In less than 30 days, Australia’s premier gathering of CEOs and directors from professional and industry associations will converge in the heart of the nation’s capital for the highly anticipated Associations Forum National Conference (AFNC) 2024.
The program promises dynamic discussions on forward-thinking strategies for associations, with a key focus on increasing profit and creating new revenue streams. Attendees can also expect comprehensive updates from regulatory bodies such as the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission, Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission and Australian Taxation Office (ATO).
Our AFNC 2024 agenda is a direct reflection of the recent conversations we have shared with our clients, encapsulating what is top of their mind as they head into the membership renewal period and prepare for their upcoming conference.
- Membership Rapid: Boosting retention and recruitment
As highlighted in our recent article on member retention, taking proactive steps to identify and engage with new, loyal and disengaged members are crucial for building a more robust membership model.
As many of our clients approach the renewal period, and are reviewing their membership offerings to attract previously untapped groups, we are looking forward to attending the ‘Membership Rapid: Boosting Retention and Recruitment’ panel to hear directly from association leaders, including from Australian Counselling Association, Standards Australia, and our client, Australian Traditional-Medicine Society, about their firsthand experiences in revitalising membership engagement and propelling growth.
- policy matters
The recent changes to workplace legislations saw many professional and industry associations come together to advocate for change. With the Australian Industry Group and our client, Council of Small Business Organisations Australia participating in this session, we are looking forward to hearing in depth about a case study on joint advocacy, and how associations can partner together to amplify awareness on a collective issue and drive outcomes on a national scale.
- New developments in running successful association events
New technology, trends and legislations present an array of emerging or heightened risks for association events. With the prevalence of AI and escalating concerns regarding data breaches, coupled with the ever-changing environment, social and governance landscapes, risk management – physical, financial and reputational – has surged to the forefront of our client’s priorities as they plan their events. As associations strive to navigate a landscape characterised by constant change, this discussion will offer invaluable insights for optimising event operations while mitigating potential risks.
- What associations need to know about new ATO requirements
As shared in an e-Alert to our email subscribers, Not-for-profits (NFPs) with an active Australian Business Number will need to lodge an annual NFP self-review return with the ATO to access income tax exemption from this income year onward. Until now, NFPs that self-assess have not been required to report annually to the ATO.
We are looking forward to official advice from the ATO, including an update on deductible gift recipient (DGR) reforms, which are big changes that will impact how associations navigate and fulfill their regulatory obligations.
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Notable for its ‘direct-from-source’ insights, we are delighted to be returning to the AFNC this year as Silver Sponsors. Throughout the conference, our team members, Francis Child (Executive Chair), Nell Harrison (Managing Director), and Jieun Lee (Marketing Manager) will be stationed at booth #50, located next to Business Events Industry Aotearoa. We look forward to engaging with CEOs, executive officers and directors of small and large associations looking for tailored advice on governance, IT, marketing, board training, secretariat support and conference management.
If you would like to read our recap articles from the AFNC 2024 and stay up to date with time-sensitive industry news, and thought leadership on association and conference management, we invite you to subscribe to our monthly newsletter here.