Industry Associations Summit 2026
Whilst businesses operating in the same sector are commercially competitive with each other, they come together as members of their industry association. The representative body for any and every association is the united voice and tireless supporter of member interests.
This summit brings together volunteer leaders, chief executives, and senior staff to share insights, strategies, and best practices on strengthening their associations. While industries may differ, many peak bodies face similar challenges across member services, advocacy, communications, events, governance, and financial sustainability. This one-day event provides a unique opportunity to learn from peers, exchange experiences, and gain clarity and motivation to achieve greater outcomes for their members and industry.
WHO SHOULD ATTEND?
Suitable for delegates from associations, industry bodies and not-for profit organisations ranging from CEOs, Board Directors, Events, Membership and Policy Managers.
MEET OUR SPONSORS
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8:30am |
Registration Opens and Optional Site Tour |
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9:00am |
Welcome to the Industry Associations Summit |
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9:05am |
Welcome from the Venue |
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9:10am |
Setting the Scene: The Changing Role of Industry Associations Industry associations play a vital role in representing sectors, influencing policy, and supporting industry growth. However, changing member expectations, technological disruption, workforce challenges, and economic pressures are reshaping their role. Tony Gleeson will set the scene by exploring key trends in membership, advocacy, governance, technology, and sustainability, highlighting the challenges and opportunities ahead. |
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9:20am |
Beyond Membership: Creating Value and Sustainable Revenue As member expectations evolve and financial pressures increase, industry associations must rethink how they deliver value and build sustainable business models. This session explores strategies to strengthen member engagement, refine benefits, and move beyond traditional membership models through commercial partnerships, education and training, events, sponsorship, and industry services. Attendees will gain insights into creating measurable member value while developing more resilient revenue streams. |
| 9:50am |
Sponsor Address: 2 Dam Creative Steve Brendish, Chief Executive Officer, 2 Dam Creative |
| 10:00am |
Building a National Association from the Ground Up The Australian Sauna Association (ASA) offers a practical case study on what it looks like to build a national association from the ground up in a rapidly growing industry. With a lean team and budget, ASA has focused on creating member value, building the infrastructure needed to support growth, and establishing industry credibility quickly. This session will explore what has worked, what has been learned along the way, and how an emerging industry can move from a fragmented group of operators to a connected national member organisation with a strong industry voice. |
| 10:30am |
Morning Tea |
| 11:00am |
Constitution, Competition, Tax: Key Legal & Governance Risks Industry associations are member-driven organisations, which brings unique governance challenges - from ensuring fit for purpose' membership structures, voting allocation and board composition, to avoiding competition law pitfalls that can arise even in well-intentioned member collaboration, to keeping objects clauses aligned with tax-exempt status. This session will examine these interconnected legal risks. |
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11:20am |
AI Opportunities, Risks and Governance for Associations Artificial intelligence is rapidly reshaping how associations operate, govern, and deliver value to members. Drawing on ESSA's experience implementing AI at both the operational and board level, this session will explore the practical opportunities AI presents, as well as the risks and governance considerations that leaders must address. Participants will gain insights into emerging AI applications, organisational readiness, ethical considerations, and the role of executives and boards in overseeing successful AI initiatives. |
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11:50am |
Amplifying the Collective Voice: Advocacy That Creates Influence Industry associations can create meaningful influence by bringing members together around shared priorities, regardless of the size of their membership base. This session explores how associations can turn member concerns and industry expertise into focused advocacy, engage members around key issues, and build constructive relationships with government and other decision-makers. Drawing on practical experiences from both large and smaller associations, the session will highlight how a strong collective voice can drive meaningful outcomes for an industry. |
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12:30pm |
Lunch |
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1:30pm |
The Agile Board: Governance versus Operations Strong governance is essential to a high-performing association, yet the boundary between governance and operations can become blurred during periods of growth and change. Drawing on the perspectives of both a Chair and CEO, this session will explore how boards and executives can work together effectively while maintaining clear roles and accountability. Attendees will gain practical insights into board–CEO relationships, governance maturity, succession planning, and the leadership dynamics that support organisational resilience and long-term success. Dee Hardy, Chair, Australian Counselling Association |
