I’m heading west for a family hiking vacation next week, so this edition of Association Brain Food will have to tide you over until Friday, June 26. See you all then!

Good reads for the association community

“You can be relevant as hell and still be boring as f*ck.” ~brand strategist Martin Weigel (Is he talking about associations?)

Program management. If your trade association runs certifications, awards, scholarships, committee applications, or product competitions, staff end up managing each one with a mix of spreadsheets, email chains, and manual follow-up. OpenWater shows how all five programs can run on one platform—with examples from associations in construction, aviation, consumer electronics, food service, and sports.

Website content strategy. The debate over public vs. gated content is addressing the wrong question, says Shannon Gray (Betty.AI). She recommends separating content by strategic purpose: public for AI discoverability and member acquisition, members-only for retention and depth, and internal for staff efficiency. She supports her argument with membership revenue data from associations already running this model.

Association membership benchmarks. Marketing General Inc. (MGI) previews early data from its forthcoming 2026 Membership Marketing Benchmarking Report. Not all the findings are good news. Only 39% of associations grew membership this year, down from 48% in 2024. And, fewer than one in eight associations consider their value proposition very compelling. The report also covers AI adoption, recruitment tactics, and what high-performing associations are doing differently.

Free marketing design/copy course. Go beyond the basics with Association Academy’s Association Creative Marketing Masterclass, a four-week deep dive designed specifically for association professionals. This program teaches you to optimize banner ads, landing pages, and email copy for maximum performance. Through live weekly classes led by association CMOs, learn to master the copy and layout techniques needed to increase the return on your promotional materials—all while earning up to four CAE credits. Classes start Thursday, July 2 at 1 p.m. Enrollment is free with the referral code BRAINFOOD.

Repurposing content for microlearning. Last year, Cathy Lada (Lada Consulting) built member microlearning programs for two associations using their archived webinar content. Her advice: start with what members need to do at work, not what’s sitting in your content archive, and build an operating rhythm to sustain your programs.

Volunteer leadership as member value. DJ Johnson (American Speech-Language-Hearing Association) describes what it takes to connect volunteer leadership to real member value in this Q&A with Association Adviser’s Gabi Coelho. Their conversation covers strategic alignment, feedback loops, volunteer-staff partnerships, matching volunteers to roles that play to their strengths, and building leadership pipelines that bring in new people.

Website redesign RFPs. Most website redesigns that go sideways don’t fail during the project; they fail during the RFP process. Steward describes ten mistakes associations make before they ever get a proposal back. A well-run RFP process gets you sharper proposals and smoother final approval decisions.

Taming overwhelm. If you want to increase productivity, Steven van Gemert says to start your day with nothing. Begin the day with empty work surfaces: your desk, computer desktop, browser tabs, to-do list, and notebook. He advises not using your work surfaces as storage. Separate the two and the mental clutter starts to clear.

Unaffordable housing. David Larson at the Carolina Journal explains one root cause of the starter-home shortage. “The young workers, moving to our area and graduating from our colleges, want to buy smaller, more-affordable homes. The homebuilders want to build and sell them those homes. But until local governments get out of the way, or are forced to by the state, North Carolina is unlikely to have nearly enough starter homes to meet the demand.”

Snacks

Could future B2B event business models be built directly on content consumption? An intriguing strategy, but is it viable? | Bob Mitchell, Mitchell Partnership Alliances

The indoor childhood is bad for America. We need to reckon with the cultural implications of trapping an entire generation at home with nothing useful to do. | Ben Sasse, Wall Street Journal (gift link, I hope)

Wow. Fourth-century coin and mysterious inscriptions found under Notre Dame cathedral: “Dig of the century.” | CBS News

Association Brain Food is a labor of love and always will be. If it’s been useful to you, your team, or your webinar marketing, buying me a beer is genuinely appreciated. Thanks!

You never grow old at the table

My chives are going crazy, so I browsed a few recipes and came up with this simple, quick salmon dish. Before roasting, top salmon fillets with ground cumin, smoked paprika, and cayenne. Once out of the oven, spoon over a deep green sauce made in the immersion blender with cilantro, chives, garlic, lime juice, and olive oil.

On the side, another new recipe: sweet and sour melting cabbage. Plan ahead, because it takes about an hour to cook. Orange juice, maple syrup, and red wine vinegar provide the sweet and sour.

I made this Italian-stuffed pork loin for the second time. We love it so much, it might end up on our Christmas Eve menu. One warning: don’t use as much salt as the recipe calls for. I did that the first time and it was way too salty. Instead, sprinkle what you think is the right amount inside and outside the loin. I used less than half of what they suggested. An inspired addition: scatter dried cranberries across the filling before rolling up the loin.

On the side, roasted sweet potatoes and creamed collards with mushrooms, red bell pepper, onion, carrot, bacon, etc.

About CAE credits: Per ASAE, “any continuing professional education offered by any professional entity may be accepted toward the [CAE] professional development requirement as long as it is directly related to either association or nonprofit management as defined by the CAE exam content outline.”

Education providers: 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 product-centric.

Fri 6/5 from 11:02 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.* – EVENTASTIC

EVENTASTIC is an events focused conference designed to help exceed your current strategies with actionable advice you can deploy same-day, informed by a deep pool of real-time user data. EVENTASTIC is designed to share the very latest trends from event design, marketing, event tech, sponsorship sales, engagement, swag, content planning and more. More info/register.

Host: Guru Media Hub

*All events are online at Eastern Time unless otherwise noted.

Fri 6/5 at 1 p.m. – Foresight Fridays: Member Value Is Shifting – Turn Your Programs into AI-Driven Experiences

Learn how associations can evolve their value proposition beyond static benefits. Explore how to create intelligent, personalized experiences that adapt to member needs in real time. Hear how existing programs, content, and systems can become the foundation for future-ready engagement. More info/register (ASAE members only).

Host: ASAE

Speakers:

• Farhad Khan, CEO of Member Lounge
• Mallory Mejias, AAiP, Co-Host and Producer of the Sidecar Sync Podcast
• Eden Dahlstrom, Vice President of Professional Development and Membership at EDUCAUSE

Mon 6/8 at 8 a.m. – Will You Be Missed? Association Relevance (Radio Free 501c, the podcast of Rogue Tulips Consulting)

Every week, Rogue Tulips brings the association community intriguing guests who discuss vital topics affecting associations around the world. Episodes are published Monday mornings in both audio and video format, available on YouTube and the usual podcast channels. 

Host: Cecilia Sepp, CAE, ACNP, LPEC, Principal & Founder, Rogue Tulips Consulting

Guest: Christine Saunders, Halmyre

Mon 6/8 at 12 p.m. – Membership Mondays: Membership Skills That Translate All the Way to the C-Suite

Hear how a member‑centric mindset propelled Tip Tucker Kendall, CAE, from membership specialist to executive director and has driven over 150% growth along the way. Explore the core membership skills that naturally translate to executive influence, culture‑building, and strategic decision‑making, and learn how membership professionals can shape their organization’s direction from any seat. More info/register (ASAE members only).

Host: ASAE

Tue 6/9 at 12 p.m. – Renovating Your Board: A Seven-Domain Framework for Governance Health

Good intentions don’t hold a board together. Strong governance does. Learn about the House of Governance, a framework that examines seven core domains of governance health. Walk through the “rooms” of the house, identify where your governance system is solid, where it’s drafty, and where it needs renovation. Discover how decisions get made, how leaders understand their roles, and how the board and executive can stay aligned,  so your organization keeps moving forward. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.

Host: GrowthZone

Speaker: Jim Thompson, Tying it Together Consulting

Tue 6/9 at 12 p.m. – Tech Tuesday: Beyond Trains Running and Lights On – Are You in the Engine Room or the Boardroom

The job description for association tech leadership has changed. Keeping the Wi-Fi up and the AMS running is just the starting point. In an era shaped by AI and rapid change, technology leaders have the opportunity to move beyond maintaining systems to driving strategy and impact. As technology reshapes our organizations and the very makeup of our teams, association leaders face a critical pivot. So, where is your focus: just keeping the lights on, or lighting the way? More info/register (ASAE members only).

Host: ASAE

Facilitators:

• Reggie Henry, Chief Information and Performance Excellence Officer, ASAE
• Dave Coriale, President, DelCor Technology Solutions

Tue 6/9 at 2 p.m. – Ethics and Decision Making When Leading Volunteers

When you’re torn between two or more of the core values for leading and managing volunteers, how do you know if you’re in an ethical dilemma, and what should you do to ensure that you make the right decision? Learn about those core values and how to incorporate ethical decision making into your work. Find out how to think through a real ethical dilemma faced by a leader of volunteers, and practice the steps needed to implement this practice in your own work. More info/register.

Hosts: Council for Certification in Volunteer Administration and Idealist

Speakers: Faiza Venzant, CVA, Executive Director for the Council for Certification in Volunteer Administration and Jennifer Bennett, CVA

Wed 6/10 at 11 a.m. – How to Manage Vendors: Drive the Bus, Don’t Ride (Office Hours for LMS Buyers)

Learn what it takes to run a streamlined, defensible vendor selection process. Explore techniques for managing vendors, evaluating proposal responses, comparing prices, down-selecting vendors, and staying on schedule. More info/register.

Host: Talented Learning

Speaker: John Leh, CEO and Lead Analyst at Talented Learning

Wed 6/10 at 11 a.m. – Making Volunteer Selection Objective – Building Thoughtful Criteria

Volunteers are an association’s most engaged members. They regularly find the most value in their membership. Yet many associations obfuscate the process for becoming a volunteer, either relying on who they know, or creating a process that is difficult to navigate. Learn how associations can better outline their process for volunteer selection to help engage more members, providing more value to both members and the association. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.

Host: UST Education

Speaker: Justin Burniske, MBA, Principal Consultant, Co-Owner at Volunteer Me by Meta-Dao

Wed 6/10 from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. – Learning is the Value: Turning Continuing Education into Your Association’s Growth Engine (Washington DC)

Learn how to position your education strategy as a core driver of member value, engagement, and retention aligned to what your members need and will pay for. Discover practical ways to scale impact and monetize learning from certifications to digital offerings. Explore how you can leverage digital learning to expand reach, stay competitive, and deliver measurable outcomes across the member lifecycle. Location: Washington DC. CAE credits. More info/register.

Host: D2L

Speakers:

• Bill Sheehan, Global Head of Association Strategy, D2L
• Tobin Conley, VP of Client Education, DelCor

Wed 6/10 at 12 p.m. – Only Marketers in the Building: Successful Campaign Strategies for Associations

From growing membership and raising awareness to driving advocacy and supporting organizational goals, your campaigns carry serious weight and a one-size-fits-all approach simply doesn’t cut it. Learn how to craft campaigns that speak to member motivations and organizational mission; create strategies for recruitment, retention, and re-engagement; amplify your message across digital and traditional channels; measure success; and make the case for your marketing investments. More info/register.

Host: GrowthZone

Speaker: Nicole Araujo, Client Engagement Director, Mighty Citizen

Wed 6/10 at 12 p.m. – How Mentors and Emerging Talent Will Succeed Together in the AI Workplace

Learn why the relationship between mentors and emerging professionals is shifting in the AI workplace, what both sides need from each other right now, and what associations can do to help both groups succeed. More info/register.

Host: TaleWind Digital

Speaker: Amberlee Huggins, President, American Marketing Association—Washington, DC

Wed 6/10 at 12 p.m. – Scale Your Reach: Redesigning Association Events

Learn how to rethink traditional event models to expand your association’s influence and attract a broader, more diverse audience. For association leaders, reimagining these gatherings is essential for keeping members engaged and attracting a new generation of professionals to your mission. More info/register.

Host: NXUnite by Nexus Marketing

Speakers:

• Bill Zimmer, Head of Marketing and Creative at 360 Live Media
• Joe Colangelo, Co-Founder and CEO at Bear Analytics
• Lawrence Givens, Senior Director of Partnerships at eShow

Wed 6/10 at 1 p.m. – What Leading Organizations Do Differently with Learning: Strategy, Measurement & Impact

Learn about a practical approach to assessing the role of learning within a credentialing portfolio. Using the Learning Power Index (LPI) as an illustrative example, see how a single metric supports data-informed decision-making, evaluates program performance, and aligns learning initiatives with organizational strategy. Hear how CompTIA evaluated its learning strategy, aligned stakeholders, and implemented changes to improve program performance. More info/register.

Host: Institute for Credentialing Excellence

Speakers:

• Katie Hoenicke, Chief Product Officer, CompTIA
• Ashish Rangnekar, Co-founder and CEO, BenchPrep

Wed 6/10 at 1 p.m. – The Trust Gap: What New Research Reveals About How Events Build Trust

How are event and marketing teams building credibility with their audiences today? To find out, we commissioned global research with Censuswide, surveying 901 event and marketing professionals across 12 countries. Learn how your peers are building audience trust and why events are a crucial channel for human connection and brand credibility, how AI is reshaping audience trust and what it means for your strategy, and how to design and measure events for human connection and prove the impact back to your organization. More info/register.

Host: Meetings Today

Speakers: Brittany Fisher, Team Lead, Product Marketing, and Victoria Akinsowon, Manager, Content Marketing, Cvent

Thu 6/11 at 11 a.m. – Insourcing vs. Outsourcing IT: Not an Either/Or Decision

Learn how to categorize the various components of IT management; examine the operational risks and opportunities tied to each component; compare common management models (insourced, outsourced, or co-managed IT); and outline key variables to consider when choosing the right model for your association. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.

Host: UST Education

Speakers: Heinan Landa, Founder & CEO, and Chris Abel, Manager of Consulting Services, Optimal Networks

Thu 6/11 at 12 p.m. – On The Hunt

A monthly, community-driven virtual gathering designed to support AWTC members who are exploring new opportunities, navigating a job search, or considering their next move. Connect with peers, share insights, exchange leads and resources, and stay encouraged through the job-hunting process. Each session includes informal discussion, optional themed topics, and space for participants to reflect on their next steps to create momentum while prioritizing connection, flexibility, and community support. More info/register.

Host: Association Women Technology Champions

Thu 6/11 at 1 p.m. – How Associations Are Using Digital Platforms to Deepen Member Value and Grow Non-Dues Revenue

More associations are beginning to use ‘plug and play’ digital platforms to turn their websites into stronger engines for member and sponsor value, while driving non-dues revenue in the process. Hear directly from association leaders using platforms to create more useful digital experiences for members while opening the door to more modern, scalable growth opportunities. Find out how these platforms work, where they can create value, and what associations are learning from real-world use. More info/register.

