Blog

The Gardian Blog serves as a content library for association and mission-driven organization professionals — covering facilitation, strategic planning, learning design, and event strategy. Updated weekly by the Event Garde team, with monthly contributions from guest bloggers across the industry.

Search Our Blog

Facilitation Methods & Strategic Planning

From U-Shape to Pods: Why We Rethought the Room

By: Aaron Wolowiec | Jul 10, 2026

Five Fresh Ways Associations Can Energize Their Chapters in 2026

By: Peggy Hoffman | Jul 3, 2026

Pitch us an idea!

Are you interested in providing a guest post for The Gardian Blog?

Submit your pitch here!

Communication, Facilitation Methods & Strategic Planning

To Be Influenced: Rethinking How We Build Authentic Alignment

By: Krista Rowe | Jun 26, 2026

Meeting/Event Design & Management

When the Hotel Drops the Ball: How Event Managers Can Stay in Control Onsite

By: Kara Nacarato | Jun 19, 2026

Submit your post!

If your post is already approved by the Event Garde editorial team,

Submit your completed guest blog post here!

Gardian of the Month: Jaime Costello

Volunteers, Facilitation Methods & Strategic Planning

Your Committee Structure Has Been Accumulating for Years. It Might Be Time to Take Stock.

By: Aaron Wolowiec | Jun 5, 2026

We teach you the skills you need to succeed.

The Event Garde team offers an array of services to best fit your needs, including learning, meetings, and facilitation. We aim to help you grow and evolve on both a personal and professional level.

Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging, Meeting/Event Design & Management

Building Connection Through Gamification

By: Lindsay Thomas | May 29, 2026

Facilitation Methods & Strategic Planning

The Magic Numbers Behind Great Strategic Planning

By: Aaron Wolowiec | May 22, 2026

Gardian of the Month: Christopher Urena

Facilitation Methods & Strategic Planning

From RACI to MOCHA: A Better Framework for Getting Strategic Work Done

By: Aaron Wolowiec | May 8, 2026

Facilitation Methods & Strategic Planning

You Don’t Need to Be the Expert to Be an Effective Facilitator

By: Dilhara Muthukuda | May 1, 2026

It’s Not About Using AI More, It’s About Using It Better

By: Lindsay Thomas | Apr 24, 2026

Professional Development as a Leadership Signal

By: Peggy Hoffman | Apr 21, 2026

Meeting/Event Design & Management

Emergency Preparedness Isn’t Optional, It’s Leadership

By: Kara Nacarato | Apr 17, 2026

Gardian of the Month: Tracy Vecchio

Communication, Facilitation Methods & Strategic Planning

How I Balance Visionaries and Doers in Strategic Planning Facilitation

By: Dilhara Muthukuda | Apr 3, 2026

Technology, Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging

The Emperor’s New Tech: Hype, Utility, and Social Reactions

By: Krista Rowe | Mar 27, 2026

Facilitation Methods & Strategic Planning

When the Cobbler’s Kids Have Good Shoes: A Look Inside Our 2026 Strategic Planning Retreat

By: Aaron Wolowiec | Mar 20, 2026

Gardian of the Month: Sarah Martin

Communication, Facilitation Methods & Strategic Planning

Communication Is Key in Strategic Planning

By: Dilhara Muthukuda | Mar 6, 2026

Meeting/Event Design & Management

When “We’ve Always Done It This Way” Is Costing Your Conference More Than You Think

By: Kara Nacarato | Feb 27, 2026

Gardian, Technology

The Tools and Resources That Powered Event Garde’s Gardians in 2025

By: Lindsay Thomas | Feb 20, 2026

Gardian of the Month: Erica Leyko

Facilitation Methods & Strategic Planning

What Makes a Good Team Retreat? Lessons from Ours

By: Dilhara Muthukuda | Feb 6, 2026

Facilitation Methods & Strategic Planning

Making Facilitation Impact Visible: What the 2026 State of Facilitation Means for Associations

By: Aaron Wolowiec | Jan 30, 2026

Meeting/Event Design & Management

The Importance of Engagement in Your Events…and Why You Can’t Afford to Ignore It

By: Kara Nacarato | Jan 23, 2026

Gardian of the Month: Charlena Frank

Speaking & Writing Engagements, Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging, Facilitation Methods & Strategic Planning, Education Strategy & Learning Design, Meeting/Event Design & Management

14 Must-Have Resources to Explore

By: Lindsay ThomasJenny Hill | Jan 13, 2026

Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging, Facilitation Methods & Strategic Planning, Meeting/Event Design & Management

Introducing Our New Tools Tab: Practical Resources to Support Your Work All Year Long

