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Becoming an Idea Factory: How to Turn Your Organization into an Innovation Machine

If there’s one belief that is holding you back from getting the most out of your team, it’s this one: some people are creative, and some people aren’t. That belief is based on outdated ideas about what creativity means, where it comes from, and who gets to harness it. The truth is, creativity is a skill like any other: it can be learned. In the same way that we teach employees how to track expenses, and process invoices, we can teach them how to be more creative, how to have better ideas, and how to build a culture where innovation is a natural byproduct. Inspire audience members to harness their own capacity for creativity and innovation. In this high-energy talk, you will gain practical tips for how to get more (and better!) ideas out of yourself and your team, and how to avoid the common idea-killers in your organization.

Kyle Scheele, Artist, Speaker, Author



Improv to ImprovE: Leading Difficult Conversations Off-Script

Difficult conversations are usually feared, delayed, or worst of all - never happen. This leads to toxic work environments, high employee turn over, and unnecessary stress. Using the tenants of Improv, you can learn to navigate the choppy waters of challenging conversations. Learn how to adapt, shift, and respond positively in the moment instead of reacting, hesitating, or worst of all avoiding. Walk away empowered with the tools needed to improve your conversations, your teams, and most important of all your own wellbeing.

Jessica Brustad, Founder, The Funny Yogi

 

Leading People, Teams, and Yourself in Today’s Landscape

Are you ready to unlock your leadership superpower? After interviewing more than 500 of America’s top leaders - from Fortune 500 CEOs to founders of household name companies to four-star generals and admirals - what was once only understood by a few has now been codified. Gain perspective-shifting insights into the most misunderstood but integral principles essential to effective leadership. Leave with a deeper understanding of what makes you unique and how you can apply your distinguishing leadership superpower in leading yourself and leading others.

Adam Mendler, CEO, Thirty Minute Mentors

 

Modernizing Association Engagement

Explore the top lessons learned from powering communication to hundreds of thousands of members for associations across North America. Dive into the best-kept strategies of how some associations do member and nonmember engagement amazingly well. Uncover the silent killers and common mistakes that sabotage associations and stop their potential. Join us for a unique look at what associations can do - and what to stop doing right now - to engage members, increase participation, and attract new membership in today's world.

Nicholas Gough, CEO, NoteRouter

 

Revolutionize Your Association by Harnessing AI Tools

Discover AI tools and resources to revolutionize your association’s operations. Designed specifically for association execs and staff seeking quick AI implementation, this session will showcase powerful AI tools that can have an immediate impact on your organization, your members, and the industries you represent. Through engaging demonstrations, gain insight into real-world use cases of AI in action and shorten your AI adoption timeline to drive immediate value.

Joseph Burak, MBA, Chief Strategist, TRANSiT Strategy & Analytics


Codes of Ethics: Avoiding Traps and Maximizing Opportunities

Association member codes of ethics provide valuable benefits, not only to associations and their members, but also to professions and industries, government, and the public. However, to successfully establish, operate, and enforce such self-regulatory programs, associations must have a basic understanding of, and take measures to guard against the potentially significant legal, reputational, and other risks. From two of the nation’s leading association advisors, in plain English and in practical terms, learn about the steps associations can take in structuring, administering, and enforcing such codes to minimize their risks and maximize their opportunities.

Jeffrey S. Tenenbaum, Esq., Managing Partner, Tenenbaum Law
   Group PLLC
Jay Younger, FASAE, President & CEO, McKinley Advisors

 

Growing in Place

When changing jobs isn't an option, staying motivated and fulfilled is crucial. Even if your plan is to stay where you are, how are you investing in your professional development as a source of personal fulfillment? Hear from the speaker’s first-hand experience of utilizing various learning opportunities to develop more enthusiasm and foster growth at her job, all while working at the same, small-staff organization for more than 13 years. Learn how to embrace a curiosity mindset and experimentation willingness to fuel interest in one's work. Leave feeling inspired to find purpose and move forward in the place you are at right now.

Amy Mrugalski, CAE, Senior Strategic Initiatives Manager, American College of Trial Lawyers

 

How's That Workin' For You? Everyday Evaluation Methods

Associations spend significant resources implementing operational, educational, and quality-improvement programs both internally and externally. However, very few associations include any plan to measure results. How do you know if your organization is making any kind of impact? There's the work you do, and the results that flow from it – but if you are not evaluating and measuring the effort, how do you know if anyone learned anything? Were operations improved? Were goals achieved? Dig into five evaluation approaches to implement program design and evaluation principles and techniques in real-world initiatives to achieve better results.

Jennifer Ballentine, MA, CEO, Coalition for Compassionate Care of California

 

Pillars of Successful Board Development, Recruitment, and Succession Planning

How do you ensure that your association's volunteer leadership truly represents your industry or membership? How can you build your leadership bench? Board development, recruitment and succession planning is a key component of effective governance and leadership, and building organizational culture. Done right, recruitment is a year-round process that cultivates leaders, ensures diversity, and contributes to the success of the association. Dissect a board talent and expertise assessment process to determine gaps that need to be filled. Leave with thetools needed to craft a succession plan and leadership collaboration model.

Alison Hart, Founder & Chief Strategist, A. Hart Associates



3 Scoops and a Mission Statement

From their funky, chunky ice cream flavors to their social impact, the iconic Ben & Jerry’s ice cream brand has reimagined how organizations can make an impact on their communities. Led by a former Ben & Jerry’s franchisee turned association professional, this interactive session will help to identify strategies to advance your association’s mission while increasing member value. Join us as we translate Ben & Jerry’s unique three-part mission statement into one cohesive strategy associations can adopt.

Pete Zimek, CAE, CEO, Novi AMS

Behind the Copy: Nurturing Positive Work Environments through Writing

In today’s landscape, the words leaders use to express themselves, both verbally and in writing, carry heightened significance, particularly in environments where trust is dwindling. Leaders typically receive coaching on presence, yet improving writing is often a missed opportunity to enhance leadership quality. Transforming culture through writing begins with an introspective journey to humanize leaders' written expression. Learn the value of intentionally crafted writing and explore quick daily improvements you can make in your own communication-style.

Sheila Johnston, Co-Founder & Chief Growth Officer, Luminari Partners

Create a "Speak Up" Culture in Your Association

Every time an employee fails to speak up in the workplace, it costs an organization an estimated $7500. This workplace silence fuels staff burnout, turnover, and negative member experiences. Explore the essentials needed to support a safe "speak-up" association culture. Practical strategies for association leadership will be shared, highlighting the benefits of vocal empowerment. Learn how to identify missed opportunities in your roles and gain clarity on communicating during uncomfortable situations with staff, members, and peers.

Alexia Vernon, MA, President, Step into Your Moxie

Maximize Sponsorship Success with Creative Insights & Strategic Inquiry

What defines success in your organization's sponsorship program? How can we creatively reshape sponsorship opportunities to bridge gaps and enhance sponsor satisfaction? In this engaging conversation, explore the blueprint of a successful sponsorship program and discover ways to reframe sponsorship opportunities to meet the needs of both sponsors and your organization. Join us to ask thoughtful questions, reimagine sponsorship programs creatively, and personalize fundraising for your association’s ecosystem. Learn how to reinvent fundraising by crafting innovative event sponsorship formats that appeal to new sponsors and rejuvenate your existing partnerships.

Stephanie McCammon, CMP, Director of Meeting Operations and Sponsorship,  Association Management Solutions