In this episode of The Association Insights Podcast, we continue our August series on artificial intelligence with a thoughtful conversation about voice, values, and the real-world applications of generative AI.

Host Meghan Henning sits down with Preeti Vasishtha, Director of Content and Editor in Chief at the American Academy of Actuaries, to explore how she’s using AI as both an intern and a strategic partner—from onboarding to a highly technical industry to developing smarter content workflows that save time without sacrificing authenticity.

🎧 Whether you’re building your first AI policy, experimenting with tools, or just trying to wrap your head around the potential, this episode offers honest perspective and practical insights from someone who’s learning by doing—and doing it thoughtfully.

Key Highlights:

AI as Intern and Ally – Why Preeti sees GenAI as both a time-saving assistant and a powerful partner—and how she uses it to accelerate learning, streamline research, and support strategic storytelling.

How to Write a Better Prompt – The importance of framing, values, and specificity when prompting—and why your vision matters more than the tool itself.

Repurpose, Reuse, Rethink – From condensing 100-page reports to surfacing hidden gems in your knowledge library, Preeti shares how associations can use AI to unlock more value from existing content.

Finding—and Keeping—Your Voice – Preeti explains how to maintain authenticity in AI-generated content, why she still starts with a messy first draft, and how to recognize a “too-polished” AI tone.

Where Associations Stand – What she’s seeing across the sector, including common barriers to adoption, examples of smart implementation, and the growing gap between member expectations and association readiness.

Data, Policy, and Trust – Why good data governance is the backbone of ethical AI use—and how associations can start small while building guardrails for the future.

🎧 Tune in for a candid, thoughtful conversation on how associations can approach AI not just as a tool—but as a strategic decision rooted in mission, member value, and clear-eyed curiosity.

Stay Connected:

• Subscribe to The Association Insights podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts or YouTube Podcasts to ensure you never miss an episode.

• Follow us on LinkedIn at OnWrd & UpWrd for the latest in association trends and strategies.

  
  

Coming Soon: We’re continuing our August series on AI with more conversations featuring association leaders who are experimenting with tools, testing use cases, and working through the policy, people, and purpose of AI adoption. Stay tuned!

In this episode of The Association Insights Podcast, we kick off our August series on artificial intelligence with a powerful real-world example of how small-staff associations can lead with strategy, innovation—and confidence.

Host Meghan Henning sits down with Cathy Lada, D.Sc., CAE, Chief Marketing & Membership Officer at the American Alliance of Orthopaedic Executives (AAOE), to explore how her team is thoughtfully integrating AI to enhance member experience, streamline operations, and unlock time-saving value across the organization.

🎧 Whether you’re just starting to explore AI tools or ready to build your first custom GPT, this episode offers clear, practical insights from someone who’s been there—and is doing the work every day.

Key Highlights:

The First Prompt is the Hardest – How Cathy moved from AI skeptic to strategic champion—and why a $24 prompt engineering course changed everything.

Build a Policy Before You Build a Bot – Why a clear AI policy was AAOE’s starting point—and how they keep it updated as tools evolve.

Real-Time Use, Real-Time Impact – From custom GPTs to job aid generation, Cathy shares how her team is saving hours each week through smart AI applications.

Confidence Through Crowdsourcing – How AAOE involved staff from day one and built trust by aligning use cases with values, confidentiality, and member benefit.

Tested by Humans, Trusted by Members – Why Cathy insists on human vetting for all AI-generated outputs—and how her team validates ideas with both members and industry partners.

What’s Next: Vendor-Facing AI – Learn how AAOE is exploring the possibility of piloting a custom chatbot to support exhibitors, advertisers, and sponsors—aiming to deliver better service and saving time along the way.

🎧 Tune in for a candid, encouraging conversation about how associations of any size can embrace AI—without losing what makes them human.

Stay Connected:

• Subscribe to The Association Insights podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts or YouTube Podcasts to ensure you never miss an episode.

• Follow us on LinkedIn at OnWrd & UpWrd for the latest in association trends and strategies.

  
  

Coming Soon: We’re continuing our August series on AI with more leaders who are testing, learning, and finding real-world value—from custom tools to smarter content strategies. Stay tuned!

In this episode of The Association Insights Podcast, we wrap up our July series on sponsorships, partnerships, and non-dues revenue with a candid conversation about the human side of corporate engagement.

Host Meghan Henning sits down with Cindy Simpson, M.Ed., CAE, Corporate Relations Manager at the Urgent Care Association (UCA), who brings decades of experience across membership, meetings, and business development. With over 100 corporate partners in her portfolio, Cindy offers grounded, real-world advice on building trust, qualifying fit, and creating long-term value for both members and sponsors.

🎧 Whether you’re refining your sales approach or rethinking your entire partner strategy, this episode delivers fresh ideas and proven tactics you can apply right away.

Key Highlights:

Start with Listening – Cindy shares why every partnership starts with understanding—not pitching—and how asking the right questions early helps set the stage for long-term success.

It’s Not Just About the Check – Why treating corporate members as partners, not piggy banks, is essential—and how UCA encourages “test drive” involvement before deeper investment.

Beyond the Exhibit Hall – From regional events to strategic think tanks, learn how UCA builds year-round visibility and engagement for partners beyond their sold-out convention floor.

Up the Ladder, Not Out the Door – Cindy breaks down her approach to evolving sponsor relationships over time—moving partners from basic brand awareness to trusted thought leadership roles.

Member Experience First – Hear how thoughtful partnership strategy directly supports UCA’s member experience—from connecting them to solutions that help with tight margins to curating meaningful education.

Advice for Associations – Cindy offers practical guidance on retaining high-dollar sponsors, managing churn at lower tiers, and having the honest conversations that build trust, not just transactions.

🎧 This conversation is packed with insights for any association professional looking to deepen industry relationships, align partnerships with mission, and build sustainable non-dues revenue.

Stay Connected:

• Subscribe to The Association Insights podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts or YouTube Podcasts to ensure you never miss an episode.

• Follow us on LinkedIn at OnWrd & UpWrd for the latest in association trends and strategies.

  
  

Coming Soon: In August, we’re diving into one of the most talked-about topics in associations today: AI. Our next podcast series will explore how associations are experimenting with, implementing, and scaling AI tools—from personalization engines to member support and content creation. Tune in for real-world examples, practical insights, and conversations that cut through the hype to focus on what AI can actually do for your organization. Stay tuned!