Association Tech Insider

Membership is more than a transaction. It’s an experience shaped by what happens after a member joins and before they decide to stay.

In this episode, host Rhoni Rakos, ASAE Tech Council member and digital strategy consultant, leads a cross-functional conversation with association experts who are rethinking how we design the membership experience. Together, they explore how behavioral cues, design strategy, and member data can help associations build more intentional, trust-driven journeys.

Guests include:

• Michelle Wroblewski, Director of Association Growth and Strategy

• Brittany Lancor, Senior Marketing Manager at PropFuel and incoming Chair of the ASAE Marketing Professionals Advisory Council

• Evan Reid, Senior Director of Analytics and ASAE Tech Council member

This episode is part of Decoding Membership, a three-part podcast series by the ASAE Technology Professionals Advisory Council. Each episode brings together diverse voices to explore how associations can evolve recruitment, retention, and renewal strategies using behavioral science, data analytics, and cross-departmental collaboration.

In Episode 1 of the Decoding Membership series, we take on the question every association faces: who really owns the challenge of membership retention?

Our panel explores how fragmented teams, confirmation bias, and surface-level engagement metrics often hide the real signals behind why members renew or leave. We break down how organizations can unify retention strategy across membership, marketing, IT, and leadership, using data, behavioral science, and predictive modeling to build stronger renewal pathways.

Generative AI is moving fast, but are associations thinking beyond personal use? In this episode, ASAE Tech Council members Carlos Cardenas and Adam Ayotte-Savino are joined by legal expert Dorothy Deng, Partner at Whiteford, Taylor & Preston LLP, to explore the legal, copyright, contract, and organizational risks associations must consider as AI becomes part of their daily operations.

From human authorship to fair use and contract language, this conversation offers practical insights for association leaders, boards, and staff navigating the AI landscape.

In this third episode of our series on Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG), we explore how to apply RAG in real-world environments. Host Rhoni Rakos talks with Heather Harris, PhD, and Chris Yoko about ensuring quality, managing risk, protecting proprietary knowledge, and keeping human oversight at the center of AI-powered workflows.

You may already be using RAG without realizing it. Tools like advanced search, AI assistants, and even some enterprise chat platforms use RAG to pull accurate answers from curated content.

The ASAE Technology Professionals Advisory Council stays on top of emerging technologies and trends that impact the association community. We are here to help you navigate what’s next.

Catch up on the full series:
• Episode 1: What Is RAG? How It Works and Why It Matters
• Episode 2: Designing and Deploying RAG Systems

Together, these episodes offer practical insights for building responsible RAG solutions that enhance knowledge delivery and member value.

Everyone loves a good tech strategy session—but how do we make sure those plans don’t just sit on a shelf? We’re diving into the realities of making strategy happen. Join us for the second installment of Tech Strategy in Action, a series where we dive into exactly that.  

Today we will be discussing how CLIA has implemented their newly imagined website based on an enormous amount of user research, led by our guest Jill Straniero, SVP of Digital Solutions and Managing Director of Global Technology. We will discuss how deep user interviews and audience analysis revealed the need to shift from a department-focused approach to an audience-focused digital strategy. The findings helped streamline twelve websites into two distinct ones. The conversation highlights how user research is not just for usability—it’s a strategic tool for long-term organizational alignment and smarter tech investments 

Hosted by Norma Castrejon, Vice President, Information Technology at the American Osteopathic Association and Rhoni Rakos, Lead Consultant, Digital Strategy at Ellipsis Partners.  

Make sure to follow TPAC on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/asae-tpac/ 

Digital content hubs serve as centralized online platforms where related content on a specific topic is curated and presented. They function as strategic resource centers,bringing together articles, videos, infographics, guides, and other content formats to inform and engage audiences effectively.

How do you determine whether a content hub is the right approach for a topic your association covers?

This discussion delves into the key considerations for creating a content hub, including the decision-making process, content development, launch strategies, ongoing maintenance, and potential challenges along the way.

