Associations Unleashed Agenda

Shaping Better Outcomes in Association Consulting

A meeting of consultants who are interested with current and emerging consultants to explore what better collaboration could look like, where the real opportunities and challenges sit, and how consultants can work more effectively with each other and with clients to strengthen outcomes, build trust, and contribute to greater success across the sector. 
Belinda Moore, Director of Strategic Membership Solutions

Conference Registration Opens

Come in, find your name, grab a hot beverage, and settle in. Meet someone new, check an email or two, and make yourself comfortable in the Connection Lounge.

Shared Challenges, Shared Priorities

This opening plenary moves straight into curated, facilitated small groups — intentionally matched to bring together those navigating similar pressures and opportunities. Each group works through a focused conversation to uncover the challenges currently front‑of‑mind, identify where priorities align, and clarify what support or momentum is needed for the day ahead. The format creates fast connection, shared understanding, and a clear sense of direction. 
Belinda Moore, Director of Strategic Membership Solutions

Morning Tea

Enjoy a break and use this time to explore our Activation Stands. Start a conversation, test an idea, or simply see what others are working on.

The Changing Role of the Association Board
Challenge long standing assumptions about the role of the board, calling out outdated practices and refocusing attention on future direction, strategic intent and long-term value.
Steven Bowman, Managing Director, Conscious Governance
 

Strategic Pricing and Packaging That Works
Master the 'Good-Better-Best' bundling architecture to simplify choices for your members, reduce administrative complexity, and capture the hidden value in your most premium offerings.
Dr. Michael Carr-Tatonetti, Founder and CEO, Pricing for Associations (US)

Balancing Innovation and Risk in the Age of AI
AI presents enormous opportunity, but organisations must also manage risks around privacy, governance &responsible use. Explore how leaders can create the right guardrails so teams can innovate confidently while protecting their organisation & the people they serve. 
Lee Hickin, Executive Director, National AI Centre

Reversing Membership Decline: What Actually Worked
Membership decline is something many associations are facing. Turning it around is another story. This session explores what changed at AUSactive to move back into growth, including the shifts, decisions & practical actions that made the biggest difference. 
Billie Cox, General Manager Business Development, AUSactive 

Event Legacy: Turning Conferences into Catalysts
What if your annual conference created value long after the final session? This presentation explores how associations can design meetings that deliver measurable social and economic impact through intentional planning and local collaboration.
Gary Grimmer, Chie Executive Officer, Gaining Edge

Consulting to Associations - Ask Me Anything
A safe, practical space to explore what it really takes to build a sustainable association consulting career - no sugar-coating, no slides, just real answers to all your questions.
Belinda Moore, Director, Strategic Membership Solutions

The Future of High-Value Sponsorship
Sponsorship doesn’t fail because of budget. It fails because of laziness. Explore real partnerships with relationship-first, effort-driven, and built by engagement with the association and its members.
Mike Barouche, Head of Membership, Master Builders Association of Victoria

Navigating the AI Tool Jungle Safely
Learn how to distinguish between consumer grade 'shadow AI' and enterprise ready tools, giving you the confidence to approve high-value use cases while mitigating legal and operational risk.
Sophia Ng, AI Trainor, Pathfindr 
Charlie Dillon, AI Explorer, Pathfindr 

Designing a Member Conversion Engine
Membership growth does not happen by accident. It is the result of pricing, positioning, and marketing working together. In this session, explore how pricing strategy and marketing pathways combine to create a high performing membership engine that attracts the right prospects, converts them into members, and builds onboarding journeys that strengthen long term engagement.
Lindsay McGrath, Managing Director, Think Outside Group 
Sabrina McGrath, Marketing Executive, Think Outside Group

Event Design as a Strategy
Event Design is one of the most powerful and least examined, strategic tools available to associations. This participant‑led session examines how persona‑based thinking can sharpen decision‑making and ensure events deliver meaningful outcomes for stakeholders and communities.
Stephan Wurzinger, Global Director, Association Relations, MCI Group

Lunch

Enjoy lunch and take the opportunity to connect with our Activation Stands, each designed around a key question facing associations today. Drop in, ask questions, and explore practical ideas you can take back to your organisation.