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2:10pm |
Building Future-Ready Industries: Workforce, Skills and Innovation Industry associations have a critical role in understanding their sectors, identifying workforce challenges and creating practical pathways for industry development. Drawing on TMAA’s experience, this session explores how workforce data, advocacy and career pathways can help attract and retain people, build industry capability and address workforce challenges. Key areas covered: |
| 2:40pm |
Roundtable Discussion: The Biggest Challenges Facing Industry Associations This interactive discussion provides an opportunity for delegates to share experiences, challenges, and practical solutions across key areas affecting industry associations, including membership growth, advocacy, board governance, technology adoption, and financial sustainability. Participants will gain insights from peers and explore approaches to navigating common challenges facing the sector. |
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3:00pm |
Afternoon Tea |
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3:30pm |
The Future of Industry Associations: Leading Through Change Industry associations are entering a period of significant transformation. This closing discussion brings together industry leaders to explore the future of respective associations and how they can continue creating value for members and their sectors. Discussion themes could include the future of advocacy, digital transformation, financial resilience and the evolving role of industry leadership. |
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3:55pm |
Closing Remarks & Prize Draw |
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4:00pm |
End of Summit |
Member Registrations: $550 
Non-Member Registrations: $750 (NFP only)
Buy One, Get One Free: Simply add the code ‘2ndFOC’ when registering to avail our limited time offer.
Associations Forum will send a tax invoice upon registration for this event. Registrations are only open to not-for-profit organisations. For corporate enquiries, please contact partnerships@associations.net.au.
Venue Sponsor
Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre
All the capability and technology needed for any kind of meeting, backed by BCEC’s 30 years of experience and depth of industry knowledge. Choose from purpose-built meeting facilities for conferences of 150 - 600 pax, or any of our 44 meeting rooms and plenary facilities for 8,000. If you are considering Brisbane for a future rotation of your conference, we would love to help.
Silver Sponsor
2 Dam Creative
Bronze Sponsor
Zentso
Zentso help membership organisations, associations and unions get strategic value from their tech and data investments, and to evolve digitally. We’re trusted iMIS partners and have a catalogue of award-winning add-ons that help you achieve your goals with clicks-not-code. Many associations don't get meaningful ROI from their technology because they’re stuck in a cycle of reactive support, spending too much money and effort maintaining legacy systems and technical debt. That’s why we created Digital Success, a programme designed to focus on technology returns and achieving strategic goals.
SPEAKERS
Zara Lowien, Chief Executive Officer, National Irrigators' Council
Zara Lowien is a water policy leader with deep expertise in advocacy, strategy, and navigating complex regulatory environments, including at a national level. Zara is CEO of NIC, a role she has held since early 2024, bringing with her 13 years of experience as Executive Officer of the Gwydir Valley Irrigators Association, where she led water policy strategy, risk management, and research and extension programs. She earlier worked in Natural Resource Management with the NSW Government and in consulting. Zara reshaped NIC, as interim CEO and continued this program as CEO, refocusing the organisation's strategy including sharpening what drives member value, reflected in a membership restructure to future proof the organisation. This has led to organisation growth as well as, improved credibility and a stronger, informed industry voice. Zara holds a Honours degree in Land and Water Science from the University of Sydney, is a graduate of the Peter Cullen Trust, and a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors. She lives in Bellata in North-West NSW, where her husband's family have a mixed farming business.
Steve Telburn, Director, Exercise and Sports Science Australia
Steve is a board director at Exercise and Sports Science Australia, where he chairs the Audit, Financial and Risk Committee. He has served as a non-executive director for ten years across the allied health, aged care and technology sectors. Steve leads Secret Sauce, an AI advisory firm that helps boards and leadership teams understand AI, govern its use and balance emerging risks with commercial opportunities. He has guided more than 50 small and medium-sized organisations to adopt AI, including redesigning workflows, and developing AI-enabled tools and products. As a Venture Partner at Antler, a global early-stage venture capital firm and the world’s most active investor in AI startups, Steve also brings direct insight into emerging technologies and the risks and opportunities they are creating. Earlier in his career, Steve served as CEO of several technology companies commercialising emerging technologies, including AI and telecommunications.