Host: Lead Marvels

Speakers:

• Vanessa (Vinnie) Finley , Chief Executive Officer, NALA – The Paralegal Association
• Stephen Kendrick, Senior Program Manager, Communications & Marketing, American Public Transportation Association
• Marcus Weston, Senior Director, Global Enterprise Sales & Partnerships, The Institute of Internal Auditors
• Jamie Green (moderator), Founder, ContentOvation

Mon 6/15 at 11 a.m. – The Human Side of AI: Culture, Confidence, & Change

Explore the human side of AI adoption, focusing on how culture, confidence, and change are shaping the way organizations integrate AI. Hear how AI is impacting day-to-day work, team dynamics, and leadership. Learn how to maintain independent thinking, address burnout and pressure, navigate job security concerns, and build a healthy, supportive culture around AI. More info/register (ASAE members only).

Host: ASAE

Speakers:

• Alex Caldeira, Manager, Policy Coalitions | ASAE
• Ivanna Casado, Future of Work Strategist & Executive Coach | Your Go-To Coach
• Marc-André Rochefort, Founder & President, | Leanova Academy

Mon 6/15 at 12 p.m. – AWTC Virtual Co-Working Session

Virtual co-working is an online gathering where participants spend dedicated time working alongside one another. In the first five minutes, brief introductions: your name, organization, and the project, task, idea, or decision you hope to make progress on or complete during the session. This is protected time to work alongside your AWTC champions. More info/register.

Host: Association Women Technology Champions (AWTC)

Mon 6/15 at 1 p.m. – The Power of You: Unlocking Leadership Traits and Values That Drive Success

Explore the leadership traits that have the greatest impact on your effectiveness. Hear how even your greatest strengths can become obstacles when overused, how to be more intentional in choosing the right leadership approach for the moment, and how small shifts can create meaningful change in your career and team outcomes. Dive into the role of values as your leadership “true north.” 1.5 CAE credits. More info/register.

Host: The Alliance of Women in Associations

Speaker: Kathy Shanley, Founder of Statice

Tue 6/16 at 10:30 a.m. – Meditation Skills for Busy Lives

Take a pause from busyness and learn simple mindfulness practices to ease stress and reduce the feelings of burnout. These monthly sessions, designed to help you create space in your day, include: 5 minutes to arrive and settle in, 10 minutes of guided meditation practice, and 5 minutes for questions and reflection. Every month, we explore a new area of meditation and introduce a practical skill you can carry with you. Open to everyone, no prior meditation experience required. More info/register.

Host: Association Women Technology Champions

Meditation leader: Moira Edwards, Owner & President, Ellipsis Partners

Tue 6/16 from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. – Beyond Membership: The Revenue Shift Associations Can’t Afford to Ignore (Ottawa ON)

Learn how to move beyond dues dependence by diversifying revenue and better monetizing education. Explore practical strategies—from certifications and on‑demand learning to sponsorships and digital content—that strengthen member value while driving sustainable non‑dues growth. Location: Ottawa ON. More info/register.

Host: D2L

Speaker: Bill Sheehan, Global Head of Association Strategy, D2L

Tue 6/16 at 12 p.m. – CRVM Crunch and Munch

Join us for an interactive discussion regarding best practices, challenges, and wins in component relations and volunteer management. These meetings are open to all ASAE members—insights and questions welcomed. More info/register.

Host: ASAE Component Relations Volunteer Management Advisory Council

Tue 6/16 at 12 p.m. – Risky Business: What Types of Insurance Do Associations Really Need?

Explore the core insurance products associations should understand, emerging exposures reshaping association risk, common coverage definitions in plain language, and the types of claims associations are seeing most often. Get the clarity to evaluate your current coverage and make insurance decisions that fit your association. More info/register.

Hosts: ASAE and Aon

Tue 6/16 at 2 p.m. – Onboarding That Works: From Instant Access to Complex Approval Processes

Explore how to design onboarding experiences that drive early engagement, no matter how simple or complex your process may be. From fast, automated access to phased and approval-based models, unpack the common challenges that lead to disengagement and show you how to overcome them. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.

Host: ASAE

Speakers: Eileen Quinn, Senior Strategic Advisor; Emily Jennings, Senior Partner Program Manager; and Georgina Donahue, Director, Community Innovation & AI Strategy, Higher Logic

Wed 6/17 at 11 a.m. – The Well-being Edge: How Flourishing Employees Drive Mission Success

Join a practical, research-backed conversation about workplace well-being built specifically for leaders who make decisions that affect people and culture. Learn what a thriving workplace looks like, why it drives better organizational outcomes, and how to build one – even in the face of emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence. Get a clear understanding of how to recognize a healthy culture, the science that explains why it works, and concrete steps you can start applying at your organization. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.

Host: ASAE

Speakers:

• Dennis P. Stolle, JD, PhD, Executive Lead Psychologist, Applied Psychology | American Psychological Association
• Doug Reynolds, PhD, Executive Vice President | aptMetrics
• Tara Davis, Senior Director, Internal Communications & Staff Wellbeing | American Psychological Association

Wed 6/17 at 12 p.m. – Lead the Change You Want to See

Learn how to drive change effectively along with the essential skills required for change leadership, along with the steps needed to implement and sustain change within organizations. More info/register.

Host: Stratford Group

Speaker: Kathryn Yeung, Senior Consultant & Change Management Expert, Stratford People & Culture

Wed 6/17 at 1 p.m. – From Silos to System: How Associations Can Converge Content, Marketing, and Data

Explore how leading associations are moving from disconnected efforts to a unified, converged model—where content, marketing, and data work together as one system. Learn how to rethink your structure, align your teams, and create a content ecosystem that meets your audience where they are. See how this strategy comes to life in practice and what tools can support a more connected, data-informed approach to engagement. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.

Host: Fonteva

Speakers: Michelle Jackson, Chief Strategy Officer, and Janet Celosia, Vice President, Marketing Strategy, BackPocket Agency

Wed 6/17 at 1 p.m. – Woo That Works: Authentic Leadership in an Age of Artificial Everything

Hear how to reconnect with the most human parts of leadership: presence, self-awareness, courage, and connection. In a world increasingly shaped by AI, automation, and performative professionalism, authentic leadership is no longer a nice-to-have; it is a real differentiator. Through a practical blend of mindfulness, emotional intelligence, and the head-heart-gut framework, explore how to lead with more clarity, empathy, and courage without hiding behind corporate armor. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.

Host: UST Education

Speaker: Anne Robie, Principal at Darshan Leadership

Wed 6/17 at 2 p.m. – Keys to Driving Webinar Registration

Learn tips for creating compelling promo messaging, how to optimize and personalize your email invitations, new ways to drive social promotions, and tricks to driving on-demand registrations. More info/register.

Host: Content Marketing Institute

Speakers:

• Mark Bornstein, VP, Content Marketing and Chief Evangelist, ON24
• Stephanie Stahl, Managing Director, Content Marketing Institute

Wed 6/17 at 2 p.m. – Uncovering Emerging Destinations

Hear about the new locations the panel is exploring and booking for 2026 and beyond. Find out how they discover and research emerging destinations, and assess a destination’s infrastructure. Learn strategies for easing stakeholder concerns and effectively promoting and marketing events in new or emerging spots. 1 CMP credit. More info/register.

Host: Northstar Meetings Group

Thu 6/18 from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. – Beyond Membership: The Revenue Shift Associations Can’t Afford to Ignore (Toronto ON)

Learn how to move beyond dues dependence by diversifying revenue and better monetizing education. Explore practical strategies—from certifications and on‑demand learning to sponsorships and digital content—that strengthen member value while driving sustainable non‑dues growth. Location: Toronto ON. More info/register.

Host: D2L

Speaker: Bill Sheehan, Global Head of Association Strategy, D2L

Thu 6/18 at 12 p.m. – Rethink Your LMS: A Framework for Engagement and Follow-Through

Explore how today’s learners actually behave—not how we wish they behaved—and what that means for the way you design and deliver educational experiences. Look at why common formats fall short, what patterns are emerging that do work, and how to structure learning in a way that supports real participation and follow-through. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.

Host: GrowthZone

Speaker: Beth Brodovsky, founder, Iris Creative

Thu 6/18 at 1:30 p.m. – AI as Leverage: How a 10-Person Team Operates Like 50

Learn about the internal AI skill library the Bear Analytics team uses every day: from client-needs intelligence that compounds across every prospect call, to delivery tools that turn raw data into executive-ready client briefs in minutes instead of hours. Hear how that same leverage philosophy extends to clients, when bespoke intelligence can be tailored to each account and delivered through mechanisms built specifically for how that client operates. Get the real playbook from a team that built AI into how they run and what their clients touch. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.

Hosts: Barbara Armentrout, CAE, BJA Solutions for Associations, and Teri Carden, COO, Insight Guide

Speaker: Joe Colangelo, CEO of Bear Analytics

Thu 6/18 at 2 p.m. – Safeguarding Your Association: Governing and Managing Cyber & AI Risks

Explore how cyber and AI risks are interconnected enterprise challenges that demand leadership-level ownership and integrated governance strategies. Get practical tools and strategies to safeguard your organizations, protect member data, and ensure ethical AI practices. More info/register.

Host: GrowthZone

Speaker: Christopher Hetner, Cyber Risk Advisor to the National Association of Corporate Directors

Thu 6/18 at 3 p.m. – Bridging Generations, Building Leaders: Lessons from Cross-Organizational Mentorship

Learn how a senior association executive and an emerging leader from different organizations built a partnership grounded in curiosity, trust, and mutual learning. Hear how cross-organizational mentoring deepened their understanding of leadership, organizational culture, and the evolving expectations of today’s workforce. Find out what makes mentorship relationships thrive, how to structure meaningful connections across institutions, and how to sustain a culture of development that benefits both mentor and mentee. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.

Host: ASAE

Speakers:

• Bradley Brewer, Director Corporate Engagement, ACORE
• Samantha Rosenberg, SPHR SHRM-SCP, CAE, Chief People & Governance Officer, Association for Diagnostics & Laboratory Medicine

Mon 6/22 at 8 a.m. – The Cost of Being Reactive (Radio Free 501c, the podcast of Rogue Tulips Consulting)

Every week, Rogue Tulips brings the association community intriguing guests who discuss vital topics affecting associations around the world. Episodes are published Monday mornings in both audio and video format, available on YouTube and the usual podcast channels. 

Host: Cecilia Sepp, CAE, ACNP, LPEC, Principal & Founder, Rogue Tulips Consulting

Guest: Pamela Murphy, Minerva Insight Strategies

Tue 6/23 at 12:30 p.m. – How Event Teams Can Deliver Better Sponsor ROI

Explore how modern event teams are evolving their sponsorship strategies to better align internal teams, improve sponsor experiences, and create more effective ways to measure and communicate ROI. From operational efficiency to creative activations, we’ll discuss practical ideas for building stronger sponsorship programs that work for everyone involved. More info/register.

Host: Bizzabo

Tue 6/23 at 1 p.m. – Does Your Budget Become Obsolete the Day the Board Approves It?

Learn how forecasting and scenario planning improve the financial ability and sustainability of nonprofits in a changing funding landscape. Hear about practical steps to move beyond annual budgets, including how to introduce forecasting and align it with existing processes. More info/register.

Host: Raffa Investment Advisers

Speakers: Buu-Linh Tran, CPA and Dan Holcomb of JMT Consulting

Wed 6/24 from 9:05 a.m. to 4:50 p.m. – Demo Day: AI in Action

Get a firsthand look at how associations are using AI today through live, real-world 30-minute product demos. See practical examples from both AI-first companies and established tech providers who have infused AI features into their offerings—showcasing tools that could enhance member engagement, operations, and strategic initiatives. More info/register.

Host: ASAE

Participants: Bulletin Apps, GrowthZone, Breezio, Hivebrite, Higher Logic, Forj, Tradewing, Clowder, Cantarus, and Izzy—Blue Cypress

Wed 6/24 at 11 a.m. – Communication Killers: Why Smart C-Suite Leaders Lose Their Jobs—And How Not to Be Next

What takes down even the best association CEOs and C-suite leaders isn’t performance—it’s communication. Misread your board or misjudge your staff dynamics, and your credibility can erode fast, taking your reputation and role down with it. Get a candid look at how subtle missteps in messaging, tone, or alignment can turn collaboration into confrontation, and what you can do today to stop it. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.

Host: UST Education

Speaker: Richard Yep, Vice President at Vetted Solutions

Wed 6/24 at 12 p.m. – AI Readiness Check: Is Your Team Actually Prepared?

Many associations are eager to “use AI,” but struggle when results fall flat or create more confusion than clarity. Learn whether your organization is truly prepared to use AI effectively and what needs to be in place before AI can deliver meaningful value. Get a practical readiness checklist that helps you identify gaps, prioritize next steps, and move forward with confidence instead of guesswork. More info/register.

Host: HighRoad Solutions

Speaker: Maneesha Manges, CXO, HighRoad Solutions

Wed 6/24 at 12 p.m. – How High Performing Organizations Build and Maintain a Sponsorship Advantage

Learn how to connect with the right people inside a prospective sponsor, present a clear and compelling case for sponsorship, and develop sponsorship relationships that create real value for both a sponsor and your organization. More info/register.

Host: Zzeem Consulting

Wed 6/24 at 12 p.m. – Security Across Exam Modalities: Are We Having the Right Conversation?

Explore the evolving landscape of exam security, with a focus on the ongoing debate between remote proctoring and traditional test center delivery. Recent moves by major organizations to withdraw from remote proctoring as a modality option for test takers is creating a lot of discussion in the assessment industry regarding the effectiveness and security of different testing modalities. Hear how assessment programs should design and apply layered security controls to protect integrity in an increasingly complex threat environment. More info/register.

Host: Association of Test Publishers

Speakers:

• Basim Baig, Director of Engineering, Duolingo
• Claire McCauley, Director of Exam Services, Cambridge Assessment
• Wally Dalrymple, Chief Security Officer, ETS
• Rachel Schoenig (moderator), Cornerstone Strategies, Vice-Chair of ATP Security Committee

Wed 6/24 at 1 p.m. – Smarter F&B: Balancing Cost, Care and Experience

Learn where cost pressures are showing up most in F&B; how to avoid common planning mistakes that increase risk; how to deliver inclusive, thoughtful menus without blowing the budget; and how to support stronger conversations with venues and stakeholders. 1 CMP credit. More info/register.

Host: Meetings Today

Speaker: Tracy Stuckrath, founder of thrive! meetings & events

Wed 6/24 at 4 p.m. – Build a Private AI Assistant Using Local LLMs Without Sending Company Data to ChatGPT

Learn how to run powerful AI models locally on your own computer, connect them securely to internal company documents, and build private AI assistants for your organization — without exposing sensitive data to public AI platforms. More info/register.

Host: Simpalm

Speakers: Piyush Jain, CEO and Founder; Andrew French, Digital Project Manager; and Alex Neibart, Business Analyst, Digital Products, Simpalm

Thu 6/25 at 12 p.m. – Intro to AI Webinar for Associations and Nonprofits

Get a plain-language breakdown of generative AI and LLMs, what they are, how they work, and where their limits are. See real examples of how associations are using AI to deepen member engagement and simplify day-to-day operations. Watch live demos of the tools making the biggest practical impact right now. More info/register.

