DRIVING CHANGE:
9 - 10, December 2019
Venue: Sheikh Maktoum Hall – Dubai World Trade Centre
Driving Change: The Societal Impact of Associations
One of the core concerns named by associations and speakers at the DAC 2017 Conference (and in association conferences worldwide) is to gain new insights and knowledge on the impact and the true value that is generated by associations through their main activities.
The 2019 edition of the DAC Conference will focus on the bigger role that associations play in global society. We will explore how associations should be developing core strategies around sustainability and social impact and leveraging those to become key drivers of positive change.
The subject of “The societal impact of associations” will be woven as a silver-thread to the whole conference. The content will lead participants to an understanding of how the association sector, can develop a cohesive and systematic approach to creating large-scale impact.
The program will be organised under 4 pillars:
Pillar 1: Impact and Legacy – Key Concepts
Pillar 2: Designing an Impact Management and Measurement Programme
Pillar 3: Organizational Resilience and Foresighting
Pillar 4: The Art of Collaboration
Furthermore, the following 4 themes will be explored and each session will relate to at least one of these 4 themes:
Community
Well - Being
Business &
Opportunities
Knowledge &
Research
Creativity &
Innovation
08:00 - 09:00
Registration and Networking
09:00 - 09:25
Opening Session
A Conversation with the Dubai Association Centre Founders
In this lively discussion, we will hear directly from the two DAC founders on their perception of the bigger role that associations play in global society and how to position the association sector as a key driver of positive change. They will set the scene for a day and a half of intense exploration of core association strategies around societal impact, as well as how to position the association sector as a key driver of positive change. Key areas to be addressed also cover the following:
Director General, Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing & Dubai World Trade Centre, UAE
President & CEO, Dubai Chamber of Commerce & Industry, UAE
CEO, Biz Group, UAE
09:25 - 09:35
SOCIAL IMPACT UNCOVERED
Pillar 1: Impact and Legacy – Key Concepts
Associations are facing growing pressure to attract and retain members and attendees, which has prompted them to question themselves on how they can improve their value proposition to fulfill evolving stakeholder expectations, how they can set themselves apart from competitive offers, and how they can better understand and measure the positive impact that their activities are generating. This session will explore the following questions:
CMP, CEO and Co-Founder, #Meet4Impact, Canada
09:35 - 09:50
Keynote Address: Sharing is Caring – Associations working to impact the world
There is hardly a stronger segment of our society today who impact their surroundings more than associations – from setting industry standards, to creating new employment opportunities, to offering expertise that creates better policy. As an experienced association CEO and the Chair of the American Society of Association Executives, Patricia’s keynote will highlight some of the most memorable association impact stories over the past decade. These stories show examples of projects and activities that associations have created to impact people around the world. Patricia promises to be both thought-provoking and inspiring, setting the stage for learning, contemplation, and conversation.
Chair, American Society of Association Executives & CEO, Heart Rhythm Society, USA
09:50 - 10:50
PLENARY: Designing the Blueprint
Pillar 2: Designing an impact management and measurement program
(Plenary/Expert-briefing)
While impact measurement is necessary to communicate the value generated by one’s actions and justify ROI from partners (or members) investing time and money, it is mostly possible as a result of a well-planned and executed impact management strategy. But the sector of association meetings has struggled with coming up with a concerted and impactful methodology for impact assessment for several reasons:
This session will explore what an impact management program is, what it looks like and how it can be supported through tools and techniques.
Managing Director, World Design Organization, Canada
Founder & CEO, CODA Societies, USA
Managing Director, Global Destination Sustainability Index, Spain
Owner, Event Storyboard, The Netherlands
10:50 - 11:20
REFUELING YOUR IMPACT (Networking Break)
Build you own conference experience and choose from a variety of learning labs ranging from hands-on workshops to panel discussions and cases from the field:
11:20 - 12:10
LEARNING LABS – Session 1: The Theory of Change for Social Impact
Pillar 1:
Session 1: The Theory of Change for Social Impact
(Interactive Session)
This session will explore how associations can initially formulate an intention of creating a positive impact, and how to go from intention to action in order to generate outcomes through the Theory of change. The main theme is further explored in four Areas of impact (based on their association subject matter) in interactive discussions (4 or 5 “discussion pods” in room) where they are asked to develop a broad theory of change per group:
CMP, CEO and Co-Founder, #Meet4Impact, Canada
11:20 - 12:10
LEARNING LABS – Session 2: What’s Your 2030 Strategy?
Session 2: What’s Your 2030 Strategy?
(Expert Briefing – 2 x 15-min TED-style presentations followed by Q&A)
In 2015 the UN launched one of its most ambitious goals: a 2030 blueprint for a better world. Created with massive input from business, not for profits, governments and civil society, the 2030 Agenda identifies 17 Sustainable Development Goals(SDGs). But what does this mean for associations ? In this session, speakers will explain the philosophy behind the SDGs, how the goals can be integrated into an association strategy, and the benefits that they can bring to associations and their members.