Bridget FolliardTerrones, MBA: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bridgetfolliard/

Nancy Driver, CAE: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nancy-driver-cae-21b7ba5/ 

Kathryn Hamilton, CAE: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kghamilton/

CommunicationsProfessionals Advisory Council: https://www.asaecenter.org/membership/rosters/communication-section-council 

Retrieval Augmented Generation (RAG) AI:

In this episode, host Evan Reid sits down with data strategy expert Heather Harris, PhD and developer Mohammed Afnan Waseem for an in-depth conversation on the opportunities and challenges of deploying Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG) AI systems. The discussion begins with an exploration of data strategy, focusing on the importance of understanding proprietary data, questions around data ownership, and how RAG systems retrieve and apply information in real time. The panel then breaks down system design fundamentals, highlighting key components such as embeddings and vectorization, while also addressing infrastructure considerations using cloud platforms like AWS and Azure. They dive into the risks associated with using proprietary data in AI, including concerns over intellectual property, data security, and potential legal implications. The conversation also touches on policy considerations, including the development of AI governance frameworks. 

We all love to talk strategy - especially tech strategy! But what happens when it’s time to move from planning to execution within our associations? Join us for Tech Strategy in Action, a three-part series where we dive into exactly that.  

In Part 1, we’ll explore how RAPS developed and implemented an outstanding data strategy, led by our guest Wendy Sahli, Director of Technology at RAPS. After a quick discussion on the fundamentals of data strategy and its role in a strong technology ecosystem, we’ll take a deep dive into RAPS journey – from where they started when Wendy joined, how their data strategy evolved, where they are today, and what exciting things are on the horizon. Wendy holds a masterclass in developing a data strategy and executing it to propel technology forward! 

Hosted by Norma Castrejon, Strategic Consultant at DelCor Technology Solutions and Rhoni Rakos, Lead Consultant, Digital Strategy at Ellipsis Partners.  

Make sure to follow TPAC on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/asae-tpac/ 

Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG) is an emerging AI approach that is gaining traction across industries. In this episode, hosts Mischa Getter, Heather Harris, PhD, and Afnan Waseem introduce RAG, explaining what it is and why organizations are increasingly adopting it. They provide a high-level definition of RAG and explore how it differs from traditional AI models, making it a valuable tool for improving response accuracy and reducing misinformation.

The discussion delves into the mechanics of RAG, offering a straightforward explanation of how it retrieves external knowledge to enhance AI-generated responses. The hosts highlight real-world applications, showcasing how Big Tech and other industries are leveraging RAG to improve information quality. They also examine key benefits, such as enhanced response reliability and the ability to mitigate inaccuracies in AI-generated content.

While RAG presents significant advantages, it also comes with challenges. The episode addresses concerns like knowledge gaps and hallucinations, explaining the risks and limitations that organizations must consider. The hosts explore how companies are navigating these challenges and why RAG remains a compelling choice for AI development. Tune in to gain a deeper understanding of this transformative technology and its impact on the future of AI.

Misha Getter: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-getter/

Heather Harris, PhD: https://www.linkedin.com/in/heatherdawnharris/

Mohammed Afnan Waseem: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mohammed-afnan-waseem/

TPAC on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/asae-tpac/ 

How can technology transform the way organizations plan and execute meetings and events? Join ASAE Tech Council member Vinnu Deshetty as she talks with Atul (AK) Srivastava, CIO of the American College of Emergency Physicians, about his groundbreaking work dismantling technology silos. 

Atul shares how his approach to breaking down barriers within the organization led to more efficient, innovative, and collaborative solutions for their meetings and events. Discover the strategies he implemented to streamline processes, enhance attendee experiences, and drive meaningful connections through technology. 

Packed with challenges, triumphs, and actionable insights, this episode is a must-listen for tech leaders and event professionals seeking to revolutionize how technology supports meetings and events. 

Make sure to follow TPAC on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/asae-tpac/ 

Artificial Intelligence (AI) was used in the editing of the podcast to remove "Umm"s and "Ahh"s, but all content was created by people!