Schedule of Events

Mainstage Speakers

Rob Wenger

Chief Executive Officer

Rob Wenger has 30 years of experience as an entrepreneurial founder and technology executive. He is the Co-Founder of Higher Logic and currently the Chief Executive Officer for the company. Founded in 2007, Higher Logic connects people, knowledge and ideas through its community and engagement platform. Higher Logic serves over 3,000 customers through 350,000+ online communities with over 200 million users in 42 countries worldwide.

Previously, Rob was Chief Product Officer and Executive Chairman of Association Analytics, Founder and CEO of Cloud Generation as well as a Board of Director for Cosential. Underlying Rob’s repeated success is a deep passion and expertise in product strategy and development. Across businesses, associations and nonprofits, he works to positively impact each client’s success using smart, collaborative technology.

When not inventing the next great software tool, Rob is hanging out with his kids and planning their next great skiing adventure.

Conor Sibley

Chief Technology Officer

Conor serves as the Chief Technology Officer at Higher Logic. Conor has spent the past two decades building influential companies where he designed and managed internet scale platforms. He developed his in-depth knowledge implementing emerging technologies and leading multiple successful M&A activities as an executive at startups, enterprises, consulting organizations, as well as with various branches of the military and intelligence community.  He sits on investment and grant boards of multiple funds and teaches Entrepreneurship courses on product development at The University of Virginia.

Most recently Conor was the CTO at Cloud Generation and the Fractional CTO of Association Analytics. In the past, he served as a Network Security Engineer with BBN Technologies, the organization that architected the Internet and first email technologies.

Conor has a Bachelor of Science in Computer Engineering and an MBA from the University of Virginia. In his free time outside of ushering in the future of WEB2 & WEB3 technologies, Conor is bouncing around wrangling a house full of kids he refers to as his wild animals.

Richard Millington

Founder of FeverBee

Richard Millington is the founder of FeverBee.

FeverBee uses proven social science to develop successful online and offline communities for organizations around the world. Over the past 13 years, Richard has helped to develop over 310 successful communities, including those for Apple, Facebook, Google, The World Bank, SAP, Oracle, Amazon, Autodesk, Lego, The United Nations, Novartis, and many more.

FeverBee helps organizations use powerful psychology to build valuable communities. These communities are designed to foster greater loyalty, resolve customer problems, generate ideas, drive search traffic, and develop the best possible member experience.

Richard is the author of both Buzzing Communities, The Indispensable Community, and Build Your Community (Pearson, 2021). Buzzing Communities has been widely cited as introducing best practices into developing successful online communities. Richard has delivered keynote talks in the USA, Canada, UK, Australia, France, Belgium, Spain, Italy, Turkey, Switzerland, Romania, Lithuania, and several others.

Richard has also trained over 1,250 community professionals through FeverBee’s community management academy.

Peggy Hoffman

Association Executive, Volunteer Trainer, Speaker

- Founder of Mariner Management, an association management company providing full management services to small associations and counsel to global associations seeking to improve member communities and volunteer development.

- Mariner is home to 3 associations to whom we provide support services, guidance and advice on serving members.

- Member community strategist, volunteer management consultant, national speaker and trainer for volunteers and staff.

- National clients include American Association of Diabetes Educators, Healthcare Financial Management Association, American College of Surgeons, Council of Residential Specialists, Institute of Food Technologists, Internet Society, SHRM - HR Professionals, Club Managers Association, International Facility Management Association, Meeting Planners International and a number of regional and state associations.

- Co-creator of the Chapter of the Future Model

- Previous roles include director of communications, director of membership and state affiliates and director of public relations; trade association, professional society and non-profit charitable experience.

- Active member of ASAE & The Center: past chair of the Component Relations Council and Executive Management Section Council; served on the Decision To Volunteer team; co-creator of the level I and III Components Relations web-based courses and author of a chapter in the Components Relations Handbook: Tools & Tips for the Component Relations Professional; curator for the ASAE online Volunteer Management course; frequent contributor to ASAE's e-letters, Associations Now and conferences.

- Co-founder of Association Network Exchange, a networking group for association executives in suburban MD.

- Active community volunteer and involved with the dance guild, Mid Maryland Triathlon Club and church; Certified RPM Cycling instructor.

Specialties: Association / Nonprofit management; association component relations & management; volunteer development & management; strategic planning; marketing

Bettina Fowler

Senior Vice President, Customer Success

Bettina has twenty years of experience in software working with customers and teams to deliver successful software implementations, migrations, training, and support. She joined Higher Logic in 2014 and held a variety of customer success positions.  Since 2022, Bettina has been leading the customer success organization to partner with our customers through their journey leveraging the Higher Logic products, from inception to adoption to ensure their engagement drives a successful outcome.