Host: Sidecar

Speakers:

• Erica Salm Rench, CMO, Sidecar
• Thomas Altman, Co-Founder, Tasio

Thu 6/25 at 1 p.m. – Leading with Confidence: Overcoming Imposter Syndrome

Explore the connection between leadership confidence and imposter syndrome two forces that deeply influence how leaders show up, make decisions, and inspire others. Learn how to recognize and reframe imposter thoughts, strengthen self-awareness, and build the confidence needed to lead with authenticity and resilience. More info/register.

Host: ASAE

Speaker: Rachel Schuster-Simmons, Deputy Director | Bostrom

Thu 6/25 at 3 p.m. – The Community Blueprint: Design a Digital Home for Your Members

Get a blueprint for your own community platform: what belongs on your homepage, how to structure navigation, how to set up engagement triggers that keep members coming back, and how to measure community health beyond simple login counts. More info/register.

Host: Farhad Khan, CEO, Member Lounge

Thu 6/25 at 4 p.m. – AI for Non-Profits: How to do More with Less

Learn about current AI capabilities, limitations, and emerging trends relevant to organizational workflows; practical ways AI can support team productivity through real-world use cases and workflow examples; and key principles for responsible, effective team-level AI adoption and actionable next steps. More info/register.

Host: ASAE

Speaker: Jonathan Bloomfield, Founder Upskailed | AI Upskilling

Mon 6/29 at 11 a.m. – AWTC Open Doors

Open Doors is a monthly online gathering for AWTC members—45 minutes designed for genuine connection, discussion, and problem solving. With rotating hosts from the AWTC community, volunteers, board, and other leaders in the field, it’s a space to meet new members, deepen existing relationships, and tap into the collective expertise of the community. Each session opens with an ice breaker, moves into a featured topic or AMA, and includes a “Situation Room” where members can bring a real challenge and gather insight from peers. More info/register.

Host: Association Women Technology Champions

Mon 6/29 at 12 p.m. – Board Burn Out and What to Do If you See It

Instead of losing valuable contributors, learn how to identify board burnout symptoms, ways to prevent it, how to discuss this topic with your board members, and what to do if it becomes disruptive. More info/register.

Host: Association Xchange

Speaker: Denise Roosendaal, Executive Director, Institute for Credentialing Excellence

Wed 7/1 at 11 a.m. – AI Is Changing the Inbox, Are Your Emails Ready?

AI is already reshaping how emails are delivered, summarized, and prioritized—especially in Gmail. That means your members may be seeing a version of your email before they even open it. Learn how inboxes are changing, what it means for associations, and how to adjust your email strategy now. Get simple, practical ways to improve your email structure, content, and design so your emails stay visible, relevant, and effective. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.

Host: UST Education

Speaker: Amber Worthen, CEO & Founder at Email Maven

If Association Brain Food has ever sent you to information you used, helped you earn CAE credits, or made Friday a little better, buying me a beer is a nice thank you.

Association Brain Food Weekly is published Friday mornings. If you offer free professional development to the association community, please send me the link by Wednesday afternoon.

Creative Commons licensed photo by Myles Bloomfield via Unsplash

Amazon, AssociationBrainFood.com, and Association Academy links allow me to earn a royalty and/or complimentary registration from any resulting leads or sales. Thank you!

Education providers: Please send me all your scheduled June events no later than Wednesday, June 3. Because I’m heading west for a hiking vacation, the June 5 edition of Association Brain Food is the last one I’m publishing until June 26.

Good reads for the association community

Free course as marketing tool. Instructional design firm Apti recommends using a free short course as a content marketing strategy to attract prospective learners, warm them up for paid programs, support new member engagement, and provide sponsorship opportunities. Along with guidance on topic selection, length, and metrics, they address the objections you’ll likely hear from colleagues and leadership.

Peer learning success. In the second of this series of posts, Jackson Boyar (RallyBoard) explains how 2-million-member Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) became the most long-lasting peer-learning organization in history while spending only $14 annually per member in HQ overhead. He points to AA’s Twelve Traditions as the operating model that helped it scale without dues, sponsorships, or central authority, and translates these principles into six lessons for associations.

Membership value proposition. Most association value propositions highlight membership features when they should describe outcomes. Marketing General Inc. suggests a five-step, AI-assisted process for uncovering what drives member decisions and translating it into messaging that resonates. The guide includes a worksheet with AI prompts and fillable fields, along with a field-testing framework for email, web, and social.

Association automation use cases. Sending renewal reminders doesn’t work as well as building workflows that respond to what members actually do. Claire Fitzgerald (iMIS by ASI) describes five use cases—onboarding journeys, event recommendations, content personalization, CE pathway support, and renewal risk mitigation—where what members do drives what they hear from you next.

Member transformation. On Community Inc., Erin Simmons (Women in Tech SEO) says successful communities are environments where people feel safe enough to take a “trust leap” toward a new identity. Members who become someone new carry your community into rooms you’d never reach through marketing. She shares three questions to help you design a community where that kind of transformation can happen.

Change management. Most change projects fail because of employee resistance and weak management support. D2L’s guide to change management for associations walks through the full process, from building a vision to making new practices stick. The guide gives extra attention to the human side: how staff experience change, why resistance happens, and how to use early adopters to move the skeptics.

Celebrity keynotes. The same structural mistake that killed networking at receptions now plagues Tuesday morning keynotes, says David Adler (Gathering Point News). New Freeman research shows only 1 in 15 conference attendees wants to see a celebrity on the general session stage. 59% prefer industry experts instead. Celebrity speakers persist because governance structures—boards, sponsor contracts, committee tradition—haven’t caught up to the data.

Marketing to non-members. Most associations market to non-members over and over but never cultivate them. Christine Saunders (Halmyre) suggests reframing them as future members and explains how to reach them when you don’t have their email addresses or their trust. She offers practical tactics such as licensed lists, partnerships with adjacent organizations, and engaging early-career professionals before they need you.

Ghosting as a coping strategy. Therapist Terri Cole says last-minute cancellations reflect poor boundary-setting, not legitimate self-care. Habitual flaking makes someone emotionally untrustworthy in relationships. She’s writing about personal relationships, but if event or meeting no-shows are a problem for your association, the psychology she describes explains why attendees stay home.

Ten years of Fridays, no paywall. If you’ve gotten value from Association Brain Food and want to throw a little appreciation my way, buying me a beer is the way to do it. Thanks!

You never grow old at the table

Since we enjoyed it last time I made it, we had creamy Tuscan chicken for dinner again. I subbed bite-sized pieces of thighs for breasts, swapped onion for shallot, and used evaporated milk in place of cream. I also added roasted red bell pepper and mushrooms to the mix.

An old favorite for Sunday (and Tuesday) night: Portuguese fish skillet made with cod, ground linguiça sausage, kale, white beans, and other ingredients.

Chipotle salmon is always a hit. On the side, a roasted (actually, nuked) sweet potato and leftover roasted Brussels sprouts with bacon and onion.

It’s been a while since I’ve made banana bread, but I had two overly ripe bananas. So with one from the freezer, I was good to go. I usually use only whole wheat flour for this recipe, but this time I went with 2/3 whole wheat flour and 1/3 all-purpose flour.

Sunday morning, I made buttermilk pancakes. I’ve got leftover buttermilk to use up—thinking chipotle ranch salad dressing and maybe more pancakes.

About CAE credits: Per ASAE, “any continuing professional education offered by any professional entity may be accepted toward the [CAE] professional development requirement as long as it is directly related to either association or nonprofit management as defined by the CAE exam content outline.”

Education providers: 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 product-centric.

Mon 6/1 at 8 a.m.* – The 8th Measure of Success – Commitment to People (AANHPI Month, Radio Free 501c, the podcast of Rogue Tulips Consulting)

Every week, Rogue Tulips brings the association community intriguing guests who discuss vital topics affecting associations around the world. Episodes are published Monday mornings in both audio and video format, available on YouTube and the usual podcast channels. 

Host: Cecilia Sepp, CAE, ACNP, LPEC, Principal & Founder, Rogue Tulips Consulting

Guest: Diana Tucker of Gr8 Measures Strategies

*All events are online at Eastern Time unless otherwise noted.

Tue 6/2 from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. CDT – Beyond Membership: The Revenue Shift Associations Can’t Afford to Ignore (Chicago IL)

Explore how forward-thinking organizations are shifting from dues dependency to revenue resilience. Examine practical strategies to diversify revenue, monetize education more effectively, and create scalable programs that drive both mission impact and financial growth. From certification programs and on-demand learning to sponsored education, partnerships, and digital content ecosystems, discover untapped opportunities to transform learning into a sustainable growth engine and strengthening member value while generating meaningful non-dues revenue. Location: Chicago IL. CAE credits. More info/register.

Host: D2L

Speaker: Bill Sheehan, Global Head of Association Strategy, D2L

Tue 6/2 at 12 p.m. – Reporting/Visualizations for Different Audiences (Data Analytics Network)

Discover how to transform a single data model—like conference registration numbers—into customized dashboards that speak directly to executives, program managers, and ops teams. Learn about the DAR (Dashboard, Analysis, Report) framework for killer dashboard design; how to match visualization styles to stakeholder needs; AI-driven insights that take your reports to the next level; and real-world examples from association data. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.

Host: Data Analytics Network

Speakers:

• Christin Berry, CAE, ASAE
• Walker Mullin, Wipfli Advisory LLC

Tue 6/2 at 4 p.m. – Let’s Chat: Small Staff Associations – Strong Small Staff Culture

Small organizations can accomplish more by having strong internal cultures that foster trust, shared purpose and a sense of belonging that keeps their teams motivated. This hour will focus on how leaders and staffers can work together to build these types of environments. More info/register (ASAE members only).

Host: ASAE Small Staff Associations Advisory Committee

Wed 6/3 at 9 a.m. – Activate: The Marketing Event for Event Marketers

ACTIVATE is the virtual event that helps event marketers improve their marketing. No talk is longer than 10 minutes. It’s innovative ideas from thought leaders in the event industry to help you cut through the noise and get the marketing results you want. More info/register.

Host: Gleanin

Wed 6/3 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. – From Completion Data to Capability Evidence: How L&D Teams Build Skills Programs That Stick

Hear how to redesign learning programs from the employee [learner] backwards, so your program produces what employees can do, not just what they completed; use a three-stage progression model to turn course completion into demonstrated capability and usable skills data; and apply a five-point program audit to pinpoint where your current programs break down and what to fix first. More info/register.

Host: Training Industry

Speaker: Lauren Shapiro, Professional Services Lead, Accredible

Wed 6/3 at 11 a.m. – Conquer Impostor Syndrome to Advance Your Career

Learn about the internal and external forces that drive impostor syndrome; practical, actionable strategies to manage your inner critic; and tools to show up as a more confident, authentic leader and to support others in doing the same. More info/register.

Host: ASAE

Speaker: Kim Meninger, Keynote Speaker, Leadership Coach, Consultant, Human-Centered Leadership, WBENC Women’s Business Enterprise

Wed 6/3 at 11:30 a.m. – 5 Hidden Mistakes That Are Quietly Killing Your Member Retention

Most associations don’t lose members because of one big failure. It’s something more subtle. Learn about five hidden mistakes that many organizations make without even realizing it. From communication overload to lack of year-round value, these issues don’t always show up in reports, but they show up in your retention numbers. Get a new perspective on what might be holding your members back from renewing, engaging, and truly connecting with your organization. More info/register.

Host: iMIS by ASI

Wed 6/3 at 11:30 a.m. – Why Staff Retention Is Your New Member Retention Strategy

Inefficient, disconnected tech is burning out association staff. When staff struggle, member experience suffers. Learn why staff retention is your most powerful member‑retention strategy and a critical driver of long‑term association sustainability. Get a roadmap to reduce burnout, support your team, and ultimately create a stronger, more sustainable member experience. More info/register.

Host: Momentive Software

Speakers:

• Kerri McGovern, , MPP, CAE, AAiP, VP Membership, Engagement, and Volunteerism, Council for Advancement and Support of Education
• Teshieka Curtis-Pugh, Executive Director, South Carolina Nurses Association
• Rob Miller, MPA, CAE, SVP of Association Strategy, Momentive Software

Wed 6/3 at 12 p.m. – AMS Mythbusters: Ten Beliefs, Four Consultants, No Hedging

The association tech world runs on conventional wisdom. Some of it is useful. Some of it has been wrong for years and nobody’s bothered to check. The AIOT panel puts ten of the most common AMS beliefs on trial, including whether you actually need a consultant to select an AMS, if the RFP is really the best way to evaluate vendors or theater everyone agreed to perform, whether best-of-breed or all-in-one is the best AMS, if AI will replace the AMS, if you even need an AMS at all, plus five more. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.

Host: AIOT

Speakers: Moira Edwards (Ellipsis Partners), Vanessa Dennison (Dennison Associates / Beacon), Wes Trochlil (Effective Database Management) and Dave Schulman (Associations Rewired / Beacon)

Wed 6/3 at 1 p.m. – The AI Power Hour: 30 Tools in One Webinar

Learn how marketers can harness the latest wave of AI innovation to boost creativity, speed, and impact. Get a rapid tour of 30 cutting-edge tools spanning language, video, image, and audio generation. Hear how AI streamlines content creation, automating analytics, and transforming everyday workflows. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.

Host: UST Education

Speaker: Erica Salm Rench, MBA, CMO at Sidecar

Wed 6/3 at 1 p.m. – AI, Ads, and Associations: Google Ad Grant Best Practices

Learn what the Google Ad Grant is and how associations can use it, tips for making your landing page as Google-friendly as possible, and how you can incorporate AI into your advertising process (and pitfalls to avoid!). 1 CAE credit. More info/register.

Host: Fonteva

Speaker: Jessica King, Director, Getting Attention

Wed 6/3 at 2 p.m. – Cultivating Sponsor Partnerships

Learn about emerging trends in sponsor expectations; how to craft compelling sponsorship packages that go beyond traditional offerings; nurture long-term relationships; and demonstrate ROI through data, storytelling and post-event reporting. 1 CMP credit. More info/register.

Host: Northstar Meetings Group

Speaker: Jennifer D. Collins, CMP, President & CEO, JDC Events

Wed 6/3 at 2 p.m. – MasterTHIS: Content Orchestration

Most marketing teams have built content operations when what they actually need is content orchestration. Learn how to design the integrated systems that enable orchestration, transform your operating model to support it, and deliver right-time relevance at scale. Move from understanding why your current approach is breaking down to knowing exactly what to build, how to organize for it, and what it makes possible. More info/register.

Host: Content Marketing Institute

Speakers:

• Jake Athey, Vice President, Sales & Go-to-Market, DAM and PIM, Acquia
• Ariana Keil, Sr. Growth Marketing Manager, Canto
• Robert Rose, Chief Strategy Advisor, Content Marketing Institute

Thu 6/4 from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. – The AI Advantage: Driving Efficiency, Innovation, and Growth | Symposium

Find the session descriptions in the individual session listings below. Session

topics: Agents, Apps & Automations: The AAA Upgrade That Elevates Your Entire Association; Create an AI Roadmap! Let Us Show You How; From Disruption to Innovation: The Essential AI Toolkit for Association Leaders; and AI and the Future of Digital Experiences. 4 CAE credits. More info/register.

