You Should Hear This: Recent Episodes
ISAE
Looking for new ideas to the challenges of associations? Want to know you’re not the only one with unwieldy strategic plans, stressful meetings or who stays up at night worrying about the future of associations? Well, then You Should Hear This! This podcast discusses current issues facing association professionals and how they innovatively use their resources and talent to overcome and produce exemplary experiences for their members. Join the Indiana Society of Association Executives (ISAE) as we dig deep, learn from our peers - even from our failures, and tell our stories as we pave our path forward.
In this special bonus episode, we celebrate four incredible seasons of You Should Hear This. Hosts Chris Beaman and Nick Estrada reflect on the podcast’s journey, highlighting its most memorable moments and the impact it’s had on the association industry. With over 3,000 downloads and 56 episodes covering topics like leadership, event planning, membership, marketing, the importance of DEI, and so much more, the podcast has become a trusted resource. Hear behind-the-scenes stories, lessons learned, and their hopes for the future of association professionals. Join us for a heartfelt farewell to this beloved series.
In this episode, Lori Granich, CAE, and Stu Kushner, CAE, reflect on their experiences on ASAE’s Young Professionals Advisory Council, sharing how they first got involved and the ways the role has impacted both their personal and professional development. Lori and Stu, both recipients of Association Forum’s prestigious Forty Under 40 honor, share key advice for young professionals looking to advance in the association industry, offering practical tips for making the most of leadership opportunities. They also talk about the challenges they’ve faced and how they overcame them. Lastly, they give us a glimpse into their future plans and how they intend to continue supporting the next generation of association leaders.
With Kim, we’re diving into the essentials of employee onboarding and how to make the first 90 days smooth and productive. We’ll talk about the common challenges new hires face and how to help them transition seamlessly into your team. Our conversation explores practical strategies for designing onboarding programs that go beyond the basics, focusing on creating a culture of continuous learning. We’ll share tips on making new employees feel welcome and prepared from day one. Whether you’re a manager, HR professional, or just curious about improving workplace integration, this episode has actionable insights you can apply. Join us for a casual chat about setting new hires up for success!
During this episode, we explore the unique experiences of transgender individuals in associations and how they navigate feelings of belonging. Our guest, a transgender woman who works in the association industry as a Member Engagement Specialist, shares personal insights on challenges like name changes and identity recognition within professional spaces. We discuss ways association leaders can foster more inclusive environments and better support their transgender members. Learn actionable steps and best practices for improving diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives. This conversation is a must-hear for any association professional committed to creating a welcoming community for all.
In this episode, we sit down with Amber Van Til, President and CEO of the Indiana Bankers Association, to discuss her 2023 recognition as ISAE's Association Executive of the Year. Amber shares what this prestigious award means to her and the journey that led to this achievement. We’ll explore the leadership strategies that have driven her success and the impact she’s made within the banking industry and beyond. Amber also offers advice for aspiring association leaders looking to make their mark. Tune in for an inspiring conversation about dedication, leadership, and the future of associations.
Join us as we dive into the inspiring story behind SocialOffset, a groundbreaking nonprofit empowering event attendees to channel their social protest into meaningful action. In this episode, we sit down with the Co-Founder, Elena Gerstmann, exploring the innovative ways the organization empowers event attendees to make meaningful social contributions. Discover how SocialOffset is transforming the landscape of social protest and ethical event planning—one community at a time.
In this episode, we dive into the dynamic partnership between Meeting Planners and Convention & Visitors' Bureaus (CVB). Our guests, a Convention Sales Manager from Visit Bloomington and the Meeting Planner for the Indiana Society of Association Executives, share their insights on how these collaborations can enhance the success of events. We'll explore the unique benefits of working with a CVB, from leveraging local expertise to maximizing resources, and how these partnerships can drive greater impact for organizations. Whether you're planning a small conference or a large convention, tune in to learn how a strong relationship with your local CVB can make all the difference.
In this episode, Rich Vallaster explores the cutting-edge trends reshaping association technology and their impact on the industry. He delves into how innovative tools are enhancing member engagement, streamlining operations, and transforming decision-making processes. Rich also shares practical advice for associations facing challenges in adopting new technologies and highlights the importance of cybersecurity in protecting member data. With a focus on the future, he offers insights into the innovations that will drive the next decade of growth and success for associations. Tune in to learn how to stay competitive and forward-thinking in a rapidly evolving landscape.
