Association Briefings

Association Briefings We implement data-driven content strategies for associations of all sizes and structures.

Solutions include personalized email newsletters, podcasts, original branded content, and content marketing initiatives.

In the latest episode of our podcast "Engaging in the Next," hosts Colby Horton and Frank Humada welcome Mollie Pillman,...
08/28/2026

In the latest episode of our podcast "Engaging in the Next," hosts Colby Horton and Frank Humada welcome Mollie Pillman, MS, MBA, CAE, executive director of the National Athletic Trainers'​ Association, as she closes in on one year in the top job. So, what happens when you walk into an established organization and start asking, “Why do we do it that way?” Mollie shares the lessons, surprises and occasional growing pains of bringing new energy to NATA, from launching a listening tour and rebuilding trust to selling a 23,000-square-foot office and creating a new strategic plan. She also explains how a simple LinkedIn post declaring “It’s a new day at NATA” became a rallying cry for members and staff. Along the way, Mollie talks about building a culture people want to be part of, questioning the “we’ve always done it that way” mindset, making employees feel seen and why great mentors make you want to pay it forward.

Listen here: https://associationbriefings.podbean.com/e/ep-52-dealt-a-new-hand-new-energy-new-ideas-new-leadership/

Or, wherever you listen to your favorite podcasts, including:

🎧 Apple: https://apple.co/3Fc9ouW
🎧 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5nDVAwy4n3706vDKzVTNPj

Four days. A lot of conversations. And even more reminders of why there’s nothing quite like getting the association com...
08/20/2026

Four days. A lot of conversations. And even more reminders of why there’s nothing quite like getting the association community together in one place.

Association Briefings had a great time at the ASAE Annual Meeting & Exposition in Indianapolis!

We spent four days talking about the benefits of podcasting, meeting new people, and reconnecting with old friends. We even made a few charms in our booth block alongside some great companies that, like us, are focused on helping associations fill a need and better serve their members.

And, of course, we did some . We recorded four new episodes of Associations NOW Presents right from the show floor. We can't wait to share!

There was plenty of fun mixed in, too. Babyface. Networking events. And even some hot laps at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

But the biggest takeaway isn’t the number of conversations, episodes recorded or miles around the track.

It’s the connections. We loved the time spent with people who understand and care about the work associations do every day. That’s what makes events like so valuable.

Thanks to everyone who stopped by, said hello, talked podcasting, made a charm or simply caught up with us. We left Indianapolis energized and excited about what comes next.

Who's headed to the ASAE Annual Meeting & Exposition this weekend?We're looking forward to an incredible few days in Ind...
08/11/2026

Who's headed to the ASAE Annual Meeting & Exposition this weekend?

We're looking forward to an incredible few days in Indianapolis and would love for you to stop by Booth 2015 and say hello to the Association Briefings team.

If podcasting has been on your mind, whether you're thinking about launching a new show, bringing an existing one back to life, or looking for ways to make your current podcast more effective, we'd love to talk. Stop by and let's chat about what's working, what we've learned, and how associations are using podcasts to connect with their audiences.

We'll also be recording new episodes of Associations NOW Presents, ASAE's official podcast, live from the show floor Sunday and Monday. Stop by the podcast studio and see how it all comes together!

We're looking forward to catching up with clients, partners, and friends, and meeting new faces along the way.

See you in Indy!

In the latest episode of our podcast "Engaging in the Next," hosts Colby Horton and Frank Humada welcome Lowell Aplebaum...
07/24/2026

In the latest episode of our podcast "Engaging in the Next," hosts Colby Horton and Frank Humada welcome Lowell Aplebaum, EdD, FASAE, CAE, CPF, CEO of Vista Cova, for a conversation about why strategy and governance often drift apart, and how boards can better position their organizations for long-term success. Lowell explains why strategic planning should be treated as a living framework rather than a static document, explores the board's role in setting direction and allocating resources, and discusses how associations can foster innovation through stronger governance practices. The conversation also covers shorter strategic planning horizons, future-focused board meetings, objective governance health checks, clear board-staff authority boundaries, and the critical partnership between the CEO and board chair in navigating change.

