I probably should have written this article before the busy summer travel season. First, let me state that I do not travel near as much as many of my friends or colleagues and I should have solicited their input for this month's article. While getting ready for two upcoming trips (one business and one pleasure) I started thinking about the technology that makes traveling easier for me. Here are my top five tech travel essentials:

• Snapwireless PowerPack Universal - This may be one of my favorite purchases in the past few years. This powerful power bank allows you to charge multiple devices at the same time. I love that everything is self-contained within the device. The plug to charge the device flips out from the side - no extra cables to lose. The device can act as a charging pad and has built-in USB-C and Lightning cables. In addition to those cables, there is an additional USB-C and USB-A ports as well. You can charge five devices simultaneously. Besides being a great portable battery when travelling I use it as a charging station on the road. Finally, the device comes with international travel adapters allowing that to slip easily over the built-in plug (this was great when I was in Seoul this past spring).
• iPad Mini - There are many tablet devices out there however I'm partial to the Mini. It is great when I don't want to boot up the laptop. The battery life is great and I can easily switch between taking notes in Evernote, reading a book, or catching up on the latest streaming series. For long trips, I'll typically make sure that I download a few shows and books. I recently added the latest Apple Pencil and I'm quite impressed by the handwriting recognition...especially with my penmanship.
• Noise Cancelling Headphones - I'm guessing most other travelers have their favorite pair of headphones. Since most of my other devices are in the Apple ecosystem I've stuck with the Apple Airpods. Once again they have designed a great product. The carrying/charging case ensures that the battery will last on a long trip. The noise cancelling works great and they seamlessly switch between devices. True audiophiles will complain about the quality but my ears are just not that refined.
• Airfly Wireless Adapter - This little Bluetooth device is great for connecting your wireless headphones to inflight entertainment. It simply plugs into a standard headphone jack and transmits the audio to your headphones. Two important things I've learned when using this device are: make sure it is charged before a trip and be sure to pair it with your headphones before you travel.
• Timbuk2 Authority Laptop Backpack - Okay technically this isn't a tech device but I simply could not travel without it. This is my third Timbuk2 bag. These bags last forever. My first two bags have been passed down to others and still are in great shape. Besides the great quality, these bags are designed to keep all your tech efficiently organized during a long vacation or a trip to the office (if you still do that).

I would love to hear from you if something to add to my list. Time to finish packing. Wishing you safe travels on your next journey.

Recently, Several AT clients reported receiving a fraudulent email with a QR code appearing to be from Microsoft. We suspect the resulting attack would play out similarly to the restaurant example. The lessons here are two-fold: 

• Use caution with QR codes. Examine the conditions around them, such as the sending email or if the QR code is on a sticker over a legitimate QR code. Also, never log on to corporate email to access something like a restaurant menu. 
• Manage the risk personal devices bring to your organization. In the example above, the victim did not need to have remote access to files or email on their phone for the attack to succeed. Therefore, devices completely out of any oversight or management by the organization still present risks to the organization. 

Talk to us about managing these risks for your organization and staff's accounts. 

• Association Technologies, Inc. (AT) Showcase: AT's exhibit with the Success Crew partners was a huge success and our booth visitors could even highlight their putting skills on the green. From membership engagement platforms to data governance tools, attendees had the opportunity to discuss how AT can complete their association’s technology needs.  
• Keynote Addresses: The keynote speakers at ASAE Annual Conference 2023 left an indelible mark, delivering thought-provoking talks that resonated with attendees.
  • Daymond John: Renowned entrepreneur and "Shark Tank" investor Daymond John shared his journey from humble beginnings to global success. He emphasized the importance of innovation and adaptability, urging associations to embrace change and leverage technology to drive growth. 
  • Chad Foster: Blind since college, Chad Foster's inspirational keynote showcased his triumph over adversity. Foster's story highlighted resilience and the power of embracing challenges to reshape one's purpose. Attendees were reminded that technology can break barriers and enable individuals to contribute meaningfully. 
  • Soledad O'Brien: Award-winning journalist and documentarian Soledad O'Brien emphasized the role of storytelling in shaping purpose. She emphasized the significance of diversity and authenticity in communication, underscoring how technology can amplify these values to create meaningful connections and drive positive change. 
• Networking & Sessions: The conference offered a rich lineup of interactive workshops, panels, and sessions led by industry experts. Attendees had the opportunity to dive deep into topics such as digital transformation, member engagement strategies, leadership development, and more. These sessions provided actionable insights that attendees could apply to their associations' evolving needs. The ASAE Annual is renowned for its networking opportunities, and this year was no exception. Attendees connected with peers, mentors, and potential collaborators, fostering an environment of knowledge exchange and relationship-building. The conference's diverse attendee base allowed for cross-industry conversations that inspired new approaches to association management. 

We are delighted to share some exciting news that will undoubtedly elevate our client's experience. At Association Technologies, we are committed to delivering top-notch Hosting Services and as part of that commitment, we have recently reinvested in our hosting infrastructure by replacing and upgrading the hardware.

Technology evolves at an astonishing pace, and to keep pace with the ever-increasing demands, we recognize the need to upgrade our hosting infrastructure. By replacing our hardware, we can provide a more robust, reliable, and secure hosting environment. Allow us to highlight a few key reasons why this reinvestment benefits our clients:

1. Enhanced Performance: Our new infrastructure incorporates the latest technology, including faster processors, increased memory capacity, and improved storage systems. These enhancements translate into significant performance boosts, ensuring faster load times, improved response rates, and a seamless user experience for clients' websites and applications.
2. Reliability and Uptime: Aging hardware can pose a risk of system failures and downtime. We understand the importance of maintaining a stable online presence for our clients' organizations, which is why our reinvestment in the hosting infrastructure ensures enhanced reliability and minimal downtime.
3. Scalability: As clients grow, their hosting needs may evolve. Our upgraded infrastructure allows us to offer flexible scalability options, ensuring that we can accommodate expanding requirements. Whether clients need additional resources, increased storage capacity, or higher bandwidth, we are well-equipped to support that growth and help our clients succeed.

We are thrilled about the opportunities that the reinvestment in our hosting infrastructure presents for both our clients and ourselves. Our commitment to delivering exceptional hosting services remains unwavering, and this reinvestment is a testament to that commitment. As always, our support team is available to answer any questions regarding the upgraded hosting infrastructure or any other hosting-related inquiries. We look forward to continuing to serve you and providing your organization with an outstanding hosting experience.