We are pleased to welcome Jeanette Gass, CAP, ACNP, DES, to our 6 Degrees of Association Podcast this week. Jeanette is the Senior Program Manager for Global Engagement with International City/County Management Association (ICMA). Jeanette joins our show to talk about the importance of global partnerships and other relationship building techniques she has seen bare fruit with ICMA. This work has ultimately improved the value ICMA has brought to its membership base and the lessons she shares are transferable to many different organizations. Jeanette shares insights into ICMA's global engagement strategies, highlighting the importance of partnerships and the challenges of expanding a U.S.-based association internationally. She discusses the value of continuous learning and recounts a humorous yet instructive experience during her travels in the Philippines, emphasizing the significance of asking questions for effective cross-cultural communication and collaboration. About This Podcast Welcome to the 6 Degrees of Associations Podcast: Presented by Core Adventures. Core Adventures (formerly Core Affinity) works tirelessly to advance the value of affinity by working with association leaders to strengthen the connection with their members and increase the overall benefits of membership. When you win, we win. On this channel you can be sure to get connected to relevant news, best practices, and other important information for the association management industry and the larger business of marketing and revenue generation. Check back every week for a new episode featuring the best in the business as we feature guests from across the sector to include association leadership, world class marketers, affinity partner organization leadership, and much more! Learn More: ⁠https://coreadventures.com/⁠

This week on the 6 Degrees of Associations Podcast, we have the pleasure of hosting Rhea M. Steele, MS, FASAE, CAE, ODCP. We welcome Rhea to the program for a chat about bridging the gap between strategy, culture, and the explosion of AI and new technologies in the association world and beyond. Rhea is a seasoned association executive dedicated to driving business strategy forward by leveraging innovation, fostering engagement, and promoting empowerment. She currently serves as Chief of Staff and VP of Strategy & Governance with School Nutrition Association. When it comes to navigating the intersection of strategy and culture to build a winning team, we all need to play a role as association professionals. Furthermore, as technology landscapes continue to rapidly evolve on a near-daily basis, we must embrace it and become tech wizards capable of keeping up with the explosion of A.I. tools that will exponentially enhance our productivity. As we discuss in today’s podcast, there is no other choice. In essence, we all need to be technology and media wizards at some level in 2024 – and build our teams with that in mind. It’s about evolving or being irrelevant. About This Podcast Welcome to the 6 Degrees of Associations Podcast: Presented by Core Adventures. Core Adventures (formerly Core Affinity) works tirelessly to advance the value of affinity by working with association leaders to strengthen the connection with their members and increase the overall benefits of membership. When you win, we win. On this channel you can be sure to get connected to relevant news, best practices, and other important information for the association management industry and the larger business of marketing and revenue generation. Check back every week for a new episode featuring the best in the business as we feature guests from across the sector to include association leadership, world class marketers, affinity partner organization leadership, and much more! Learn More: ⁠https://coreadventures.com/⁠

Tune in for a deep dive into innovative revenue-driving strategies for associations this week on our show. Your association may already be involved in activities or could efficiently initiate new efforts tomorrow that serve as untapped sources of substantial revenue. In this episode of the 6 Degrees of Associations Podcast, we uncover two potentially hidden gems: Sponsored research initiatives and Value proposition reviews. In this special episode, host Lucas McCann and podcast producer Casey Callanan are joined by Elizabeth Johnson, Executive Vice President at Big Red M. With a decade of experience leading successful membership and sponsorship campaigns, Elizabeth shares valuable insights into sponsored research—a strategic approach to leverage industry data. She emphasizes the versatility of sponsored research and the potential for sponsors to gain branding, thought leadership, and networking benefits. The conversation also explores the importance of periodic value proposition reviews for associations. Elizabeth discusses the benefits of reevaluating and refining the value proposition to align with member needs, streamline operations, and ultimately enhance revenue generation. Learn More: https://bigredm.com/ Contact Elizabeth: [email protected] About This Podcast Welcome to the 6 Degrees of Associations Podcast: Presented by Core Adventures. Core Adventures (formerly Core Affinity) works tirelessly to advance the value of affinity by working with association leaders to strengthen the connection with their members and increase the overall benefits of membership. When you win, we win. On this channel you can be sure to get connected to relevant news, best practices, and other important information for the association management industry and the larger business of marketing and revenue generation. Check back every week for a new episode featuring the best in the business as we feature guests from across the sector to include association leadership, world class marketers, affinity partner organization leadership, and much more! Learn More: ⁠https://coreadventures.com/⁠

