Associations Matter Conference and Exhibition

3–5 August | Grand Millennium Auckland

This August, we invite you to step into the heart of the association sector at the NZSAE Conference — where your journey to connection, insight and impact begins.

Our 2025 theme, “A Passport to Belonging,” reflects what makes associations unique: the power to bring people together with purpose. This conference is your opportunity to reconnect with your professional identity, find your people, and explore the evolving landscape of membership, leadership, and community in Aotearoa.

Whether you’re leading strategy, running operations, managing events, or sitting on a board — this event is designed for you. You'll leave with practical ideas, renewed clarity, and a deeper sense of what it means to belong in this sector and the work we do.

What to expect:

• 🧭 A full itinerary of keynotes, shared-interest discussions, and sector workshops

• 🤝 A vibrant exhibition tailored to association needs

• 🗣 Candid conversations about challenges, change, and what's next

• 🍽 Themed gala dinner: your chance to celebrate with sector peers

• 🛂 New connections, fresh thinking, and yes – your own NZSAE conference passport

This isn’t just another event. It’s your passport to belonging — and it all happens in Tāmaki Makaurau this August.

Sunday 3 August 2025

Pre- Conference (Optional, additional cost)
5:30 Delegate & Exhibitor Dinner
An informal networking dinner to connect with peers ahead of the conference, this is for people arriving the night before.

Monday 4 August 2025

7:30 Breakfast & Exhibition Networking
Enjoy an open-grazing breakfast with peers and connect with suppliers ahead of the conference.

8:45 Conference Opening
NZSAE Chair opens the conference. Rt Hon Chris Hipkins shares insights on leadership and national direction.

9:15 Keynote Speaker
Communicating Powerfully To Your Membership
Carly Shorter, Communicate Powerfully

10:15 Association Speaker
Growing Event Revenue
Kim Mundell, Director, Mandeville Association Growth

10:45 Morning Tea & Networking Break

11:15 Industry speaker
Mastering AI: Safe, Ethical, and Effective Use in Associations.
Neil Bryant, Head of Data & AI, Data Insights

12:00 Concurrent Learning Sessions

Navigating Employment Status in Associations: Employees, Contractors, and the Grey Zone.
Tess von Dadelszen, Partner, JB Morrison

Cut Through the Noise: Communicating What Really Matters.
Kayne Franich, Property Council New Zealand

12:30 Lunch & Exhibition Networking

1:30 Keynote Speaker
Leadership Begins with Self-Leadership – Enable Your Superpower
Lauren Parsons, CSP, Accredited Speaker

2:30 Employment and Career Insights for Better Mondays
Gareth  Robertson, Managing Director of Scitex Recruitment

3:15 Afternoon Tea & Networking

3:45  Role-Based Breakout Discussions
This is your chance to sit with others in a similar role and have a real conversation about the stuff that matters most in your day-to-day work.

4:45 Conference Wrap-Up – Day One Reflections

6:30 Conference Dinner – MOTAT Your Boarding Pass to Belonging 

The Golden Era of Association: Honouring the Journey, Shaping the Destination

Join us for a fun and stylish evening as we celebrate the rich history of associations and the journeys we’re still on together. With a vintage travel theme, good food, and great company.

Tuesday 5 August 2025

8:30 The Situation Room: Cybersecurity & Data Protection for Associations
Explore real cyber threats, data protection rules, and member trust – with live scenarios and fixes.

10:15 Morning Tea & Networking Break

10:45 Concurrent Learning Session

Advocacy Playbook in the current climate
Lyn McMorran, CAE, ED/ Financial services Federation

When Things Go Sideways: Crisis Planning and Continuity for Associations
Brett Jeffery, CAE, ED, NZSAE

11:20 Concurrent Learning Session

Learn Your Pepeha: A Hands-On Te Reo Māori Workshop
Carolyn Bidois, The face of New Zealand

Governance for Today’s Associations: Practical and Principled.
Kathy Nguyen, Senior Lawyer, Governology Pty Ltd

12:00 Lunch & Exhibition Networking

1:00 Deep Dive Roundtables: Turning Insight into Action
Three x 20-minute expert-led table discussions: insurance, digital transformation, PR, or crisis response. Choose your topics. Speakers from this mornings sessions.

2:00 Keynote Speaker
Mea Motu – Be fearless, be yourself.
Mea Motu, former IBO World Super-Bantamweight Champion

3:00 Farewell Afternoon Tea & Networking

Executive Leaders’ Forum

3:30 Culture, Strategy & the Real Work of Leadership (Optional)

An optional deep-dive for CEOs and C-suite into the cultural foundations of strong associations, strategic leadership, and building teams that thrive.

Lauren Parsons, CSP, accredited Speaker

5:00 C-suite - conclude with an informal hosted drinks function.

Your Boarding Pass to Belonging Starts