT Systems shares eleven predictions for the future of work and how they might impact associations.
Virtual job fairs. If you’re seeing lots of movement in your industry—members losing jobs, employers hiring for new positions—consider hosting a virtual job fair. MemberSuite explains the benefits for associations and employers as well as tips for planning, marketing and producing the event.
Virtual exhibitors/sponsors. The American Society of Anesthesiologists decided to deemphasize the exhibit hall portion of its online annual meeting and create “engagement packages” for sponsors instead. What a smart idea. Jennifer Dienst at PCMA Convene describes what these packages included.
Sharing chapter successes. Billhighway discusses the chapter bright spot concept—a CRP need-to-know—and explains how to share the exceptional practices (bright spots) of one chapter with all the rest.
DE&I in action. Wondering how to move forward with DE&I initiatives beyond the ubiquitous statement? McKinley Advisors describes how they helped the Infectious Diseases Society of America by starting at the top with governance and leadership development.
Quick hits before we get to the list of next week’s free education:
- Association execs: make sure your IT dept or outsourced team is taking care of these very real website issues for you… 4 ways to fight fake traffic on your association’s site. (Ernie Smith, Associations Now)
- Thinking about trying something new? First figure out if you have “wantivation” or “motivation” for your new idea. (Glenn Tecker, Tecker International)
- How a sales funnel approach can help associations attract members. (Association Success)
Good eats—skip down to the list of free webinars if you prefer take-out. If you’re a home cook, check out the weekly In The Kitchen posts on my Grabbing the Gusto blog.
- Nearly every week, I’ve been getting eggplant in my CSA share. Instead of the usual eggplant and peppers side dish, I made eggplant lasagna. I did miss the texture and taste of pasta—I’d add a layer or two of that next time. I added pesto instead of just basil to the ricotta and spinach mix—a good idea.
- I’ve seen lots of recipes for spiced oils in the past year or so. Last year, I made this chile crisp oil for fish—very good. Last week, I made a half recipe of this crunchy spice oil for yellowfin tuna—also very good.
- One of my favorite Sunday breakfasts happens when I have leftover roasted sweet potatoes or root vegetables. But this time I made breakfast for a weeknight dinner—a sweet potato and daikon radish hash with sweet pepper, poblano, jalapeño, onion, garlic and warm spices like smoked paprika and cayenne. Stir chopped pan-seared salmon into the hash and top it all with a fried egg.
- Here’s a nice idea for green beans. While you’re steaming the beans, sauté garlic and almond slices in a neutral oil supplemented with a few pads of butter. Toss in the beans along with lemon juice and zest and mix it all together. Yum.
Here are the educational events scheduled for next week. If you have a free webinar or event coming up, please send me the link before Wednesday evening the week before it’s scheduled. I’ll be happy to feature it as long as it’s not too product-centric.
Fri 11/13 at 10 a.m.* – Member ROI Simplified: Safeguarding Your Organization’s Future
The most important method for safeguarding your organization’s future is to research, embrace, and maximize your Member ROI. Learn how to measure your current ROI in actual dollar numbers, use the numbers for influencing the membership decision, grow your ROI, and prove beyond a doubt that membership in your organization is a good business decision. More info/register.
Host: Ed Rigsbee, CAE, president at Rigsbee Research
*All times are Eastern Standard Time unless otherwise noted.
Mon 11/16 at 11 a.m. – The ROI Member Recruitment Brochure: How to Create Brochures That Positively Influence Membership Decisions
Learn to determine who should be membership targets, which features of membership should be highlighted, how to develop an effective brochure layout, decision motives for joining, and how to train your members to use the brochure. More info/register.
Host: Ed Rigsbee, CAE, president at Rigsbee Research
Mon 11/16 at 12 p.m. – Creating Safe Spaces: A CEO Dialogue
As we look to the future, many factors must be considered as associations contemplate what the work environment will look like, including how to create safe spaces and foster a feeling of security for staff, members, and others returning to a physical and communal office. Hear insights from industry experts regarding creating safe spaces and CEO colleagues about the factors they are considering when making these difficult decisions, including staggered work schedules, flexible schedules for families with school-aged children or those caring for others, and issues regarding transportation concerns and legal liability for employee health. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.