As Google flips its SEO search algorithm parameters, and social media algorithms pushing content to certain people seem to change with the headwinds, email stays relatively consistent and unchanged. It’s the reason why it has become such a reliable staple in any business or institution’s communications and outreach strategy. But for such a vital tool, it is often (almost laughably) mismanaged. Association industry veteran, entrepreneur, and email marketing expert Amber Worthen join the program this week for a discussion on the pitfalls of over-emailing your audience, failure to segment, and the story that led her on her entrepreneurial journey. Amber is the founder of ASW Communications, a company she created when she saw a gap in the email marketing community. Specializing in the community of associations, ASW provides Email Marketing and related digital services and even offers staffing for email marketing and website management! In fact, the ASW story began when Amber realized there was a major staffing issue at many associations and nothing was being done about it. Connect with Amber on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amber-worthen/ Learn more about ASW: https://www.aswcommunications.com/ About This Podcast Welcome to the 6 Degrees of Associations Podcast: Presented by Core Adventures. Core Adventures (formerly Core Affinity) works tirelessly to advance the value of affinity by working with association leaders to strengthen the connection with their members and increase the overall benefits of membership. When you win, we win. On this channel you can be sure to get connected to relevant news, best practices, and other important information for the association management industry and the larger business of marketing and revenue generation. Check back every week for a new episode featuring the best in the business as we feature guests from across the sector to include association leadership, world class marketers, affinity partner organization leadership, and much more! Learn More: ⁠https://coreadventures.com/⁠

Join us on this week's episode of 6 Degrees of Associations as we sit down with Kanika Pulliam, PhD, CAE. Currently serving as the Assistant Director of Professional Development at the American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (ASBMB), Kanika is a dedicated association management leader, strategic thinker, STEM advisor, as well as a passionate DEI advocate. She joins our program to share her journey into association management while describing the power of networking “the right way” for career growth and self-actualization. Her story is a shining example of how STEM professionals can take career satisfaction to new heights by working in associations. Discover the importance of strategic planning, member value assessment, and innovative programming as Kanika sheds light on her role in shaping the landscape of leading an association with integrity, tenaciousness, and an open mind towards change. About This Podcast Welcome to the 6 Degrees of Associations Podcast: Presented by Core Adventures. Core Adventures (formerly Core Affinity) works tirelessly to advance the value of affinity by working with association leaders to strengthen the connection with their members and increase the overall benefits of membership. When you win, we win. On this channel you can be sure to get connected to relevant news, best practices, and other important information for the association management industry and the larger business of marketing and revenue generation. Check back every week for a new episode featuring the best in the business as we feature guests from across the sector to include association leadership, world class marketers, affinity partner organization leadership, and much more! Learn More: ⁠https://coreadventures.com/⁠

In this episode of the 6 Degrees of Association Podcast, we are joined by the inspiring Trevor Mitchell, CAE, who serves as the Executive Director of American Mensa. The discussion revolves around the idea that mission-driven work doesn't have to feel like work, and how having a mission-based job can bring happiness and make work feel more like a fulfilling journey. It will also help you keep great team members on your staff. Trevor shares insights into the unique membership recruitment process at American Mensa, which caters to the top 2% of IQ scores. He also emphasizes the importance of creating a sense of community and acceptance for members. Trevor's extensive experience in the association space is highlighted, and he shares valuable advice for young association professionals looking to follow a similar path. He encourages them to embrace the journey, not rush it, and become generalists rather than specialists, allowing them to make a meaningful impact on their organizations and the association community as a whole. Tune in to gain valuable insights into the world of associations, mission-driven work, and the power of community in this week’s podcast with Trevor! Learn More: https://www.us.mensa.org/ About This Podcast Welcome to the 6 Degrees of Associations Podcast: Presented by Core Adventures. Core Adventures (formerly Core Affinity) works tirelessly to advance the value of affinity by working with association leaders to strengthen the connection with their members and increase the overall benefits of membership. When you win, we win. On this channel you can be sure to get connected to relevant news, best practices, and other important information for the association management industry and the larger business of marketing and revenue generation. Check back every week for a new episode featuring the best in the business as we feature guests from across the sector to include association leadership, world class marketers, affinity partner organization leadership, and much more!