In this episode, we sit down with Leah York, Founder and President of Talbott Talent, to uncover expert advice for job seekers navigating the nonprofit sector. Leah shares invaluable insights on standing out in a competitive market, avoiding common interview pitfalls, and aligning your personal values with organizational missions. Whether you're looking to advance your career or land your dream job, this episode is packed with tips to help you succeed.
Join us for a compelling discussion with visionary change agent, trailblazing learning leader, and equity advocate, Rhonda Payne (CEO of Flock Theory). From her 30+ years of experience, this eye-opening conversation with Rhonda shares invaluable insights and invites association leaders to embrace their unique opportunity to inclusively uplift experts in the industries we serve, fostering inclusive organizational cultures, impactful strategies, and building capacity for lasting social change within communities.
During this episode, we’re diving into the importance of foresight for association boards. Join us as we explore key insights with Jeff De Cagna of Foresight First LLC. Our conversation will cover the fundamentals of the duty of foresight, its relationship to strategy, and the necessity for boards to champion next practices.
Tune in to gain valuable perspectives that will help your association’s board become fit for purpose.
Is member engagement a top priority for your association? This podcast is for you!
Join us as we delve into one association’s member community, where invited members collaborate on empowering content and participate in engaging events to maximize membership resources. Discover how their ad hoc member engagement committee drives relevant content and fosters meaningful connections among community members.
From leveraging LinkedIn engagement to refining event management techniques, this episode offers you insights and practical tips to enhance member engagement and strengthen community bonds. Tune in to unlock the full potential of member engagement within your organization!
Listen in as we explore the intersection of neurodiversity, social anxiety, and membership associations with psychologist, author, and speaker, Dr. Dan Wendler.
In this episode of “You Should Hear This”, we will dive into the importance of fostering inclusivity and diversity within associations, highlighting strategies to support neurodivergent individuals, such as those with autism or ADHD. From enhancing member engagement and retention to promoting professional development and networking opportunities, Dr. Dan shares invaluable insights and practical tips for association leaders.
Join us as we discuss advocacy efforts, organizational culture, and leadership initiatives aimed at creating welcoming and supportive environments for all members.
In this episode, we will explore the art of building lasting and mutually beneficial relationships with industry partners. Join us and our guest speakers as we delve into the journey of forging a remarkable partnership that took more than a year to conceptualize. Discover the key insights and lessons learned as we discuss the importance of long-term commitment and planning while showcasing the transformative power of strategic alliances.
Welcome to another compelling episode of "You Should Hear This," where we delve into the insights that can transform your career trajectory. In this edition, our guest is none other than former Indiana resident, Rick Burt, a seasoned professional with a remarkable journey in the association industry. Join us as Rick shares invaluable wisdom on leveling up your career and finding success as an award-winning association leader.
Tailored for younger professionals navigating the dynamic landscape of associations, this episode provides actionable advice, strategic tips, and inspiring anecdotes to empower and guide you towards achieving your professional aspirations.
Dive into the dynamic world of event planning as we explore the latest trends that are defining the future of unforgettable gatherings. In this episode, Sara Stehle, CAE, CMP (Independent Planner and Owner of Wow Moments - Experience and Event Design), will share insights on cutting-edge technologies, innovative strategies, and immersive experiences. From virtual reality to eco-friendly gatherings, discover shifts that are transforming the way we connect and engage.
Whether you're an event professional or simply passionate about creating “WOW” moments, this episode is your guide to staying ahead in the ever-evolving landscape of event planning.
Membership organizations are reporting higher levels of disengagement and decline than ever before. That’s a fact. It’s also a fact no one really knows how to solve the problem. If they did, the decline would have reversed long ago.
Think about it. Membership is not a recognized subject of expertise. There are no degrees, defined requirements, career paths, or educational tracks. Membership organizations employ millions and generate billions in revenue, and not a single person has been certifiably or definitively trained in the subject of membership. This means the strategies essential to member engagement and growth have remained largely unknown, overlooked, guessed, or left to chance.
Sarah Sladek discusses a new member-centric strategy, success stories, and how to membership organizations can build meaningful connection within their communities.
Doesn’t it feel like associations often seem behind the curve when it comes to technological advancements? Would you agree that there’s a significant lack of knowledge about the impact of Google Analytics 4 on and for associations?
On today’s episode, with our guest, we are going to dig into why and how associations can find value in first-party data, why this is SO important, and what they can be doing now to set themselves up for a big advantage in the future.
