As the world shifts into ‘survival mode’ and continues to adapt to an uncertain future, there’s never been a better time for associations to focus on risk management, digital innovation, reinventing leadership, and other key elements that will help make them future-proof. Championing the theme of ‘Associations and The New World: Resilience & Reinvention,’ the third edition of Dubai Association Conference will explore how professional societies, nonprofit organizations, and trade associations can adapt amid not just the aftermath and direct impact of the global pandemic, but shifting dynamics among the professions and industries they serve.
Best of both worlds
Hosted under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of Dubai Executive Council, the event will feature a strong lineup of international speakers from the private world, including Marjorie Anderson, from Community By Association; Bo Kruger, from Moving Minds; professional thinker & copywriter Jason Thompson; and digital innovator Marc Mekki, as well as those from the association community. Expect top-notch names like Michelle Mason, CEO of the American Society of Association Executives; Alessandro Cortese, CEO of the European Society for Radiotherapy & Oncology; Dianna Steinbach, Vice President, Corporate Development of the Worldwide Cleaning Industry Association; and Magdalena Nowicka Mook, CEO of the International Coaching Federation.
Keynote presentations will address general topics such as communication and strategy, and nine sessions of practical, highly-engaging discussions give delegates plenty to choose from. You can already start mapping out your day by taking a look at the list of sessions and learning labs here.
Dubai Association Conference is the flagship event of the Dubai Association Centre (DAC), which was established in 2014 to support and license regional and international associations who are setting up an office or chapter in Dubai. DAC is driving the growth of associations in Dubai and the Middle East (more on this soon in an upcoming Boardroom article).
At Boardroom, we’re looking forward to learning how associations can successfully influence the thoughts and actions of the entire stakeholders’ chain, from members to business partners. We’re also interested in hearing how organizations can benefit from a diverse workforce and membership with inclusion and equality as lodestars, if there are entire new business models they should know about, or if legacy-driven events should be measured – and in what way. These are, of course, only some of the conversations that will take place over the course of the conference. The full agenda is available here.
Thought-provoking panels
The programme has been designed and curated on behalf of Dubai Association Centre by Martin Sirk, international advisor to Global Association Hubs Partnership, together with Genevieve Leclerc from #Meet4Impact and Tommy Goodwin of the Exhibition & Conferences Alliance.
As Sirk explains: “This is going to be a hardworking day for our faculty and our delegates, but I’m confident it will be one where every participant’s mental effort will be well rewarded with new solutions for their most existential challenges, and more than a few smiles from the surprises we’ve prepared along the way.”
“Reinvention isn’t an incremental journey – it requires perspective-shattering new insights, upset and upended assumptions, and uncomfortable challenges to management teams’ current priorities and Boards’ sacred cows. To achieve this ambition, we’ve brought together an exceptional faculty of association leaders from Europe, North America, and the Gulf region together with renowned experts in communication and innovation. We’ve created a menu of strategically hot topics, but most importantly, we’ve carefully designed session formats so that every attendee’s voice can be heard, and every big theme can be related back to each association’s specific situation.”
Following the conference, delegates will be offered a full-day immersive visit to Expo 2020 Dubai to experience the thematic and national pavilions, attend celebrations and events, and sample cultures and cuisine from around the world.
To learn more about DAC and to register for the event, visit www.dubaiassociationconference.com