Join us in the latest episode of the 6 Degrees of Associations podcast for insightful conversation with Elisa Brewer Pratt, MA, CAE, the CEO and founder of Brewer Pratt Solutions LLC. With a background as a senior staff member in various trade and individual membership associations, Elisa shares her journey from the staff side to becoming a consultant. She delves into her passion for strategic planning, the challenges associations face, and the importance of authentic leadership. In this candid discussion, Elisa opens up about her mission to be the consultant she wished she had, highlighting the significance of being a guiding force for her clients. While exploring the nuances of strategic planning, uncovering why it's often met with skepticism and how Elisa is reshaping it to be relevant, engaging, and actionable. Elisa is co-host of the "Association Transformation Podcast" and you can check that out here: https://associationtransformation.org/episodes Learn More about Brewer Pratt Solutions: https://brewerprattsolutions.com/ About This Podcast Welcome to the 6 Degrees of Associations Podcast: Presented by Core Adventures. Core Adventures (formerly Core Affinity) works tirelessly to advance the value of affinity by working with association leaders to strengthen the connection with their members and increase the overall benefits of membership. When you win, we win. On this channel you can be sure to get connected to relevant news, best practices, and other important information for the association management industry and the larger business of marketing and revenue generation. Check back every week for a new episode featuring the best in the business as we feature guests from across the sector to include association leadership, world class marketers, affinity partner organization leadership, and much more! Learn More: ⁠https://coreadventures.com/⁠

On this week's edition of the 6 Degrees of Associations Podcast, presented by Core Adventures, our producer, Casey Callanan, MBA, interviews host Lucas McCann about the trends they’ve observed while hosting, producing, and editing the first 75 episodes of our show. Join us to explore these key trends, including the undeniable advantage organizations and leaders have when they stick to the mission. Delve into the evolving landscape of marketing and technology, and discover why in-person events remain irreplaceable. Gain valuable feedback from the top industry leaders we’ve had the chance to interview over the past 75 episodes of our show, including insights on the importance of diversity, servant leadership, and lifelong learning. About This Podcast Welcome to the 6 Degrees of Associations Podcast: Presented by Core Adventures. Core Adventures (formerly Core Affinity) works tirelessly to advance the value of affinity by working with association leaders to strengthen the connection with their members and increase the overall benefits of membership. When you win, we win. On this channel you can be sure to get connected to relevant news, best practices, and other important information for the association management industry and the larger business of marketing and revenue generation. Check back every week for a new episode featuring the best in the business as we feature guests from across the sector to include association leadership, world class marketers, affinity partner organization leadership, and much more! Learn More: ⁠https://coreadventures.com/⁠

In this week's episode of the 6 Degrees of Associations Podcast, we're joined by Sara Hussey, MBA, CAE, who is currently the Executive Director of the Allegheny County Medical Society (ACMS) and CEO of the Allegheny County Medical Society Foundation in Pittsburgh. She made history by becoming the first female Executive Director of the ACMS in 2022. Sara's diverse background encompasses extensive experience in member engagement, volunteer development, continuing education, event planning, board and governance management, and advocacy and foundation support. Join us for an engaging discussion as Sara shares her insights into thriving in her position of leadership while offering valuable advice on navigating the complexities of work and home life. As Executive Director of ACMS, Sara also highlights her team’s immensely important efforts in supporting physicians' mental health and wellness. Learn more: https://www.acms.org/ About This Podcast Welcome to the 6 Degrees of Associations Podcast: Presented by Core Adventures. Core Adventures (formerly Core Affinity) works tirelessly to advance the value of affinity by working with association leaders to strengthen the connection with their members and increase the overall benefits of membership. When you win, we win. On this channel you can be sure to get connected to relevant news, best practices, and other important information for the association management industry and the larger business of marketing and revenue generation. Check back every week for a new episode featuring the best in the business as we feature guests from across the sector to include association leadership, world class marketers, affinity partner organization leadership, and much more! Learn More: ⁠https://coreadventures.com/⁠

We are very excited to have Ashley Hodak Sullivan, MBA, CAE, Director of Membership and Marketing at the National Association of College and University Attorneys (NACUA), as our guest this week on the 6 Degrees of Associations Podcast. As Ashley discusses with us in today's interview: you can never truly be fully attuned to the needs of the members in your association unless you have dedicated time to volunteering in your own professional society or association. As a Certified Association Executive (CAE), Ashley is an active member and volunteer with ASAE, where she has served on various committees and councils. Aside from the clear networking benefits, this experience has greatly enhanced her understanding of the needs and expectations of the members and volunteers she works with at NACUA. Ashley has been with NACUA as the Manager of Membership and Marketing since 2018. In this role, she is responsible for overseeing the day-to-day operations of the membership department, including member services, communication strategies, and much more. Learn More: https://www.nacua.org/ About This Podcast Welcome to the 6 Degrees of Associations Podcast: Presented by Core Adventures. Core Adventures (formerly Core Affinity) works tirelessly to advance the value of affinity by working with association leaders to strengthen the connection with their members and increase the overall benefits of membership. When you win, we win. On this channel you can be sure to get connected to relevant news, best practices, and other important information for the association management industry and the larger business of marketing and revenue generation. Check back every week for a new episode featuring the best in the business as we feature guests from across the sector to include association leadership, world class marketers, affinity partner organization leadership, and much more! Learn More: ⁠https://coreadventures.com/ ⁠