Many associations are continuously working to identify ways to authentically tell their story through print, digital, and video mediums. With SO many options, it can be remarkably overwhelming, but it’s also critical to “get right”. During the podcast, we will discuss how association leaders can ensure their story-telling efforts are aligned with the impact of the association.
In this episode, we dive into a crucial aspect of association management with esteemed guest Michael Sanserino. Tune in as we explore the unique journey of association professionals transitioning from industry roles to serving within associations.
Discover how to leverage prior experience for success, gaining invaluable insights as both a member and prospective association advocate. Michael emphasizes the importance of blending personal perspective with the collective voice of the industry. Don't miss out on this enlightening conversation!
Dive into the world of Association Management Companies (AMCs) with Lane Velayo, CAE, and Leslie Murphy, FASAE, CAE! 🎙️
Ever wondered about the magic behind the scenes at AMCs? If you're new to the association world, this one's for you! 🌐 We're demystifying the invaluable role AMCs play in driving associations forward. 🚀
Join us as we chat about the unique benefits of being a part of an AMC team, and how they elevate the game for associations everywhere. Get ready to collect inspiration and fresh insights 🌟
Tune in now for a dose of knowledge, a dash of fun, and a whole lot of association expertise! 🎧🔍
Have you ever traveled for work or pleasure and found yourself in an uncomfortable or awkward position because you weren’t familiar with local or cultural norms?
Are you soon traveling internationally for work OR hosting an international audience stateside, and you’re thinking about how and why to be sensitive to cultural differences?
You’re in luck! This episode features special guest Toni Brearley, Chief Executive Officer of the Australasian Society of Association Executives.
Listen as we dive into a few funny stories and important lessons learned for traveling abroad for meetings.
Dean West, President of Association Laboratory, is a globally recognized thought leader and futurist for the association community. For more than 20 years he has researched what works and does not work in association strategy and leadership.
An engaging, provocative and conversational speaker, he understands the unique needs of association leaders working in a complex, dynamic environment. Mr. West’s research-based insights inform and inspire.
A Fellow of the American Society of Association Executives. He has served on the Board of Directors for the Association Forum, as Past Chairman of ASAE’s Professional Development Council and as a past member of ASAE’s Membership Council. He is a former association chief staff officer with experience leading national and international associations.
Mr. West founded Association Laboratory, Inc. in 1999. Association Laboratory, Inc. specializes in the research and development of strategy for trade and professional associations and in the provision of strategic education for association leaders. The company serves a global client base of professional, trade and corporate organizations through offices in Chicago, IL and Washington, DC.
Welcome to a special You Should Hear This Podcast. While the podcast is on break until September, when season 3 starts, we wanted to update you about a change happening this year.
Nick Estrada, CAE, CMP, will no longer serve as our podcast host. Nick has been with the podcast since the beginning, and we are so thankful for everything he has contributed to us. Our Season 3 host will now be Chris Beam, CAE, Corporate Partnership Officer for Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing.
Listen to Nick pass on some excellent knowledge and advice to our new coming host.
As associations, we are all about forming authentic relationships, which allow us to expand our network and reach different audiences. Building those relationships with our members isn’t often any different than the connections and relationship that exists between associations and sponsors.
Associations rely on sponsor dollars to assist with everyday operations, member events, and so much more. In turn, sponsors rely on associations to help promote their business and cultivate mutually beneficial relationships. As time has gone on, technology has changed, and associations and sponsor relationships have evolved.
Sponsors and associations may be looking for different opportunities. How do we ensure that the relationship stays strong? What can we do to understand their needs more and form new connections with sponsors to deliver stronger ROI? Our guest today will be able to walk us down the right path and share his expertise on sponsor relations.
Chris Beaman (bee-men), CAE, is the Corporate Partnerships Officer for the Sigma Foundation for Nursing, responsible for cultivating and generating corporate philanthropic support for Sigma Nursing (formerly Sigma Theta Tau Honor Society of Nursing) events and programs. He has more than 10 year’s experience and progressive leadership in association management in a variety of functions.
Hello, and welcome to You Should Hear This, a podcast for the everyday association professional. I’m Nick Estrada, your host.
Technology may feel like it is ever-evolving, and that’s because it is. Technology has changed drastically within the past twenty, ten, and even the last five years. With new technology at our doorstep, associations need to know if it is worth their time to learn and invest in it. The International Business Machines defines artificial intelligence, or as you commonly hear it, “AI,” as a field that combines computer science and robust datasets to enable problem-solving.
