"Our brains are confronted with a huge amount of information at every waking moment, and relegate the vast majority of our decisions to our unconscious. We simply don’t have the processing power to make every decision — where to step, when to blink, whether we might be in danger — consciously. This method works well and keeps our brains from exploding.

However, our brains take a lot of shortcuts intheir efforts to be efficient and not explode. Shortcuts like favouring the familiar, reconstructing memories, and projecting our lived experiences onto everyone else. These kinds of shortcuts often lead to discrimination, conflict, and poor decision making. The good news is, you can interrupt your biases and get your well intending but deeply flawed brain under control.

Join ZJ Hadley - coach, trainer, and HR advisor - to learn how your brain tries to sabotage you and how you can counteract those cognitive biases to leverage its full potential."

"Diversity without inclusion is a missed opportunity. How might we approach DEI using a truly global and inclusive lens? For years, organizations have worked to transform business and membership models to meet the needs of an increasingly dynamic and complex society. The COVID-19 pandemic only accelerated this process.

Within this new reality, the ability to understand cultural differences, the role of local context, and their implications on your DEI initiatives is essential. Panelists will share their experiences and discuss how to work in this new environment, connect and engage global audiences and how to position your organization to be culturally aware as you build a global DEI strategy. Participants will leave with best practices for developing a DEI strategic framework through a “glocal” mindset."

In the recent Blue Cypress Idea-thon, association pros brainstormed the biggest challenges associations face today and then teamed up to create pitches for AI-fueled solutions to those challenges. Join the panel of Idea-thon judges as they announce the winning pitches and discuss the lessons learned about innovation, AI, and the future of associations.

"Gone are the days of tame discussions and boring zoom calls – SURGE Smackdown is a series of rapid fire debates where association pros “duke it out” over some of the most divisive topics in the industry.

The objective?

Make the best case, tackle questions and earn votes from attendees. The winners will be announced on the spot – earning them bragging rights and a donation to a nonprofit of their choice."