Host: ASAE
Presenters:
- Georgi Ann Bailey, Hon. AIANYS, CAE, executive vice president, American Institute of Architects, New York State
- Torey Carter-Conneen, CAE, chief executive officer, American Society of Landscape Architects
- Philip Kent, external affairs director, CopernicusMD and Consultative Genomix, member, Covid Consortium
- Jon C. Olmstead, executive managing director, tenant advisory group, Cushman & Wakefield
- Robert Skelton, CAE (moderator), chief administrative & credentialing officer, ASAE: The Center for Association Leadership
Mon 11/16 at 1 p.m. – Professionals in Certification Networking Event
Join fellow certification professionals for an informal online networking event where we’ll discuss some areas that you have questions on or want to enhance your knowledge of. The conversation will be light and provide attendees a casual environment to talk with other certification professionals about your challenges and/or successes. More info/register. <I assume this is for Forum members only.>
Host: Association Forum
Mon 11/16 at 1 p.m. – Chatting with Agnes & Cecilia
This series of 15- to 20-minute videos cover hot topics and issues related to 501c organization management. New episodes are posted by 1 p.m. every Monday.
Hosts:
- Cecilia Sepp, CAE, CNAP, principal and founder, Rogue Tulips LLC
- Agnes Amos-Coleman, MBA, CMP, education, conference, event, certification consultant, Amos-Coleman
Tue 11/17 at 11 a.m. – How Indy is Successfully Hosting Live Events Right Now
Indy has welcomed over 50,000 attendees across 21 events and 65 days, with no known COVID cases. Through a four-tier approach, learn how the CVB, convention center, and county public health department are working together to successfully host live events in a safe and effective way. Indy officials will discuss their $7 million in safety enhancements, tactics towards devising a strong health mitigation plan, and a case study on a successful event from start to finish. 1 CMP credit. More info/register.
Host: PCMA
Presenters:
- Krysten Douglas, Senior Sales Manager, Visit Indy
- Daren Kingi, Senior Vice President of Sales, Visit Indy
- Monique Wise, Senior Sales Manager, Indiana Convention Center and Lucas Oil Stadium
Tue 11/17 at 11 a.m. – CEO Update LIVE: Compensation
Association compensation had been rising at all levels, fueled by a robust recruiting marketplace and strong economy, but that came to a halt in March 2020. Quickly, organizations froze salaries and eliminated bonuses and benefits as they hedged against rapidly changing revenue forecasts. Hear about the latest pay data, how organizations should be re-evaluating compensation for staff, executives and CEOs in light of the new business paradigm, and how groups can continue to incentivize top performers. More info/register.
Host: CEO Update
Presenters:
- Charles Quatt, president and founder of compensation consulting firm Quatt Associates
- Leslie Hortum, head of the Washington, DC office of recruitment firm Spencer Stuart
- Mark Graham (moderator), managing director of CEO Update
Tue 11/17 at 12 p.m. – Component Relations and Volunteer Management Crunch and Munch Monthly Chat
We’ll feature different questions from our community and assist each other with best practice sharing and idea generation. More info/register.
Host: ASAE Component Relations and Volunteer Management Section Council
Tue 11/17 at 1 p.m. – Facilit8Me Community of Practice
Join us for our open community of practice dialogue. Bring your current facilitation challenges for supportive feedback and solution. More info/register.
Host: Event Garde
Tue 11/17 at 2 p.m. – Facilitation: The One Skill that Makes Everyone Better (Association Chat)
So much more becomes possible when more people in an organization are capable, competent, and confident in facilitating or making facilitative contributions. After a long career in higher education, association management, and organizational development consulting, Jeffrey Cufaude has one purpose and passion as he begins his final career chapter: helping people facilitate better. More info/reminder.
Host: KiKi L’Italien, senior consultant, Tecker International, LLC, and host, Association Chat
Guest: Jeffrey Cufaude
Tue 11/17 at 3 p.m. – GivingTuesday for Procrastinators
last-minute strategies and what you should be doing right now to help prepare you for GivingTuesday success. More info/register.
Host: GivingTuesday
Wed 11/18 at 8 a.m. – Powering Engagement with Persona-Led Marketing
Let’s get ready to knock-off 2020’s business challenges and kick-off 2021 stronger than ever. Join us for a weekly breakfast series of strategy, planning and engaging peer discussions on common challenges faced by Associations, along with best practices to overcome them. More info/register.
Host: Halmyre
Wed 11/18 from 8 a.m. to 5:05 p.m. – Conversations by Vanilla
An annual celebration for community builders, bringing together practitioners from around the world to share their stories, their experiences and their knowledge. Our goal is to give you an energizing event to propel you into 2021 ready to build better communities. More info/register.
Host: Vanilla
Wed 11/18 at 11 a.m. – The State of the Event Industry: A Research Backed Plan to Venture Into Uncertain Times
Hear the results of a research study that asked 1,700 event professionals what the present and the future look like for events. Topics covered include a timeline for the comeback of meetings and events, the impact of Covid-19 on the industry, and the role of virtual events. CMP credit. More info/register.
