Enjoy Springtime in Savannah
With an average daytime high of 71 degrees, and the city’s famous azaleas blooming, enjoy springtime in Savannah. LERN people rave about the city. Which is why the 2026 Leadership Conference March 2-5, 2026, will be there. Camellias and azaleas usually start to bloom in late February. The temperature rarely gets below 55.
First Watch Party
Here’s the first news from the most exciting week of the year in lifelong learning. First Watch Party Chicago Botanic Garden hosted the first ‘Watch Party.’ People gathered in-person to both watch the Live Online Conference, and then participate in informal discussions with others in the room. Chair of the LERN Board Beth Pinargote hosted
Leadership Big Issue
Leadership in the field is a big issue for 2026. The 3 driving forces:1.The more visible, central role your program now has in your institution;2.The generational turnover and need to develop young leaders;3.A society-wide demand for greater leadership. Continuing education and lifelong learning programs are emerging as both course developers of leadership and also as
What You Say
Here’s the latest on what you say, from polls at the 2025 LERN Annual Conference. The top challenge for programs for 2026 Your top challenge is again Marketing, polling 33% of the attendees.Programs still don’t have a good handle on social media, for example.-The second top challenge at 29% is Operations and procedures, including –or
First YouTube Ads
The lifelong learning program in the wonderful country of Bermuda is the first program to report success with YouTube advertising for the field. Tawana Flood, head of the program says, “Based on expert recommendations highlighting that video content is more memorable and emotionally engaging than static media. We hired the services of a local
- Published in LERN News
First Targeted Discounts
The first report of a targeted discount for only specific classes will set a new trend in targeted discounts for the field. We’ve had Early-Bird Discounts in our field forever. And forever, they have worked. In fact, any Discount works if you design it correctly. But what’s new is Forest Hills Public Schools Community
- Published in LERN News
Hot Marketing News
The top marketing area to improve for 2026. The most likely hot marketing tip to be implemented in the coming year. And the marketing tip that would have the biggest impact for programs. These were the 3 big marketing topics practitioners responded to and set the direction for LERN practical, how-to tips for members. Top
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The Most Wanted
Programs doing community classes for the public most want to grow their older audiences in the coming year. People in their 40s and 50s were rated the most wanted growth area by 33% of practitioners, followed by people over aga 60, which came in at 30% of programs. The 40s and 50s age range
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New GOLD CLUB Services
Some 30 member organizations have achieved Gold Club member status for 2026 with LERN. Gold Club membership is brand new and our highest level of services and benefits. You can join them. In addition to receiving all the benefits and services of both Essential membership and Premier membership, Gold Club members get: *Free consulting via
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Pioneering Breakthroughs Coming
The 5 new pioneering breakthroughs this year for the field are coming this fall. They all will premiere at the largest conference in the field, LERN 2025 Annual Conference, Nov. 17-20; Online. Stay ahead of your competition, and your boss. Get the huge ROI for your program, and all your staff, generating tens of thousands
Brochure Trends for 2026
Jeff Bezos is not wrong. Amazon’s Jeff Bezos did not become rich by being wrong. His marketing team is much larger than yours. They track everything. So what did they do this year? They doubled the number of print brochures they send out, reports LERN’s brochure experts Julie Coates and Jordan Kivley. Now’s the time
Upgrade ‘Contact Us’
Upgrade your ‘Contact Us’ web page to encourage more new and potential participants to engage with you. Every program has, or should have, a ‘Contact Us’ web page on its website. Here’s WhyPeople who contact you are more likely to register than other non-customers. They are as likely to register as your best customers, your
Target Better
With exclusive software and expert analysis, we can save you 20% on your brochure and brochure distribution costs. And increase registrations. The service is FREE when you register for the Annual Conference, Nov. 17 -20, 2025. U.S. programs can save tens of thousands of dollars in marketing costs. Here’s the deal. You know your best zip
Summer Camps 2026
The best youth program practitioners will report on the new successes of 2025 and what they are planning for summer 2026. Join them and get their hot programs, trends, new strategies and predictions for summer 2026. It’s time to plan your Summer Camps or Kids College program for summer 2026. Two great webinar programs this
- Published in LERN News
Future-Proof Your Program
In an era of rapid change and uncertainty in lifelong learning programming, you may unexpectedly face demands seriously impacting your program. “Your unit must do more than respond – – you must anticipate,” says Dr. Travette Webster, LERN’s Chief Operating Officer. Three actions to help you anticipate: 1.Proactive planning.Design a strategic portfolio, learner-centered marketing and
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Do More Recognition
Nobody gets too much recognition, says Tim Litfin of Minnetonka, Minnesota. His community education program is ranked annually as one of the top ten in North America. Do more recognition for your volunteers, instructors, staff, advisory boards, business partners, and anyone else who helps your program be successful. “You have the opportunity to pat someone
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Gen X and Y Managers
Gen X and Gen Y have different priorities when it comes to new management concepts. The differences has implications for your own workplace, plus working with other generations and even customers. Gen Y/Millennials overwhelmingly say the most immediate and relevant new management concept is Exploring empowerment in decision making, according to an exclusive survey of
- Published in LERN News
Need AI Instructors?
If you need an AI instructor for your community, partner with LERN to offer AI classes online. With just one registration, you can get up to 50% of the revenue. LERN’s AI instructors Betsy Flanagan and Marcus Lander are nationally known, with participants all over North America. Flanagan consults with Silicon Valley tech companies. Lander
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