Listen here: https://associationbriefings.podbean.com/e/not-the-end-of-the-road-beyond-the-strategic-plan/

Or, wherever you listen to your favorite podcasts, including:

🎧 Apple: https://apple.co/3Fc9ouW
🎧 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5nDVAwy4n3706vDKzVTNPj

We're excited to welcome the National Watermelon Association to the Association Briefings podcast family with the debut ...
07/23/2026

We're excited to welcome the National Watermelon Association to the Association Briefings podcast family with the debut of "Inside the Melon: The Watermelon Industry Podcast."

Hosted by George Szczepanski, executive director of the National Watermelon Association, the inaugural episode features Dr. Nathan Boyd, professor and w**d science specialist at the University of Florida, sharing practical insights on w**d management and the latest research impacting watermelon growers.

This is exactly why we love working with associations!

Every industry has incredible experts, passionate members, and stories worth telling. Whether it's watermelon growers, accountants, athletic trainers, prosthetists, or construction leaders, a podcast creates a direct connection with your community. It gives your members a platform, showcases your industry's thought leaders, extends the life of your educational content, and keeps your association's voice in front of members all year long.

If your association serves a niche audience, don't think of that as a limitation. It's your greatest advantage.

If you've been wondering whether your association should start a podcast, let's talk. We'd love to show you how a strategic podcast can engage members, attract sponsors, and amplify your mission.

Congratulations to George and the entire National Watermelon Association team on a fantastic launch. Welcome to the world of podcasting!

Check out their first episode here: https://nwapodcast.podbean.com/

For the 50th episode of Engaging in the Next, hosts Colby Horton and Frank Humada welcome Whitney Meyerhoeffer MPA CAE, ...
06/23/2026

For the 50th episode of Engaging in the Next, hosts Colby Horton and Frank Humada welcome Whitney Meyerhoeffer MPA CAE, director of communications at the American Mental Health Counselors Association, for a conversation about what it takes to communicate effectively in an increasingly noisy world.

Whitney shares why marketing and communications are distinct disciplines, why storytelling and audience segmentation matter more than ever, and how engagement has evolved from open rates to a full-time strategic function. They also explore how associations can approach taking public stances, why communications teams deserve a seat at the table early, and the importance of creating "sacred spaces" to protect mental health and prevent burnout.

Listen here: https://associationbriefings.podbean.com/e/ep-50-from-6-7-to-67-why-the-message-matters-more-than-ever/

Or, wherever you listen to your favorite podcasts, including:

🎧 Apple: https://apple.co/3Fc9ouW

🎧 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5nDVAwy4n3706vDKzVTNPj

And because no episode of Engaging in the Next is complete without a little fun, we learned:

🐍 Why a snake might help Whitney set a personal record for the mile

🪨 What rocks have taught her about leadership

🎧 Why audiobooks and running don't mix

🎉 And, in honor of our milestone 50th episode, we kicked things off with a little Gen Alpha slang trivia where Frank somehow proves he's still relevant.

No cap, that's tuff.

Last week's ASAE: The Center for Association Leadership MMC+Tech Conference was a reminder of why we love serving the as...
06/01/2026

Last week's ASAE: The Center for Association Leadership MMC+Tech Conference was a reminder of why we love serving the association community.

It was great catching up with current association partners, meeting new people, reconnecting with industry friends, and hearing so many thoughtful conversations about the future of association communication and member engagement.

One of the highlights for the Association Briefings team was recording live in the on-site podcast studio throughout the conference. A huge thank you to all of the guests and hosts who took time out of their schedules to share their insights and expertise with us.

We were also honored to have our CEO, Colby Horton, moderate a panel discussion on “Why a Podcast Should Be Part of Your Communication Strategy” alongside three absolute rockstars in the space: Manisha Bhaskar, Susannah Forde, Joanna Pineda

Special thanks as well to the incredible ASAE team (John Bacon, MBA, AAiP, Sarah Cady Sutherland, AAiP, Michael Ross, AAiP, and Ina Xhani, AAiP) for trusting us to produce the Associations NOW Presents podcast and for helping to put together such a fantastic event.