Host: Event MB
Presenters:
- Julius Solaris, Editor in Chief, EventMB
- Corey McCarthey, CMO, Socio
- Sabrina Meyers, Co-Founder, Two Social Media Chicks
- Nick Borelli, President/ Strategist, Borelli Strategies
Wed 11/18 at 11 a.m. – CAE Exam: Your Burning Questions Answered
Taking the CAE Exam in December 2020? Join us to hear from recent CAEs about their experience, their test taking tips and more, as well as what it was like to take the recent exam virtually. You’ll have an opportunity to ask your final questions before the exam date. Although this will not be a content driven session, there may be references to the subject domains covered on the CAE exam. More info/register.
Host: New York Society of Association Executives
Wed 11/18 at 11 a.m. – The ROI of Words: How to Write Website Copy That Will Drive Member Renewal and Recruitment
You can no longer depend on interns or web designers to write your member value copy for influencing renewals and retention. They do pretty, you must do effective. Learn how to write the kind of benefit (or what’s in it for me) copy that will influence the decision to join or renew. More info/register.
Host: Ed Rigsbee, CAE, president at Rigsbee Research
Wed 11/18 at 11:30 a.m. – Preparing for 2021 and Beyond: The Association Business Model of the Future
Virtual engagement, automation and artificial intelligence were already influencing the way associations work, and this year associations have seen these trends accelerated along with their revenue streams getting turned upside down. Learn how you can derive opportunity from the disruption of 2020. Hear how to meet today’s member needs, actively engage new audiences, and uncover new revenue opportunities. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.
Host: Community Brands
Presenters:
- Susan Connors, General Manager, Nimble AMS
- Tristan Jordan, General Manager, YM Careers
Wed 11/18 at 12 p.m. – Your Membership Marketing Playbook:
Game Changers for Driving Membership Growth
You need members, but acquiring them and holding onto budget dollars isn’t easy right now. Get proven strategies and immediately applicable tools and tactics to build your membership marketing playbook. Learn about three game changers for driving membership growth for your organization. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.
Host: Marketing General Inc.
Presenters: Elisa Joseph Anders, Senior Account Director, and Rick Whelan, President, Marketing General Inc.
Wed 11/18 at 12 p.m. – Buyer Personas: Reflecting, Adapting and Perfecting
The end of the year is a great time to reflect on your buyer personas to see if the past 12 months has brought any major changes in their habits or the way you approach them. But, this year has seen more ups and downs than most as we all shifted to adapt to a more virtual strategy. Learn how to re-evaluate your buyer personas for accuracy as well as adaptations and considerations you should keep in mind as you look toward 2021. More info/register.
Host: New Breed Marketing
Wed 11/18 at 1 p.m. – Operationalizing Data and Analytics
While theory and strategy are important, this webinar provides a behind-the-scenes look at how associations have operationalized data and analytics. We surveyed close to 200 associations to learn where they are today, what works, what doesn’t, and what it takes to build a more data-driven organization. Learn about the latest trends and hear case studies from peers that can be applied within your own association. More info/register.
Host: Association Analytics
Presenter: McKinley Advisors
Wed 11/18 at 1 p.m. – Virtual Event Design Gotcha Flummoxed? Stop Thinking, Start Feeling, Design Differently
Hear about the 4-step framework used by several associations to transform their approach to solving seemingly unsolvable problems and designing incredible experiences. Learn why the first step towards designing an amazing virtual event experience is to shift your problem-solving paradigm. Understand The Lottery Effect and how it prevents you from designing an effective virtual event experience and identify whether it’s hindering your team now. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.
Host: CommPartners
Presenter: Mallory Gott, founder and creative director of G+A, an experiential design firm
Wed 11/18 at 1 p.m. – #ExpoChat on Twitter
ExpoChat is a Twitter-based conversation on topics related to the trade show industry. More info.
Wed 11/18 at 2 p.m. – Ask the Attorney: New Contract Considerations for Live and Hybrid Events
As meeting planners begin to bring back in-person gatherings and hybrid events with both in-person and digital elements, a number of legal questions have come up related to hotel contracts, liability for attendee safety, technology vendor contracts and more. Get your questions answered and hear about options for working with venue partners and ensuring you avoid any legal difficulties. 1 CMP credit. More info/register.
Host: Northstar Meetings Group
Presenter: Jonathan T. Howe, president and founding partner of Howe & Hutton Ltd.
