The congress starts on Sunday 15 December with a drinks reception and registration at 6:30pm and a Networking Reception & Buffet Dinner from 19:30
Each session on Monday and Tuesday morning is half a day and includes:
08:30 - 08:50 |
Plenary: Opening SessionWelcome and introduction to the sessions
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09:00 - 12:00 |
AI in Associations: Strategies & Implementation
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09:00 - 12:00 |
How to create Transformational Association Events that have your delegates booking early, your sponsors signing up and your sector on fireAssociations have purpose hard-wired into their very existence. But if you build it they won’t necessarily come. As the world around us changes – cost increases, increasingly late registrations, geopolitical pressures, climate crisis, generational differences, shortening attention spans… how do you create an event that is both relevant to your audience, grows in size and is commercially successful
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09:00 - 12:00 |
Optimising Membership Engagement: Strategies, Metrics, and AI-Powered Insights for 2025In today’s dynamic digital landscape, associations are under pressure to innovate how they engage with members, as evolving needs and technological advancements redefine expectations. As we approach 2025, leveraging cutting-edge tools will be essential in delivering hyper-personalised experiences that meet members where they are. The shift towards digital engagement, coupled with the rise of AI, presents both opportunities and challenges in sustaining meaningful connections. This session will offer a deep dive into modern engagement strategies, blending AI-driven personalisation and data analytics with real-world insights. You’ll discover how to integrate powerful tools such as short-form video, personalised messaging, and community-building platforms that drive value and enhance member experiences. Explore how automating routine tasks, optimise personalised member journeys, and predict engagement trends, allowing your organisation to stay ahead of the curve. We will also examine the most effective tools available for your 2025 membership engagement toolbox Session format:
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12:15 - 13:30 |
Strategic Supplier Exchange SessionThis time is set aside for appointments with strategic suppliers of services for membership, events, education as well as consultants. Although appointments are optional, we recommend every delegate to attend at least 5 over the two days. Over 82% of delegates rate the suppliers appointments as valuable or very valuable for them and their organisation. You will be able to schedule appointments in advance in the mobile event app. |
13:30 - 14:30 |
Lunch & Networking |
14:30 - 17:35 |
Association Data AnalyticsData and analytics is essential to driving success. This session will address the use of data in your association, key technologies, what to measure and how to forecast. In this session, you will gain and understanding of:
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14:30 - 17:35 |
AI for events strategy, management, efficiency & growthGenerative AI is set to revolutionize the way associations engage with members, plan events, and conduct conferences. This session aims to demystify AI’s application, focusing on harnessing its power to innovate and enhance the association experience. The journey to AI-powered associations is still in its infancy, full of challenges and opportunities. In this hands-on session, we explore AI from a practitioner's perspective, focusing on actionable insights rather than technology. This interactive session includes case studies from delegates, and a collaborative breakout for you to develop your organization's approach to effective and ethical use of AI, now and into the future.
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14:30 - 17:35 |
Online Communities: Their value, effect and the effort to create & maintain them
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19:30 - 22:30 |
Congress & Awards DinnerEnjoy a drinks reception with three-course dinner, networking with your peers, speakers, delegates and other participants. The UK Association Success Awards Ceremony will take place during the dinner, with a chance for everyone to recognise the people and organisations driving associations forward. |
08:30 - 11:30 |
From pain to gain: Strategies for success in CRMIn this session you will learn how to get the best out of your CRM for association success. Ben Sturt, a leading digital and data consultant with deep expereince in the Membership sector, will facilitate, inform and educate. You'll uncover the foundations to setting up a successful CRM project, get to recognise common pitfalls and how they can be avoided. As you assess your business and review your CRM and whether to replace or improve, you'll almost certainly start to notice key themes where improvements can be made, both quick wins and longer term strategies. In the session we'll pick up on some of those key themes and how you can make some quick wins and planned longer term strategic improvements. Session format:
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08:30 - 11:30 |
Sponsorship & Exhibition Strategies for Growth
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08:30 - 11:30 |
Understanding member's needs, the board's priorities and executive's focus: Resolving disparities
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11:45 - 13:00 |
Strategic Supplier Exchange SessionThis time is set aside for appointments with strategic suppliers of services for membership, events, education as well as consultants. Although appointments are optional, we recommend every delegate to attend at least 5 over the two days. Over 82% of delegates rate the suppliers appointments as valuable or very valuable for them and their organisation. You will be able to schedule appointments in advance in the mobile event app. |
13:00 - 14:00 |
Lunch & Networking |
14:00 - 15:30 |
Successful Professional Development & Education projectsPresentations from multiple associations on their successful projects
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14:00 - 15:30 |
Successful Conference & Events ProjectsPresentations from multiple associations on their successful projects
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14:00 - 15:30 |
Successful Podcast ProjectsPresentations from multiple associations on their successful projects
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15:30 |
Congress Closes |
Executive Director, Association of Association Executives
I’m responsible for the strategy and operational management of the Association of Association Executives, with all members of the team reporting to me. With the advice of members, Advisory Panel members, and the team, I decide what new products and services to offer, and how they should be fulfilled.CEO & Founder, Fresh Solutions ltd
With experience as an international business leader and innovation practitioner, Stéphanie know what it takes to make impactful innovation and cultural change happen in the public and private sectors. Since 2017, as founder and CEO of Fresh Strategy, she has been on a mission to help organisations deliver innovation that makes a real difference.
