6 Degrees of Associations: Presented by Big Red M.

What goes into a great personal brand, along with the reputation that may follow you throughout your entire career, is the same thing that makes someone a great salesperson: delivering on your word. And being consistent. It really is that simple. For someone with an illustrious career in and around the association world, our guest this week on the Six Degrees of Association Podcast, presented by Big Red M, David DuBois, has been a pioneer in building a brand in our industry. Relationships, an emphasis on building friendships over business, authenticity, and emotional intelligence are the timeless hallmarks of David’s personal brand, and he discusses this at length in his fantastic conversation with host Lucas McCann. He retired as President and CEO of the International Association of Exhibitions and Events® (IAEE) at the end of 2023 and has been the head of DuBois Group, LLC, ever since. (Special shout-out to our friend David Grindle for nominating David DuBois as a guest!)More about David: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-dubois-956bb2352/Learn more about Big Red M: https://www.bigredm.com/

How can your association avoid the common pitfalls that lead to a poor relationship with association management? How do you even know if one is needed for your organization? Where do you start?Admittedly, it's not uncommon for folks who are lifelong industry employees to not fully understand what an Association Management Company (AMC) does. Well, we’re aiming to end that confusion this week on the 6 Degrees of Association Podcast, presented by Big Red M, with our special pinch-hitting guest host, Casey Callanan of Clear Contender Media, who has been producing this show for the last several years.Our guest is Linda Caradine-Poinsett, who is not only a longtime industry veteran and association executive but also the current Chief Strategy Officer at the Association Management Center of Schaumburg, Illinois.She is an ideal thought leader— as you'll see from this discussion— to guide us through this important topic of the association management industry and what makes it so valuable (or potentially harmful if you don’t find the right fit).About Big Red M: https://bigredm.com/ About Association Management Center: https://connect2amc.com/

How can you best communicate your value as an association during a time of intense competition for your dollar, time, and attention? It takes experience, authenticity, and knowing how to read the room to effectively serve your members and build lasting trust. All of these themes and much more are explored in depth on our show this week with our guest, David Grindle, President and CEO of the International Association of Fairs & Expositions (IAFE). Join us for this latest installment of Six Degrees of Associations, presented by Big Red M and hosted by Lucas McCann!Fun Fact: As mentioned in the closing moments of this podcast, David appeared on Jeopardy! on an episode that aired March 8th , 2000, according to the fine folks at the TV Database: https://thetvdb.com/series/jeopardy/episodes/4950962 Learn MoreAbout Big Red M: https://bigredm.com/ About the International Association of Fairs & Expositions: https://fairsandexpos.com/

The Six Degrees of Associations Podcast, presented by Big Red M, is back this week with your host, Lucas McCann. Kevin Belanger, Executive Vice President of Sales and Account Management, and Aaron Horowitz, National Sales Manager at AEX Convention Services, bring us a fresh perspective on what associations are doing these days to drive value (and of course – revenue!) from their meetings. This includes efforts to get creative and even simplify. Featuring two industry veterans who are on the front lines of what associations are doing in the expo halls across the country to keep things exciting and profitable, this interview brings a wealth of ideas to spruce up your own meetings and events at any level. About AEX Services: https://www.aexservices.com/ About Big Red M: https://bigredm.com/

Megan Killian, CAE, IOM, is Executive Vice President at theNational Association of Enrolled Agents (NAEA), and while she found the association industry by serendipity, she has built a reputation over her tenure as someone unafraid to pivot as the times evolve rapidly.In this latest edition of the Six Degrees AssociationsPodcast, presented by Big Red M and hosted by Lucas McCann, we explore her journey, including many situations where she has helped spearhead change in the face of adversity—and, as we learn in this chat, the tax landscape is no stranger to challenging times.Make sure to stay tuned until the end, as Megan discussesher tongue-in-cheek dream of an association industry musical and what that would look like with all the characters who call this great industry home!More about NAEA: ⁠ https://www.naea.org/Listen to the Enrolled Agent Advocate Podcast: https://www.naea.org/eapodcast/ About Big Red M: ⁠ https://bigredm.com/  ⁠

