When organisations think about failed technology projects, they often blame the software vendor. From my experience, though, it is rarely the technology that is to blame. More than twenty years ago, I worked on my first major IT project for a government department. Two years later, we went live on time and on budget. By the usual measures, it looked like a successful project. But to meet that schedule, major…

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Choosing a conference destination isn't only about finding a room big enough for delegates. Associations are weighing delegate experience, sponsorship potential, and a venue with future-ready technology that can help them tell their story and bring their overall vision to life. It's a demanding brief, and increasingly, associations are finding the answer at

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Many associations start their technology search with a feature list: more insightful reporting, easier renewals, and better events management. However, technology bought without a clear view of organisational strategy rarely delivers what it promised. The Association Management System (AMS) works, but it doesn't move your association forward, because there wasn’t a clear plan of what moving ‘forward’ actually looks like. Associations…

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The 2026 Board Effectiveness Survey, released by OnBoard, asked 531 governance professionals across six industries how AI has entered their board process. In the past six months, 92% of directors used AI for board work, up from 69% a year earlier. Only 6% sit on a board with an enforced policy covering that use. For association and not-for-profit boards the gap tends to be wider. Directors are often member-elected volunteers…

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Our Cat Herder has released version history for minutes, so a board secretary can open or restore an earlier wording of a meeting's minutes without keeping copies outside the portal. Minutes are rarely written once. They are drafted during the meeting, tidied up afterwards, refined…

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Sydney, NSW, 13 August 2026, for immediate release. Associations Forum is pleased to announce that its 2027 National Conference will be held in Canberra from 28 to 29 April 2027, bringing together leaders, decision-makers and professionals from across Australia’s associations, charities and not-for-profit sector. As the premier event for the associations sector, the Conference…

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Melbourne Convention Bureau (MCB), in partnership with Meet Geelong & The Bellarine and Associations Forum, recently hosted a famil…

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Associations Forum National Conference 2026 has made history as the first ever show to open at Nyaal Banyul Geelong Convention and Event Centre, Victoria's newest business events venue on the Geelong waterfront. Delivering the exhibition build was long-standing partner Moreton…

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Annual conferences are more than a date on the calendar, they are where members connect, knowledge is shared and industries move forward. For associations looking to create meaningful delegate experiences, the right venue is a partner in achieving those outcomes. When Australia’s insurance industry gathered for the 2026 Steadfast Convention, the

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Our Cat Herder has released User Groups, a feature that lets associations run their subcommittees in the same portal as the board, at no extra cost. Most associations run a finance or audit committee alongside the board, and often a working party or two. Each has its own meetings, papers…

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The Australian surveying and spatial sciences sector is at a critical juncture. As chronic the skills shortage threatens to bottleneck major infrastructure, housing and construction pipelines, industry and professional bodies are stepping up their interventions. In a bid to safeguard the profession’s capacity, Surveyors Australia has recently intensified its advocacy efforts on two major fronts: pushing back against restrictive…

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ARCS Australia, the peak body for clinical and regulatory professionals, has formally rebranded as LifeSciences Australia. Section 1. Why LifeSciences AustraliaOver more than 40 years, ARCS has grown well beyond its origins as a training and education body for regulatory and clinical specialists. Today, we support professionals across the entire life sciences sector — from early research through regulation,…

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Wellington welcomed nearly 1000 delegates from 40 countries to the 21st World Organisation of Family Doctors (WONCA) World Rural Health Conference. The event brought health professionals, researchers, indigenous leaders, and rural communities together at Tākina Wellington Convention and Exhibition Centre to help shape the future of rural healthcare worldwide. New Zealand was chosen thanks to its strong rural demographic,…

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Many associations assume they have only two options when planning a conference: manage everything internally or engage a large agency. The reality is somewhere in between. Delivering a successful conference can quickly become a full-time responsibility for an in-house planner who already has multiple competing priorities. At the same time, larger agencies often manage numerous events simultaneously, meaning your…

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Association leaders spend months building a conference programme, from selecting speakers to planning themes, and juggling breakout sessions and networking opportunities. In a world that’s never been more digitally connected, association leaders understand the importance and opportunity that comes when you bring members together in person. At Centrepiece, we see it every day - the shift in energy as a keynote takes the…

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Set right on Geelong's vibrant waterfront, and accessible by air, road, rail and ferry, Nyaal Banyul is one of the country’s most exciting new event destinations, with: 3,700 square metres of flexible event and exhibition spaces 1,000-seat state-of-the-art theatre in-house catering celebrating the best of the region integrated audio-visual services and event planning support onsite…

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The survey findings indicate a more active remuneration environment compared to previous years, alongside continued emphasis on flexibility as a core workforce expectation. The Associations Salary Survey report, published annually by Associations Forum, is a benchmarking report on remuneration across not-for-profit organisations, with a particular focus on membership-based associations. It supports board members, senior…