With new forms of AI coming into the news and our associations, we need to understand the basics, how we can use it, and what we can use it for. Our guest today will be able to provide us with guidance on these questions and much more.
Rusty Williams is the Co-founder of AnswerStage -- a Boston-based provider of automated video collection and production services. AnswerStage helps associations and event organizers feature members, speakers, exhibitors, and other authentic personalities in video marketing. Rusty has helped start and grow several companies, including Delphi Internet, Prospero Technologies, and KnowledgeVision. The common thread in all of these ventures is building and leveraging the value of online communities.
Annually, ISAE hosts the STAR Awards, STAR stands for the Society’s Top Award of Recognition, which celebrates the success of our colleagues, who help strengthen our local association industry! Members attend this program each year to lift up those around us and then later we hope to learn from their success and how our own associations can replicate their success.
Our guest today is a recent recipient of a STAR Award, the Rising STAR. Today she’s going to outline her experience at STAR, the road to success for her project, and much more.
Raevyn Harris is the Director of Digital Marketing for Kappa Delta Pi (KDP), America’s Largest Educational Honor Society. She manages digital content and communications for the organization on behalf of teachers. Raevyn completed her bachelor’s degree at Ball State University in Muncie, Indiana.
A central experience for many associations, but not all, is the variety of events they hold., This can include in-person events like conferences, workshops, networking programs, and online experiences like webinars, LMS education, and asynchronous learning. We know planners have a lot to think about when planning these events. When planning, a key concept that often is secondary to many other things is of the accessibility of our attendees. Organizers need to be mindful of the accessibility of their attendees, member and non-member alike.
Where do we even begin? What are those questions that need to be asked of event hosts? How do we get closed captioning on webinars, are the ways the organization's communication accessible to everyone? Do I need to have a budget for this?
Our guest today will provide us with some insight on these questions, provide examples, and much more.
Jeri Moody, CMP, is the Executive Director for AVAIL Meeting Planning and Speaker Bureau Services. With more than 20 years of experience in the industry, Jeri oversees the day-to-day functions and resources required to execute successful programs with a focus on maximizing staff utilization as well as assessing and assigning projects accordingly, all while keeping processes and regulations in the forefront.
Jeri graduated from the University of Evansville in Indiana with a Bachelor of Science in Mass Communications and a Minor in Business Administration.
In her free time, Jeri enjoys spending time with her husband, Chandler, and two kids, Reagan and Luke – also can’t forget their dog, Rocky. As a family, they enjoy all sorts of sports, building Legos (they’ve even turned one room in their house into a display room), and traveling to see family in Colorado annually.
Volunteers make up many aspects of our associations from serving on committees, volunteering their time for events, assisting with the promotion of events, sharing the expertise to develop education, supporting advocacy work and so much more. While volunteers are needed, associations across the country are dealing with decreasing numbers of volunteers.
Recent studies from the AmeriCorps and the U.S. Census Bureau show that fewer people are volunteering than they were two decades ago. As we think of how to bring in more volunteers, the answer may be as simple as asking, “What are your personal goals?” Figuring out why our volunteers give us their time, what are their life goals, and how we can assist in getting them there.
Our guest today will give us some insight on how to navigate these questions and much more as it pertains to volunteers.
Al Carroll is an established business and civic leader with experience in talent attraction, development and retention. He is the current President of IndyHub.
IndyHub's mission is to engage, empower, and grow a community of young people who are meaningfully connected to Indianapolis and invested in its future. Al lives in Lawrence Township with his wife, Nicole, and his two children, Eliana and Leo.
A unique opportunity within the Association world is ASAE’s NextGen Summit. The NextGen Association Summit is an initiative which invests in high-potential leaders in the association community. It provides the opportunity for up to 25 participants to cultivate new professional skills and creative confidence, while also acquiring the tools, visibility and network necessary to become a force in the broader association community.
ISAE has been fortunate enough to have several of our members attend this program over the last few years. And today we have one of those attendees as our guest to share his experience!
Craig Banister is the Director of Marketing and Communications at Raybourn Group International. He got his start in the association world in 2015 as an intern for RGI. He graduated from the University of Indianapolis with a B.A. in Communication with a double emphasis in public relations and electronic media.
Offered once annually, NextGen is a unique opportunity for younger leaders who have both a passion for associations and the leadership potential to make a tremendous impact to the success of the organizations they serve.
