What do gala dinner punch-ups, blackout moments on Hamilton Island, and dangerous ideas have in common? They’re all part of the wild and wonderful world of association conferences. And nobody tells those stories better than Andrew Klein.

In this episode of the Association Hub Podcast, Olena sits down with one of Australia’s most seasoned professional speakers and MCs. With over 30 years behind the mic and hundreds of association conferences under his belt, Andrew shares what works, what doesn’t, what makes a conference truly unforgettable, and how to turn even the driest content into something genuinely engaging (yes, even those “genius-but-dull” academics).

You’ll learn:

• Hilarious real-life event disasters, and how to survive them
• The must-have traits of great conference speakers
• Smart ways to spend your event budget for maximum impact
• Why less content and more connection is the future of successful events
• The magic of risk-taking, authenticity, and ditching the PowerPoint overload.

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This episode is a must-listen for event planners, association leaders, and anyone who’s ever sat through a painfully long panel discussion. Trust us, you’ll walk away with ideas, laughs, and maybe a newfound respect for your MC.

🎧 Press play, hit follow, and don’t forget to share this one with your events team. They’ll thank you later!

🔗 And if you’re on the hunt for a top-notch MC, you can find Andrew at andrewklein.com.au.

Associations are people-powered, and today we meet a leader proving it. Let us introduce you to Angelina Maallini Pillai, CEO of the Association of Consulting Architects. She didn’t train as an architect, yet she’s built a thriving, values-led community by listening deeply, fostering trust, and putting wellbeing and relevance at the centre of her work.

In this episode, we explore what it really means to lead a niche association, one where most members are running micro-businesses, juggling every role from payroll to design. You’ll hear how Angelina and her team use real-time feedback to shape services, create belonging, and challenge outdated norms in the architecture profession.

We talk about:

• Using Pulse Check surveys to drive real support and advocacy
• Building trust as a non-industry CEO in a deeply technical field
• Embedding mental health, equity, and culture into strategic priorities
• Rethinking leadership models and giving permission to innovate

If you’re passionate about the future of associations, or leading through change, this one’s for you.

Connect with Angelina Maallini Pillai.

Learn more about the Association of Consulting Architects at www.aca.org.au.

In this global edition of the Association Hub Podcast, Olena chats with Marcus Leite from WorkerBee.TV, our very first Canadian guest! Marcus brings an international perspective to challenges that are surprisingly universal. From member experience and content strategy to digital engagement and sustainable revenue models, this conversation explores what it takes to stay relevant and how to deliver value year-round.

In this episode, we unpack:

• Why relying on events and print publications isn’t sustainable anymore
• How to deliver content that’s member-driven, timely and engaging
• What associations can learn from Netflix, not just in delivery, but in customer experience
• The building blocks of a smart content strategy: planning, formats, repurposing, and consistency
• Practical ideas for small teams with limited resources
• And, yes, how to monetise digital content to boost non-dues revenue

This episode is full of practical takeaways for association professionals who want to do things differently. Tune in now and get inspired to transform your digital game.

If you’re curious about how associations can level up their content, elevate member experience, and create sustainable engagement strategies, WorkerBee.TV is packed with resources, insights, and examples to get you started.