“While it’s always been useful to learn from each other, this need is now amplified. Coming together to share experiences, best practices and tackle challenges head-on gives association professionals the greatest opportunity to innovate and position their organisations for future growth and success.” Carina Bauer, CEO of the IMEX Group introduces Association Focus, a dedicated day of learning and connections for association event professionals.
Association Focus, taking place the day before IMEX Frankfurt on Monday 22 May at KAP Europa in Frankfurt, is divided into two streams. One is designed for association leaders, the other for association event professionals.
Event design, equity & commercial strategy
Event design, membership growth, equity and commercial strategy all top the agenda of the topical and interactive programme.
- Sustainability spearheads the programme with – Sustainability – less talk, more action. This rallying cry has been given extra urgency following an Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change report (IPCC), which stated that only ‘drastic’ cuts in carbon emissions, starting in 2025, could stave off ‘climate disaster’. Nika Kurent from the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators, Anne-Laure Leuba from the European Society of Cardiology, Guy Bigwood of the Global Destination Sustainability Movement and UFI’s Kai Hattendorf, will all discuss the immediate, practical steps which associations can take.
- How can you plan and executive innovative meetings on a budget? How can you create the best possible environment for delegates to learn and connect with each other? These are some of the challenges which Jane Cziborra from Alzheimer’s Disease International and Brenda Sanderson from Interaction Design Association (IxDA) will address in Association meeting and event experience design – how to create the wow factor.
- At a time when association budgets are under pressure, it has never been more important to focus ondeveloping commercial partnerships that increase revenue and minimise financial risk. Fran Rickenbach from the National Association of Nephrology Technicians and Edward Byers from the Canadian Society of Association Executives look at how associations can be creative while also enhancing their revenues in Developing a robust commercial strategy for income generation and diversification.
- Advancing equity, diversity, and inclusion is critical, not only to the success of an association but also the members it serves. A key part of that effort is supporting and advancing EDI strategies at the top levels of volunteer leadership. Let’s discuss! Diversity, equity & inclusion for associations will focus on some of the toughest issues that association leaders must address to promote inclusivity.
Delivered in association with ICCA, AC Forum, AMC Institute, ASAE, ESAE and Global Association Hubs and sponsored by Amsterdam and Messe Frankfurt, IMEX’s Association Focus takes place Monday 22 May. The day ends with an Association Social where attendees can catch up with industry friends or make new connections prior to the start of the three-day trade show.
IMEX Frankfurt takes place 23 – 25 May 2023. All sectors of the business events community can register at imex-frankfurt.com/register