Maybe we don’t need 31 Flavors. What if vanilla is the one? Pralines n’ Cream will always have a place in my top ten. But the power of simplicity is often overlooked and under-appreciated.

When you focus on what’s iconic to you, you can find deeper meaning in life and work. That kind of bold idea makes .orgCommunity’s Solutions Day an eye-opening event.

Stephanie Hendrick, this year’s keynote speaker, is an author and multi-business owner who learned that a common theme in any field is mastering the mundane. Embracing the art of simplicity is where personal and professional growth begins. These are the benefits of making vanilla your favorite flavor.

See Potential: Discover opportunities for innovation in the everyday

Embrace Simplicity: Strip away complexity to gain impact and clarity

Cultivate Creativity: Nurture bold ideas and unconventional thinking

Leverage Constraints: Turn limitations into catalysts for creativity and growth

Join us on September 18 and 19th at the American Society of Anesthesiologists in Schaumburg, IL for an event that pushes the boundaries. You can expect to:

  • Make lasting connections
  • Discover emerging trends and evergreen insights  
  • Learn tips and techniques from trailblazers
  • Be entertained, enlightened, energized, and ready for innovative professional adventures

Here’s the trailer for two days of knowledge-sharing and discovery.

Empowering Associations for the Future—September 18, In Person or Virtual

Do you know your organization’s digital IQ? Are you keeping pace, ahead of the curve, or falling behind? Solutions Day One offers two sessions designed to help you assess your status and move ahead on the technology continuum.

We’ve convened a panel of techies who’ve been studying AI Strategies and Best Practices since long before ChatGPT and Gemini blew into town. Join the dialogue with:  

Moderator, Kevin Ordonez, President and Managing Director, Digital Strategy, .orgSource

Manuel Alfaro, MBA, CIO and Senior Director, I&T, Digital Learning and Membership, American College of Chest Physicians 

Mike Lakas, Senior Vice President of  Operations, American Foundry Society 

Laura Lewis, Director of Technology, Society of Critical Care Medicine 

Eric O’Connor, Chief Innovation Officer, American Association of Nurse Anesthesiology 

Then, be among the first to explore the results of the .orgSource Digital Trends Survey. Kevin and I will share what we learned when we polled our colleagues about their challenges, opportunities, and aspirations in the digital realm.

Speed strategies are a highlight of Solutions Day’s unique format. We pair association professionals with industry partners to share 20 minutes of expert advice on jumpstarting innovative initiatives like these.  

  • Rethink Work—Use Automation for Transformational Change, Danielle Thomas Pollard (DTP), PMP, Auto Care Association, sponsored by Impexium
  • Build a “Member-First” Website, Jess Burke, CAE, Director of Marketing and Communications, International Society for Heart and Lung Transplantation, sponsored by Results Direct
  • Fast Track Your Day-to-Day with AI, Shakir Akbari, Director of Enterprise Applications, American Library Association, sponsored by Higher Logic
  • Let Data Guide You to Smart Decisions, sponsored by Association Analytics
  • Create a Career Center That Delivers—Employment, Engagement, and Revenue,  Tatyana Kelmanson, Program and Product Manager, American College of Cardiology, sponsored by Community Brands, YM-Careers
  • Use AI to Reduce Costs and Streamline Customer Service, Jason Wampler, CAE, Managing Director of Information Technology, International Society of Automation sponsored byMultiview (lunch break case study)
  • Crawl, Walk, Run, to Effective Personalization and Enticing Content, Theodore Davis, Director of Digital Experience & Strategy, National Association of Corporate Directors, sponsored by Adage
  • Align Goals with Predictive Analytics, James Jankovec, Director of IT, the American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine 
  • Put AI to Work Answering Member Questions, Translating Your Content into Multiple Languages, and Improving Searches, Speaker: Kelli Windsor, Senior Director, Digital Communications, FMI – The Food Industry Association, sponsored by Matrix Group—Be Speake

Put a wrap on the day With Kevin Ordonez’s Closing Keynote.

AI Initiatives in Associations: From Vision to Reality—September 19, Special Extended Program, In-Person Only

If you feel like you’re just stretching your AI muscles, you’re probably right. This day of total immersion designed specifically for association executives may not qualify you for the cyber Olympics, but it will go a long way toward putting you in the game.   

Here’s a snapshot of this intensive learning event–

AI Overview

Navigating the Future of AI. Join Jack King, MBA, Chief Information Officer, American College of Surgeons, and me for an engaging fireside chat. Our topic is the transformative potential of AI within associations. We’ll describe the opportunities AI offers, from enhancing member engagement to driving operational efficiency and sparking innovation. This interactive session is focused on the cultural impact of AI, leading change, and the tools that can propel your association into the future. We’ll share real-world experiences and actionable insights.

AI for Research and Collaboration

Medical, scientific, and a myriad of other professions are being rapidly redesigned by AI’s ability to streamline all types of research activities. If this topic hasn’t lit your organization on fire yet, it will soon.

Thad Lurie, SVP, Digital and Technology, American Geophysical Union will report on how his organization is Implementing AI for Research Collaboration.

Caryn D. Etkin, PhD, MPH, Director, Clinical Registries and Quality Sciences, American Academy of Dermatology will describe How AAD is Transforming Quality Improvement and Clinical Research.

AI in Your Day-to-Day

Leveraging AI for Operational Enhancements is something we all need to understand better. This panel of experts will lead a collaborative discussion.

Moderator, Kevin Ordonez, President and Managing Director, .orgSource

Manuel Alfaro, CIO and Senior Director, I&T, Digital Learning, and Membership, American College of Chest Physicians

Luke Vidacovich, Director, Digital Strategy and IT, American Animal Hospital Association

Dean Comber, MBA, PMP, CSM, LSSGB, Vice President of Information Technology, Illinois Health and Hospital Association

Explore the Impact of AI-Driven Decision Making, with Bill Bruce, CEO, and Eric O’Conner, Chief Innovation Officer, American Association of Nurse Anesthesiology

AI can help us become better users and stewards of data. Mike Lakas, Senior VP of IT and Operations, American Foundry Society will explain how his organization is Empowering Constituents and Members to Interact with Data.

Interactive Workshop

Facilitator Jennifer Proctor, Senior Consultant, .orgSource will guide a discussion centered on Collaborative Activities to Discover AI-driven Solutions. 

Sherry’s AI Hot List

I’m excited to share my list of the top ten AI tools. This session sends you back to the office with an updated work style that will meet the moment and exceed your members’ expectations.

Check out the full Solutions Day agenda here.

Whether you choose to attend one or both days, you’ll find plenty of opportunities to connect with colleagues and partners.

Plus, it wouldn’t be an .orgCommunity event without the great snacks, meals, and beverages that make a conference memorable. We’re ready with treats guaranteed to excite your mind and your appetite. See you there. BTW if we haven’t met, please be sure to introduce yourself!   

Earn up to 5.25 CAE Credits on September 18th and up to 5.75 CAE credits on September 19th.

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