AAE's New Seminar Programme - 8 every month
The AAE has launched its permanent programme of twice-weekly free seminars in the topic areas of: Leadership & Governance, Membership & Communities, Conferences & Events, Marketing & Communications, Professional Development & Education and Publishing & Data / Information.
Every four weeks, the programme will include one seminar in each of these topic areas with two on Leadership & Governance and two on Conferences & Events. Each seminar will include three speakers, and normally this will be two association executives and a consultant or respected association business partner, all followed by a panel where the chair will ask key questions as well as delegates.
The programme is managed by Paul Walsh, who has joined the AAE team as Programme Manager responsible for seminars. Paul is an accomplised association executive who works for another association based in Brussels, and he is the second member of our team with the Executive Masters in Association Management from Solvay university.
Simon Bull
Simon works at a head of department and senior management level for membership organisations in national and international membership, marketing, communications, business development and commercial roles. He has been responsible for multi – million commercial and membership revenue generation for professional bodies and trade associations.
Lian John
I am responsible for researching new members of the AAE community and ensuring our community system has the right information to enable the AAE to be a great success.
I have worked on association projects and have been researching associations since 2010 worldwide, and understand their personnel and roles and responsibilities.
I can help you to ensure your association data is up-to-date, or how to update it yourself directly, and can provide you different levels of access to our system online.
- Email:
- [email protected]
Jon Kudlick
Jon has been working within the membership sector for almost 25 years, since joining the Royal Society of Arts as their first Head of Fellowship. Since then, he has worked at Director level, covering marketing, communications and membership for professional bodies (Royal Society of Biology), trade associations (including BritishAmerican Business), a members club (Royal Overseas League) and charities, including his most recent post at Royal British Legion as their Membership Transformation Lead.
Vicky Gallagher
I'm responsible for managing the AAE's portfolio of events and training courses, from the large congresses to the seminar and member meetings, working with other team members.
I manage the speakers, the venues, suppliers, event mobile apps, delegate and speaker communications, budgeting and forecasting, and the operations onsite.
I started working for associations in 2010 and have worked for the ACCA, MSI Global Alliance and a variety of other organisations, including training businesses.
- Email:
- [email protected]
- Phone:
- +44 (0) 203 954 8000
- Extension:
- 2
Manuela Impellizzeri Kemp
Manuela is the Head of Events and Volunteer Engagement at the Association for Project Management, the chartered membership organisation for the project profession with over 45,000 members, 470 corporate partners and 1,500 volunteers.
Since February 2023, Manuela has been leading APM’s events and volunteer engagement strategy, delivering meaningful value to project professionals. She champions the diverse needs of members, volunteers, and wider stakeholders, ensuring they gain maximum benefits from their engagement and from the impactful events her team creates.
Manuela has been working with membership organisations for over 12 years, across the project profession, built environment and health sectors, both in the UK and Continental Europe. Prior to this, she worked in private organisations, from language training to industrial design and professional services.
Manuela’s expertise ranges from engaging members and volunteers in supporting their profession to driving the creation of valuable events, all with a continuous focus on enhancing inclusivity and fostering loyal relationships.
Fiona Campbell
Fiona Campbell, as CEO of the Association of Scotland’s Self-Caterers (ASSC) since 2015, has been instrumental in driving the substantial growth of the organisation, which now represents over 1700 members across Scotland. Her leadership has actively fostered a dynamic self-catering sector essential to Scotland’s tourism economy. Fiona’s expertise extends to policy advocacy, evidenced by her active participation in numerous industry groups both in Scotland and internationally. Recognised as CEO of the Year 2023 and a judge on BBC Scotland's "Scotland's Greatest Escape," Fiona’s achievements include prestigious awards including the Scottish Thistle Awards Regional Ambassador Award and acknowledgment on the UK Women in Trade Associations Top 100 Power List.
Raisa McNab
Raisa McNab is Chief Executive Officer at the Association of Translation Companies, the leading trade association for language services companies in the UK whose 240 members provide translation and interpreting services to public sector authorities and businesses across the UK and the world in over 300 languages.
Raisa spans the boundaries between associations, the language services industry, academia and the public sector, promoting collaboration and best practice. She is a champion of compelling communication and meaningful member engagement, and the developer of the Community Impact Wheel, an interactive survey tool for associations.
Bori Csala
I'm responsible for developing and managing the Seminar programme and Member communications.
I'm working with our community of over 20,000 association employees and leaders as well as consultants to bring you business-critical content on transforming your products, services, membership, events, communications, governance and operationsal efficiency, as well as raising the value of your association and sector.