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3 June 2026, for immediate release. The survey findings indicate a more active remuneration environment compared to previous years, alongside continued emphasis on flexibility as a core workforce expectation. The Associations Salary Survey report, published annually by Associations Forum, is a benchmarking report on remuneration across not-for-profit organisations, with a particular focus on membership-based…

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Our Cat Herder has released Registers, a new feature in its board portal software that lets directors and company secretaries manage governance registers inside the same system they use for running board meetings.Most organisations still keep conflicts of interest, contracts and compliance obligations in spreadsheets or shared drives,…

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Cyber security and data protection are now part of everyday governance, with increasing expectations from regulators, insurers, and industry stakeholders. At the centre of this is the concept of “reasonable steps”, and a growing need for industry associations to provide clear, practical guidance on what this looks like in practice.

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Figure 1. Executive Chef, David Hart and Gimuy Walubara Yidinji Elder, Professor Henrietta Marrie in the Trinity Room at Cairns Convention Centre.

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At a time when the world is searching for answers to climate change, urban pressures, and social resilience, Wellington has just secured something more than a conference – it has secured a moment. The New Zealand capital will host the 62nd International Society of City and Regional Planners (ISOCARP) World Planning Congress in 2027, drawing around 500 of the world’s leading planners, policymakers,…

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South Australia was at the heart of the national tourism industry last week, with thousands of delegates from across the world descending on Tourism Australia’s Australian Tourism Exchange 2026 (ATE26). The centrepiece of the week-long tradeshow…

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Wellington made its mark as an AI leader as host of the record-breaking Pacific Rim International Conference on Artificial Intelligence (PRICAI).Hosted by Victoria University of Wellington (VUW), the conference attracted 550 researchers from 30 countries, following a successful bid led by Professor Mengjie Zhang, Director, and Professor Bing Xue, Deputy Director, of VUW’s Te Whiri…

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Associations Forum has released the 69th edition of ASSOCIATIONS, bringing together a range of stories that reflect current developments within the association and not-for-profit sector across Australia, New Zealand and Asia. This edition features the leadership journeys of three female CEOs,…

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Suspension of Responsible Persons Under Section 100-10 of the Australian Charities And Not-For-Profits Comission Act 2012 (CTH)  The Royal Australasian College of Physicians ABN 90 270 343 237 INTRODUCTION 1. Under s 100-10 of the Australian Charities…

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The traditional correlation between headcount and output is officially broken. As shared at our recent AI in Associations Summit in Sydney on the 28th of April, we are entering an era where small teams—even those with fewer than two full-time employees—can achieve significant advantages by strategically deploying AI and automation. The Foundation: Automation First Before diving into AI, organisations…

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The traditional correlation between headcount and output is officially broken. As shared at our recent AI in Associations Summit in Sydney on the 28th of April, we are entering an era where small teams—even those with fewer than two full-time employees—can achieve significant advantages by strategically deploying AI and automation. The Foundation: Automation First Before diving into AI, organisations…

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Newest edition of ASSOCIATIONS showcases leadership, sector insights and industry change Media Release Tuesday, 19 May 2026, for immediate release. Associations Forum has released the 69th edition of ASSOCIATIONS, bringing together a range of stories that reflect current developments within the association and not-for-profit sector across…

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Learning is no longer something separate – it happens where work happens, embedded into everyday workflows. Yet many organisations still focus on activity rather than outcomes, invest in training without clearly defined ROI, or struggle to link learning initiatives to measurable performance improvements. These gaps often become more visible during budget reviews and strategic planning.

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Wellington Airport has officially completed a major upgrade to its runway, marking a significant milestone for the capital’s transport infrastructure.  Designed to enhance safety and extend operational capability, the project lays the groundwork for new opportunities in air travel, trade and international connectivity now easily accommodating next generation widebody aircraft with greater payloads.

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In November 2025, Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland welcomed more than 3,800 Indigenous educators and leaders from over 40 countries for the World Indigenous Peoples’ Conference on Education (WIPCE). Hosted by Auckland University of Technology (AUT) with iwi manaaki (local tribe) Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei, WIPCE highlighted how Indigenous knowledge and contemporary innovation can shape the future of global education.

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GEELONG, VIC – As Geelong prepares to open the doors of the highly anticipated Nyaal Banyul Geelong Convention Centre in 2026, one of Australia’s most trusted event partners, Moreton Hire, has been appointed to deliver the venue’s first major exhibition, a milestone…

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Associations increasingly want to use data-driven insights to support management decision making, however key barriers include a lack of data analytics skills, inadequate tools and a lack of time and capacity. Insights from the Infoxchange November 2025 digital technology report Key insights from the report include data and reporting for evidence-based…

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Many associations implement new tech as part of their digital transformation; but they don’t always have an underlying strategy to ensure they realise ROI. Organisations get stuck in a break-fix cycle: failing to adopt new features and updates, prioritising issue-fixes over strategy. This results in decreased enthusiasm, poor adoption, and blaming software.