Wed 11/18 at 2 p.m. – Where Are We Now? How Our Industry Continues to Elevate and to Articulate the Importance of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
Hear from executives of key industry organizations as they share what each of them is doing to lead and innovate in this time of uncertainty. Understand how we are moving towards social and economic transformation as an industry and how each of us can take an active and necessary role to move our communities for further inclusion, equity, and diversity. More info/register.
Host: MPI
Presenters:
- Charlotte Hayslett, Vice President of Human Resources, Visit Milwaukee
- Derrick Johnson, Director of Event Strategy & Chief Diversity Officer and Chair of the LGBT MPA Board of Directors, Talley Management Group
- Apoorva Gandhi, Vice President Multicultural Affairs and Business Councils and Board Member of the International Gay & Lesbian Travel Association, Marriott International
- Zoe Moore, CDP, Doerpreneur + Inclusion & Diversity Consultant, LB Alliance
- Tanida Mullen, CMP, Association Sales Manager, Killeen Convention and Visitors Bureau
Wed 11/18 at 2 p.m. – Maintaining Key Connections
How can you continue to connect with others, reduce your own stress, and be an advocate for all your colleagues in the industry? Learn about the stress you are experiencing and how to curb its negative effects. Hear about techniques to successfully network and continue to connect with others through this time of technology-based connections. More info/register.
Host: PCMA
Presenter: Michael Levin, President, Custom Solutions, Inc.
Wed 11/18 at 2 p.m. – Mastering Work/Life Balance in the Virtual Workplace
Are you working more, but feel like you’re getting less done? Are you emotionally exhausted from all the non-stop bad news? Are increased emails, calls, texts, tweets, and meetings consuming your life and stifling your productivity? If you answered yes, you’ll want to join us for a fun, interactive Q&A session on finding the balance and intentionality you need to thrive at work and at home even during trying times. More info/register.
Host: The Mentor Project
Facilitator: Meico Marquette Whitlock, Founder and CEO, MindfulTechie
Wed 11/18 at 3 p.m. – Building a Better Nonprofit Software Selection Process: Ask the Experts Webinar
To be successful with selecting new software at your organization, you need to start by identifying and planning for the organizational change that will occur within the future implementation. Get answers to your questions on ways to create a sound process for software selection, before you consider the specific technologies available to meet your organizational needs. More info/register.
Host: Community IT
Presenter: Kyle Haines, David Deal, and Peter Mirus, co-founders, Build Consulting
Thu 11/19 at 10 a.m. – Virtual Events: How to Get the Registration Experience Right
The registration process is still one of the most important things to get right when planning a successful virtual event. If your attendees are getting frustrated with complex forms, log-in passwords and a long list of seemingly unnecessary questions, then chances are they’ll give up and look elsewhere. Learn how to create a simple but effective registration experience, use personalized registration journeys to boost attendance, collect valuable data with the least inconvenience to your attendees, and ensure you meet Data Protection Regulations/GDPR compliance. More info/register.
Host: Eventsforce
Thu 11/19 at 11 a.m. – How to Market Your Hybrid Event
Hear practical tips and considerations to successfully market our hybrid events, including how to best position the virtual and live components of your hybrid event, key questions you and your team should consider in crafting a marketing plan, and how to acknowledge and satisfy new considerations that live event attendees have in today’s new reality. More info/register.
Host: Association Success
Presenter: Aidan Augustin, Co-Founder and President of Feathr
Thu 11/19 at 11 a.m. – How to Get and KEEP Your Virtual Audience Engaged
Why is it we can scroll social media for hours without getting bored, but can’t manage to stay interested in an hour-long virtual event session? We bust the myth that authentic audience engagement at virtual events is impossible. Heart tips on how to get – and KEEP – your attendees interacting, even 100% online. More info/register.
Host: Swapcard
Presenters: Sabrina Meyers, Vincent Bruneau and Mia Masson
Thu 11/19 at 11:30 a.m. – Pro-Tips for Planning a Scientific Conference in the Middle of a Pandemic
Right now, there is no clear path for event organizers to follow. Global and local regulations are in constant flux, and predictions for the future often create more questions than answers. All the while, associations and scientific communities are trying to find a way to continue the valuable knowledge sharing that once happened at traditional in-person conferences. Hear about strategies to help you and your community cope with the constant change, plus tips for conference plans that can flex when you need them too. More info/register.