Good Governance Needs Good Systems
Boards are expected to make clear decisions and stay focused on strategy. But governance rarely fails because of intent. It fails when the systems behind the organisation are weak. Join this discussion to explore the practical structures and processes that support strong governance.
Melissa Lozanovski, Founding Director, Bien Collective 
 

Inside the Mind of a Corporate Sponsor
In this panel discussion, corporate sponsors share how they evaluate partnership opportunities, what real value looks like beyond logo placement, and the common mistakes associations make when approaching sponsors. Hear directly from the organisations investing in association partnerships and gain practical insights to help build stronger, more valuable collaborations.

Kimberley Jonsson, Chief Executive Officer, CHU Insurance
Paul Connolly, General Manager of Trade and Commercial Sales, Total Tools

The Cyber Risk Trifecta: Governance, Technology, and Insurance
Cyber risk cannot be managed by IT alone. It requires leadership at the board level, strong technical protections across systems and data, and the right insurance cover to mitigate financial exposure. This session explores how these three elements work together to build a resilient organisation.
Billy Hoskings, Founder, KAVIRA IT
 

When Member Value Becomes the Business Model
What happens when the member value proposition becomes self-sufficient, and how do you get there? WALGA’s member services deliver benefits that go well beyond the cost of membership. Their Preferred Supplier procurement program gives members better market pricing while also supporting the association’s advocacy and representation. 
Andrew Blitz, Commercial Development Manager, WA Local Government Association
 

Designed for Distraction: What Gen Z Can Teach Us About Creating Events People Actually Remember
As attention spans shift, designing events that truly engage has never been more challenging. This session explores what working with the next generation reveals about how attention is captured, held and remembered, and how Gen Z’s expectations are reshaping. 
Janene Wardrop, Event Specialist, Grain Trade Australia

Leading an Association Turnaround
When an association loses momentum, rebuilding trust, clarity and direction takes more than a new strategy. In this session, hear the story of an association turnaround and the leadership and governance decisions that helped reshape the organisation. 
Louise Harland-Cox, Chief Executive Officer, Communication and Public Relations Australia 
Helen Hutchings, Board Chair, Communication and Public Relations Australia 
 

What Does It Really Cost to Deliver Impact?
Any associations deliver high value work without fully understanding what it costs to sustain. This session explores how to assess funding gaps, clarify program costs and make stronger decisions that support long term impact and member value.
Bahvesh Narsey, National Head of Not-for-Profit, Grant Thornton Australia
 

Ask Me Anything: Have Your AI Questions Answered
AI is moving fast. Your board is asking questions. Your team is experimenting. Your members expect more. This is your chance to ask anything. Bring your real-world AI questions and walk away with clear, practical answers you can apply immediately.
Julian Moore, Chief AI Consultant, Strategic Membership Solutions

What Motivates Today's Member Volunteers?
Volunteer expectations are changing, yet we're still relying on outdated assumptions about why people volunteer. In this interactive session, challenge common myths, explore what drives today’s volunteers, and take part in a practical exercise to identify the volunteers you have and the ones you need.
Colleen Williams, Director of Education & Training, The Centre for Volunteering

Designing a 12-Month Member Experience That Actually Builds Loyalty
Reframe your event or conference as a year-round engagement platform rather than a once-a-year obligation. Learn how leading associations are designing pre-event anticipation, in-event connection, and post-event momentum that deepens loyalty and drives retention.
Lana Howden, Associate Director, MCI Group 
Kassandra Koudelka, General Manager of Events and Partnerships, Australasian Railway Association
Wilfred Paul, General Manager, Member Fulfilment, Royal Australian & New Zealand College of Radiologists