Matthew Bereni, Chief Executive Officer, Traffic Management Association of Australia
Matthew Bereni is the Chief Executive Officer of the Traffic Management Association of Australia (TMAA), the national peak body representing the temporary traffic management sector across some 30,000 workers, contributing an estimated $2 billion to the Australian economy. Over three years at the helm, Matthew has driven strong growth for TMAA, expanding membership, building robust operating surpluses, and elevating the association's influence with government. Under his leadership, TMAA has broadened its policy advocacy, workforce development initiatives, and industry recognition programmes, including the association's Excellence Awards. Matthew's professional background is in civil and transport engineering, having previously worked with the Australian Road Research Board (ARRB/NTRO). Matthew is a Fellow of Engineers Australia, a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors,
Phil Buckley, Chief Executive Officer, Australasian Timber Flooring Association
Phil Buckley is CEO of the Australasian Timber Flooring Association (ATFA), representing more than 1,000 member businesses across Australia and New Zealand. With a background as a timber flooring installer, business owner and industry inspector, Phil brings a practical commercial perspective to association leadership. Since joining ATFA as CEO, he has focused on strengthening member value, improving operational efficiency and developing sustainable revenue streams that support the Association’s long-term objectives. His work has included expanding industry training and events, reforming ATFA’s national inspection service, developing new member benefits, strengthening technical and industry programs, and reviewing how associations can better use their existing expertise, services and networks to generate both member value and sustainable income. Phil’s approach is centred on ensuring associations remain relevant, commercially sustainable and genuinely useful to the industries they represent.
Carly Irving-Dolan, Executive General Manager, Australian Childcare Alliance Queensland
Carly Irving-Dolan is an experienced executive leader whose career has been defined by delivering meaningful outcomes for people, organisations, and communities. She began in early childhood education, and that grounding continues to shape a lasting commitment to environments where children, families, and educators can flourish. Carly's leadership has since spanned the energy, transport, telecommunications, and infrastructure sectors, while she has maintained strong ties to the ECEC sector through mentoring emerging leaders and serving on the TSAC Board. Across community-based and large corporate environments alike, she has guided organisations through growth, transformation, and change — lifting business performance, transforming customer experience, and building strong relationships with partners and stakeholders along the way. A passionate advocate for high-quality early learning and care, Carly is recognised for bringing diverse groups together to solve complex challenges. Outside work, she is a proud mother of two and grandmother of three — a personal connection that reinforces her commitment to giving every child the strong foundations they need to succeed.
Tony Gleeson, Associations Advisor, Associations Forum
Tony Gleeson MBA GAICD is Associations Advisor at Associations Forum. He has over 30 years of experience in the fields of association management and governance, leadership, project and change management, organisational integration and talent development. Tony has been Chief Executive of Australian Institute of Refrigeration Air-conditioning and Heating (AIRAH) and the Australian Institute of Management (AIM), and was an Executive General Manager with CPA Australia. Prior to his roles with membership associations, he held senior consulting roles in strategy, process re-engineering and change management with PwC, Deloitte and Terra Firma Consulting.Tony is an innovative and energetic leader, skilled communicator / team builder, and adept negotiator. He has significant experience in providing support and guidance to CEOs and boards in areas of governance, strategic planning, change management and more.
Kathy Nguyen, Managing Lawyer / Head of Operations, Governology
Kathy has extensive experience working with associations both nationally and in Asia-Pacific. Her speciality is association structure, governance and operations. She has over 20 years’ experience working for and with associations as a senior manager or advisor.In her work, she has reviewed hundreds of constitutions, and regularly presents to organisations on governance, membership and other topics relevant to associations. Kathy has worked for Associations Forum, the Governance Institute of Australia, Ernst & Young, the Trade Association Forum in London and for the Royal Australasian College of Physicians. Kathy holds Bachelors of Laws & Business. She is a Certified Association Executive (CAE) from the American Society of Association Executives.
