Leadership Archives

Before We Design the Meeting of the Future, Do We Know Who We Are Designing it For?

23rd October 2026

Olivier Nussbaum, Managing Director at Brussels Booking Desk & Events Management Community Co-chair at ESAE, argues the more urgent question is whether associations actually know who they're bringing together in the first place.

Boardroom’s China Association Series – The New Strategic Logic for Trade Associations in China

12th October 2026

Boardroom goes to China! This is the first article of a 4-piece series titled 'Operational Longevity: The Executive Playbook for International Associations in China' in partnership with Kellen China.

The Future of Healthcare Meetings is Now

24th September 2026

Association leaders and meetings industry professionals gathered in Athens for ICCA's Future of Healthcare Meetings with a clear message: stop calling it sponsorship, use AI strategically and rethink the suppliers-buyers relationship.

Inside the Quiet Transformation of China’s Associations

15th September 2026

China's associations are quietly becoming strategic actors, not just member-service bodies. MCI China's Kitty Yang and Mollen Wang explain what's driving the shift - and what it means for engaging with China from either side.

Why Trade Associations Must Use KPIs to Demonstrate Impact

2nd September 2026

Maria Teresa Scardigli, Managing Director of Kellen Europe, makes the case for why trade associations must move from reporting activity to demonstrating real impact.

The Diversity We Still Don’t Talk About

10th July 2026

Why cognitive diversity is the next competitive advantage, by Dr Ole Petter Anfinsen, Special Contributor to Boardroom Magazine.

Postcards from the Associations World Congress 2026

25th June 2026

Organised by the Association of Association Executives, the Associations World Congress took place in Portugal this year, for three days of debate and discussions.

A New Challenge for Boards: Governing Through Uncertainty

22nd June 2026

Professors Andrew and Nada Kakabadse of Henley Business School consider the challenges posed by uncertainty now facing boards across the world, and the behavioural characteristics being displayed by organisations that are adapting most successfully.

Pride in Plain Sight: Why Visible Support Still Matters

15th June 2026

As Pride is celebrated around the world, Dr Ole Petter Anfinsen, Special Contributor to Boardroom Magazine, offers a powerful statement on belonging, safety, and solidarity.

What Associations Can Learn From Web Summit Vancouver

8th June 2026

At Web Summit Vancouver in May 2026, three themes surfaced that carry direct implications for every association leader: community, authenticity, and trust.

Decision Rights: The Hidden Design of Good Governance

21st May 2026

When everyone owns it, no one makes decisions - and the association pays the price.

The Next-Generation Values of European Trade Associations

30th April 2026

Maria Teresa Scardigli, Managing Director, Kellen Europe, analyses the changing role of European trade associations and identifies the strategic shifts required to move from representation to impact, intelligence and delivery.

Before You Speak, Listen: Mastering the Digital Conversation in EU Advocacy

28th April 2026

Lorenzo Marchese, Strategy Director, The Right Street draws on his experience in EU policy communications to explore how structured listening can give associations a decisive edge.

Disagreeing Without Division: What the Best Boards Get Right

27th April 2026

Professors Andrew Kakabadse and Nada Kakabadse of Henley Business School, UK, explore the leadership myth that harmony means agreement. In reality, it’s how directors handle disagreement, not avoid it, that determines their performance.

How Congrex Switzerland Helped Associations Confront the AI Question

18th March 2026

A report on an inspiring initiative that saw association leaders attend the health.tech | Global Summit in Basel at the invitation of Congrex Switzerland.

Boardroom Emotions Matter More Than You Might Think

18th March 2026

Professors Andrew Kakabadse and Nada Kakabadse of Henley Business School, UK, argue that governance is not as emotionally neutral as you might assume, and directors’ feelings can ultimately impact long-term effectiveness.