Association Chat Podcast

Latest Episodes:

Association Tech Acquisitions: Fonteva and the Future for the Association AMS Feb 23, 2021

Show notes

Find out what the acquisition of Fonteva means for the association industry! For this interview, I talk with three guests playing a big role in the recent acquisition of Fonteva, an enterprise AMS focused on the association industry.

Neal Platt ---

Neil has served as CEO of Togetherwork since its founding in 2016. He has more than 20 years' experience as a software and payments entrepreneur and executive, nurturing and growing successful fintech companies. He spent 11 years building CashEdge from start-up through its sale to Fiserv for $465 million, where he subsequently served as SVP, Payments. He later served as Chief Revenue Officer of Payoneer, a leading global payments company, where he oversaw all sales and marketing activity, and has been an advisor and board member of several payments start-ups. Earlier in his career, Neil earned his AB from Princeton University, his MBA from Columbia University and worked as a management consultant at McKinsey & Company.

---- Jake Fabbri

With over two decades of experience in association technology management, Jake has designed and expertly executed dozens of strategies that have consistently resulted in solid revenue growth for his teams and earned high satisfaction ratings among his customers. His expertise in marketing to a wide range of business clients, his deep understanding of the technology behind SaaS Software Solutions, and his quick grasp of Fonteva's unique position in the market helped him make a seamless transition into his role as CMO. Prior positions include Senior Marketing Manager at ASI and Director of Marketing at BroadPoint Technologies. Jake received a BA in Business and Marketing at The Catholic University of America and an MS in Information Systems Technology from The George Washington University.

---- Pat McGlynn

As Fonteva's President, Pat McGlynn is responsible for the overall strategy and business operations in the U.S. and Europe. Previously, as Fonteva's Chief Revenue Officer, he successfully expanded Fonteva's presence in the association and events markets on both continents. Pat has spent the past 12 years in the technology sector, helping mission-driven organizations in healthcare, higher education and non-profit industries with various aspects of digital transformation. Working with customers and partners, Pat acts as a consultant, collaborating with them to overcome challenges and achieve their business objectives. Earlier in his career, he worked in various leadership roles for the Corporate Executive Board, the world's largest membership-based organization for research and advisory services to corporations. Pat enjoys working with students as an Adjunct Professor at The Catholic University of America and spending time with his wife, Elizabeth, and four sons. He received his B.S. in Marketing from Clemson University and is an avid Clemson Tigers football fan.

"Association Tech Acquisitions: Fonteva and the Future for the Association AMS"

Hybrid Events in 2021 – What Works. What Doesn't. (with Tahira Endean) Feb 10, 2021

Show notes

Join me for this talk with Tahira Endean, head of events for the Society for Incentive Travel Excellence (SITE), about what we've learned about virtual and hybrid events this past year.

This year, SITE just held their HYBRID meeting with around 1,200 signed up for the hybrid edition, and delegates joining from 53 global nations. There were smaller, in-person gatherings taking place simultaneously in Chicago and Dallas with public health protocols in place and I have just the person here to talk with us about how all of that went down...Tahira!

Tahira is a serial event producer, curious meeting planner, and designer of human experiences. Three continents (so far), hundreds of events, dozens of amazing teams and thousands of transformed guests later, Tahira remains passionate about creating and delivering human-centered events. An instructor of Sustainable Event Operations, industry speaker, blogger and author, she loves learning and equally sharing knowledge and ideas. When not working, she is a wife, mother and collector of friends who appreciates any reason to connect, celebrate, and share anything with bubbles.

Virtual/Hybrid/In-Person Events 2021: What Works and What Doesn't with Tahira Endean!

Leading with Your Strengths Jan 29, 2021

Show notes

Leveraging your strengths at work makes you stronger personally and professionally. The world seems obsessed with fixing what's broken with people, but if you invest your energy into building on your natural talents (and your team's natural talents), your productivity and engagement will see a boost. We're talking with guest Shaara Roman, Founder and CEO, The Silverene Group Shaara Roman is a mom, wife, board member, entrepreneur, and former CHRO. Shaara and her team consult with leaders to create healthy workplaces by helping them build compelling cultures, design effective organizations and align their people programs to crush business goals. Born in India, schooled in Nigeria and England, and having lived in Greece before coming to the US to work her way through college, Shaara is a citizen of the world. This experience has instilled a desire to build bridges between different kinds of people and propelled her to launch her business in 2016. Shaara has deep leadership and executive experience and brings an authentic, creative and solution-oriented approach to client engagements. Shaara is a frequent speaker, serves on the boards of Enabled Intelligence and Arlington Soccer Association, and received an MBA from Georgetown University.