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Business Events Wellington has announced two key leadership appointments, strengthening its capability to attract high-value national and international business events to the capital. Loryn Blaikie has been appointed Manager, Business Events Wellington, succeeding Irette Ferreira.…

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Causeis, the leading digital transformation partner for associations, has been recognised with multiple global honours at the 2026 Advanced Solutions International (ASI) Executive Business Summit. The recognition reinforces Causeis as one of the most trusted and high performing partners in the global iMIS® community. Held from 24 to 26 February in Hollywood, Florida, the ASI Executive Business Summit brings together technology…

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Industry associations carry a unique responsibility. You safeguard member data, manage trust, oversee finances, and ensure continuity of services. Alongside financial and regulatory risk, cyber risk is one area that now demands board‑level attention. Cyber incidents are no longer rare or theoretical. A single compromised email account, data breach, or system outage can disrupt operations,…

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Associations Forum analysed the results of the 2026 Association Membership and Services Survey in which 216 organisations took part. Membership and member services are at the core of associations, with the ongoing challenge of delivering offerings that members find essential and highly valuable. The Association Membership and Services Survey explores trends in the association sector and how associations…

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Associations Forum analysed the results of the 2026 Association Membership and Services Survey in which 216 organisations took part. Membership and member services are at the core of associations, with the ongoing challenge of delivering offerings that members find essential and highly valuable. The Association Membership and Services Survey explores trends in the association sector and how associations…

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For 30 years, Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre has been a place where Melbourne comes together. From world-class conferences and exhibitions to concerts, celebrations and community-led moments. Since opening its doors in 1996, MCEC has brought thousands of events to life, reflecting the energy of the city and the people who pass through it.  Built for Impact As Melbourne’s…

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Email remains one of the most effective channels for associations to engage members — but the benchmark for “good” performance is shifting. Higher Logic’s 2025/26 Association Email Benchmark Report provides the latest, data-driven view of association email performance, based on anonymised data from 1,500+ associations and nonprofits.

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After more than a decade behind closed doors, Te Whare Whakarauika the Wellington Town Hall is preparing to reopen in February 2027, marking the return of one of Wellington’s most iconic cultural landmarks. Te Whare Whakarauika will rejoin the Venues Wellington portfolio, offering the perfect setting for conferences, award ceremonies, and significant corporate and public occasions, with a…

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The landscape of association events is undergoing a fundamental transformation, driven by a crucial demographic shift: the rising prominence of Millennials and Generation Z as Baby Boomers retire. This generational turnover is not just changing who attends; it's dictating how associations must deliver value. Personalisation: The New Core Offering

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Hosting your next conference in Wellington comes with a major advantage: financial support for events attracting 300 or more delegates. This initiative helps organisers elevate their programmes while benefiting from exceptional experiences in a vibrant city known for its innovation, culture, and worldclass facilities. At the heart of Wellington is Tākina Wellington Convention and Exhibition…

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The Board of the Australian Institute of Landscape Architects (AILA) has made one of the most difficult decisions in the organisation’s history, resolving to reduce its workforce to a core team and implement an urgent plan to ensure solvency and continued operation. As outlined at the October 2025 Annual…

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In the association space, the way we meet has changed. Delegates are seeking more than a room and a schedule, they're looking for environments that help them stay energised, focused and well throughout the day. At Rydges World Square, this shift has shaped their newly refreshed delegate menu, crafted by Executive Chef Matthew Lambert.

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New year, new goals, but the same reality: organising an event is no small feat. Is your association planning an annual congress, but don’t know where to start? Do you need support with registration, abstract management and finding the best platform? Are you unsure how to negotiate…

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Ms Smith has played a pivotal role in guiding ESSA through a significant period of organisational evolution, strengthening its foundations and positioning it for long-term success. ESSA’s Board has appointed Director and Accredited Exercise Physiologist Katie Lyndon as Interim CEO, effective immediately. Ms Lyndon…

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Optometry Australia (OA) has appointed Mark Nevin as its Chief Executive Officer, following the departure of outgoing CEO, Skye Cappuccio.   OA President, Theo Charalambous, said the Board is pleased to welcome Mark into the role as the organisation enters an important period of transition. ‘Mark brings extensive experience across the Australian and…

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We are delighted to announce that Dr Peter Malouf (PhD, MPH, AICD) has commenced today as AIDA’s Chief Executive Officer.  Peter is a proud Wakka Wakka and Wuli Wuli descendant from Central Queensland and a highly respected leader across the health sector.  He brings extensive experience to AIDA, including:  Adjunct…

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