Host: UST Education

Speakers:

• Evan Hawkins, Association Executive, W Strategies LLC
• Lisa Rau, PhD, Founder, Fíonta
• Sherry Budziak, CEO, .orgSource
• Joanna M. Pineda, CEO & Chief Troublemaker, Matrix Group International

Thu 6/4 at 10 a.m. – Agents, Apps & Automations: The AAA Upgrade That Elevates Your Entire Association

Learn how agents, apps, and automations can improve efficiency and enhance member services within an association; how nontechnical staff can design and build internal tools on their own or with limited assistance by leveraging their knowledge of members and communities; where to automate routine tasks and implement AI-powered support for communication, data management, and service delivery; how to create external-facing tools that generate non-dues revenue and expand the association’s impact; and how to integrate accessible technologies that strengthen organizational performance and empower staff to innovate. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.

Host: UST Education

Speaker: Evan Hawkins, Association Executive, W Strategies LLC

Thu 6/4 from 11:02 a.m. to 4:55 p.m. – EVENTASTIC

EVENTASTIC is an events focused conference designed to help exceed your current strategies with actionable advice you can deploy same-day, informed by a deep pool of real-time user data. EVENTASTIC is designed to share the very latest trends from event design, marketing, event tech, sponsorship sales, engagement, swag, content planning and more. More info/register.

Host: Guru Media Hub

Thu 6/4 at 11 a.m. – AI in Action: What You Can Do with AI Today, and Why AI Education Matters More Than Ever

Explore practical, real-world AI applications that you can start using today to work more effectively and create greater impact. Examine the growing importance of AI education as a core professional and organizational priority. Get a grounded view of how AI is being used right now, where you can begin experimenting, and why building AI literacy and confidence is critical for future success. More info/register.

Host: Association Women Technology Champions

Speaker: Erica Salm Rench, CMO, Sidecar.ai

Thu 6/4 at 11 a.m. – Association AI Professional Certification (AAiP): What to Know

Explore the Association AI Professional (AAiP) Certification, including program structure, specialty tracks, curriculum, cost, eligibility, and the real-world value of building AI capability within your organization. More info/register.

Host: Association Latinos

Facilitators: Anabel Martinex, MBA, CAE, PMP, AAiP and David Murillo, CAE, IOM

Speakers: Mallory Mejias, AAiP and Erica Salm Rench, MBA, AAiP, CMO, Sidecar

Thu 6/4 at 11:15 a.m. – Create an AI Roadmap! Let Us Show You How

Learn how to develop strategies to define an actionable AI roadmap; identify common issues encountered in implementing AI; and apply best practices in continuing AI roadmap governance. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.

Host: UST Education

Speaker: Lisa Rau, PhD, Founder, Fíonta

Thu 6/4 at 12:45 p.m. – From Disruption to Innovation: The Essential AI Toolkit for Association Leaders

Learn about the top AI tools for associations that are reshaping productivity, innovation, and engagement. See demonstrations of AI tools driving personalized member interactions, creating visuals and videos, and streamlining operations. Hear how to incorporate AI tools into existing workflows to maximize their impact and deliver immediate value and lead your association into the AI-driven future. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.

Host: UST Education

Speaker: Sherry Budziak, CEO, .orgSource

Thu 6/4 at 1 p.m. – Engagement to Loyalty: Designing an AI-Ready Member Loyalty Ecosystem

Learn how associations can transform engagement data into intelligent, growth-driven loyalty strategies. Discover how structured engagement modules, behavioral insights, and AI-enabled personalization can help identify high-value members, predict advocacy potential, and drive sustained participation. Hear how to build the foundations required to move from measuring activity to creating truly loyal, growth-generating member communities. More info/register.

Host: Causeis

Thu 6/4 at 2 p.m. – Pixels, Pages & Practical Magic: Website & Graphics Tools That Actually Work

Learn about accessible, association-friendly tools for graphics and web work, practical strategies for getting better results without blowing your budget; and ideas for empowering non-technical staff to contribute to your digital presence. More info/register.

Host: 501 Works

Speakers: Jim Faris, Creative Director, and James Marquis, CIO, 501 Works

Thu 6/4 at 2 p.m. – AI and the Future of Digital Experiences

Learn how AI is changing member behavior, expectations, and digital discovery; how to deliver value using AI, including personalization, dynamic content, and real-time experiences; and how to evolve your digital strategy for an AI-driven experience. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.

Host: UST Education

Speaker: Joanna M. Pineda, CEO & Chief Troublemaker, Matrix Group International

Thu 6/4 at 3 p.m. – Analytics in the Age of AI

Learn what the rise of AI-powered analytics actually means for association executives and their teams: not the technology hype, but the strategic implications of deploying AI to drive organization-wide data literacy and access to business insights. Hear about the real bottleneck in association analytics and why it’s never been about software or budget, what AI genuinely changes and what it doesn’t, the strategic implications for your leadership team, and the harder questions most associations aren’t asking yet. More info/register.

Hosts: Skip and Sidecar

Speakers:

• Amith Nagarajan, Chairman, Blue Cypress
• Mark Patterson, CEO, Skip

Fri 6/5 from 11:02 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. – EVENTASTIC

EVENTASTIC is an events focused conference designed to help exceed your current strategies with actionable advice you can deploy same-day, informed by a deep pool of real-time user data. EVENTASTIC is designed to share the very latest trends from event design, marketing, event tech, sponsorship sales, engagement, swag, content planning and more. More info/register.

Host: Guru Media Hub

Fri 6/5 at 1 p.m. – Foresight Fridays: Member Value Is Shifting – Turn Your Programs into AI-Driven Experiences

Learn how associations can evolve their value proposition beyond static benefits. Explore how to create intelligent, personalized experiences that adapt to member needs in real time. Hear how existing programs, content, and systems can become the foundation for future-ready engagement. More info/register (ASAE members only).

Host: ASAE

Speakers:

• Farhad Khan, CEO of Member Lounge
• Mallory Mejias, AAiP, Co-Host and Producer of the Sidecar Sync Podcast
• Eden Dahlstrom, Vice President of Professional Development and Membership at EDUCAUSE

Tue 6/9 at 12 p.m. – Renovating Your Board: A Seven-Domain Framework for Governance Health

Good intentions don’t hold a board together. Strong governance does. Learn about the House of Governance, a framework that examines seven core domains of governance health. Walk through the “rooms” of the house, identify where your governance system is solid, where it’s drafty, and where it needs renovation. Discover how decisions get made, how leaders understand their roles, and how the board and executive can stay aligned,  so your organization keeps moving forward. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.

Host: GrowthZone

Speaker: Jim Thompson, Tying it Together Consulting

Wed 6/10 at 11 a.m. – How to Manage Vendors: Drive the Bus, Don’t Ride (Office Hours for LMS Buyers)

Learn what it takes to run a streamlined, defensible vendor selection process. Explore techniques for managing vendors, evaluating proposal responses, comparing prices, down-selecting vendors, and staying on schedule. More info/register.

Host: Talented Learning

Speaker: John Leh, CEO and Lead Analyst at Talented Learning

Wed 6/10 at 11 a.m. – Making Volunteer Selection Objective – Building Thoughtful Criteria

Volunteers are an association’s most engaged members. They regularly find the most value in their membership. Yet many associations obfuscate the process for becoming a volunteer, either relying on who they know, or creating a process that is difficult to navigate. Learn how associations can better outline their process for volunteer selection to help engage more members, providing more value to both members and the association. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.

Host: UST Education

Speaker: Justin Burniske, MBA, Principal Consultant, Co-Owner at Volunteer Me by Meta-Dao

Wed 6/10 from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. – Learning is the Value: Turning Continuing Education into Your Association’s Growth Engine (Washington DC)

Learn how to position your education strategy as a core driver of member value, engagement, and retention aligned to what your members need and will pay for. Discover practical ways to scale impact and monetize learning from certifications to digital offerings. Explore how you can leverage digital learning to expand reach, stay competitive, and deliver measurable outcomes across the member lifecycle. Location: Washington DC. CAE credits. More info/register.

Host: D2L

Speakers:

• Bill Sheehan, Global Head of Association Strategy, D2L
• Tobin Conley, VP of Client Education, DelCor

Wed 6/10 at 12 p.m. – Only Marketers in the Building: Successful Campaign Strategies for Associations

From growing membership and raising awareness to driving advocacy and supporting organizational goals, your campaigns carry serious weight and a one-size-fits-all approach simply doesn’t cut it. Learn how to craft campaigns that speak to member motivations and organizational mission; create strategies for recruitment, retention, and re-engagement; amplify your message across digital and traditional channels; measure success; and make the case for your marketing investments. More info/register.

Host: GrowthZone

Speaker: Nicole Araujo, Client Engagement Director, Mighty Citizen

Thu 6/11 at 11 a.m. – Insourcing vs. Outsourcing IT: Not an Either/Or Decision

Learn how to categorize the various components of IT management; examine the operational risks and opportunities tied to each component; compare common management models (insourced, outsourced, or co-managed IT); and outline key variables to consider when choosing the right model for your association. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.

Host: UST Education

Speakers: Heinan Landa, Founder & CEO, and Chris Abel, Manager of Consulting Services, Optimal Networks

Thu 6/11 at 12 p.m. – On The Hunt

A monthly, community-driven virtual gathering designed to support AWTC members who are exploring new opportunities, navigating a job search, or considering their next move. Connect with peers, share insights, exchange leads and resources, and stay encouraged through the job-hunting process. Each session includes informal discussion, optional themed topics, and space for participants to reflect on their next steps to create momentum while prioritizing connection, flexibility, and community support. More info/register.

Host: Association Women Technology Champions

If Association Brain Food has ever sent you to information you used, helped you earn CAE credits, or made Friday a little better, buying me a beer is a nice thank you.

Association Brain Food Weekly is published Friday mornings. If you offer free professional development to the association community, please send me the link by Wednesday afternoon.

Creative Commons licensed photo by Gary Bendig via Unsplash

Amazon, AssociationBrainFood.com, and Association Academy links allow me to earn a royalty and/or complimentary registration from any resulting leads or sales. Thank you!

Good reads for the association community

Learning as a membership benefit. Most associations sell education on top of membership. Members pay dues, then pay again for each course. TopClass LMS explains how to flip that model: bundle online learning directly into your membership tiers, with each level offering specific, quantifiable education value. They describe three ways to structure it, plus offer advice on pricing, marketing, and protecting existing education revenue.

Defending the marketing budget. Marketing doesn’t get cut because leadership doesn’t think it works. It gets cut because it’s framed as an activity, and activities look discretionary. On The Drum, Henry McIntosh (Twenty One Twelve Marketing) encourages marketers to reframe the budget conversation before you’re in the room defending it. He suggests splitting your plan into three buckets that forces a discussion about consequences rather than just a number to trim.

Non-dues revenue. Your website, newsletter, and member directory can earn more than they currently do. GrowthZone’s non-dues revenue guide describes how associations are making money from those channels with enhanced directory listings, sponsored podcast slots, tiered sponsorship packages, and more. The guide includes eight tactics, sample pricing, tiered sponsorship structure ideas, and a 90-day starter plan most small teams could handle.

In-demand leadership skills. After 25+ years in the association profession, Jim Thompson (Tying It Together Consulting) knows what separates successful leadership candidates from the rest, especially as AI reshapes the workforce: human-centered leadership skills. Drawing on William Vanderbloemen’s Be the Unicorn, Jim’s published a series on the 12 habits that define the top 1% of leaders, with a focus on what they mean specifically for association professionals.

Online learning as community. The term “third place” was coined to describe informal gathering spots—bars, churches, social clubs, coffee shops—where communities gather outside the home and workplace. But participation in these traditional third places is declining. On Class Central, David Joyner (Georgia Tech) argues that lifetime learning can fill that role in the digital age as long as education providers prioritize curiosity-driven learning and build social connection into the experience from the start. By the way, I found this article in a newsletter I recommend: Leading Links from Tagoras/Leading Learning.

LMS selection. The associations that regret their LMS choice skipped the prep work and went straight to vendor demos. Intuto’s LMS selection checklist covers five decisions to make before you start shopping: content, course-building capacity, platform features, AMS integration, and success metrics. It also discusses what separates great LMS vendors from merely adequate ones.

New member onboarding. Early member engagement makes all the difference, but most associations haven’t built systems around it. Chris Vaughan (Sequence Consulting) says members decide not to renew months before renewal time comes around. They made that decision back when they were waiting for a relevant next step that never came. He suggests a useful diagnostic to run on your last group of non-renewals.

What the ancients knew. Emily Katz Anhalt, classics professor at Sarah Lawrence College, writes in The American Scholar about what ancient Greek and Roman literature teaches us about coping with anxiety, despair, and adversity. She argues that the humanities aren’t a soft elective; they’re the wisdom accumulated over centuries for surviving hard times. Gutting humanities programs is making the mental health crisis worse.

Snacks

Associations are underinvesting in staff professional development. No bueno. | Mark Athitakis, Associations Now

Webinar show-up rates are shifting. What used to be the best day no longer is. | Jay Schwedelson

AI-generated research papers are overwhelming peer review. | Joshua Dzieza, The Verge

If you need CAE credits, check out Ed Rigsbee’s 40 workshops—nine of them are one-hour ethics workshops. Note: you’ll need to pass a test to earn the credit.

A Chrome browser extension in which a cute cat makes you take breaks.

Ten years of Fridays, no paywall. If you’ve gotten value from Association Brain Food and want to throw a little appreciation my way, buying me a beer is the way to do it. Thanks!

You never grow old at the table

I found an excellent recipe for salmon: firecracker salmon. My only change was reducing the brown sugar by half. On the side, a sauté of kale, chard, radish greens, chard stems, bacon, onion, red bell, and garlic, with some chicken broth to help melt the greens.

This dish is better suited to cooler months, but we enjoyed it anyway: chicken osso buco. I only had six thighs but kept the rest of the ingredients the same, and added sliced mushrooms to the mix. My breakfast idea for the leftover sauce: pour it over polenta and top it with a couple of fried eggs. Here’s the recipe I use for easy 12-minute microwaved polenta. On the side, roasted Brussels sprouts with red onion, bacon, smoked paprika, and garlic powder.

About CAE credits: Per ASAE, “any continuing professional education offered by any professional entity may be accepted toward the [CAE] professional development requirement as long as it is directly related to either association or nonprofit management as defined by the CAE exam content outline.”

Education providers: 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 product-centric.

Tue 5/26 at 2 p.m.* – How Foresight Keeps Associations Proactively Engaged in the Future

Explore how foresight visioning can help association professionals navigate disruption, spot opportunity, and make smarter decisions. Expect an intentional, energizing experience that makes the future feel more accessible and a lot less intimidating. Leave with fresh insight into what is possible for your association and a few simple steps to help you take action now. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.