Interview with YouMaps Creator Kristin A. Sherry Jan 29, 2021

Show notes

Kristin A. Sherry is a bestselling and award-winning author, globally recognized career expert, and creator of the YouMap® profile which won a 2020 Career Innovator Award from Career Directors International. She is a speaker, trainer, and author of international bestseller, YouMap, and a 2020 Pencraft award-winner in business books for Your Team Loves Mondays...Right? She is the managing partner of YouMap LLC, which certifies coaches, career services and HR professionals as YouMap® coaches and facilitators. Kristin has been a guest on Wharton Business Radio and a DisruptHR speaker. She has contributed to Entrepreneur Magazine, Inc.com and is a contributor to the 2020 Career Industry Trends white paper on the future of careers by the global think tank, Career Thought Leaders. Her children's book, You've Got Gifts!, released November 10, 2020 and self-development book, Maximize 365, releases February 2021. Kristin lives in North Carolina with her husband Xander and their children.

How We Work Has Changed! Now What!? Jan 29, 2021

Show notes

Learn how you can shape the future of work through the better engagement of people with guest Troy Pfeffer. Troy developed a world-renowned and highly successful intelligence process of building and capitalizing on a company's internal employee networks. Howspace is an AI-powered digital collaboration tool that brings social learning to the forefront of your process and development initiatives. I also talk with surprise guest Paul Meyer of Tecker International to share about the challenges facing facilitators and association leaders who have to solve complex problems from a distance.

Storytelling and Connection with Mortified Creator David Nadelberg Dec 14, 2020

Show notes

What is the role storytelling plays in creating deeper relationships?

Dave Nadelberg is best known as the creator of Mortified and the cultural movement has now become a podcast, multiple books, a couple documentaries and the new Netflix series, The Mortified Guide. But it all started with a live show, which is still going strong across 20 cities around the world.

He and co-creator Neil Katcher recently created a card game called, "I Can't Believe I Did That..." which is both a party game and an exercise in empathy and hilarity. We'll talk about the power of storytelling and the ways we can use story to better connect with other people. "

Reminisce with your friends about intense pop star crushes, questionable fashion choices, and sobbing at the middle school dance with conversation prompts that spark memories of your most heartwarming, confusing, and totally OMG-worthy moments.

Celebrate all your weirdest and most wonderful childhood memories and get to know your friends like never before with this gloriously awkward and honest party game for adults 17 and up--perfect for any video chat or socially distant hangout."

10 Online Association Community Leaders Discuss the Role of Community in 2020 Dec 03, 2020

Show notes

In a year with fewer in-person meetings and face-to-face interactions, online communities have played an important role in helping people feel more connected.

In this episode of the Chat, we find out how the online community leaders for some of your favorite online communities in the association industry stepped up to the challenge in the year of COVID-19, BLM protests, and all the rest!

We talk about why they created their groups, the stories they've heard, and the lessons they've learned.

We also discuss the role of community during a time such as the one we are in and what opportunities there still are for even more community members to become more involved or even create their own online groups!

Hear from some of your favorite online community leaders: Texts to Table (Shawn Boynes and Donté P. Shannon); Community by Association (Marjorie Anderson); Content Forum (Dina Lewis and Maggie McGary); Rogue Tulips (Cecilia Sepp); Blk+Brn Professionals (Rhonda Payne); Association Rockstars (Lowell Aplebaum and Amy Hager); and Association Morning Coffee (Nicole Araujo).

Facilitation The One Skill that Makes Everyone Better with Jeffrey Cufaude Nov 24, 2020

Show notes

So much more becomes possible when more people in an organization are capable, competent, and confident in facilitating or making facilitative contributions. After a long career in higher education, association management, and organizational development consulting, Jeffrey Cufaude has one purpose and passion as he begins his final career chapter: helping people facilitate better.

Association Advocacy in the Time of COVID Nov 03, 2020

Show notes

What can association advocacy experts tell us about the overview of the short- and long- term impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on associations and how the "association of associations" is engaging policy and advocacy to support the field at this critical time? We'll discuss the current political landscape on Capitol Hill, the status of recent and future Congressional COVID-19 relief packages, and the future for association advocacy efforts as a whole! (Yes, this could get very meta.) The success of policy and advocacy efforts is amplified by an informed and active community! Don't miss this Association Chat interview with Mary Kate Cunningham, CAE, and Chris Vest, CAE, of the American Society of Association Executives (ASAE).

How to Look Sound Better on Video Advice from an AV Digital Master Trainer Oct 23, 2020

Show notes

In the year of COVID-19, everyone wants to know, "How can I look better on video?" Charles "Chuck" Espinoza, AVIXA Staff Instructor, has over 27 years' experience in the Audio-video industry with 13 years in the United States Marine Corps-8 of those years as Platoon Sergeant and Marksmanship instructor.

Espinoza has contributed to the development of hundreds of audiovisual professionals in his numerous professional training roles, as well as through his leadership in AVIXA, the Audio Visual Integrated Experience Association.

Intro [00:00]

What kind of tech are you using in your mobile office? Peripherals? [02:26]

The importance of camera angles and facial expressions [03:30]

Discussing the document camera [05:15]

When you teach people how to look better on video, where do you begin? [09:47]

The importance of "sanitizing the environment" of any sensitive information in your camera shot [18:24]

Discussing my new background! [19:03]