The Latest News from Event Garde
As leading professional development experts, both Aaron and his team are regularly interviewed for and featured in industry publications.
Healthy by Association (HBA) is a space for association and hospitality #GoalGetters to set goals, share workout accomplishments, exchange healthy recipes and, above all, stay motivated. Join the movement by clicking the Facebook icon below!
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI) Monitoring Tool
This monitoring tool, created by Krista Rowe and Aaron Wolowiec, is in draft form. Facilitators are encouraged to utilize this tool as a work in progress and to offer feedback for further refinement. Ultimately, it’s intended to provide facilitators with a structured method to identify and reflect on participation successes and opportunities for improvement — particularly by participants from historically underrepresented groups.
Experts see facilitation as ‘next frontier’ for group leaders
In the Dec. 9, 2022, edition of CEO Update, Aaron Wolowiec is quoted in a cover story by William Ehart titled, "Experts see facilitation as 'next frontier' for group leaders." Among other advice, Aaron shares five tips for effective meeting facilitation, including a focus on creativity, clear aims, participation, ground rules, and documentation.
Redesigned Meetings for Pandemic-Changed Attendees
On Thursday, Nov. 3, 2022, Aaron Wolowiec presented a session on "Redesigned Meetings for Pandemic-Changed Attendees" during the Associations North Meeting Planners Symposium. Organized in a grid format, this handout helps examine some of the ways our attendees are fundamentally different as a result of the COVID-19 global pandemic, why it matters, and the tangible design edits you might consider for your upcoming meetings and events to better meet their new and evolving needs and expectations.
MSAE and Safe Meetings Partners Receive 2022 Governor’s Awards for Innovative Tourism Collaboration
On Wednesday, April 20, 2022, MSAE had the honor of accepting the Tourism Industry Coalition of Michigan's 2022 Governor's Award for Innovative Tourism Collaboration in conjunction with Destination Michigan, the Michigan Association of CVBs, MPI Michigan Chapter, Michigan Health and Hospital Association and Association Guidance. The award recognizes the remarkable collaboration of the Safe Meetings in Michigan Task Force. The collaboration, which consisted of 60 organizations, created and published the Safe Meetings in Michigan Guidebooks, providing extensive guidance on planning and hosting safe meetings and events amidst the pandemic. Aaron Wolowiec and Kate Pojeta from the Event Garde team are noted as collaborators on the Task Force.
20 Key Considerations Before “Going Hybrid”
Since many groups were forced to be fully remote for the better part of the last two years, it seems that many are trying their hardest to avoid it as a solution this year. Particularly for those participants not yet ready to convene again in-person, but respecting those who are, groups are asking with greater regularity to shift to a hybrid model. What organizers are not recognizing, however, is that this approach to meetings often requires a different design plan than meetings either 100 percent virtual or 100 percent in-person. Before just “going hybrid,” following are 20 key considerations for both you and your organization to help ensure the best possible experience for everyone involved. This article authored by Aaron Wolowiec was featured on the Institute for Organization Management's Blog.
Strategic Planning Overview
As a Certified ToP Facilitator and Mentor Trainer, Aaron Wolowiec is often called on by organizations to facilitate strategic planning. Usually, the aim is to identify long-term organization strategy and to generate shorter-term operational plans intended to help guide staff implementation; however, this process is equally effective at the department, team, product, and service level. Learn more about Event Garde’s proven three-part strategic planning process.
What to Know When Hosting Your Association Event Outdoors
The pandemic has forced us to get creative with where we eat, learn and connect. Will a shift to outdoor events be in our future? Aaron is quoted throughout this article from Association Forum.
Planning a Return to In-Person Meetings
This article by Aaron Wolowiec was recently published as part of the Texas Society of Association Executive's July/August 2021 issue of Association Leadership magazine.
Recalibrating the Copy-and-Paste Event: 9 Deceptively Simple Questions You Can’t Afford to Ignore
Given the current landscape it’s no wonder we’re having a difficult time deciding what events to hold, postpone, cancel, reimagine, sunset, or transition to a new format (like virtual or hybrid). Here are nine sets of key questions to consider when working with clients as part of an event analysis before ever jumping into planning mode. This article authored by Aaron Wolowiec was featured on the Institute for Organization Management's blog.
Successful Associations Today Podcast with Mary Byers
Aaron Wolowiec, the founder and CEO of Event Garde, established the Healthy by Association community for people in stress-riddled association and hospitality industries to connect around a shared lifestyle and inspire each other to invest in their health. He was the guest for episode #49 of the podcast.
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