Prior to joining Higher Logic, Bettina worked in the federal contracting space. She previously managed implementations and enablement, with a focus on Federal Procurement and Asset Management for the United States Coast Guard, United States Secret Service, Transportation Security Administration, Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, and the Department of Labor.

Bettina has a Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice from the University of Maryland.

Mark Daniel

Emcee

Mark Daniel has turned his 25 plus years of experience as an actor, Television Warm up Host, stand up comedian and improv actor into a professional career as a Comedic Host, Emcee, and Live Personality. Specializing in but not limited to hosting and moderating Live Events, Shows, Keynotes, and Conventions 

Learning Lab #1

Automation Rules Must Haves

This interactive workshop will offer participants a unique opportunity to dive deep into Higher Logic's Automation Rules. Learn and setup the most essential automation rules for your online community from the experts. Participants will leave with a completed project that they can implement directly in their institutions.

Presenters

  • Catherine Hackney, Principal Consultant at Confident Communities Consulting, LLC
  • Kristen Parody, Senior Advisor at Higher Logic
  • Erin York, Senior Consultant at Higher Logic

Learning Lab #2

Site Design: Widgets, CSS, and More

Dive deep into site design on the Higher Logic Thrive platform. Leave this lab with tangible methods for improving the look and feel of your Thrive site. Modernize the look of your community pages, enhance the usefulness of your site, and increase member engagement.

Presenters

  • Justin Prevatte, CEO at Theme Logic
  • Brett Wangman, President at The Center for Association Growth
  • Emeri Schweigert, Design & Development Director at Higher Logic
  • Sophia Lamon, Senior Web Designer at Higher Logic

Learning Lab #3

Winning Email Templates

Design winning email templates that garners higher engagement. Join us in learning about design best practices then we'll get to work to build out email templates that will make your Association shine while pulling in members, watch your engagement numbers rise.

Presenters

  • Amber Worthen, Founder & CEO at Email Maven
  • Alison Donato, Senior Advisor at Higher Logic
  • Amanda Moran, Senior Onboarding Specialist at Higher Logic

Advisory Meetings

We're setting aside 30-minute sessions for attendees to collaborate closely with our experts. It’s a unique opportunity to explore strategies for enhancing engagement with your members and customers.

Here's what you can look forward to:
  • Get answers to all your questions about Higher Logic Thrive Community, Higher Logic Thrive Marketing Automation Professional (Informz), & Higher Logic Marketing Automation Enterprise (Real Magnet) platforms, including a live demo of our latest features.
  • Discuss your organization’s specific needs and objectives and discover how Higher Logic can support your goals.
  • Engage in deep-dive strategy conversations specifically tailored to your community and engagement plans.

Notable changes to the schedule this year:

  • Learning Labs
  • 4 Mainstage sessions
  • Longer lunches
  • Longer time between sessions
  • Ends earlier on Friday

Customer Appreciation Party

The Gaylord Opryland's Waters Edge is a serene outdoor pool area featuring lush landscaping, comfortable lounge chairs, and a relaxed atmosphere perfect for unwinding. The space is enhanced by elegant water features and a tranquil ambiance, making it an ideal spot for relaxation within the expansive resort.

Schedule of Events

Wednesday, March 26
12:00 PM - 2:00 PM Learning Lab Registration
1:30 PM - 3:00 PM Learning Labs
3:00 PM - 4:00 PM Learning Lab Happy Hour
4:00 PM - 7:00 PM Registration
6:00 PM - 8:00 PM Welcome Reception
Thursday, March 27
6:30 AM - 5:00 PM Registration
7:30 AM - 8:30 AM Breakfast
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM Partner Pavillion
8:45 AM - 9:00 AM Welcome Session
9:00 AM - 10:00 AM Product Roadmap
10:15 AM - 11:00 AM Session 1
11:15 AM - 12:00 PM Session 2
12:15 PM - 1:45 PM Lunch  
2:00 PM - 2:45 PM Session 3
3:00 PM - 3:45 PM Session 4
4:00 PM - 4:30 PM Break with Exhibitors 
4:45 PM - 5:45 PM Technology Trends Panel 
6:30 PM - 8:30 PM Customer Appreciation Party
Friday, March 28
7:30 AM - 2:00 PM Registration
7:30 AM - 8:30 AM Breakfast
8:00 AM - 3:00 PM Partner Pavillion
8:45 AM - 9:45 AM Keynote
10:00 AM - 10:45 AM Session 5
11:00 AM - 12:00 PM General Session 
12:00 PM - 1:30 PM Lunch 
1:45 PM - 2:30 PM Session 6
2:45 PM - 3:30 PM Session 7