As a NextGen scholar, you will be acquiring the tools, visibility and network necessary to advance your executive career goals within your association and throughout the broader association community. To learn more go to www.asaecenter.org
Culture is constantly shifting. There are several factors that can impact our culture, but one of the biggest is the arrival of new generations. These new generations bring new ideas, desires, wants, life goals and overall expectations of how they approach and view work and the outside groups they engage with. Millennials for a long time have been the group we talk about, but there’s a new generation already here you may not have been talking about yet, Gen Z.
Are we ready for them? If you haven’t already been talking about them, the answer is probably no, but what is this new generation looking for when it comes to joining our associations, volunteering, the kinds of education they want and so much more. They’ll challenge our associations to change and grow, which is necessary.
Our guest today will help us explore Gen Z and provide insight into how we can not just accommodate them but welcome and embrace their presence.
Sarah Sladek has been referred to as a social equity expert, a global leader in business strategy, and a Talent Economy influencer. She is a renowned thought leader on the topics of generational shifts, engagement strategies, and change management.
Sarah is the founder and CEO of XYZ University, one of the nation’s only firms focused on generational research and the development of inclusive, inter-generational workplaces. She’s also the founder of Membership University, a future-focused membership strategy and training firm, and host of the Save the Associations web show and Membership IQ podcast.
Culture is constantly shifting. There are several factors that can impact our culture, but one of the biggest is the arrival of new generations. These new generations bring new ideas, desires, wants, life goals and overall expectations of how they approach and view work and the outside groups they engage with. Millennials for a long time have been the group we talk about, but there’s a new generation already here you may not have been talking about yet, Gen Z.
Are we ready for them? If you haven’t already been talking about them, the answer is probably no, but what is this new generation looking for when it comes to joining our associations, volunteering, the kinds of education they want and so much more. They’ll challenge our associations to change and grow, which is necessary.
Our guest today will help us explore Gen Z and provide insight into how we can not just accommodate them but welcome and embrace their presence.
Sarah Sladek has been referred to as a social equity expert, a global leader in business strategy, and a Talent Economy influencer. She is a renowned thought leader on the topics of generational shifts, engagement strategies, and change management.
Sarah is the founder and CEO of XYZ University, one of the nation’s only firms focused on generational research and the development of inclusive, inter-generational workplaces. She’s also the founder of Membership University, a future-focused membership strategy and training firm, and host of the Save the Associations web show and Membership IQ podcast.
At the core of most associations, our job is to provide our members with professional growth, programs, services, and resources. As we deliver on these promises, it can be easy to fall into a pattern and not think of change. We hear all the time how change is necessary to stay current, but where do we start? How do we reevaluate our events, programs, and services even if they are doing just fine? What is the approach we can take to our boards to see the change through so we aren’t last? Our guest today will be able to navigate us through all these hurdles and more.
Tonya Suits, CAE, IOM, is the President and Founder of Centric Association Management, which she founded in the summer of 2022. Her experience includes event planning, board and governance relations, committee and volunteer management, day-to-day business, developing and managing certification programs for clients, providing quality customer service, and managing social media platforms, marketing initiatives, and communication channels.
The idea you get along with everyone at your place of employment is nothing short of a false reality. While you may not get along with everyone, there is a level of respect and professionalism that needs to be maintained at all times. With today’s workforce environment different than what it was in years past, how can we ensure that we are keeping the peace and having everyone feel heard and valued? Our guest today will help us juggle these topics and provide some guidance.
Tara Puckey, MBA, CAE, is the President-Elect of ISAE. She is the Executive Director of the Radio Television Digital News Association and Radio Television Digital News Foundation and is responsible for the overall management of the association and foundation business.
She is active in both ISAE and ASAE, where she is a current member of the Executive Management Professionals Advisory Council. Additionally, in 2018, she was named to Association Forum’s Forty Under 40 list.
A strategic plan is a process in which an organization's leaders define their vision for the future and identify their goals and objectives. Most, if not all, associations have a strategic plan, but is it time to reinvent the plan? With so many different factors to consider, where do you start, and is that the correct path for your association? Our guest today will help us with these questions and lend some guidance on how to come up with a new strategic plan.
Mary Ann Passi, CAE, is the Chief Executive Officer of the Corporate Housing Providers Association (CHPA). As CEO, she leads strategic oversight and direction of the Association. During her time with CHPA, the Association has grown in all areas, including membership, revenue, awareness, industry collaborations, advocacy, and reach. With more than twenty-five years of experience in managing non-profit organizations, she leads a staff team that partners with passionate industry professionals to ensure that CHPA thrives as a voice for the industry. Mary Ann is a Certified Association Executive (CAE) and belongs to the American Society of Association Executives and the Association Forum.
