associationX

Discover better ways to run your association.
35+ exhibitors. Practical learning. Real conversations. All in one place.

Tuesday 23 February 2027 | Tākina, Wellington

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Your CRM. Your website. AI. Automation. Member engagement. Events. Data. Systems.

associationX is a full day for association professionals to explore what is changing, see what is available and have proper conversations about what could work for their organisation.

This isn't a traditional conference where you sit in a room all day. 

It isn't a trade show where you wander past rows of stands collecting brochures.

It's both — deliberately brought together.

Short, focused learning happens right in the heart of the exhibition, surrounded by more than 35 exhibitors bringing technology, services, ideas and solutions specifically relevant to associations.

 

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See it. Hear about it.

Ask the questions.

Every hour, associationX puts a new issue on the table.

Spend 15 minutes hearing the key thinking on the Main Stage.

Then go deeper.

Put on your headphones and continue the conversation in the Deep Dive area, ask questions, see demonstrations and talk about what it could mean for your association.

Or head out into the exhibition and find the people and solutions that can help.

Then we do it again.

No 45-minute presentations. No sitting in the same chair all day.

Just short bursts of learning, exploration and conversation.

35+ exhibitors. One room. A lot to explore.

You could spend months researching systems, suppliers and new ideas for your association.

Or you could meet more than 35 of them in one day.

Talk directly with organisations working across technology, membership, events, communications, digital, destinations, venues and the wider association sector.

Compare approaches. Ask questions. See what others are doing. Find out what could make a difference back at work.

You don't need to be buying anything. You just need to be curious about what could be better.

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What could your association be doing better?

Maybe your CRM is frustrating everybody.

Perhaps your website needs a rethink.

You know AI is going to matter, but you're still working out where.

Your team is doing too much manually.

Your systems don't talk to each other.

Or maybe nothing is particularly broken — you simply don't want your association standing still while everything around it changes.

Bring that challenge to associationX.

Hear what others are doing. See what's available. Talk it through with people who understand the association environment.

The aim isn't to leave wanting every shiny new tool in the room.

It's to leave knowing what deserves another look — and what doesn't.

Connect with the people behind New Zealand’s associations.

Exhibiting at associationX puts you face to face with association chief executives, event organisers and membership professionals looking for ideas, services and practical solutions.

With 35+ exhibitors, the exhibition is at the heart of the day — a place to demonstrate what you offer, have meaningful conversations and build relationships with the people making decisions for their organisations.

Interested in exhibiting?

Expo booths are available by application. To discuss availability and apply for a booth, please contact Brett Jeffery at brett@nzsae.org.nz or phone 027 249 8677.

1 Team
Event
Auck Convent Venues & Events
Exhibition
Azeus Convene
Exhibition
Bonnici Ltd
Exhibition
Business Events Wellington
Exhibition
ChristchurchNZ Business Events
Exhibition
Claudelands
Exhibition
Conference Innovators
Event
Congress Rental New Zealand
Exhibition
Entegy
Conference
Exhibition Hire Services
Exhibition
ForumPoint2 Conference Partners
Event
Gecco Software Ltd
Event
Grand Chancellor Hotels NZ
Event
Greg Ward MC
Event
Hamilton & Waikato Tourism
Conference 1
Intense Productions
Exhibition
Intuto Ltd
Exhibition
Livewire AV // Vidcom
Event
Lower Hutt Events Centre
Exhibition
Membes AMS
Exhibition
Millennium & Copthorne Hotels
Exhibition
Naumi Hotels Wellington Pty Ltd
Event
Our Cat Herder Board Portal
Event
Parliamentary - Huihui Venues
Exhibition
RotoruaNZ
Exhibition
Simply Resolution
Event
SnapInsight / Ceade
Event
Sojourn Hotels
Event
Sudima Hotels
Exhibition
Suncourt
Event
Takina Events
Exhibition
Te Pae CHCH Convention Centre
Exhibition
Tourism Bay of Plenty
Exhibition
Venues Ōtautahi
Event
Waipuna Hotel & Conference Centre
Exhibition
Wave CRM
Exhibition

Our Speakers are leaders of their respective industries bringing expertise to get the most out of your association.

Start with an idea. Take it further.

Hear a focused 15-minute talk in the main presentation area, then follow the speaker to the Deep Dive area for 30 minutes or more of conversation. Ask questions, bring your own challenges and explore what the ideas could mean for your association.

Join the sessions that interest you, with time between talks to explore the exhibition and connect with others.

Nic’s MBIE session will run for 30 minutes in the main presentation area.

10:00 - From Member Management to Member Engagement

From Member Management to Member Engagement
Lisa Metcalfe | Gecco

Your association management system (AMS) should do more than store data and manage administration. It should help you build stronger relationships with your members.

Lisa explores how the right technology can improve member experiences, reduce administration and free your team to focus on the relationships that matter. She’ll also challenge how associations choose technology: stop prescribing the solution and start with the problem.

10: 25 Continue the conversation in the deep dive area

Bring a member engagement challenge, a frustrating process or a question about your current system. Join Lisa to explore how starting with your challenges, goals and member needs can lead to better technology decisions and better outcomes for your members.
 

Event
10:20 - Exhibition time OR Lisa’s deep dive: Member engagement and AMS challenges
11:00 - Nic Blakeley, Chief Executive of MBIE

Nic Blakeley's MBIE session will run for 30 minutes in the main presentation area.


 

Event
12:00 - One Star Googles Reviews and Other Complaints – How to stop them from destroying your or your members’ business.

One-Star Google Reviews and Other Complaints: Protecting Your Reputation

Trevor Slater Mast. Conf. Res | Manager Dispute Resolution Services

A one-star review or a poorly handled complaint can quickly damage trust in your organisation or your members’ businesses. But responding well can turn a difficult situation into an opportunity.

This session explores how to assess the risk, respond constructively and minimise escalation and reputational damage. Learn where to turn for help and how to use feedback to improve your business and strengthen customer relationships.


 

Event
12:20–12:50 | Lunch available | Exhibition time | Speaker deep dive
Event
1:00 - Speaker — to be confirmed

Topic Title

Speaker Name 


 

Event
Lunch continues until 1:30 - Exhibition time | Speaker deep dive

Topic Title

Speaker Name 


 

Event
2:00 - Final speaker — to be confirmed

Topic Title

Speaker Name 


 

Event
2:20–2:50 - Exhibition time | Speaker deep dive
Event
3:00 - Final speaker — to be confirmed

Topic Title

Speaker Name 


 

Event
3:20–3:50 Exhibition time | Speaker deep dive
Event

Meet one-to-one with MBIE at associationX

As part of associationX 2027, association CEOs and senior advocacy leaders will have the opportunity to register their interest in a series of 20-minute one-to-one meetings with MBIE.

These meetings will be matched to the needs of your sector. When you register your interest, tell us the issues, priorities or areas you would like to discuss, and we will work with MBIE to connect you with the right people for those conversations.

Running between 11.30am and 3.00pm, participating associations will be able to request up to six meetings, creating a practical opportunity to build relationships, raise sector issues and have focused conversations with relevant MBIE teams.

Places will be limited and meetings will be scheduled following expressions of interest.

Interested in meeting with MBIE? 

Register your interest here.
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Tuesday 23 February 2027
Tākina Wellington Convention & Exhibition Centre

Doors open 9.30am | First learning session 10.00am

One day could save you months of looking.

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REGISTER / KEEP ME UPDATED