BIAF 2025 This year’s Brussels International Association Forum (BIAF), organised by ASSOCIATIONWORLD, brought together a cross-section of European and international associations under one roof at Sparks Meeting, in the centre of Brussels. Over two days, participants explored the increasingly complex landscape in which associations operate, shaped by digital transformation, geopolitical instability, changing member expectations, and institutional fatigue.
From strategic foresight to operational resilience, the programme dealt with all kinds of difficult questions. Several sessions encouraged associations to reassess how they plan, lead and communicate. Cedric Dumont’s keynote was a suitable kickoff to get everyone in the room to wonder how to rethink their limits and assume accountability.
“From Sci-Fi to Strategy”, presented by Thorben Grosser, challenged the notion that AI is still futuristic. His message was simple: associations need to get practical. From board packs to membership workflows, AI can be applied in meaningful, low-friction ways, provided we shed the belief that it’s still ‘too early’.
In a different but equally hands-on tone, Andras Baneth and Jacques Foul of Influence Builders ran a session on using AI in public affairs and policy communications. Attendees were walked through use cases such as scenario building, regulatory impact assessments, and content tailoring, all sharpened by structured prompting techniques. The key insight? “Prompting is not a trick; it’s a thinking process. Learn how to ask deeper questions.”
The session “Strategic Governance: The Hidden Engine of Association Success” was a strong reminder that governance isn’t just about rules or formalities. It’s the structure that holds everything together. One key point was that good intentions aren’t enough: associations need clear roles, accountability, and regular review to avoid confusion and burnout. Without strong governance, even the best ideas can lose focus.
Panels tackled member engagement, staff well-being, governance, and event design, topics that, while operational, reflected deeper questions about relevance and resilience. With association professionals facing both immediate pressures and long-term uncertainty, BIAF created a space for honest discussion and fresh ideas.