Brandy Spears, Director of Marketing and Communications at the National Association of Enrolled Agents (NAEA), is our guest on the Six Degrees of Associations Podcast this week. Her journey spans from journalism to government contracting to innovative marketing and communication strategies within the professional associations industry—an industry where she most feels at “home.” In this discussion with podcast host and Big Red M CEO Lucas McCann, she shares how embracing creativity, leveraging technology like Salesforce and AI, and storytelling have built the foundation of her mission work while engaging members, communication strategies, and advancing an entire profession. She also offers valuable insights about navigating change, leveraging new tools, and fostering meaningful member connections in a rapidly shifting digital landscape.More about NAEA: ⁠ https://www.naea.org/ The Enrolled Agent Advocate Podcast: https://www.naea.org/eapodcast/ About Big Red M: ⁠ https://bigredm.com/

Marketing and communications (MarComm) are cyclical in many ways and what’s old becomes new again, often evolved, improved, and streamlined. When it comes to print marketing, this couldn’t be more true, as the digital landscape has helped exponentially create a more efficient, faster, and far less expensive environment for getting your message out. As our digital inboxes become more cluttered, maybe it’s a return to the simplicity of print that your marketing and communications messaging needs for it to stand out.To explore this phenomenon in depth, we’ve invited Cassandra Atchison onto the 6 Degrees of Associations Podcast this week to break it all down. As you’ll soon learn in this episode, she is the Vice President of Marketing at Modern Litho, making her the perfect guest to help catch us up on the intersection of print, digital, and association communications.More about Modern Litho: https://modernlitho.com/ About Big Red M: https://bigredm.com/

Join 6 Degrees of Association host Lucas McCann alongside producer and frequent co-host Casey Callanan for a bonus episode about the need for associations to push for growth in 2025—more than ever before. This bonus episode also features a quick “state of the podcast” update and emphasizes why this show will be so focused on the many unique ways growth can be achieved as a major theme of our podcast moving forward.

There was a time not too long ago when associations often felt more like sterile governing bodies than they did like a warm, welcoming environment. In today’s discussion on the 6 Degrees of Association podcast, we sit down with Vicki R. Deal-Williams, MA, CCC-SLP, CAE, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA), to discuss how associations can continue to serve people while acting more like, well, people! Vicki is a venerable association leader and a strong advocate not only for the entire community of speech-language-hearing professionals throughout her career but also cares deeply for the patients these professionals serve. Does your association have an annual meeting or marquee event? Tune in to this episode and find out from Vicki how these experiences can be less “cliquey” and more personalized and warm.

We couldn’t be more honored to welcome Katie Jordan, OTD, OTR/L, FAOTA, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA), to this week’s episode of the Six Degrees of Associations Podcast. Katie shares her journey from studying dance to practicing occupational therapy, and then to her current role as an association leader. She emphasizes the importance of belonging and highlights the value of authentic credibility that stems from hands-on experience and a background in the arts. Katie also reflects on her transition into the association world, lessons learned from her mistakes, and her vision for the future of occupational therapy.

Greg Melia, CAE, CEO of the Customer Experience Professionals Association (CXPA), is our guest on the Six Degrees of Associations this week. With a stated goal of supporting CX professionals to share, learn, inspire, and grow throughout their entire careers, Greg is at the helm of this premier non-profit with a global reach that serves the customer experience profession. Greg shares his journey to association leadership with us and discusses the evolution of his career. He explains the significance of customer experience in associations, highlighting the need for seamless processes across touchpoints to improve member retention and satisfaction. Related Resources to Explore:CXPA Book of Knowledge and other publications: https://www.cxpa.org/grow-your-knowledge/bookstore CX definitions: https://www.cxpa.org/grow-your-knowledge/whatiscxTodd Unger’s book: https://www.toddunger.com/

