A top priority for most professional associations is to provide quality educational opportunities for members. Continuing education courses and webinars are common tools, but as member expectations change, so should educational offerings.

A blogger at WBT Systems read Non-Obvious 2018 Edition: How to Predict Trends and Win the Future by Rohit Bhargava and shares several key insights on how those trends apply to association online learning programs.

Consider the rise of bite-sized learning. “Today’s learners want time-efficient, engaging, useful, fun, bite-sized learning, just like what they see on YouTube,” says the post. Try experimenting with microlearning formats, a relatively low-risk effort that “serves as an entryway to more in-depth online learning programs.”

Bhargava also points out that people are looking for a more authentic, human experiences. “Offer more than instruction,” the post advises. “Encourage lively discussions in your online community. Provide personal coaching or consultation to help students apply what they’ve learned.”

CES Blackout

Introducing Blackout™: The biggest thing to hit #CES2018 since #5G. #CESblackout pic.twitter.com/xObxxxHvQe

— Intel (@intel) January 10, 2018

In the tech world, one of the biggest events of the year is CES, a multi-day conference hosted by the Consumer Technology Association. Every year, a ton of tech news comes out of this event, but this year is a little different.

Today, the power went out in the Las Vegas Convention Center where the event is being held, leaving a bunch of tech-addicted, social media-savvy attendees briefly in the dark, reports TechCrunch.

Check out the #CESblackout hashtag that trended on Twitter to find out how people reacted to this unexpected occurrence. (Hint: humorously.) Brands and attendees tweeted out jokes, updates, and images. Here are a few faves.

For its part, CES kept attendees updated via Twitter and suggested activities that were still available, such as a trip to visit outdoor exhibitors, while power was being restored.

Other Links of Note

What’s the one thing you need to do to increase new membership retention? Smooth the Path says the key is thorough planning.

Multisensory experiences can add some pizazz to your events. Event Marketer shares several memorable examples.

We talk a lot about millennials, but keeping gen X-ers happy should be a priority too. BenefitsPRO sheds light on the benefits that matter most to them.

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