Host: Ex Ordo
Presenters:
- Paul Gentry, Conferences & Events Manager, Royal Statistical Society
- Anne Ornelas, Senior Operations Manager, CASSS – Sharing Science Solutions
- Mary Beth Barilla, Program Director, Society for Scholarly Publishing
Thu 11/19 at 12 p.m. – Chapter Tech Edition: A Few of Our Favorite Chapter Tools for 2021
The shift to virtual has placed an even greater emphasis on the importance of leveraging technology at the local level. Hear about specific tools to help maximize chapter performance in this new reality. Learn how CRPs are leveraging these chapter tech tools on the job and why they’re recommending them to their chapter leaders. These tools come straight from other CRPs, so we’re sure they can work for your association too. More info/register.
Hosts: Billhighway and Mariner Management
Presenters: Peter Houstle and Peggy Hoffman, founders, Mariner Management
Thu 11/19 at 12 p.m. – Becoming an Ally in Scholarly Publishing
Join a discussion about the recently published “Antiracism Toolkit for Allies”, the first of three in the series released through the Toolkits for Equity Project. Hear about the process of creating this helpful resource as well as the role of allies in creating workspaces that are welcoming for Black, Indigenous, and People of Color. More info/register.
Host: Society for Scholarly Publishing Raleigh-Durham
Presenters:
- Jocelyn Dawson, Journals Marketing Manager, Duke University Press
- Alejandra Mejía, Editorial Associate and Student Worker Program Manager, Duke University Press
Thu 11/19 at 1 p.m. – Event Hack Hybrid Games
Back in April 2020, we came together to hack the future of virtual events in the OG EventHack event. We’ve invited the best minds in events to work together and produce the industry’s largest playbook on hybrid events. Join us in this ten-week series, where the Virtual and In Person teams will square off and compete to produce the best hybrid crossover ideas. More info/register.
Host: Socio
Thu 11/19 at 2 p.m. – 2020 Key Learnings and How to Plan for 2021
Join this fireside chat to learn how to make more revenue from your next virtual or hybrid event, leverage real-time data and analytics to create a custom experience, and keep your organization indispensable to your constituents. More info/register.
Hosts: Juno and 360 Live Media
Thu 11/19 at 2 p.m. – Play to Win: Competing in the Digital Arena
Hear about tactics, technologies and tips you need to recruit and retain members in 2021; proven practices for finding new members digitally and marketing to them; and strategies top companies and associations in the US are using to increase engagement. More info/register.
Host: MultiView
Presenter: Yariv Drori , Chief Strategy Officer, MultiView
Thu 11/19 at 2 p.m. – Say Hello to Hybrid: What to Think About as We Look to the Future
Large in-person meetings aren’t coming back anytime soon. But new venue safety protocols combined with more technology offerings have allowed planners to start exploring a new format for their content: hybrid meetings. Learn why just live streaming your general session isn’t a hybrid meeting. Hear about the staffing considerations, audience engagement, and even the exhibit hall items that you’ll need to consider so you can get a good night’s sleep and be ready to roll for your hybrid events. 1 CMP credit. More info/register.
Host: MeetingsNet
Presenters:
- Shayna Moskowitz, DES, Director of Meetings and Event Technology, Part 2 Events
- Darryl Diamond, CMP, Chief Experience Officer, Big White Dog Events
Thu 11/19 at 2 p.m. – Optimizing Digital Events for Multiple Stakeholders
Hear about the process the Medical Group Management Association (MGMA) used to produce compelling sponsorship offerings that drove significant virtual exhibit hall traffic and how it created a meaningful, fun, and engaging digital experience for its audience. More info/register.
Host: Smart Meetings
Presenters:
- Megan Finnell, CMP, Director of Meetings and Conferences, MGMA
- Craig Wiberg, MLS, MBA, Senior Product Manager, MGMA
Thu 11/19 at 4 p.m. – Digital Member Communications: How Hard Decisions Led to Pandemic Praise (Reston-Loudon Idea Swap)
In 2020, most conversations are happening digitally, but getting here has been a long, at times difficult road, as legacy methods kept us guessing, “who’s actually reading this?” Learn how one association stepped through this digital transition—and was grateful to have done it before the pandemic hit. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.
Host: ASAE Reston-Loudon Idea Swap
Presenter: Laura Withers, Vice President of Strategic Communications for NTCA─The Rural Broadband Association
Fri 11/20 at 2 p.m. – Foresight Fridays with Jeff De Cagna
We will discuss pre-selected foresight topics and questions. Participants will enjoy compelling future-focused learning 1 CAE credit. More info/register.
Host: Jeff De Cagna, executive advisor for Foresight First LLC
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 before Wednesday evening.
Creative Commons photo by Joyful via Unsplash
Association Brain Food 