Programme

Debate on the pros and cons for professional membership

Membership organisations occupy a unique position of trust, representing expertise while also advocating for members. Following a debate on whether the public trusts experts, this session asks how membership bodies themselves must respond. Leaders will explore what needs to change in governance, advocacy, communications and member engagement if trust is to be earned rather than assumed.

As voter sentiment fragments and traditional loyalties shift, smaller and fringe parties are playing an increasingly decisive role in shaping political outcomes. This session explores how organisations can engage constructively and credibly with these emerging players — understanding their priorities, earning trust, and ensuring your voice is heard when the balance of power changes.

Remote and hybrid working are now the norm, not the exception. Yet many organisations are still managing people as if performance depends on visibility rather than outcomes. This session focuses on how leaders can unlock motivation, productivity and wellbeing in a digital-first environment — and what needs to change in leadership behaviour, not just HR policy.

As member demographics shift, attracting and retaining younger professionals requires more than refreshed branding — it demands a rethink of value itself. 

Silos limit progress; partnerships unlock it. The challenges facing membership organisations, charities and professional bodies are too complex to tackle alone. This closing plenary celebrates the power of collaboration — exploring how cross-sector partnerships can drive innovation, amplify impact and strengthen the collective voice of the sector. Join us to reflect, connect and look ahead to what’s possible when we work smarter together.

Too many membership journeys stop at the point of payment or participation. True transformation happens when every touchpoint reinforces purpose and belonging. This session examines how to design journeys that connect strategy, systems and human insight — turning everyday transactions into opportunities for engagement, growth and advocacy.

AI is changing what’s possible with data — and challenging what’s ethical. In this session, we’ll explore how member organisations can go beyond compliance to embed ethical principles in every aspect of data use and automation. From algorithmic bias to informed consent, we’ll discuss how to create governance frameworks that earn trust while embracing technological progress.

As artificial intelligence reshapes how people connect, the challenge for membership organisations is to design belonging that feels human — both online and offline. This session explores how digital tools, data and AI-driven personalisation can strengthen community while safeguarding trust and inclusion. Discover how to build authentic, values-led spaces where members feel recognised, respected and genuinely part of something bigger.

What if your conference was the launchpad for a community, not a one-off moment?
This session explores how to rethink events as continuous engagement platforms, building momentum before, during and long after the doors close. Learn how to design connected live, virtual and on-demand experiences that foster learning, participation and peer connection year round, and turn conferences into thriving member communities.

Back by popular demand, membership sector specialists HaysMac return for one of our most highly attended sessions. From finance and pensions to tax, audit and budgeting, their experts will tackle your key questions and share practical insights to help your organisation stay compliant, efficient and financially confident.

In a volatile world, risk is no longer a compliance tick-box — it’s a core leadership discipline.

This session, jointly led by Haysmacintyre, Rheo Investing, and the AAT, explores how membership and not-for-profit organisations can rethink risk holistically: balancing financial prudence, ethical investment, governance confidence and cultural resilience.

Not all intellectual property comes with a patent or trademark. From know-how and data to design and content, valuable IP often sits quietly within teams, unnoticed and unprotected. This session helps you spot what’s already yours, explains why it matters, and outlines how to protect it effectively — ensuring your organisation makes the most of its innovation and insight.

Data is only valuable when it shapes decisions. This session looks at how to translate analytics into real strategic impact — from understanding member behaviour to improving performance and forecasting future trends. Discover how to use data intelligently to guide action and embed evidence at the heart of decision-making.