As we learn in this week’s episode of the 6 Degrees Podcast with Stephen Gold, the President and CEO of Manufacturers Alliance, mindfulness, like life itself, is a journey, not a destination. There are no winners or losers. There are many elements of mindfulness that association professionals will find helpful, and we are honored to have longtime association community thought leader Stephen Gold join our show this week to provide a crash course on how incorporating better mindfulness principles into our lives can benefit ourselves and those around us.Here are some resources to keep in mind if you’d like to learn more:Books on or Related to Mindfulness1. Living With Your Heart Wide Open, by Bob Stahl and Steve Flowers2. Mindfulness in Plain English, Bhante Gunaratana3. A Path with Heart, by Jack Kornfield4. The Wise Heart, by Jack Kornfield5. When Things Fall Apart, by Pema Chodron6. The Places that Scare You, by Pema Chodron7. Learning to Fall, by Philip Simmons8. 10% Happier, by Dan Harris9. Untethered Soul, by Michael Singer10. Wherever You Go, There You Are, by Jon Kabat-Zinn Business Management Books Whose Underlying Principles are Based on Mindfulness1. Ego Free Leadership, Shayne Hughes2. An Everyone Culture, Robert Kagan3. Fierce Conversations, Susan Scott4. Non-Violent Communications, Marshall Rosenberg5. The Mindful Leader, Michael Carroll6. The 15 Commitments of Conscious Leadership, Jim Dethmer7. One Second Ahead, Rasmus Hougaard8. How to Know a Person, David Brooks9. Leaders Eat Last, Simon Sinek10. Conscious Business, Fred Kofman Also, a handful of TED talks that are based on the concepts of mindfulness: “The Benefits of Not Being a Jerk to Yourself,” Dan Harris: https://youtu.be/NuhIzO57HVk?si=EHkzmGS6OEXN0wQ4“My Stroke of Insight,” Jill Bolte Taylor: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mYD7Y9CXeUw“This is Water,” David Foster Wallace: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eC7xzavzEKY“Making People Feel Seen,” David Brooks: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e6d0Vx0N0Sw“The Power of Vulnerability,” Brene Brown: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iCvmsMzlF7o

A highly respected voice and leader in the association community, Sharon Kneebone, IOM, FASAE, CAE, is our guest this week on the Six Degrees of Associations Podcast. As the Executive Director of the American Academy of Pain Medicine, Sharon joins the show to share her story as an association professional reaching the pinnacle of our industry and the lessons she's learned throughout her career.Sharon highlights the many rich and fulfilling paths to executive leadership in the association world, emphasizing that there is no one-size-fits-all route, and adaptability is a major key to longevity and success in this industry.Learn more about the American Academy of Pain Medicine: https://painmed.org/

Janelle Julien is an executive-level communications specialist in the association space, known for driving impactful communication plans within both nonprofit and for-profit corporate sectors. She joined us this week on the Six Degrees of Associations Podcast to discuss what she’s learned given her rich background spanning publishing and association communications. Janelle discusses the evolving landscape of content delivery, emphasizing the importance of trust and credibility as associations face the challenges of misinformation and technological advancements, including AI, and how we can engage younger demographics, adapt to changing information consumption patterns, and leverage short-form media like Reels and TikToks effectively.

Justin Moore, PT, DPT, the CEO of the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA), brings his passion to the Six Degrees of Association Podcast this week. As a physical therapist by trade, he walks us through the advantages—especially on the public policy front—that he has enjoyed while leading an association that helps build a brighter future for this profession, which is the fifth-largest healthcare occupation. He also discusses how the discipline he learned as a wrestler helps him in his leadership duties as CEO of APTA, an association with more than 100,000 members. He is passionate about the use of legislative initiatives and public policy's role in making massive change. Early on in his physical therapy career, he wanted to be in associations and sought out a leadership role within this field and we are grateful for his contributions and insights in this memorable interview. Learn more about APTA: https://www.apta.org/