Trends are defined as a general direction in which something is developing or changing. In today’s climate, associations need to be sure they are staying current with trends so they don’t fall behind. While there are so many different trends, we may begin to wonder which one is the right one for your association. How do you approach your leadership and share what trends will bring in a return on investment? What trends might hinder your future success? How can we be prepared for these? Our guest today, will help us explore these topics while outlining some trends to be thinking on.
Lowell Aplebaum, FASAE, CAE, CPF is the CEO and Strategy Catalyst of Vista Cova – a company that partners with organizations on strategic visioning and planning. Lowell has worked inside associations on membership and value, volunteer leadership establishment and growth, professional development and learning, and several other key areas of association management.
Every association has one thing in common, and that is the love and gratitude that we share for volunteers. Volunteers assist associations by pushing forward their missions and visions for their members. In recent years, many volunteers have reevaluated their time and what meant most to them. Volunteer participation and engagement have dropped drastically since then and still continue. What is it that we, as association professionals, can do when it comes to recruiting and retaining volunteers? Is it the way we interact, how we are selling the experience, or is it something else? Our guests today will be able to help us explore this conversation.
Brian Lewis, CAE, CVA is with Raybourn Group International, where he serves as the Executive Director for a couple of small staff clients. He discovered his interest in Association Management about 20 years ago as a volunteer for a number of adult fraternal organizations. He feels that his volunteer involvement is important professionally as a way to see things from the volunteer’s perspective, and it provides opportunities to try out new things on a small scale.
Katie Feltman’, CAEs serves as COO for the American College of Sports Medicine, overseeing ACSM's operations, programs, and services which include membership, certification, publishing, technology, science initiatives, grant administration and key programmatic areas. Katie has a servant leader mindset finding joy in helping her colleagues succeed and seeing ACSM's members and certifieds thrive.
We hear on the news how we should work to be sustainable and have a greener mindset in our everyday lives, and our own industry pushes us to plan our meetings from small to large associations with better sustainability practices. As association professionals, we strive to have this top of mind when putting together our annual meetings, workshops, and other gatherings, but at times can feel stuck and lost on where to start. Do we take away all printed materials, no longer have nametags, or rely on only our phones (while recognizing digital platforms still use electricity and balance access issues)? Our guest today, Julia Spangler, will be able to assist with these questions.
Julia is the founder of Ecosystem Events, a company that strives to reduce and divert waste from meetings and events. Julia helps organizations and event professionals reduce the environmental impact of their events in order to preserve our planet and deliver powerful sustainability results.
Here are the resources that Julia mentioned during this podcast.
EIC Sustainable Event Professional Certificate course: https://www.eventscouncil.org/Sustainability/SEPC
EIC Sustainable Event Standards: https://insights.eventscouncil.org/Sustainability/Sustainability-Events-Standards
MPI Sustainable Event Strategist course: https://www.mpi.org/education/certificate-programs/sustainable-event-strategist
ASAE article "Create More Sustainable Meetings:" https://www.asaecenter.org/~/link.aspx?_id=31E680F2128348E9987EADD0461D3F04&_z=z
MUSE (Members United for Sustainable Events): https://www.museusa.org/
Sustainable Event Alliance: https://sustainable-event-alliance.org/
The current job market is competitive. Although there are opportunities to leave your current role for another position, that’s not the decision we all want to make. Perhaps we’d like to stay where we are but with increased responsibilities and opportunities or potentially an increased salary or benefits. Approaching these conversations, however, can be awkward.
Where do you start? What do you say? Should you have a presentation as to why you deserve the promotion? These are all questions that we think of when approaching the promotion conversation. Our guest today, Chris Price, will be able to assist with these questions.
Chris Price is a partner at The Mattison Corporation, where his leadership and fun-loving attitude keep non-profit associations thriving. Describing each day as a new adventure, Chris takes pride in helping clients fulfill their missions. Under his leadership, non-profit clients have experienced substantial growth, as has The Mattison Corporation.
Before joining The Mattison Corporation, Chris worked in the construction and civil engineering fields. He currently serves as president of the Indiana Construction Roundtable and the Indiana Construction Roundtable Foundation. He is also currently involved with workforce development programs supporting the hospitality sector.
Outside of work and philanthropy, Chris enjoys spending time with his wife, Stefanie, and their three sons. When he can get a break, you can find him on the golf course.
