Strategy

Photo credit: Boardroom / QSNCC Your association conference attracted 1,500 delegates. But did it actually grow the association? SINGAPORE — For decades, delegate numbers have been the most visible measure of conference success. Attendance, speakers, venue, hotel nights — these are the figures that fill board reports. Yet they tell you how busy the room was, not what the room produced. Membership growth, new partnerships, revenue, member engagement and long-term industry impact may tell boards considerably more. A new award from ICCA suggests the association sector is ready to change the question. The Award is Asking a New Question In […]

How often should an association bring its members together for its flagship event? IFAC’s decision to move the World Congress of Accountants to a biennial cycle offers a timely case study in balancing industry change, member demand, event economics and the time needed to turn conference discussions into measurable progress. SEOUL, South Korea — When more than 600 accountancy leaders and stakeholders gather for the World Congress of Accountants in Seoul from 17 to 19 November 2026, the most consequential change may not be found on the programme. It will be found on the calendar. The International Federation of Accountants […]

Ports Australia’s 49th Biennial Conference offers more than a platform for industry discussion. Itt also illustrates the opportunity for associations to connect the ideas and consensus generated at major events with longer-term priorities, advocacy and measurable action. SYDNEY, New South Wales, Australia — When Ports Australia holds its 49th Biennial Conference in Sydney from 22 to 24 September 2026, the most important question will not be how many industry leaders enter the room, but what happens after they leave. Under the theme “Globally Connected, Future Focused,” the conference will bring together port authorities, supply-chain companies and government agencies. Its programme […]