Host: ASAE

Speakers:

• Beth Surmont, FASAE, CAE, VP, Event Strategy & Design, Smithbucklin
• Joy Davis, CAE, COO/Deputy Executive Director, American Association of Pharmaceutical Scientists

*All events are online at Eastern Time unless otherwise noted.

Tue 5/26 at 3 p.m. – Building a More Efficient Organization: A Practical Framework

Learn about process improvement through a practical overview of Lean Six Sigma and how these tools and concepts can be applied to your everyday work. Hear how to help teams become more efficient in a way that is approachable and realistic. More info/register.

Host: ASAE

Speaker: David Markovich, MS, MHA, SPP, LSSBB, Process Improvement Expert, Founder of Improve My Process

Wed 5/27 at 11 a.m. – Mastering the Three Zones of Association Leadership

Learn how strategy, risk management, and culture work together to strengthen or destabilize an association. Hear how to apply communication tools that help staff, volunteers, and members become aligned, and build long-term momentum by reinforcing habits that support clarity, resilience, and a healthy organizational culture. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.

Host: UST Education

Speaker: Tip Tucker Kendall, Executive Director at National Grants Management Association

Wed 5/27 at 1 p.m. – What’s Shaping Live Experiences in 2026

Hear about the latest industry data, including new research from Encore and Boldpush, to help guide your in-person event decisions; how new audience demographics are impacting meetings and events content and production; the latest AV trends and features; and what gaps you need to fill in order to remain competitive and ahead of the curve. More info/register.

Host: Meetings Today

Speaker: Amanda Armstrong, SVP Industry Relations, Encore

Wed 5/27 at 1 p.m. – Mastering Memory for Professional Success & Peak Performance

Learn to develop life-changing memory skills that you can immediately apply to better retain and recall valuable information from conference sessions, training classes, and other professional development activities. Find out how to become a master at remembering names to get more out of networking at business events and leverage how human memory works to make your company’s messaging and event programming more memorable. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.

Host: UST Education

Speaker: Chester Santos, Best-Selling Author and Global Keynote Speaker

Wed 5/27 at 2 p.m. – Finance and Business Operations (FBO) Meet Up

In this monthly open forum for association finance, business operations, and HR professionals, share pressing challenges, exchange ideas, and gain fresh perspectives from others in the field. Expect an interactive discussion that’s low-pressure, engaging, and packed with practical insights. Bring your questions, your experiences, and your curiosity, let’s learn from each other. More info/register (ASAE members only).

Host: ASAE Finance and Business Operations Professionals Advisory Council (including HR)

Wed 5/27 at 4:30 p.m. – The Alliance DC Networking Event (Washington DC)

Join The Alliance for an evening designed to bring our community together through meaningful connection. Building on the energy of our previous gatherings, this networking event creates space for women across the association and nonprofit space to connect, share experiences, and build relationships that support both personal and professional growth. Location: Washington DC. More info/register.

Organizer: The Alliance for Women in Associations

Thu 5/28 at 11 a.m. – Supercharged: How agentic AI will shape the events industry

Agentic AI is moving fast, fundamentally changing how commercial event organizers plan, operate and scale their shows. Learn how AI can automate workflows, hyper-personalize attendee experiences, and supercharge commercial event ROI. Get blueprints for integrating autonomous AI agents to drive real outcomes for your attendees, sponsors and bottom line. Explore how this new operating model is changing the game. More info/register.

Host: Grip

Speakers:

• Max Gabriel, Co-Founder & CEO, Markus AI
• Maanas Mediratta, Co-Founder & CEO, Bridged

Thu 5/28 at 11:45 a.m. – The Hidden Stress of Success: Mental Health, Burnout, and First-Generation Leadership

Explore the growing challenges of stress, burnout, and mental health among Latino professionals, with a particular focus on first-generation individuals navigating corporate and nonprofit environments. Learn how to recognize early signs of burnout in yourselves and your teams, understand how cultural expectations and first-generation pressures contribute to workplace stress, and explore practical strategies for building sustainable well-being while pursuing leadership and career advancement. More info/register.

Host: Association Latinos

Thu 5/28 at 12 p.m. – The Questions Keeping Event Leaders Up at Night, Answered

Three experienced event leaders share how they are rethinking their approach in real time. Hear about what should stay and what should go in your event portfolio, how to redefine success in a way that reflects today’s reality, and how to guide stakeholders toward smarter, more confident decisions. More info/register.

Host: PCMA

Speakers: Beth Surmont, FASAE, CMP-Fellow, CAE (360 Live Media), Francesca Malin (AAML), Sarah Gormik, CMP (NAWLA) and Melissa Dewey (AHRA)

Thu 5/28 at 12 p.m. – Investing Reserves in Today’s Capital Markets Environment

Learn about the key drivers influencing the investment landscape, the risks investors face, and the outlook for various asset classes; how global economic trends, interest rates, inflation, and geopolitical factors are shaping investment decisions today; and a practical cash reserves framework designed to help organizations allocate different pools of capital effectively. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.

Host: FAR Network

Speakers: Maura Pape, Senior Investment Strategist, and Jordan L. Forney, Principal, Investment Advisor, Bernstein Private Wealth Management

Thu 5/28 at 2 p.m. – Working with Influencers: Legal Essentials for Nonprofits

Social media influencers and content creators can be powerful allies for nonprofits seeking to expand reach, build trust, increase their fundraising efficacy, and mobilize supporters. Learn about legal and regulatory considerations, including how to structure agreements, manage compliance risks, and protect a nonprofit’s reputation to keep influencer partnerships effective, ethical, and legally sound. Find out what nonprofits need to know before engaging influencers, so they can leverage digital advocacy with confidence, including when lobbying or campaign finance rules may come into play. More info/register.

Host: Venable LLP

Speakers: Shahin Rothermel, Partner; David Owens, Counsel; and Cristina Vessels, Counsel, Venable LLP

Thu 5/28 at 3 p.m. – Tools & Tactics to Attract New Members: Beyond Renewals

Learn about the tools and tactics that high-performing associations are using to attract new members—from lead magnets and landing pages that convert to referral programs and automated onboarding sequences that make a strong first impression. See real examples of associations that built sustainable acquisition engines alongside their retention strategies without doubling their workload or budget. Walk away with a framework for identifying your best acquisition channels, a checklist for optimizing your membership landing page, and practical ideas for turning your existing members into a recruitment force. More info/register.

Host: Farhad Khan, CEO, Member Lounge

Thu 5/28 from 5 to 7 p.m. – 2026 MMC + Tech Happy Hour (Washington DC)

Some of the best conversations happen after hours. Join AWTC’s community of women and allies for an evening of good company, good, and drinks in the heart of DC. Everyone is welcome, no MMC + Tech registration required. Location: Washington DC. More info/register.

Organizer: Association Women Technology Champions

Tue 6/2 from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. CDT – Beyond Membership: The Revenue Shift Associations Can’t Afford to Ignore (Chicago IL)

Explore how forward-thinking organizations are shifting from dues dependency to revenue resilience. Examine practical strategies to diversify revenue, monetize education more effectively, and create scalable programs that drive both mission impact and financial growth. From certification programs and on-demand learning to sponsored education, partnerships, and digital content ecosystems, discover untapped opportunities to transform learning into a sustainable growth engine and strengthening member value while generating meaningful non-dues revenue. Location: Chicago IL. CAE credits. More info/register.

Host: D2L

Speaker: Bill Sheehan, Global Head of Association Strategy, D2L

Tue 6/2 at 12 p.m. – Reporting/Visualizations for Different Audiences (Data Analytics Network)

1 CAE credit. More info/register.

Host: Data Analytics Network

Wed 6/3 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. – From Completion Data to Capability Evidence: How L&D Teams Build Skills Programs That Stick

Hear how to redesign learning programs from the employee [learner] backwards, so your program produces what employees can do, not just what they completed; use a three-stage progression model to turn course completion into demonstrated capability and usable skills data; and apply a five-point program audit to pinpoint where your current programs break down and what to fix first. More info/register.

Host: Training Industry

Speaker: Lauren Shapiro, Professional Services Lead, Accredible

Wed 6/3 at 11:30 a.m. – 5 Hidden Mistakes That Are Quietly Killing Your Member Retention

Most associations don’t lose members because of one big failure. It’s something more subtle. Learn about five hidden mistakes that many organizations make without even realizing it. From communication overload to lack of year-round value, these issues don’t always show up in reports, but they show up in your retention numbers. Get a new perspective on what might be holding your members back from renewing, engaging, and truly connecting with your organization. More info/register.

Host: iMIS by ASI

Wed 6/3 at 1 p.m. – The AI Power Hour: 30 Tools in One Webinar

Learn how marketers can harness the latest wave of AI innovation to boost creativity, speed, and impact. Get a rapid tour of 30 cutting-edge tools spanning language, video, image, and audio generation. Hear how AI streamlines content creation, automating analytics, and transforming everyday workflows. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.

Host: UST Education

Speaker: Erica Salm Rench, MBA, CMO at Sidecar

Thu 6/4 from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. – The AI Advantage: Driving Efficiency, Innovation, and Growth | Symposium

Find the session descriptions in the individual session listings below. Session

topics: Agents, Apps & Automations: The AAA Upgrade That Elevates Your Entire Association; Create an AI Roadmap! Let Us Show You How; From Disruption to Innovation: The Essential AI Toolkit for Association Leaders; and AI and the Future of Digital Experiences. 4 CAE credits. More info/register.

Host: UST Education

Speakers:

• Evan Hawkins, Association Executive, W Strategies LLC
• Lisa Rau, PhD, Founder, Fíonta
• Sherry Budziak, CEO, .orgSource
• Joanna M. Pineda, CEO & Chief Troublemaker, Matrix Group International

Thu 6/4 at 10 a.m. – Agents, Apps & Automations: The AAA Upgrade That Elevates Your Entire Association

Learn how agents, apps, and automations can improve efficiency and enhance member services within an association; how nontechnical staff can design and build internal tools on their own or with limited assistance by leveraging their knowledge of members and communities; where to automate routine tasks and implement AI-powered support for communication, data management, and service delivery; how to create external-facing tools that generate non-dues revenue and expand the association’s impact; and how to integrate accessible technologies that strengthen organizational performance and empower staff to innovate. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.

Host: UST Education

Speaker: Evan Hawkins, Association Executive, W Strategies LLC

Thu 6/4 at 11 a.m. – AI in Action: What You Can Do with AI Today, and Why AI Education Matters More Than Ever

Explore practical, real-world AI applications that you can start using today to work more effectively and create greater impact. Examine the growing importance of AI education as a core professional and organizational priority. Get a grounded view of how AI is being used right now, where you can begin experimenting, and why building AI literacy and confidence is critical for future success. More info/register.

Host: Association Women Technology Champions

Speaker: Erica Salm Rench, CMO, Sidecar.ai

Thu 6/4 at 11:15 a.m. – Create an AI Roadmap! Let Us Show You How

Learn how to develop strategies to define an actionable AI roadmap; identify common issues encountered in implementing AI; and apply best practices in continuing AI roadmap governance. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.

Host: UST Education

Speaker: Lisa Rau, PhD, Founder, Fíonta

Thu 6/4 at 12:45 p.m. – From Disruption to Innovation: The Essential AI Toolkit for Association Leaders

Learn about the top AI tools for associations that are reshaping productivity, innovation, and engagement. See demonstrations of AI tools driving personalized member interactions, creating visuals and videos, and streamlining operations. Hear how to incorporate AI tools into existing workflows to maximize their impact and deliver immediate value and lead your association into the AI-driven future. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.

Host: UST Education

Speaker: Sherry Budziak, CEO, .orgSource

Thu 6/4 at 2 p.m. – AI and the Future of Digital Experiences

Learn how AI is changing member behavior, expectations, and digital discovery; how to deliver value using AI, including personalization, dynamic content, and real-time experiences; and how to evolve your digital strategy for an AI-driven experience. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.

Host: UST Education

Speaker: Joanna M. Pineda, CEO & Chief Troublemaker, Matrix Group International

If Association Brain Food has ever sent you to information you used, helped you earn CAE credits, or made Friday a little better, buying me a beer is a nice thank you.

Association Brain Food Weekly is published Friday mornings. If you offer free professional development to the association community, please send me the link by Wednesday afternoon.

Creative Commons licensed photo by Frank Eiffert via Unsplash

Amazon, AssociationBrainFood.com, and Association Academy links allow me to earn a royalty and/or complimentary registration from any resulting leads or sales. Thank you!

Good reads for the association community

Credentialing bundle revenue. Associations lose non-dues revenue every time a certification candidate registers for the exam but skips the prep course. TopClass LMS explains how credentialing bundles fix this by packaging prep content, study groups, exam registration, and CE resources into a single purchase. The post covers bundle types from starter packages to employer cohort deals, plus pricing strategy and LMS requirements.

Medical association programs. Medical associations run some of the most administratively complex programs out there, like certifications that affect a clinician’s ability to practice, research grants with limited funding, and multi-round clinical accreditation. For each of the eight programs typically managed by medical/healtcare associations, OpenWater describes how software built for this work handles them, with examples that include nursing, pharmacy, and physical therapy associations.

Non-dues revenue. One of the most downloaded resources I’ve shared recently, Intuto’s 2026 Non-Dues Revenue Playbook pulls from discussions at RevUP 2025 Summit and Future Forward webinars. Their advice is especially suited for associations where sponsorship, event, and education teams operate separately, each with their own goals and metrics. The report covers moving from transactional sponsorships to multi-year pathway models, putting your LMS to work as a revenue source, small-format events, and board alignment, plus a revenue readiness audit.

Membership pipeline problem. Association Laboratory’s latest Looking Forward® analysis is a wake-up call for association execs: membership is no longer the default expression of professional identity. Drawing on surveys and twelve years of data, they explain where new member recruitment is slipping, why the threat to future membership is real, and what questions to discuss with your board.

Membership value proposition. Only 11% of association execs believe their membership value proposition is ‘very compelling,’ per MGI’s 2025 Membership Marketing Benchmarking Report. Elizabeth Engel (Spark Consulting) explains why education, networking, and advocacy are harder to sell than they used to be, and makes a case for community as the thing that actually sets associations apart.

AMS implementation team. AMS implementation projects go sideways when the wrong people are in the room—or the right people aren’t. re:Members describes the five roles every association needs on its implementation team, what each person does, and how to handle the inevitable “I don’t have time for this” pushback. They’ve learned this from 400+ implementation projects, so give it a look if you’re anywhere in the AMS planning or implementation process.

Finding association friends. At The Walrus, Amarah Hasham-Steele tells her story about letting an algorithm pick her friends. Her Gen Z perspective is worth considering as your association thinks about how to use AI tools to connect members with local or virtual peers who share their interests.

