SOURCE: SmithBucklin
Association management company SmithBucklin just released its annual publication Circuit, which includes the company's 20 for 2019, a series of articles about key trends, issues, and developments that will impact associations in the coming year.

SOURCE: TSNN News
Corporate responsibility and customer mindset are the driving forces behind the "green" movement in the events industry, and these measures have proven to be cost-effective and easy to implement. But five commonly held misconceptions regarding sustainability in the industry persist.

SOURCE: Harvard Business Review
The term negative feedback has such a negative connotation that we've taken to calling it something else – constructive criticism. Getting an honest appraisal of our work, where we're excelling and especially where we may be missing the mark, is vital for leaders whose impact may have veered away from their intentions.

SOURCE: CMO.com
Believing that marketing is at the core of every company's growth strategy, Publicis Sapient CMO Teresa Berreira says that it also requires creating an environment that fosters "intangible skills" such as bravery, experimentation and agility. Barriera discusses finding these characteristics in new hires as a way to create lasting impacts on customer experience.

SOURCE: Associations Now
By 2020, millennials and Gen Zers will make up more than one-half the work force. A new benchmarking study by Personify, a company specializing in member engagement, found that despite skepticism about ROI value, many workers in these groups are choosing associations more often than other professional networks, including LinkedIn.

SOURCE: Forbes
Business leaders face hundreds of questions daily, most of which begin, "What....?" But all too often those questions only scratch the surface. Diving deeper usually requires a "Why ....? type of inquiry to clarify the issue and open lines of communication.

SOURCE: Trade Show Executive
Marketplace Events, the largest producer of B2C home shows in North America, will partner with Mike Rowe, host of Discover Channel's long-running Dirty Jobs. Rowe will make personal appearances and appear in event advertising, and Marketplace Events will assist Rowe's charity, the mikeroweWORKS Foundation, in creating scholarships for students pursuing careers in skilled trades.

SOURCE: Fast Company
The Inuit have 50 words for snow – their language determines what they referring to. In this context, the term "work-life balance" takes on a host of various meanings. Often, it is the language that determines whether we do or do not have balance.

SOURCE: HubSpot
Embracing a minimalist approach to your brand's marketing strategy allows you to focus on a few key components that your brand feel are the most important to convey. A thoughtful use of white space, relief from vibrant patterns and aesthetically pleasing visuals can more easily convey cohesiveness and ownership.

SOURCE: INC.com
In his Gettysburg address, Lincoln conveyed in two minutes what Edward Everett (also speaking that day) failed to effect in 2 hours. Communication, at its core, is about conveying ideas. For greater engagement and positive results, trim drafts to their essence, respect your audience's time and be precise with your words.

SOURCE: TSNN Blog
Removing friction – the new buzzword for anything that causes your customer to hesitate – is about making the experience smoother for your client. Scan business cards directly to your CMS, provide meeting space to talk when possible, and review your follow-up process to ensure your plan is clear.

SOURCE: CEIR Blog
Getting the audience to the show is only part of the job – getting them to your booth space is where your efforts pay off. Attending the show's promotional events is a perfect opportunity to market your presence with the right audience, start conversations and promote your brand.