AuSAE upcoming events

Open Access Webinar - Associations in 2026: Risks, Relevance and Readiness Synopsis (23 Apr 2026)

Thu, 23 Apr 2026 01:00:00 GMT

In 2026, associations face a dual challenge: remaining indispensable to members while navigating an increasingly complex workplace landscape themselves. Industrial relations reform, psychosocial risk obligations, wage pressures and governance expectations are reshaping the environment across Australia and New Zealand.

In this session, Citation Group shares frontline insights drawn specifically from our Advisory work with associations across Australia, alongside HR Advice Line data and sector-wide trends. We’ll unpack the key compliance, workforce and risk issues association leaders are raising with us, what’s driving concern within their member bases, and where gaps commonly emerge.

Attendees will gain association-specific intelligence on what keeps both boards and members up at night — and leave equipped with practical, data-informed strategies to strengthen internal capability, enhance member value, and position their association as a proactive, trusted partner in 2026 and beyond.

What You’ll Gain

Association-specific insight drawn from Advisory interactions with Australian associations
Clarity on 2026 IR, compliance and psychosocial obligations affecting associations and their members
Visibility into the most common HR risks and governance challenges emerging in the sector
Practical strategies to strengthen internal capability and member-facing support
Data-informed talking points to enhance advocacy, communications and perceived value

Meet Our Presenter

Wes O’Donnell
Head of Enterprise Growth, Citation Group

Wes is an experienced Lawyer with extensive consultancy experience in the field of workplace relations and employment law. Wes has over 20 years’ experience and has assumed senior workplace relations and management roles in both Australia and London.

As Head of Enterprise Growth at Citation Group and a member of the Executive Team, Wes leads the strategic expansion of the Group’s professional services divisions, overseeing the design and delivery of workplace relations and WHS solutions for major industry associations and large corporates.

He also manages the delivery of large, complex contingent projects through Citation’s Flying Team — a specialist cohort of HR, WHS, and legal experts mobilised to tackle critical compliance and workforce challenges. This combination of enterprise growth leadership and hands-on project delivery gives Wes unique insight into the compliance, workplace relations, and HR issues facing Australian businesses across diverse industries.

Wes prides himself on demonstrating strong commercial awareness, used to great effect in delivering commercial solutions, strategies and advice tailored towards the specific requirements of clients.

Wes’s expertise focuses on:

Advocacy – Conciliation and Litigation
Disciplinary/Grievances
Workplace Mediation
Workplace Investigations
Performance Management
Drafting Contracts
Redundancy/Restructure
Anti-Discrimination
Privacy Law
Coaching/Training

Wes is frequently called upon to lead seminars and provide coaching on all aspects of employment law throughout the entire employee lifecycle.

Qualifications: BEc, LLB.

AuSAE Virtual Demo Day - Association Management Systems (AMS) (30 Apr 2026)

Thu, 30 Apr 2026 00:00:00 GMT

Association Management Systems

Are you considering a new Association Management System (AMS), upgrading your current one, or looking to maximise its potential? Join us for this complimentary online event where Association Management Solutions (AMS) providers will showcase their latest innovations designed to streamline operations, enhance member engagement, and drive efficiency.

Get a firsthand look at cutting-edge AMS solutions through live demos, with time to ask questions. Each session features a 20-minute presentation, giving you a quick and insightful overview of the membership management platform and best tools to support your association.

Date: Thursday, 30 April 2026
Time: 10:00am - 2:00pm (AEST) / 12:00pm - 4:00pm (NZST)
Location: Virtual

Event Program

10:00 am - Welcome - Toni Brearley, AuSAE
10:15 am - Presentation
10:30 am - iMIS
11:00 am - Causeis Launchpad
11:30 am - Membes
12:00 pm - Glue Up
12:30 pm - Wave CRM
1:00 pm - Higher Logic
1:30 pm - Zentso

EXPLORE MORE

Add two hours for New Zealand time

Demo days are not open to suppliers of the sector in their respective fields

Don't miss this chance to discover the right solution for your needs.

AuSAE Open Access Webinar: The Overlooked Risks of Being ‘In Charge’: Governance decisions and personal exposure (19 May 2026)

Tue, 19 May 2026 01:00:00 GMT

Leadership in an association comes with responsibility AND personal exposure. This practical webinar explores how board, committee and executive decisions can create personal risk for directors, officers and volunteers, often in ways leaders don’t expect. Learn where governance exposure typically arises, why timing matters when issues surface, and the simple governance habits that help reduce risk.

Key learnings:

Understand how everyday board, committee and executive decisions can create personal exposure, even without wrongdoing
Identify the most common governance blind spots for associations, including volunteers and employment matters
Learn why timing and escalation matter when issues, complaints or investigations arise
Gain practical, governance-focused habits that help reduce risk and strengthen decision making
Leave with a clearer view of where responsibility sits for association leaders and office holders

Meet Our Presenter

Danial Mullin
Client Partnership Executive, Guild Insurance

Danial Mullin is a Client Partnership Executive at Guild Insurance with more than 25 years’ experience across claims, underwriting, broking, risk, compliance and strategic partnerships. He has held senior leadership roles across major insurers and brokers and works closely with associations, boards and executive teams to strengthen governance, risk awareness and decision making. Danial is known for his practical, commercially grounded approach to managing complex leadership and liability risks.

About Guild Insurance

Guild was born out of an Association, so it makes sense that Associations are at the core of nearly everything we do. For over 60 years we’ve partnered with over 140 associations to build an intimate understanding of their professions, resulting in competitive and industry-specific solutions that meet the changing needs of their members, executives and staff.

For more information, visit Associations Business Insurance and Public Liability Insurance