AI-induced uncertainty. At Harvard Business Review, Toby E. Stuart argues that AI’s most important—and most underappreciated—economic effect is the fog of uncertainty it has cast over the future. That uncertainty is already making companies hesitant to hire or commit to long-term investments, a reality your members may already be experiencing. His prescription for individuals: develop the flexibility to reskill and reinvent yourself as circumstances change.

Snacks

In an analysis of 42,000 blog posts, researchers found that human-written content dominates top Google rankings, holding 81% of position-one spots. | Margarita Loktionova, Semrush

How to coach your team without making them defensive. | Wes Kao

Don’t trust results from free AI chatbots, like ChatGPT. Free and paid versions use different models, different tools, and pull from different data sources. | Dan Hinckley

Analysis finds that Google’s AI overviews are providing misinformation at a scale possibly unprecedented in the history of human civilization. | Frank Landymore, Futurism

If Association Brain Food has ever sent you to information you used, helped you earn CAE credits, or made Friday a little better, buying me a beer is a nice thank you.

You never grow old at the table

We enjoyed pomegranate molasses glazed salmon, although I thought the glaze was a bit too potent for the bed of spinach beneath it. A roasted sweet potato was the perfect side.

On Friday, I made linguine in marinara with Neapolitan meatballs. I pulled the meatballs from the freezer and warmed them up in the marinara. I served it with green beans sautéed with onion, bacon, sundried tomatoes, and parmesan. I also made garlic bread with softened butter, sautéed garlic, Parmesan, parsley, salt, pepper, and slices of mozzarella.

I bought regular A&W root beer instead of diet last week, so I searched for ways to use some of it before pouring it down the drain. We made root beer floats Saturday night and, on Sunday, I made Instant Pot root beer pulled pork. It was a hit. I doubled the smoked paprika and added chile powder and minced chipotle en adobo to the recipe. To speed things up, I browned the pork and onion in a large skillet. I didn’t use the braising liquid left in the pressure cooker since the pork was moist enough. If I decide to use it in the future, I’d first put it in a fat separator and only use the broth portion. We had the pork in wheat tortillas with sliced pickles for me and pickled jalapeños for Jim.

About CAE credits: Per ASAE, “any continuing professional education offered by any professional entity may be accepted toward the [CAE] professional development requirement as long as it is directly related to either association or nonprofit management as defined by the CAE exam content outline.”

Education providers: 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 product-centric.

Fri 5/15 at 2 p.m.* – SharePoint or DropBox: Can You Really Ditch Dropbox? Lessons from the Microsoft 365 Trenches

Many associations are grappling with the real-world question of Dropbox vs. Microsoft 365, especially when it comes to external collaboration, security, usability, and cost. Practitioners and consultants who have made different choices will share candid, experience-based insights on what works, what does not, and why. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.

Host: ASAE

Speakers:

• Adam Kuhn, Director of Information Technology, FIA
• Christopher Gloede, CAE, Chief Consultant, Ricochet Advisory Services
• Joe Aldeguer, IT Director, Society of American Florists
• Michael Getter, Head of Technology and Digital Strategy, American Alliance of Museums

*All events are online at Eastern Time unless otherwise noted.

Mon 5/18 at 8 a.m. – Community Building and A.I. (AANHPI Month – Radio Free 501c, the podcast of Rogue Tulips Consulting)

Every week, Rogue Tulips brings the association community intriguing guests who discuss vital topics affecting associations around the world. Episodes are published Monday mornings in both audio and video format, available on YouTube and the usual podcast channels. 

Host: Cecilia Sepp, CAE, ACNP, LPEC, Principal & Founder, Rogue Tulips Consulting

Guest: Sandra Nam of Qiqo

Mon 5/18 at 1 p.m. – Navigating the Future: A Nonprofit Leader’s Guide to Generative AI Adoption

Learn about a practical framework for AI adoption built around four core pillars: exploring AI use cases, establishing a strong data foundation, building an AI ready culture, and implementing appropriate safeguards and governance policies. Hear about data integrity, staff training, leadership oversight, risk management, privacy compliance, and the importance of maintaining human judgment in AI supported processes. More info/register.

Host: Raffa Investment Advisers

Speakers:

• Paul Preziotti and Kelsey Turner of Johnson Lambert
• Michael Gellman of Fiscal Strategies 4 Nonprofits

Tue 5/19 at 10:30 a.m. – Meditation Skills for Busy Lives

Take a pause from busyness and learn simple mindfulness practices to ease stress and reduce the feelings of burnout. These monthly sessions, designed to help you create space in your day, include: 5 minutes to arrive and settle in, 10 minutes of guided meditation practice, and 5 minutes for questions and reflection. Every month, we explore a new area of meditation and introduce a practical skill you can carry with you. Open to everyone, no prior meditation experience required. More info/register.

Host: Association Women Technology Champions

Meditation leader: Moira Edwards, Owner & President, Ellipsis Partners

Tue 5/19 at 12 p.m. – From Analytics to Action: Making Data Work in the Boardroom

Learn how to turn dashboards and member analytics into narratives that grab leadership’s attention, build credibility, drive investment, and advance your organization and career through the power of data storytelling. Hear how to frame data around board decisions, build a repeatable narrative structure, translate tech metrics into business outcomes, and use data fluency to grow your influence and careers. More info/register.

Host: Association Women Technology Champions

Speakers:

• Jane Nassiri, GrowthZone
• Rhoni Rakos, AAiP, Ellipsis Partners
• Shaun Holloway, American Motorcyclist Association

Tue 5/19 at 12 p.m. – Defining, Using, and Selling Your Member Value Proposition

Learn how to clearly articulate your association’s MVP and use it strategically to attract new members, strengthen loyalty, and demonstrate the value of belonging. More info/register.

Host: Zzeem Consulting

Tue 5/19 at 12 p.m. – Your Ecosystem of Volunteer Recruitment, Management and Retention (CRVM Monthly Crunch and Munch)

A strong volunteer system starts with clear value for both the organization and the volunteer. Recognition, growth, and meaningful impact drive engagement when they align with what motivates your members today. Effective systems and clear communication are key. Regularly evaluating what’s working, creating space for feedback and adapting to trends like micro-volunteering and shifting expectations will set organizations apart. Those that stay intentional and flexible won’t just recruit volunteers, they’ll retain and empower them. More info/register (ASAE members only).

Host: ASAE Component Relations and Volunteer Management (CRVM) Council

Facilitators: Andrea Cuellar of A.S.P.E.N. and Kevin Whorton

Tue 5/19 at 1 p.m. – Member Engagement Lab #3: How to Engage Members Even When You are Not Feeling It

When your mental bandwidth is low, anti-engaging behaviors can sneak in without you even realizing it. Unfortunately, those small moments can quietly push members away. Let’s talk about how to stay engaging even on the hardest days. You’ll walk away with simple ways to show up with intention keeping engagement strong even when your mood is. More info/register.

Host: re:Members

Speaker: Amanda Lea Kaiser is a member engagement strategist and author of Elevating Engagement: Uncommon Strategies for Creating a Thriving Member Community

Tue 5/19 at 1 p.m. – Your Event Looks Fine on Paper; A Secret Shopper Might Disagree

Learn how structured, on-site observation by experienced meeting professionals can surface patterns, tensions, and opportunities that traditional evaluation methods often miss. Drawing on recent, real-world examples, explore how observation—paired with stakeholder interviews, historical data, and experience feedback—creates a more complete and actionable picture of event performance. More info/register.

Host: Event Garde

Speaker: Aaron Wolowiec, Founder & President, Event Garde

Tue 5/19 at 1 p.m. – Psychology-Driven Learner Engagement Strategies

Explore the psychological principles behind learner motivation, and get practical tips to keep your audience engaged from the first module to the final assessment. Discover how gamification elements like badges and achievement milestones tap into intrinsic reward systems to boost completion rates and build lasting learning habits. Learn how the power of social learning deepens understanding and creates a sense of belonging. More info/register.

Host: Momentive Software

Wed 5/20 from 9:05 a.m. to 4:50 p.m. – Community & Engagement Platforms Demo Day

Watch presentations from a limited number of industry partners that offer community and engagement platforms. Community and engagement experts will be showcasing platforms and sharing their knowledge with the association market. More info/register.

Host: ASAE

Participants: Bulletin Apps, GrowthZone, Breezio, Hivebrite, Higher Logic, Forj, Tradewing, Clowder, Cantarus, and Izzy

Wed 5/20 at 12 p.m. – Nunchi, Briefing & Managing Up: The Art of Being Aware and Effective at Work

Nunchi, the subtle ability to listen and gauge others’ moods, originated in Korea in the 17th century. Nunchi allows you to walk into a room, know when to speak up and hold back, and how to get things done. It combines awareness, intuition, and emotional intelligence into a leadership skill. Learn how to understand nunchi, adapt your approach in the moment, and build strong connections with people who may help shape your success. Hear how to read your board’s mood, when to move forward with an idea, and how to make you and your organization shine. More info/register.

Host: Association Xchange

Speaker: Joanna Pineda, CEO, Matrix Group International

Wed 5/20 at 12 p.m. – How to Turn Your Community into a Predictable Non-Dues Revenue Engine

Today’s high-performing organizations are building integrated, community-driven revenue engines that deliver consistent results. Hear directly from industry experts and real customers on how they’re monetizing their communities across channels—and how you can do the same. More info/register.

Host: Higher Logic

Speakers:

• Melissa Rysak, VP, Communications, IPMI
• JJ Vitale, Executive Director, ACF
• David Jovel, Lead Sales Engineer, Higher Logic
• Brendan Leehe, Sr. Manager, Customer Growth & Retention, Higher Logic

Wed 5/20 at 1 p.m. – Capturing the Voice of your Future Member

Learn about the value of non-member insights and how they can help associations overcome barriers to growth. Hear how to identify and effectively utilize analytical tools and techniques, such as data analysis and customer journey mapping, to understand non-member behavior and improve engagement strategies, and develop actionable strategies based on non-member insights to align association goals with the needs of a broader audience and drive sustainable growth. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.

Host: Fonteva

Speaker: Christine Saunders, President, Halmyre

Wed 5/20 at 1 p.m. – All Over the Map: Strategies for Uneven AI Adoption

Hear practical strategies for navigating uneven AI adoption and for keepiing staff moving forward without mandating uniform readiness or leaving skeptics behind. Get a framework for understanding where your staff actually is on AI readiness, a clear-eyed view of why uneven adoption is normal and manageable, and practical plays for three common scenarios: the department running ahead, the resistant manager, and the policies that don’t match reality. More info/register.

Host: Dennison & Associates

Speakers: Vanessa Dennison, CAE, Principal, and Beth Powers, Director of Professional Services, Dennison & Associates

Wed 5/20 at 1 p.m. – Search, Answers, and Visibility: Staying Findable in an AI-Driven World

Explore how associations can stay visible as search evolves beyond those blue links. Learn how AI impacts search behavior, what still matters for SEO, and how content, structure, and authority influence whether your organization shows up in AI-driven results. Hear about practical strategies to improve discoverability, protect long-term visibility, and ensure your content continues to reach the audiences who need it most. More info/register.

Host: HighRoad Solutions

Speaker: Maneesha Manges, CXO, HighRoad Solutions

Wed 5/20 at 1 p.m. – Your Event Budget: Saving $$$ While Maintaining Quality

Hear how seasoned pros are pulling off incredible events without blowing the budget. From stretching your dollars to managing client expectations, find out about the tips, tricks, and creative solutions you need right now. 1 CMP credit. More info/register.

Host: Prevue Meetings

Speakers:

• Meredith Shottes, Chief Operations Officer, Miller Tanner Associates
• Huong Nguyen, CEO and founder, Shiloh Events

Wed 5/20 at 2 p.m. – How Association Job Boards Topple the Giants of Commercial Recruiting

Explore what sets association job boards apart and outline practical strategies for strengthening their impact. Get ideas for improving career center relevance, deepening engagement, and increasing the value their job board delivers to both members and employers. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.

Host: ASAE

Speakers:

• Chris Johnson, Vice President, Careers, Naylor Association Solutions
• David Butler, Senior Director, Enterprise Sales, Naylor Association Solutions
• Dr. Destiny M. Hastings, EdD, Director of Business Services, ASAE

Thu 5/21 at 10 a.m. – From Efficiency to Growth: Using AI to Drive Association Revenue

Learn how AI drives growth, engagement, and revenue in associations. Hear about opportunities to enhance member value using AI and strategies to build a more future-ready organization. More info/register.

Host: ASAE

Speaker: Sherry Budziak, Founder and CEO, orgSource

Thu 5/21 at 11 a.m. – How to Design a Product Portfolio

All associations create value. But without a coherent portfolio, you’re missing patterns, synergies, and hidden revenue. Learn why a portfolio is indispensable for any association that wants to operate strategically, not reactively; how to analyze and map your current offerings; structure your offerings into a coherent portfolio that tells a clear story to your board, staff, and members; find the hidden connections between your offerings and use them to uncover new opportunities for your membership; use your portfolio as a strategy, planning, or budget tool; and maintain your portfolio so it stays relevant year after year, not just a one-time exercise. More info/register.

Host: James Young, CEO & Founder, Product Community

Thu 5/21 at 12 p.m. – Strategy is 20/20, Insights from Jessica Blue, Executive Vice President, Money 20/20 USA

Join us for a unique opportunity to hear directly from one of the leaders behind one of fintech’s most influential events. Plus, participate in networking breakouts after our exclusive live Q&A. More info/register.

Host: Women in Exhibitions Network

Thu 5/21 at 12 p.m. – Intro to AI Webinar for Associations and Nonprofits

Get a plain-language breakdown of generative AI and LLMs, what they are, how they work, and where their limits are. See real examples of how associations are using AI to deepen member engagement and simplify day-to-day operations. Watch live demos of the tools making the biggest practical impact right now. More info/register.

Host: Sidecar

Speakers:

• Erica Salm Rench, CMO, Sidecar
• Thomas Altman, Co-Founder, Tasio

Thu 5/21 at 12 p.m. – Membership Director’s 90-Day Playbook: Reset, Refocus, and Drive Member Growth

Learn how to assess your membership health, strengthen engagement, improve retention, and launch impactful initiatives that drive measurable results. This repeatable framework will help you tackle today’s biggest membership challenges—like retention pressure, demonstrating value, and limited resources—while setting your organization up for sustained growth. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.

Host: GrowthZone

Speaker: Shari Pash

Thu 5/21 at 1 p.m. – CFO Financial Communications and Interactions With Boards

Learn about the essential communication skills and strategic insights needed to effectively partner with, educate, and influence the board. Hear how to move beyond basic reporting to deliver financial information that is strategic, clear, and action-oriented, helping board members fulfill their fiduciary duties. Topics will include translating complex financial statements into key organizational narratives, managing the budget process with board oversight, communicating about risk and reserves, and handling challenging questions from diverse board member backgrounds. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.

