EAS
European Association Summit 2018, 8-9 March 2018, Square, Brussels 
 
By Jan Lichota, Visit. Brussels
 
A leading meeting for Europe's non-profit sector professionals, to be held on 8-9 March 2018 in Brussels, gets ready to show key interesting trends and cases for international associations.
 
The 6th edition will be held at the Square in Brussels with a lot of new partners, a reshaped schedule and sessions tailor-made for everyone. Simplicity reigns to enhance the possibility to "engage, collaborate and innovate" among associations and apply this year’s theme directly on site.
 
Concise and appropriate interventions from association representatives in short sessions will drive this year’s event. Gathered in thematic workshops, the presenters will show the experience of their associations’ achievements and be challenged by their peers from other associations.
 
New partnerships and focus on variety
 
Chaired by Małgosia Bartosik, Deputy CEO of WindEurope, the 2018 edition will address a series of actual case studies presented by professionals from different trade federations, NGOs or campaign organisers.
 
Based on the feedback of previous editions' attendees, the sessions have been put into a format of 60 minutes, with one moderator and two or three speakers each presenting their cases in seven minutes, in order to encourage a dynamic debate with the participants.
 
The long-standing partners of the event, the FAIB - Federation of European and International Associations established in Belgium, the ESAE - European Society of Association Executives and the UIA - Union of International Associations will also have their own sessions. They will go through ongoing issues (such as General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR)), leading a round table café with topics for association executives and sharing the success factors for leading change.
 
The rich experience from new organisational partners such as ICCA - International Congress and Convention Association - and PCMA - Professional Convention Management Association, feature among the novelties of this year, to enhance knowledge about events.
 
Closing the first day, aspects of cooperation in a world of multiple interests will be presented by the President of the European Committee of the Regions, Mr. Karl-Heinz Lambertz. Going beyond the European dimension, case studies coming from the US, the Middle East and Asia by association representatives active in these geographic areas will be outlined.
 
Variety in the thematic sessions is reflected in the programme with topics aimed at enhancing leadership skills, communications possibilities, setting up campaigns, project management or use of resources. The expertise of speakers ranges from cultural management, airports, nanotechnology, to grassroots sports or research organisations.
 
The focus of this year’s topics will allow over 150 participants from international associations to share their experience and enhance their knowledge thanks to the peer to peer exchange in the exceptional setting that the world’s capital of international associations, Brussels, has to offer.
 
Get Involved at European Association Summit 2018
 
For more information on the European Association Summit 2018, including the programme and all practical information, check w w w. easummit. brussels. Follow all updates and the event developments via #EAS2018 on Twitter and on our LinkedIn page.