Looking forward to the Annual Conference in Indianapolis in August!

Heading to the ASAE The Center for Association Leadership MMC+Tech Conference this week? Stop by Booth 548 and chat with...
05/26/2026

Heading to the ASAE The Center for Association Leadership MMC+Tech Conference this week? Stop by Booth 548 and chat with the Association Briefings team about how podcasting can support your association’s communication, education, and engagement efforts.

And speaking of podcasting, on Thursday at 9 a.m., Association Briefings' CEO Colby Horton will be moderating a panel discussion on podcasting in the association space and why more organizations are making podcasts part of their communication, education, and engagement strategies.

Joining the conversation are three outstanding panelists with firsthand experience building and evolving podcasts within their organizations:

🎙️ Joanna Pineda, CEO, Matrix Group International, Inc.

🎙️ Manisha Bhaskar, Chief Communications and Strategy Officer, American Academy of Orthotists and Prosthetists & Prosthetists

🎙️ Susannah Forde, Executive Director Marketing & Communications, SMACNA

The session will discuss:

• Why organizations launch podcasts
• Choosing the right format and host
• Audio vs. video strategy
• Production, promotion, and measurement
• Lessons learned along the way
• And the real impact podcasts can have on member engagement and education

If you’ll be at MMC+Tech, we’d love to see you there!

🎉NEW PODCAST ALERT! Association marketers are expected to drive membership growth, boost event attendance, increase enga...
05/22/2026

🎉NEW PODCAST ALERT! Association marketers are expected to drive membership growth, boost event attendance, increase engagement, understand analytics, manage martech, personalize content, experiment with AI… and somehow still answer emails before lunch.

In the latest episode of Engaging in the Next, Edessa Polzin, PCM®️, director of strategic partnerships at the American Marketing Association joins Colby Horton and Frank Humada for a conversation about the evolving role of marketing within associations and how teams can work smarter in an increasingly complex landscape.

The episode explores:

🔹 Why marketers need a stronger voice at the strategy table

🔹 Practical ways AI can support lean teams without becoming a distraction

🔹 How associations can better leverage first-party data and automation

🔹 Why earning audience attention still comes down to delivering real value

And somewhere between marketing operations, analytics, and AI governance… the conversation takes a fun detour into travel hacks. Because no association podcast is complete without at least one discussion about airports, upgrades, or carry-on strategy. ✈️

Catch the full episode here: https://associationbriefings.podbean.com/e/now-boarding-smarter-marketing-for-associations/

Or, wherever you listen to your favorite podcasts, including:

🎧 Apple: https://apple.co/3Fc9ouW
🎧 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5nDVAwy4n3706vDKzVTNPj

In our season 5 premiere, hosts Colby Horton and Frank Humada chat with Chad Rummel, M.Ed, CAE, executive director of th...
04/24/2026

In our season 5 premiere, hosts Colby Horton and Frank Humada chat with Chad Rummel, M.Ed, CAE, executive director of the Council for Exceptional Children (CEC), about his journey and how it’s shaped the way he leads today.

Chad shares how his background as an educator still shapes how he leads today. It comes through in how he develops strengths in staff and volunteers, creates space for new ideas, and keeps everyone aligned around a shared purpose.

In this episode, they cover:

🔹 Building teams around strengths and shared purpose
🔹 Rethinking board meetings to focus on real conversations
🔹 Hiring people who truly connect to the mission
🔹 Creating a more inclusive experience for members

Catch the full episode here: https://associationbriefings.podbean.com/e/ep-48-teaching-the-mission-building-teams-that-believe-in-the-work/

Or, wherever you listen to your favorite podcasts, including:

🎧 Apple: https://apple.co/3Fc9ouW
🎧 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5nDVAwy4n3706vDKzVTNPj

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