Host: UST Education

Speakers:

• Paul Preziotti, CPA, Partner, Johnson Lambert LLP
• A. Michael Gellman, CPA, CGMA, Co-Founder at Sustainability Education 4 Nonprofits

Thu 5/21 at 1:30 p.m. – High-Stakes Communication in the AI Era: Strengthening Executive Relationships Without Losing Your Voice

Explore how association executives can use AI to elevate communication in high-stakes relationships without sacrificing authenticity, executive presence, or professional voice. Learn how to strengthen board alignment, navigate sensitive internal conversations, and craft external messaging that builds trust with sponsors and strategic partners. More info/register.

Speaker: Lori Zoss Kraska, MBA, CFRE, Growth Owl

Moderator: Barbara Armentrout, CAE, BJA Solutions for Associations

Hostess: Teri Carden, COO, Insight Guide

Thu 5/21 at 2 p.m. – What Gen Z Wants from Professional Communities

What resonates with today’s emerging professionals is a continuous, community‑driven experience where learning, networking, and collaboration flow seamlessly together. Explore the real drivers of Gen Z participation and how associations can design experiences that meet their evolving needs. Gain a clear framework for building year‑round value, strengthening retention, and creating a connected member journey that aligns with how the next generation interacts, learns, and grows professionally. More info/register.
Host: Tradewing

Speaker: Rhona Ruiz, Marketing Specialist, Tradewing

Thu 5/21 at 4 p.m. – Success & Sins of Association AI Use

The panel’s discussion of associations and AI covers: where to start; the most common mistake associations make when they start down the AI path; the biggest opportunities for associations with the use of AI; building internal buy-in when staff are either scared, too enthusiastic, or conscientious objectors about its use; their new favorite AI tool that others may not be aware of; and how the role of associations will change in light of AI in the future. More info/register.

Host: ASAE Reston Loudoun Swap

Speakers:

• Jay Daughtry (facilitator), Founder, CQbd
• Joseph Burak, Founder and Chief Strategist, TRANSiT Strategy & Analytics
• Liz Peuster, CAE, Chief Communications Officer, South Carolina Association of CPAs
• Dan Streeter, CEO, Mission Fuel

Wed 5/27 at 11 a.m. – Mastering the Three Zones of Association Leadership

Learn how strategy, risk management, and culture work together to strengthen or destabilize an association. Hear how to apply communication tools that help staff, volunteers, and members become aligned, and build long-term momentum by reinforcing habits that support clarity, resilience, and a healthy organizational culture. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.

Host: UST Education

Speaker: Tip Tucker Kendall, Executive Director at National Grants Management Association

Wed 5/27 at 1 p.m. – Mastering Memory for Professional Success & Peak Performance

Learn to develop life-changing memory skills that you can immediately apply to better retain and recall valuable information from conference sessions, training classes, and other professional development activities. Find out how to become a master at remembering names to get more out of networking at business events, and leverage how human memory works to make your company’s messaging and event programming more memorable. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.

Host: UST Education

Speaker: Chester Santos, Best-Selling Author and Global Keynote Speaker

Wed 5/27 at 4:30 p.m. – The Alliance DC Networking Event (Washington DC)

Join The Alliance for an evening designed to bring our community together through meaningful connection. Building on the energy of our previous gatherings, this networking event creates space for women across the association and nonprofit space to connect, share experiences, and build relationships that support both personal and professional growth. Location: Washington DC. More info/register.

Organizer: The Alliance for Women in Associations

Thu 5/28 at 11:45 a.m. – The Hidden Stress of Success: Mental Health, Burnout, and First-Generation Leadership

Explore the growing challenges of stress, burnout, and mental health among Latino professionals, with a particular focus on first-generation individuals navigating corporate and nonprofit environments. Learn how to recognize early signs of burnout in yourselves and your teams, understand how cultural expectations and first-generation pressures contribute to workplace stress, and explore practical strategies for building sustainable well-being while pursuing leadership and career advancement. More info/register.

Host: Association Latinos

Thu 5/28 from 5 to 7 p.m. – 2026 MMC + Tech Happy Hour (Washington DC)

Some of the best conversations happen after hours. Join AWTC’s community of women and allies for an evening of good company, good, and drinks in the heart of DC. Everyone is welcome, no MMC + Tech registration required. Location: Washington DC. More info/register.

Organizer: Association Women Technology Champions

Ten years of Fridays, no paywall. If you’ve gotten value from Association Brain Food and want to throw a little appreciation my way, buying me a beer is the way to do it. Thanks!

Association Brain Food Weekly is published Friday mornings. If you offer free professional development to the association community, please send me the link by Wednesday afternoon.

Creative Commons licensed photo by JOGphotos via Unsplash

Amazon, AssociationBrainFood.com, and Association Academy links allow me to earn a royalty and/or complimentary registration from any resulting leads or sales. Thank you!

Good reads for the association community

Young member engagement. Gen Z and Millennials make up more than a third of association memberships, and their share is growing. Clowder makes a case for why email and member portals aren’t enough to hold their attention. These members are already building professional habits on free mobile apps like LinkedIn, Discord, and Reddit. The post describes six association app features that help you compete for a space on your members’ home screens.

Internal buy-in for sponsored courses. Budgets don’t always stretch to cover new course development. Sponsored courses are one way to fill that gap—if your association has the internal coordination in place to make them work. Apti describes the friction points sponsorship consultant Bruce Rosenthal identified as most damaging, and strategies for building internal alignment, including how to handle pushback from conference staff who see education as competing for the same sponsor dollars.

Change management. Most change projects fail because of employee resistance and weak management support. D2L’s guide to change management for associations walks through the full process, from building a vision to making new practices stick. The guide gives extra attention to the human side: how staff experience change, why resistance happens, and how to use early adopters to move the skeptics.

Governance redesign. At Association Forum, Mike Norbut (Association Management Center) described how ADHA chose courage over tradition when faced with mounting governance challenges. They redesigned their governance structure (even eliminating the House of Delegates) to stay more nimble and make faster decisions.

Conference learning. Breakout sessions still rank first for professional learning, but Freeman’s 2026 Learning Trends Report offers some humbling data for event organizers: attendees rate those sessions lower than organizers do, and only about half say sessions improved their job performance. The report covers what attendees actually want, where the disconnects are, and what organizers can do about them.

AI tool evaluation. Your board wants an AI strategy, vendors are flooding your inbox, and staff are asking which tools to use. Dennison & Associates’ guide for associations offers a methodical evaluation process, starting with a warning that the biggest mistake associations make with AI is buying a tool before defining the problem. The guide also includes a ten-question checklist for pressure-testing any AI tool purchase before you commit.

Volunteer leadership training. Heather Burright (Skill Masters Market) identifies a common trap in volunteer training: packing in as much content as possible to honor people’s time, which usually produces overwhelm rather than action. Her fix starts with one question: What is the one behavior this person needs to demonstrate after this session? She also explains why connection is one of the most underrated elements of effective training.

AI learning to be your competitor. As AI training shifts from generalist tasks to specialized expertise, Shubhangi Goel (Business Insider) reports on an OpenAI initiative where freelancers are being paid to help train ChatGPT on specialized occupations, such as commercial pilots, soil scientists, pharmacists, and hundreds more. Contractors develop personas and simulate real workflows to help the model understand niche knowledge work. Learning content alone is increasingly easy to replicate. To be competitive, your association must identify the learning experiences, community, and context that only you can provide.

Trust, security, and members. Associations have always been in the trust business. Members turn to you for credible information, standards, and credentials. But trust operates differently now. Mallory Mejias (Sidecar) says that deepfakes, voice cloning, and AI-generated content have turned trust into something associations must actively protect. She covers internal vulnerabilities (like spoofed CFO calls authorizing wire transfers), low-tech verification tactics, and why getting people in a room together is more valuable than ever.

SEO is not dead. SEO makes generative engine optimization (GEO) work. Lily Ray explains why most AI tools depend on Google for content retrieval, which means strong organic rankings are still the foundation of AI search visibility. She backs her argument with traffic data from sites that saw rapid growth followed by equally rapid crashes, and identifies five popular GEO tactics that will backfire on you.

I’ve been curating Association Brain Food for over ten years as a community service. If it’s been a useful part of your professional life or your company’s webinar marketing, buying me a beer is a super nice thing to do in return.

You never grow old at the table

While mustard-hater Jim was away last weekend, I made chicken with mustard. So good. I decreased the chicken by half but kept the rest of the ingredients the same, which meant more sauce to go around once I added mushrooms, red bell pepper, and garlic to the recipe. On the side, leftover mashed potato/cauliflower and roasted broccoli.

Nancie McDermott’s choo chee Thai fish curry recipe from her cookbook Quick & Easy Thai: 70 Everyday Recipes is a favorite but impossible to find on the web. If you want to make your own version, here’s what I put in mine: floured and browned pieces of bass or any firm fish; sautéed onion, red bell pepper, jalapeño, green onions, and garlic; coconut milk, red curry paste, fish sauce, soy sauce, palm (or brown) sugar, southeast Asian pesto (or cilantro, mint, and/or Thai basil), julienned collards; and a garnish of chopped peanuts. Serve over brown rice.

About CAE credits: Per ASAE, “any continuing professional education offered by any professional entity may be accepted toward the [CAE] professional development requirement as long as it is directly related to either association or nonprofit management as defined by the CAE exam content outline.”

Education providers: 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 product-centric.

Fri 5/8 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.* – Eventprofs Coffee Rave (Washington DC)

Two hours of espresso, beats, and the kind of conversations that don’t start with a name tag. Location: Washington DC. More info/register.

Host: Dahlia+ Agency

*All events are online at Eastern Time unless otherwise noted.

Mon 5/11 at 8 a.m. – Gongfu and Professional Practice (Radio Free 501c, the podcast of Rogue Tulips Consulting)

Every week, Rogue Tulips brings the association community intriguing guests who discuss vital topics affecting associations around the world. Episodes are published Monday mornings in both audio and video format, available on YouTube and the usual podcast channels. 

Host: Cecilia Sepp, CAE, ACNP, LPEC, Principal & Founder, Rogue Tulips Consulting

Guest: Mark Franco, Rimon Law

Mon 5/11 at 12 p.m. – Membership Mondays: Make Every Moment Count: Smart Planning Tips for the MMCT Conference

Learn how to plan a focused, strategic, and rewarding day at MMCT, navigate the agenda, and prioritize what matters most to your role, and build in time for meaningful connections. Hear how to identify sessions that align with your goals; balance learning, networking, and vendor exploration; make the most of limited time at a high-impact conference; and create a personalized agenda you can actually stick to. More info/register (ASAE members only).

Host: ASAE

Mon 5/11 at 3 p.m. – ASAE Q2 Consultant Community Call

This Zoom gathering is your hour to network, exchange ideas, and build relationships with peers who get what it’s like to run a consulting business. After a few quick updates, we’ll dive into small-group breakouts to discuss topics you’ve asked for: Ethics for Consultants, Getting Started and Growing Your Consulting Business, and Finance for Consultants—plus space for more as requests come in. More info/register (ASAE members only).

Host: ASAE

Mon 5/11 at 7:30 p.m. – Onboarding That Works: From Instant Access to Complex Approval Models

Learn why the first 30–60 days of membership are critical for member engagement, where onboarding typically breaks down across different models, and how to identify and fix common engagement gaps, improve onboarding without adding complexity, and help members experience value faster. More info/register.

Host: Higher Logic

Speakers: Brendan Leehe, Sr. Customer Growth & Retention Manager, and Georgina Donahue, Director, Community Innovation & Strategy, Higher Logic

Tue 5/12 at 12 p.m. – Tech Tuesday: The ASAE MMC+ Tech Conference is Just Around the Corner

Learn how tech professionals are preparing for the ASAE Marketing, Membership, Communications + Tech Conference (MMC+Tech), what’s influencing the decision to attend or sit this one out, and how people are thinking about making the most of the experience. More info/register (ASAE members only).

Host: ASAE

Facilitators:

• Reggie Henry, Chief Information and Performance Excellence Officer, ASAE
• Dave Coriale, President, DelCor Technology Solutions

Tue 5/12 at 12:30 p.m. – Take Your Time Back: Practical AI for Events + How to Win in LLM Search

Learn how to use AI to streamline event workflows, automate time-consuming tasks, and support everything from content creation to attendee experiences. Hear how to improve your event’s visibility in AI-powered search, so you’re not just working faster, but getting found more easily. More info/register.

Host: Bizzabo

Speakers:

• Nick Lafferty, Founding Marketing Engineer, Profound
• Enrique Secanechia-Santos, Senior Sales Engineer, Bizzabo

Tue 5/12 at 1 p.m. – Member Engagement Lab #2: How to Engage Members When You are Super Duper Busy

Member engagement doesn’t always have to be time-consuming. It’s something you can add to what you are already doing. Learn how to turn regular administrative tasks into meaningful moments of connection. Adapt these big ideas, brainstorm with your colleagues, and leave with practical ideas that don’t add one more thing to your plate. More info/register.

Host: re:Members

Speaker: Amanda Lea Kaiser, member engagement strategist and author of Elevating Engagement: Uncommon Strategies for Creating a Thriving Member Community

Tue 5/12 at 1 p.m. – Your YouTube Channel Is an AI Strategy: A New Playbook for Association Marketers

With AI engines now answering questions directly, 60% of searches end without a single click—traditional SEO is losing its grip. But there’s an opportunity hiding in plain sight: YouTube is now the #1 cited domain in AI-generated search results. Learn why a library of modest, well-structured videos answering your audience’s real questions will outperform a single polished production every time, how to build that library without a dedicated video team, and how to measure success in a way your leadership will actually understand. Get a concrete 30-day plan to start building AI visibility through video. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.

Host: UST Education

Speaker: Michael Hoffman, Co-Founder and CEO, Gather Voices

Tue 5/12 at 4 p.m. – Turning Education into Your Association’s Core Competitive Advantage

Learn how to identify high-value market gaps your association is uniquely positioned to fill, align your learning catalog with your unique value proposition, move away from seasonal conference education to a year-round “service” model that keeps members engaged 365 days a year, and improve ROI by multi-purposing your high-value content into a new service that’s truly unique to your association. More info/register.

Hosts: Halmyre and Intuto

Speakers:

• Christine Saunders, Founder and President, Halmyre
• AJ Sallis, Chief Executive Officer, Intuto

Wed 5/13 from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. CDT – AI Foresight for Certification: Table Talks (Chicago IL)

Using AI‑driven environmental scanning and foresight methods, the presenters will identify the top ten issues facing certification and assessment in 2026 and 2027. After a brief overview of the AI platforms and methodologies used by the presenters in their assessment work, attendees will participate in roundtable conversations to evaluate the AI findings—examining where it was accurate, where gaps remain, and potential implications for the field. Location: Chicago. More info/register.