I'm bringing over 10 years experience in associations in multiple roles in European and International associations.
- Email:
- [email protected]
Tajinder Panesor
Taj joined the IOP in March 2000 and, in his current role, is responsible for member recruitment, engagement and retention, professional registration, the groups and branches member networks, and the events and conferences programme.
He is also responsible for the management of the IOP’s digital development and infrastructure programme of work.
In his time at the IOP, Taj has also worked in several other areas, most notably international affairs, science policy, and commercial event management.
Prior to the IOP, Taj worked for a number of organisations including Charing Cross and Westminster Medical School, Harefield Hospital, and Glaxo Group Research.
He holds a BSc in applied biochemistry and an MSc in environmental pollution science. He is a member of the IOP.
James Fudge
James is Head of Operations at the Manufacturing Technologies Association. He is responsible for membership and related services as well as the events programme at the association, including the biennial MACH exhibition.
Nick Bunting OBE
Nick Bunting OBE is the Group Chief Executive Officer of the Royal Air Forces Association (RAFA), a leading charity supporting the welfare of RAF personnel, veterans, and their families. Under his leadership, RAFA has expanded its support services, focusing on mental health, family welfare, and innovative programs like RAFAKidz, which provides high-quality childcare to military families.
Nick’s career spans senior roles in both the charity and business sectors, where he has driven organisational growth and impact. He is known for his strategic leadership and commitment to improving the lives of service personnel. In recognition of his services to military charity work, Nick was awarded an OBE in 2020. His passion for advocating on behalf of the RAF community has cemented RAFA’s role as a crucial support network for those who serve.
Anca Urdea
I've been with the AAE since 2011, and I manage the Association Success Awards programme of awards, and I produce the Association Success story case studies for our Resource Centre.
I have a BA in Sociology, and an MA from the University of Greenwhich, and am a certified Certified Master Practitioner of Neuro-Linguistic Programming, a Certified Master Practitioner of Time Line Therapy and a Certified Master Hypnotist.
- Email:
- [email protected]
Suzanne Beard
Sue has over 20 years experience in membership organisations and professional bodies including the Landscape Institute and the Energy Institute, where she headed up the membership and education functions within the senior leadership team, focusing on process efficiency, and transformation of the membership offer. For the last 2 years she has directed SB Membership Projects and Services, providing practical advice and guidance and an extra pair of hands to help membership bodies achieve their goals.
Damian Hutt FIEM
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.
I have over 35 years experience in conferences and events, with 21 specifically supporting associations with their events, publishing, member engagement, and association management. I have headed up the AAE since its beginnings in 2006.
- Email:
- [email protected]
- Phone:
- +44 (0) 203 954 8000
- Extension:
- x4
- Twitter:
- DamianHutt
- LinkedIn:
- https://linkedin.com/in/damianhutt/
Cecilia Spoor EMIAM
I look after the leadership activities for the AAE. This involves chairing the Leaders Forums at the UK and the World Associations Congresses, as well the Leaders Summits and identifying other opportunities to support association leaders, for example new programmes and forums to bring Executive Heads together.
I have been working on the AAE leaders events for eight years, contributed to the leadership aspects of all AAE's activities, and have an Executive Masters in International Association Management from Solvay Business School, Brussels.
Get in touch if you would like to hear more about our leadership activities at AAE or if you would like me to put you in touch with a trusted advisor or another executive director with experience of a particular issue.
- Email:
- [email protected]
Sarah Stutt
I have been with the AAE since 2018 where I ensure seamless event experiences by managing sponsor and exhibitor participation, while simultaneously fostering strong business partnerships. This includes collaborating with partners to optimise their event engagement and promotion strategies.
My commitment extends to the AAE's Resource Centre, where I curate valuable content (supplier updates, industry news, insightful articles) to keep members informed. Additionally, I actively support business partners by providing information and guidance on how to effectively engage with the AAE community and promote their services and products.
- Email:
- [email protected]
- Phone:
- +44 (0) 203 954 8000
- Extension:
- x3
Each seminar is held online in Meeting or Webinar style, on a Wednesday and Thursday from 11:00 UK time and 12:00 Central Europe time, for 1hr + 15-30 minutes.
To attend the seminars you need to be either a Subscriber or Member (both of which are free of charge). From January next year you will need to be a member.
If you have topics you would like addressed in the seminars or if you have been successful in these areas and would like to share your experience, please get in touch with us here.