The keys to ensuring your association is on the path toward a vibrant future—and avoiding the common traps of stagnation—are outlined in depth with our Six Degrees of Associations Podcast guest this week, Vincent Talucci, CAE, the thoughtful and strategic Executive Director/CEO of the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP). Vince highlights the IACP's commitment to modernizing policing, emphasizing the importance of listening to members’ needs, especially in light of recent movements to reform policing practices. He also shares insights on trends such as recruitment, retention, while showcasing the association's achievements, including membership growth despite challenges.Learn More: https://www.theiacp.org/

Lori Anderson, FASAE, CAE, the President & CEO with the International Sign Association (ISA) is our fantastic guest this week on the Six Degrees of Associations Podcast. Lori’s career began as a music teacher before transitioning into government relations and ultimately taking the helm at ISA. Lori draws parallels between her experiences in music education and leadership, noting that running an association is a lot like conducting an orchestra where each member has a vital role to play. She highlighted the joy of bringing people together for a common purpose, actively engaging with members, and building community—which she believes is the heartbeat of any successful association. She spoke highly of the value of peer networks, emphasizing how vulnerability and open communication among colleagues can significantly impact one’s leadership journey.With over 20 years at ISA, Lori’s passion for her work has not waned; instead, she sees each day as a new adventure. Her tenure reflects a commitment to collaboration and continuous growth, underscoring the importance of creating a culture where everyone feels valued. As Lori said, "If you can be your authentic self, there’s no reason to leave."Learn more about ISA:https://signs.org/

Michael Hoffman, the CEO of Gather Voices, is our guest on the Six Degrees of Associations Podcast this week, where he provides a master class on using user-generated video to amplify your membership’s voice. As a serial entrepreneur, Michael shares tools, tricks, and strategies for communicating better with your association constituents through video. Michael also shares his unique journey into the world of associations, which began unexpectedly during his career shift from political consulting to internet entrepreneurship. Through his experience with video content creation for nonprofits, he recognized the need for organizations to amplify member voices. Learn more about Gather Voices: https://www.gathervoices.co/

Joanna Pineda is our guest this week on the Six Degrees of Associations Podcast. She is the Founder, CEO, and self-proclaimed “Chief Troublemaker” at Matrix Group International, where she has been in business for more than twenty-five years. In addition, she is a keynote speaker, author, blogger, and association podcaster who is fluent in several languages and has a passion for traveling the world. Joanna discusses her career journey and highlights the significant trends affecting associations, particularly the "Membership Cliff" due to the retirement of Baby Boomers and Gen Xers, which could further worsen the talent shortage in various industries. Matrix Group International, Inc., is a web design and development firm based in Northern Virginia. Learn more about it here: https://www.matrixgroup.net/ You can follow Joanna’s Associations Thrive podcast here: https://www.matrixgroup.net/associations-thrive-podcast/

As we enter 2025, Six Degrees of Associations Podcast Producer and part-time host Casey Callanan joins our regular host, Lucas McCann, to look back at the recurring trends and topics our guests discussed in 2024 and explore what that means for 2025. In this episode, we highlight the themes that emerged again and again in 2024: • Authenticity in media (podcasts, social media) – while not exclusive to 2024 this trend continued in full force throughout this past year. • Capturing attention as a struggle. • Face-to-face events are significant to the point that virtual events seem to be nearing irrelevancy. • Culture, trust, and transparency and finding one’s voice have all never been more crucial for associations. • A.I. is ever-present – it's so broad that it can mean many things. As a buzzword, it can be daunting; however, you must experiment with it, embrace it, and seek education without letting it paralyze you. We will also share our predictions for 2025. With many recent episodes focusing on publishing and peer-reviewed journals, we will discuss print media and why we remain bullish about it! Additionally, we will talk about the Association Chat bus trip as an example of out-of-the-box thinking to create a memorable member experience. You can learn more about that bus trip here: https://youtu.be/JzwVrK3SCxw Here is a link to the episode to we mentioned with Ioannis Pallas discussing Association Life in Europe vs. North America: https://youtu.be/hUAVazAdElw