Host: Certification Network Group

Speakers:

• Alan Mead, Chief Psychometrician, Certiverse
• Evelyn Ronkowski, Director for Test Development, National Board of Osteopathic Medical Examiners
• Sarah Miller, Director of Applied Intelligence, BrightLink

Wed 5/13 at 11 a.m. – How to Write a Valuable RFP: Cut Through the Marketing Fog (Office Hours for LMS Buyers)

Learn how to use apples-to-apples comparative data from your shortlisted vendors to develop a strong RFP. With our RFP Template, you’ll accelerate the documentation process, improve the quality of vendor responses, use scientific methods to justify your decision, and impress everyone with your professionalism. More info/register.

Host: Talented Learning

Speaker: John Leh, CEO and Lead Analyst at Talented Learning

Wed 5/13 at 11 a.m. – The Member Value Problem: Why Associations Work Harder but See Less Engagement

When your audience and value are not clearly defined, more activity creates more noise instead of stronger results. Learn how associations can step out of the cycle of constant activity and focus on what actually drives engagement and growth. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.

Host: UST Education

Speakers: Cheri Quinn, Director of Brand Strategy, and Emily Youngblood, Client Services Director at Mercury Creative Group

Wed 5/13 from 12 to 5 p.m. – 2026 Regional Roundtable: Next-Level Leadership Development (Arlington VA)

Association Latinos is convening a select cohort of mid- to senior-career association professionals in the DC area for a half-day, practitioner-led experience. We will tackle one question together: how do you lead with clarity when the ground keeps shifting? This is a working session. You will leave with strategies you can apply immediately. Location: Arlington VA. More info/register.

Host: Association Latinos

Speakers:

• Mark Lowry, Higher Logic
• Carlos Cardenas, CAE, AAiP, DelCor; Chair, Association Latinos
• Eduardo Arabu, MSPPM, CAE, CEO, National Hispanic Corporate Council

Wed 5/13 at 12 p.m. – When Plans Break! How to Regain Clarity When Everything Feels Urgent

Learn how to identify the root causes of overwhelm and confusion that surface during disruption and rapid change, separate signal from noise to better assess priorities and make informed decisions, and apply practical techniques to regain clarity and direction, even when there’s no perfect solution. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.

Host: GrowthZone

Speaker: KiKi L’Italien, Host and Editor-In-Chief, Things Go Sideways, and Founder and CEO, Amplified Growth

Wed 5/13 at 12 p.m. – AI Is Changing Your Members’ Jobs—Are You Keeping Up? (Association Amplified LIVE)

Most associations are asking what AI tools to adopt. But that’s the wrong question. Explore what associations should actually be focused on—and what members need from you right now. More info/register.

Host: TaleWind Digital

Speaker: Jen O’Brien, Director for Research and Innovation, American Marketing Association

Wed 5/13 at 12 p.m. – Navigating Power & Boundaries: How to Speak Up, and Say No to Keep Winning

In association environments influence, governance, and competing priorities frequently intersect.  Knowing how to respond is just as critical as knowing what to say. Get equipped with practical tools, sample responses, a solid framework, and real-world scenarios, and a structured framework to lead with clarity, protect capacity, and communicate with confidence—to navigate relationships or credibility. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.

Host: ASAE

Speakers:

• Lori Bruhns, Executive Coach, Lori Bruhns, LLC
• Mariama S. Boney, LMSW,CAE, CPEC, CTS, President and CEO, Achieve More LLC

Wed 5/13 at 12 p.m. – From Noise to Narrative: Data Visualization for Nonprofits

Learn how to move beyond cluttered visuals and transform raw numbers into clear, compelling narratives. Hear about a proven three-step formula: find your “big idea,” choose the right chart for your data, and refine your design to eliminate noise and focus attention. More info/register.

Host: Your Part-Time Controller

Wed 5/13 at 1 p.m. – Is Your Event Data Actually Working? How Associations Are Unlocking Real ROI

Many associations collect a large amount of event data, but very little of it actually translates into meaningful outcomes. Data is often spread across multiple systems, insights are delayed and opportunities to improve engagement or revenue are missed. From registration and check-in to on-site interactions and lead capture, see how capturing and connecting the right data at every stage creates a complete and reliable view of your events. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.

Host: ASAE

Speaker: Gil Gonzalez, Director of Events, EVA Event Tech Hub

Wed 5/13 at 2 p.m. – You’re in a marketing throuple with Claude. Now what?

AI is talking to your buyers all day. It’s synthesizing your website, filling in gaps you don’t know exist, and sending answers you’ve never approved. Learn how synthesis changes what your content actually does, what AI is probably saying about you right now, what the AI enablement framework is, what a repeatable content engine looks like and why a content calendar falls short, and how to measure when you can’t see the conversation. More info/register.

Host: Ercule

Speakers:

• Justin Dunham, Co-founder, Ercule
• Janessa Lantz, Janessa Lantz Marketing

Thu 5/14 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. – Beacon’s AMS Showcase

See leading AMS platforms in one place. The event will run across three simultaneous demo tracks, organized by average implementation cost, so you can focus on the systems that are more likely to fit your budget range. Each provider will present for 30 minutes with a standard scripted format so attendees can compare AMSs on an apples-to-apples basis, then they have 15 minutes to showcase the features that set their platform apart, plus live Q&A. More info/register.

Host: Beacon Tech Research

Participants: ALTAI, Cannolai, CE21, Euclid, GrowthZone, iMIS, MatrixMaxx, Mem360, MemberPlex, MemberSmart, MemberSuite, Membes, ReadyMembership, re:Members, Tradewing, Wild Apricot, YourMembership, Wicket

Thu 5/14 at 12 p.m. – On The Hunt

A monthly, community-driven virtual gathering designed to support AWTC members who are exploring new opportunities, navigating a job search, or considering their next move. Connect with peers, share insights, exchange leads and resources, and stay encouraged through the job-hunting process. Each session includes informal discussion, optional themed topics, and space for participants to reflect on their next steps to create  momentum while prioritizing connection, flexibility, and community support. More info/register.

Host: Association Women Technology Champtions

Thu 5/14 at 1 p.m. – The Strategic Role of Exam Prep in Growth and Differentiation

Explore the different roles exam prep can play and how learning businesses can think more intentionally about where it fits—or might fit—in the learner journey, the broader credentialing context, and their portfolio of offerings. Hear about alternatives available to learners, what candidates increasingly expect from these experiences, and how learning businesses are approaching exam prep today. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.

Host: Leading Learning

Speakers:

• Jeff Cobb and Celisa Steele, co-founders, Tagoras and Leading Learning
• Evan Burton, head of growth, BenchPrep

Thu 5/14 at 2 p.m. – Real-World Benefits of Integrated Data for Advocacy Organizations

Learn how to identify the concrete benefits of connected data for advocacy work, what a realistic integration project looks like, what resources you need to move from siloed systems to a connected stack, and what becomes possible once your data is integrated. More info/register.

Host: VoterVoice

Speakers:

• Justin Deragon, Director of Growth and Partnerships at AMS Geek and Data Sangria
• Ben Muscolino, Founder of AMS Geek and CEO of Breezio

Thu 5/14 at 2 p.m. – How Your Association’s Brand Impacts Marketing Success

Hear about the importance of keeping a unified design system for your association’s brand, and how your varying brands can have a significant impact on your marketing goals. Learn what brand architecture is (and what it isn’t), how poor brand architecture can have negative impacts on your marketing goals, and what branding direction is best for your association. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.

Host: Mighty Citizen

Speakers: Polly Thurston, Vice President of Creative, and Joi Bass, Vice President of Marketing, Mighty Citizen

Fri 5/15 at 2 p.m. – SharePoint or DropBox: Can You Really Ditch Dropbox? Lessons from the Microsoft 365 Trenches

Many associations are grappling with the real-world question of Dropbox vs. Microsoft 365, especially when it comes to external collaboration, security, usability, and cost. Practitioners and consultants who have made different choices will share candid, experience-based insights on what works, what does not, and why. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.

Host: ASAE

Speakers:

• Adam Kuhn, Director of Information Technology, FIA
• Christopher Gloede, CAE, Chief Consultant, Ricochet Advisory Services
• Joe Aldeguer, IT Director, Society of American Florists
• Michael Getter, Head of Technology and Digital Strategy, American Alliance of Museums

Tue 5/19 at 10:30 a.m. – Meditation Skills for Busy Lives

Take a pause from busyness and learn simple mindfulness practices to ease stress and reduce the feelings of burnout. These monthly sessions, designed to help you create space in your day, include: 5 minutes to arrive and settle in, 10 minutes of guided meditation practice, and 5 minutes for questions and reflection. Every month, we explore a new area of meditation and introduce a practical skill you can carry with you. Open to everyone, no prior meditation experience required. More info/register.

Host: Association Women Technology Champions

Meditation leader: Moira Edwards, Owner & President, Ellipsis Partners

Tue 5/19 at 12 p.m. – From Analytics to Action: Making Data Work in the Boardroom

Learn how to turn dashboards and member analytics into narratives that grab leadership’s attention, build credibility, drive investment, and advance your organization and career through the power of data storytelling. Hear how to frame data around board decisions, build a repeatable narrative structure, translate tech metrics into business outcomes, and use data fluency to grow your influence and careers. More info/register.

Host: Association Women Technology Champions

Speakers:

• Jane Nassiri, GrowthZone
• Rhoni Rakos, AAiP, Ellipsis Partners
• Shaun Holloway, American Motorcyclist Association

Tue 5/19 at 1 p.m. – Member Engagement Lab #3: How to Engage Members Even When You are Not Feeling It

When your mental bandwidth is low, anti-engaging behaviors can sneak in without you even realizing it. Unfortunately, those small moments can quietly push members away. Let’s talk about how to stay engaging even on the hardest days. You’ll walk away with simple ways to show up with intention keeping engagement strong even when your mood is. More info/register.

Host: re:Members

Speaker: Amanda Lea Kaiser is a member engagement strategist and author of Elevating Engagement: Uncommon Strategies for Creating a Thriving Member Community

Tue 5/19 at 1 p.m. – Your Event Looks Fine on Paper; A Secret Shopper Might Disagree

Learn how structured, on-site observation by experienced meeting professionals can surface patterns, tensions, and opportunities that traditional evaluation methods often miss. Drawing on recent, real-world examples, explore how observation—paired with stakeholder interviews, historical data, and experience feedback—creates a more complete and actionable picture of event performance. More info/register.

Host: Event Garde

Speaker: Aaron Wolowiec, Founder & President, Event Garde

Tue 5/19 at 2 p.m. – Accelerating AI Thinking and Readiness at AMCs

Many association management companies (AMCs) remain stuck between basic experimentation and simple implementation of AI. Explore how AMCs can accelerate AI adoption both internally and externally. Get practical insights into AI readiness and AMC-specific strategies. Discover how AMCs can leverage AI to boost staff efficiency, uncover deeper insights, develop AI-driven products, and make smarter decisions that impress clients and set themselves apart from the competition. More info/register.

Hosts: AMCI & Momentive Software

Speaker: Rich Vallaster, CEM, QAS, AAiP, Senior Director of Industry Strategy, Momentive Software

Wed 5/20 from 9:05 a.m. to 4:50 p.m. – Community & Engagement Platforms Demo Day

Watch presentations from a limited number of industry partners that offer community and engagement platforms. Community and engagement experts will be showcasing platforms and sharing their knowledge with the association market. More info/register.

Host: ASAE

Participants: Bulletin Apps, GrowthZone, Breezio, Hivebrite, Higher Logic, Forj, Tradewing, Clowder, Cantarus, and Izzy

Wed 5/20 at 1 p.m. – Capturing the Voice of your Future Member

Learn about the value of non-member insights and how they can help associations overcome barriers to growth. Hear how to identify and effectively utilize analytical tools and techniques, such as data analysis and customer journey mapping, to understand non-member behavior and improve engagement strategies, and develop actionable strategies based on non-member insights to align association goals with the needs of a broader audience and drive sustainable growth. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.

Host: Fonteva

Speaker: Christine Saunders, President, Halmyre

Thu 5/21 at 11 a.m. – How to Design a Product Portfolio

All associations create value. But without a coherent portfolio, you’re missing patterns, synergies, and hidden revenue. Learn why a portfolio is indispensable for any association that wants to operate strategically, not reactively; how to analyze and map your current offerings; structure your offerings into a coherent portfolio that tells a clear story to your board, staff, and members; find the hidden connections between your offerings and use them to uncover new opportunities for your membership; use your portfolio as a strategy, planning, or budget tool; and maintain your portfolio so it stays relevant year after year, not just a one-time exercise. More info/register.

Host: James Young, CEO & Founder, Product Community

Thu 5/21 at 1 p.m. – CFO Financial Communications and Interactions With Boards

Learn about the essential communication skills and strategic insights needed to effectively partner with, educate, and influence the board. Hear how to move beyond basic reporting to deliver financial information that is strategic, clear, and action-oriented, helping board members fulfill their fiduciary duties. Topics will include translating complex financial statements into key organizational narratives, managing the budget process with board oversight, communicating about risk and reserves, and handling challenging questions from diverse board member backgrounds. 1 CAE credit. More info/register.

Host: UST Education

Speakers:

• Paul Preziotti, CPA, Partner, Johnson Lambert LLP
• A. Michael Gellman, CPA, CGMA, Co-Founder at Sustainability Education 4 Nonprofits

Thu 5/21 at 1:30 p.m. – High-Stakes Communication in the AI Era: Strengthening Executive Relationships Without Losing Your Voice

Explore how association executives can use AI to elevate communication in high-stakes relationships without sacrificing authenticity, executive presence, or professional voice. Learn how to strengthen board alignment, navigate sensitive internal conversations, and craft external messaging that builds trust with sponsors and strategic partners. More info/register.

Speaker: Lori Zoss Kraska, MBA, CFRE, Growth Owl

Moderator: Barbara Armentrout, CAE, BJA Solutions for Associations

Hostess: Teri Carden, COO, Insight Guide

Thu 5/21 at 4 p.m. – Success & Sins of Association AI Use

The panel’s discussion of associations and AI covers: where to start; the most common mistake associations make when they start down the AI path; the biggest opportunities for associations with the use of AI; building internal buy-in when staff are either scared, too enthusiastic, or conscientious objectors about its use; their new favorite AI tool that others may not be aware of; and how the role of associations will change in light of AI in the future. More info/register.

Host: ASAE Reston Loudoun Swap

Speakers:

• Jay Daughtry (facilitator), Founder, CQbd
• Joseph Burak, Founder and Chief Strategist, TRANSiT Strategy & Analytics
• Liz Peuster, CAE, Chief Communications Officer, South Carolina Association of CPAs
• Dan Streeter, CEO, Mission Fuel

Association Brain Food takes about six hours a week to put together. If it saves you time finding good reads and CAE credits—or just makes for a better Friday—please consider buying me a beer.

Association Brain Food Weekly is published Friday mornings. If you offer free professional development to the association community, please send me the link by Wednesday afternoon.

Creative Commons licensed photo by Julie Kicova via Unsplash

Amazon, AssociationBrainFood.com, Association Academy, and Rogue Tulips links allow me to earn a royalty and/or complimentary registration from any resulting leads or sales. Thank you!