To get in contact with Chris, you can follow him on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-price-06b95a29/
Welcome to Season 2 of "You Should Hear This." Due to the success and outpour of love from Season 1, we are back! Just like the previous season, our host, Nick Estrada, CAE, CMP, will be sitting down with professionals that have the knowledge they want to share.
As we kick off our second season, we sit back and think, what are the fundamentals of any workplace? You think of the work that you do for your association and members, and probably the most important are your co-workers. Our guest speaker today will be able to help us navigate our workplace culture by dealing with co-workers who may be going through hard times, returning to work from virtual, fatigue, and so much more.
Liesel Mertes is the founder of Handle with Care. She is an acclaimed workplace empathy expert. Having experienced her own loss and struggle, Liesel emerged with a deep understanding of what employees need to feel supported at work after a disruptive life event. Liesel works with groups that want to boost employee satisfaction as well as attract and retain better talent.
Liesel earned a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science and a Master’s degree in Business Administration. She has worked in Nairobi, consulted in Fiji, and led cohorts in Ghana. Her adventures brought her to Indiana, where she is a proud mother, wife, and lover of time spent on the water.
Most associations hold their annual conferences as a way to get their members under one roof for networking, education purposes, and also a retreat-like environment where you are surrounded by your peers. As life for many of us continues to return to a more familiar form, this year has been the first year for some associations to have an annual conference in person. Members and attendees are excited to be in person, but they also have questions. What will the programming be like now? What’s the draw for in-person now instead of virtual? Who are the speakers and how will they help me with my challenges? Our guest today is able to assist with these questions.
Our guest today is Leander Rabe (Robby), who has been with Hulings and Associates, LLC for over 5 years. Developing others has been a way of life for him. Whether coaching Superintendents, Principals, CEOs, or first-grade players in youth soccer leagues, he is jazzed by seeing people reach their potential. That is why he has been engaged with coaching leaders and team building for the past 20 years.
In the association world, we often speak about risk from the perspective of getting our boards to be bigger risk-takers. We spend countless hours pulling the appropriate information to help them make the best decisions they can at the time. However, we don’t typically think about our own risk-taking when it comes to our own careers. Today, our guest is Cory Martin, MPA, CAE, Owner, and CEO of the association management company, Mission Control, and he speaks on taking those risks in your career to advance forward. He began his career in associations with Tau Kappa Epsilon Fraternity Headquarters. He then became the Executive Director of the Indiana State Police Alliance.
When the pandemic hit, events stalled almost immediately. Overnight associations canceled meetings, enacted contract clauses we never thought we would touch, and reached out to our vendor and venue partners. Our vendors and venues often responded the way we hoped they would, allowing generous cancellation policies, rescheduling and rebooking meetings, and being understanding of what we were feeling. This hit the tourism industry hard, but it was the best way to protect the relationships and partnerships we had developed over the years. Today, as associations begin their process of meeting again and contracts start to get signed once again, it’s important for us to understand this partnership. What should we bring to the table? What makes us a good partner, and how can we continue to build this relationship?
Our guests today are Christine Robinett and Karen Far-sing. Christine is the Regional Sales Manager, and Karen is the Business Development Manager for Belterra Casino Resort.
Christine has been a part of the Belterra team since 2007, and she has extensive experience in providing an unparalleled guest service experience through active communication and problem-solving. Christine is a current ISAE Ambassador and former ISAE Volunteer of the Year recipient.
Karen has been a part of the Belterra team since 2014, where she enjoys the people she works alongside paired with the fast pace, making every day different. Karen spent over a decade working with Marriott brands as a Sales Manager and Director of Sales.
The mental health conversation is not new, yet today it's been talked about and addressed more than years previously. This is in part due to the pandemic and the emphasis that has been placed on mental health. In this week's episode, owner of and counselor at Pathways to Healing Counseling, Kristen Boice, MA, LMFT, EMDR trained, CDWF, Podcast Host, discusses the importance of mental health, where we are today, and even tips for leaders to use, to better serve their team, and more.
LMFT - Licensed marriage and family therapists. To learn more, click here: https://bit.ly/3wpbVOF.
Kristen is a member of the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT). To learn more, click here: https://www.aamft.org/.
Certifications. When we think of these we think of hours of studying, making flashcards and sitting for an exam that feels way too long. Or we think about the time and energy we as staff may put into these programs to manage them for our own associations. Both may not be the best way to view these; we should view them as opportunities for personal and professional growth. We’ve got a dedicated learner with us today to learn more about the certification and credentialing journeys for association professionals.