By: Lindsay Thomas | Jan 9, 2026

Meeting/Event Design & Management

What We Learned from the Top Event, Association, and Marketing Reports of 2025

By: Michael Hoffman | Jan 2, 2026

Speaking & Writing Engagements, Facilitation Methods & Strategic Planning, Education Strategy & Learning Design, Meeting/Event Design & Management

Celebrating a Year of Milestones

By: Lindsay ThomasJenny Hill | Dec 30, 2025

Facilitation Methods & Strategic Planning

How Organizations Change by Revisiting What Matters

By: Krista Rowe | Dec 26, 2025

Meeting/Event Design & Management

From “Bigger” to “Better”: How Associations Are Rethinking Conference Scale

By: Kara Nacarato | Dec 19, 2025

Gardian of the Month: Bob Doyle

Facilitation Methods & Strategic Planning

Ethical Facilitation: A Practical Guide to Integrity in Design, Delivery & Debrief

By: Aaron Wolowiec | Dec 5, 2025

Coaching & Mentoring, Facilitation Methods & Strategic Planning

How to Lead an Effective End-of-Year Team Reflection

By: Dilhara Muthukuda | Nov 28, 2025

Pause Without Losing Momentum: A Practical Year-End Reset Guide

By: Lindsay Thomas | Nov 21, 2025

Gardian of the Month: Christina Lewellen

Meeting/Event Design & Management

Future-Proofing the Events Industry: Insights from EIC’s Futures Landscape Study 2025

By: Aaron Wolowiec | Nov 7, 2025

Meeting/Event Design & Management

Reflecting on a Season of Connection and Growth

By: Kara Nacarato | Oct 31, 2025

Coaching & Mentoring, Communication

Maintaining Momentum When Every Project Feels Like a Priority

By: Lindsay Thomas | Oct 24, 2025

Gardian of the Month: Laura Custy

Communication, Facilitation Methods & Strategic Planning

Communication is Key: How Smart Communication Drives Strategic Planning Success

By: Dilhara Muthukuda | Oct 10, 2025

Meeting/Event Design & Management

Beyond the Boxes: Smarter, More Sustainable Event Printing

By: Lindsay Thomas | Oct 3, 2025

Coaching & Mentoring, Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging

The Power of Saying Yes

By: Krista Rowe | Sep 26, 2025

Facilitation Methods & Strategic Planning

Documentation Done Right: Tips & Tricks for Facilitators

By: Aaron Wolowiec | Sep 19, 2025

Gardian of the Month: Tara Puckey

Communication, Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging, Facilitation Methods & Strategic Planning

Are You Walking the Talk? A Four-Quadrant Model for DEIB Strategy

By: Dilhara Muthukuda | Sep 5, 2025

Communication, Facilitation Methods & Strategic Planning

Crafting Introductions That Connect: How Introductions Build Trust and Foster Rapport

By: Krista Rowe | Aug 29, 2025

Education Strategy & Learning Design

Why Microlearning Works for Associations - and Why You Should Start Now

By: Adrienne Sutton | Aug 22, 2025

Gardian of the Month: Nick Stepaniak

Communication, Marketing, Meeting/Event Design & Management

Signage That Works: Best Practices for Cost-Effective, Sustainable, and Impactful Event Signage

By: Kara Nacarato | Aug 8, 2025

Facilitation Methods & Strategic Planning

Voices & Views: Real Talk for Facilitators

By: Danielle Guty | Aug 1, 2025

The Client Engagement Tool You’re Probably Overlooking

By: Lindsay Thomas | Jul 25, 2025

Technology, Facilitation Methods & Strategic Planning

Can AI Be a Co-Facilitator? The Promise & Limits of Artificial Intelligence in Association Facilitation

By: Aaron Wolowiec | Jul 18, 2025

A Decade of Lean Startup Methodology: Lessons Learned

By: Elizabeth Weaver EngelJamie Notter | Jul 15, 2025

Gardian of the Month: Stacey Sabiston

Ten Years of Experiences with Event Garde

By: Kate Pojeta | Jul 8, 2025

Meeting/Event Design & Management

Designing Your Ideal Event: A Practical Tool for Planning & Partnering

By: Kara Nacarato | Jul 4, 2025

Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging

Everyone’s Invited: Why Inclusive Language is the Passport to a More Welcoming Travel Experience

By: Aaron Wolowiec | Jun 27, 2025

Education Strategy & Learning Design

Building a High-Quality Certification Program on a Shoestring Budget

By: Adrienne Sutton | Jun 20, 2025

Facilitation Methods & Strategic Planning

Beyond the Agenda: 10 Conversations Every Co-Facilitator Should Have

By: Aaron Wolowiec | Jun 13, 2025

Gardian of the Month: Jennifer Briggs

Communication, Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging

Growing Together: A New Community Agreement Rooted in Collective Decision-Making

By: Krista Rowe | Jun 6, 2025

Meeting/Event Design & Management

Stormproofing Association Meetings: How Policy Shifts Are Reshaping Events & What You Can Do About It