Fresh Strategy was founded on the belief that innovation can be a force for good, and that the actions of single people and organisations collectively have the power to change the world. Through sharing knowledge, experience and expertise, they help everyone realise their potential to become a catalyst for change.
Stéphanie's work is centred around deep global and local experience across a variety of sectors and industries, embracing complexity and prioritising simplicity to successfully lead complex strategic processes and deliver excellent results.
Managing Director, The Business Narrative
Award-winning events strategist, Sasha Frieze, has distilled over thirty years' and a thousand successful conferences and events’ experience into this Event Playbook event transformation methodology.
Sasha learned her business skills in the commercial conference industry, worked on her first association conference over 23 years ago; has since managed and advised on events for association and other non-profits including the Open Data Institute, United Nations Foundation, British Society for Immunology, Royal College of Anaesthetists, Chartered Institute of Wastes Management. Sasha has advised on events for media owners including The Guardian, Times & Sunday Times, Incisive Media, Informa and Thomson Reuters.
Sasha is a Non-Executive Director of the British Society for Haematology, a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Marketing and The Royal Society of Arts, is a visiting lecturer in event management at The University of Westminster, London and judges industry awards.
Managing Director, Dovetail Creative
Lisa has been building powerful networks and communities for over 25 years, ensuring the groups she works with thrive and grow. After a flourishing career working for a variety of associations, membership bodies and not for profit organisations, Lisa launched her own agency, Dovetail Creative Ltd, in 2021 and now supports a variety of organisations with all aspects of community, member and customer forum engagement, events, marketing strategy, and consultancy.
Lisa is a frequent speaker and moderator at industry events and is on the board for RISE and Trade Association Forum. In addition, Lisa is involved in several mentoring programmes enabling her to pass on skills and knowledge to help others grow. Lisa has a passion for ESG initiatives and is co-producer of the Media Tech Sustainability Summit and Corporate Star Awards.
Consultant, Membership Insights
Charles is a strategic business leader with extensive experience in the private and not for profit sectors. Skilled with data analytics, digital transformation, managing change and leading open and collaborative working cultures; creating effective business strategies; devising clear and efficient business processes and management reporting; new service development; and managing profit and loss to deliver increased revenue.
Career covers working for companies in membership, the built environment and healthcare to education and finance and in organisations from corporations and public sector to SMEs and start-ups.
Specialities: Digital transformation, leadership, strategy, CRM, project management, operations management, new service development, business process mapping, digital marketing, profit and loss management, culture and organisational change, business processes, customer service, event production, finance and public speaking.
Chief Technology Officer & Founder, Fresh Solutions
Mark is a strategist, author, and entrepreneur. His work combines collective intelligence with networks, complex systems, behavioral science and neuroscience. He is the founder of Orcasci, a consulting firm designing scaling and network strategies with recent clients including the $1m Global Teacher Prize with the Varkey Foundation.
Previously Mark co-founded Imaginatik plc, a pioneer in crowdsourcing and collaborative problem solving for innovation. During his 16 years at Imaginatik, Mark worked with hundreds of companies, including Allianz, Bayer, Cargill, IBM, Merck, Novartis, Pfizer, Whirlpool and Xerox. The World Economic Forum nominated him a Technology Pioneer and a Young Global Leader. Mark is a Professor at Hult International Business School.
Community Consultant, Michelle Goodall Consultancy
Michelle Goodall is a community strategy, marketing and communications leader focused on community building, community led growth and community based marketing. She is a recognised leading specialist, speaker, trainer and lecturer with 25 years experience in a mix of consultancy, agency and in-house roles. Co-author of Community Based Marketing (CBM) Best Practice Guide and creator of The Periodic Table of Community Strategy.
Michelle has also lectured in Community Strategy at Manchester Metropolitan University. Michelle has worked with clients in multiple sectors, industries and countries building thriving communities and networks that deliver results for organisations, brands and businesses in multiple sectors across the world.
Lead Consultant & Founder, Chrysalis Digital
Ben has worked closely with Membership organisations for over 20 years, spanning many sub-verticals within this field, leading and supporting on digital transformations for many membership organisations.
With this wealth of experience he launched Chrysalis Digital in 2015, drawing upon the deep understanding and unique challenges within membership organisations. Ben creates and leads digital strategy transformations enabling membership organisations to achieve successful digital outcomes.
Executive Director, CPL Meetings & Events
Linda is passionate about associations and is particularly active in the professional associations in her own field. She is also a consultant to a variety of associations. In 2008 she was considered one of Portugal’s five most influential people in the conference & events industry and received the education award from IAHMP.
Respected internationally as a speaker Linda has lectured in countries such as Italy, Spain, Russia, Egypt, Cape Verde, United Kingdom, Dubai, Spain and The Netherlands. In 2009 she received the medal of honour for positive entrepreneurship in Portugal for her commitment to promoting culture and heritage and for CSR initiatives.