This week, Nick is joined by Emilie Perkins, CMP, CAE, CMM, PMP, CED, Director of Client and Conference Services at Raybourn Group International to discuss the value of professional credentials to association professionals.
Click here to learn more about ISAE's CAE Study Sessions: https://www.isae.org/cae-study-sessions
Click here to learn more about professional credentials: https://insae.memberclicks.net/professional-credentials
STAR awards are the Indiana Society of Association Executives' way of recognizing members. This is ISAE's top award. The categories are broken into associations and individuals for their innovations, contributions, and impact on the association industry. In this week's episode, Erica Poff, PMP, CAE, IOM, Vice President of Nonprofit Effectiveness at Talbott Talent, discusses with us about how she received the award, why it meant so much to her, and how it has paved the way for others to come and more!
Association professionals often describe themselves as experts on membership, meetings, education and a variety of other topics. One area though which many prefer to avoid is legislative advocacy. These discussions and battles often feel overwhelming and force us to navigate an area of work that we aren’t comfortable with. We find there are new forms to complete, compliance to ensure and that’s just with the government; this doesn’t take into account how we manage these conversations with our members to best help advocate for them or to protect their ability to operate and do their jobs. Today we’ve got a great guest who can help us understand how to approach advocacy and how we see this play out in ISAE to support our own industry.
Find Your Indiana Legislator link: http://iga.in.gov/legislative/find-legislators/
Kim Williams: kwilliams@thecorydongroup.com
Anxiety and stress have both increased drastically in the workplace throughout the pandemic. Associations are no exception with stressed members, stressed staff and reduced resources to complete our jobs. In this week’s episode, Executive Coach, Author and Speaker CJ McClanahan discusses the importance of acknowledging these emotions, share strategies to manage them and more.
This week’s episode features an exclusive interview with the American Society of Association Executives’ (ASAE) new President & CEO Michelle Mason, FASAE, CAE. The interview explores the first steps she is taking to hit the ground running in this new leadership role, the trends and impacts COVID presents for ASAE and the association space broadly, the skills she feels are needed for today’s association professionals to truly be prepared for the future, and more!
Want to connect with Michelle? She can be reached at mmason@asaecenter.org.
Does your association have a social media strategic plan or do you just post because that’s what you’ve been told we are supposed to do? In this episode, we discuss how to establish a starting strategy, an association voice and how to determine the best platforms for your association to engage with your members.
Speaker: Kim Jones, Willow Marketing
As you establish your career path, it’s great to have a mentor to help you along the way. But what’s better than a mentor? How about a team of mentors! Join us as we discuss the power of building your own personal board of directors, who to look for, how to get them onboard and how best to utilize this new team to your advantage.
Speaker: Tonja Eagan, CAE | KDP
**We like new employees because often they bring new ideas, energy and an outside perspective on our work. But often those new employees are quickly integrated into our association culture and begin to toe the line. Join us as we discuss the real benefits of being new from the employee side and what employers wish new folks knew when they started.
Speaker: Jaime Smith, CMP, ChoiceLIVE**
**We’ve all been there, you’ve been given a huge project because everyone trusts you. You sit back down at your desk and immediately think “why did they give this to me?” We often use phrases like “fake it til you make it” and “this ain’t my first rodeo” but these are ways to mask some of our own professional insecurities. Today’s episode will discuss imposter syndrome, how it makes us weaker and what we can do to raise ourselves up.
Speakers: Brandon Craig (bjcraig89@gmail.com) & Alicia Skulemowski (alicia.a.shearer@gmail.com)**
With states and cities rapidly adjusting their COVID restrictions, we are seeing an increase in the return of association events, large and small. This return requires our associations to take several new factors into consideration. In this episode, we speak with a seasoned event professional as they planned and navigated the return of Indy’s first tradeshow of 2021 at the Indianapolis Convention Center.
Speaker: Kyle Jordan, CAE, CMP, CMM (Add the CEM), Vice President of Membership & Meetings, National Confectioners Association
**You sit down at your family’s holiday celebration and your favorite aunt asks again “what do you again?” Most of our association professionals never started their careers thinking they’d be in this line of work when they began their careers, but here they are. Describing what we do on a day-to-day basis can be difficult, but come hear from a seasoned professional on how to develop your elevator pitch and to share how the work we do is important and valuable to the everyday individual.
Speaker: Mark McSweeney, CAE, Executive Director, ISAE**