By: Aaron Wolowiec | May 30, 2025

Facilitation Methods & Strategic Planning

Avoid These 5 Common Strategic Planning Pitfalls

By: Dilhara Muthukuda | May 23, 2025

Gardian of the Month: Christine Saunders

Tips for Conducting an Orderly Election: Robert’s Rules of Order

By: Results at Hand | May 13, 2025

Communication, Technology

How I Use “Send Later” or Scheduled Text Messages to Manage Other People

By: Kate Pojeta | May 9, 2025

Meeting/Event Design & Management

Lighting the Spark: The Power of Creative Activations for Conference Attendees and Sponsors

By: Kara Nacarato | May 2, 2025

Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging, Education Strategy & Learning Design

Designing Learning That Works for Neurodivergent Professionals

By: Tracy King | Apr 25, 2025

Facilitation Methods & Strategic Planning

Cultivating the Wisdom in the Room: Facilitation as Tending, Not Teaching

By: Krista Rowe | Apr 18, 2025

Gardian of the Month: Sharon Newport

Education Strategy & Learning Design, Meeting/Event Design & Management

Beyond the Debrief: 7 Strategic Conversations Every Event Team Should Be Having Right Now

By: Aaron Wolowiec | Apr 4, 2025

Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging

What Music Teaches Us About Collaboration and Harmony

By: Krista Rowe | Mar 28, 2025

Communication, Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging, Facilitation Methods & Strategic Planning

How Association Leaders Can Live Their Values

By: Sarah Sain | Mar 21, 2025

Gardian of the Month: Judy Spanogle

Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging

Navigating the Shifts: Sustainable Strategies for DEIB Success

By: Dilhara Muthukuda | Mar 7, 2025

Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging

6 Strategies Associations can Employ to Navigate DEI in a Contentious Climate

By: Krista Rowe | Feb 28, 2025

Education Strategy & Learning Design, Meeting/Event Design & Management

Easily Find Speakers, Gather Topic Ideas, and Deliver Quality Education to Your Attendees

By: Kate Pojeta | Feb 21, 2025

Gardian of the Month: Michael Hoffman

Meeting/Event Design & Management

Engaging the Five Senses in Your Meeting Planning for a Memorable Experience

By: Kara Nacarato | Feb 5, 2025

Technology, Facilitation Methods & Strategic Planning

Beyond the Buzz: Integrating AI Solutions into Human-Centric Strategic Planning

By: Aaron Wolowiec | Jan 31, 2025

Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging

Unwavering Commitment: Event Garde’s DEIB Journey & Vision for the Future

By: Aaron Wolowiec | Jan 24, 2025

Gardian of the Month: Bonnifer Ballard

Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging, Facilitation Methods & Strategic Planning

From Playtime to Facilitation: Insights Gained from Everyday Moments with Kids

By: Dilhara Muthukuda | Jan 10, 2025

Coaching & Mentoring, Health & Wellness

2025 is Calling: Coaching Association Leaders to Thrive

By: Derek Mulhern | Jan 3, 2025

Technology, Meeting/Event Design & Management

The Future of Event AV: How Co-Creation and Short-Form Video Will Reshape Event Experiences

By: Michael Hoffman | Dec 27, 2024

Technology, Meeting/Event Design & Management

What I Learned in 2024

By: Avery Ferguson | Dec 20, 2024

Gardian of the Month: Tim Hopkins

12 Days of Recipes: Italian Pizzelle

12 Days of Recipes: Cheesy Sausage Breakfast Casserole

12 Days of Recipes: Bacon-Wrapped Sweet Potato Bites

Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging, Facilitation Methods & Strategic Planning

Reflections on the year: Lessons about Humanity thru DEIB Facilitation

By: Krista Rowe | Dec 13, 2024

12 Days of Recipes: Pumpkin Gooey Butter Cake

By: Trevor Mitchell | Dec 12, 2024

12 Days of Recipes: Festive Olive and Cheese Appetizer

By: Kate Pojeta | Dec 11, 2024

12 Days of Recipes: Cranberry Orange Bread

By: Dilhara Muthukuda | Dec 10, 2024

12 Days of Recipes: Brown Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies

By: Danielle Guty | Dec 9, 2024

12 Days of Recipes: Peanut Butter Blossoms

By: Jenny Hill | Dec 6, 2024

Meeting/Event Design & Management

How to Create an Emergency Management Plan for an Event: A Step-by-Step Guide

By: Kara Nacarato | Dec 6, 2024

© Copyright 2026 Event Garde