Learning Outcomes:
Managing Director, Global Destination Sustainability Index, Spain
Managing Director, Energy Institute, Middle East Branch, UAE
Founder, AmpUz & Board Member , United Nations Global Compact UAE, UAE
GAHP Advisor, The Netherlands
11:20 - 12:10
LEARNING LABS – Session 3: Impact as a Business Model
Session 3: Impact as a Business Model
(Panel Discussion x 3 Panellists)
This session will be a discussion on the concept of “impact as a business model” for associations to unlock new opportunities of growth and value sharing. We will explore how associations can develop business models that are designed specifically to create positive societal impact beyond the basic operational delivery of services and products. When an organisation intentionally puts impact at the core of its business model, the focus is shifted from being activity-driven to being driven by the specific positive outcomes that are created for all their stakeholders. This elevates the organisation in the value chain and can unlock a plethora of new opportunities.
We will discuss this with panelists coming from the social enterprise world and associations who have successfully made this transition.
Founder & CEO, CODA Societies, USA
International Sport and Culture Association & AssociationWorld, Belgium
Vice-President, International Coach Federation UAE Chapter, UAE
Vice President Global Association Management & Consulting, MCI, UAE
12:10 - 12:25
REFUELING YOUR IMPACT (Networking Break)
Build you own conference experience and choose from a variety of learning labs ranging from hands-on workshops to panel discussions and cases from the field:
12:25 - 13:15
LEARNING LABS – Session 1: The Metrics Conversation
Pillar 2:
Session 1: The Metrics Conversation
(Interactive Session)
This session will focus on impact evaluation and indicators. We will explore how impact can be created by associations through their programs and activities for individuals; for the organisation; and for the broader community. We will work in small groups on identifying what we mean by “indicators of impact” (at various levels), discuss data collection that enables this impact to be evaluated, and brainstorm on possible metrics in a number of fields (grouped under the 4 Areas of impact). We will provide examples of how impact reports can be used to communicate positive outcomes.
CMP, CEO and Co-Founder, #Meet4Impact, Canada
12:25 - 13:15
LEARNING LABS – Session 2: Applying Design for Greater Impact
Session 2: Applying Design for Greater Impact
(Interactive Session)
To design a program for impact that aligns with your association’s purpose and the changing needs of the members makes it a more complex process and almost impossible to predict the outcome from the beginning. Our roles are changing, we need to update our competencies with strategic thinking, and facilitative skills. In this session we will explore the fundamentals of Design Thinking techniques and take a hands-on dive into Storyboarding, one of the most powerful ways to co-create and prototype ideas. We will learn how to leverage design methods in order to maximize the impact of our programs and activities.
Owner, Event Storyboard, The Netherlands
12:25 - 13:15
LEARNING LABS – Session 3: Cases from the Field
Session 3: Cases from the Field
(Case Studies – Panel Discussion x 3 Speakers)
In this session, we will showcase the experiences of associations currently developing impact projects. Our moderator will lead a conversation with 3 representatives of associations actively engaged in strategies aiming to create more social value for their members and the community they serve.
Former President, South Africa Heart Association, South Africa
Executive Director & CEO , Soroptimist International of the Americas, USA
CEO, Biz Group, UAE
13:15 - 14:45
Networking Lunch
14:45 - 15:00
Keynote address : The sky is NOT the limit – Destroying labels by the power of Impact
Despite old-school stereotypes of women in the Middle East and the role they play in society, young Emirati females are breaking down barriers and leading the country and the region into a new era of impact. As one of the youngest Emirati female commercial pilots in the UAE, Bakhita sets an inspiring example for her countrymen — and women. Her keynote will tell the story of herself, and aside from thousands of hours’ flying, how does the 26 year-old pilot create a positive impact on empowering the next generation?
Pilot, Emirates Airlines, UAE
15:00 - 15:45
PLENARY: Survival of the Fittest
Pillar 3: Organizational resilience and foresighting
This session will discuss the context whereby associations face stronger than ever disruptions from all sides and make the case that there is an urgent need for these organizations to learn to navigate and embrace change as a core strategy for long-term strength and agility. The concept of “Foresighting” will also be explained, illustrating how resilience can be achieved by developing a culture of foresight and related practices. This will imply that associations will learn to recognize the signals of change, look for threats and opportunities and understand where they lie, and plan for the expected but foresee the unexpected.
The panel will showcase how resilient organizations:
CEO, Talley Management, USA
Vice President of Global Development & Support, BICSI, USA
CEO, Biz Group, UAE
Build you own conference experience and choose from a variety of learning labs ranging from hands-on workshops to panel discussions and cases from the field:
15:45 - 16:35
LEARNING LABS – Session 1: Developing Agility
Pillar 3:
Session 1: Developing Agility
(Expert Briefing – 2 x 15-min TED-style presentations followed by Q&A)
Our speakers will provide a deeper dive into foresighting and agility. They will carry on a dynamic conversation focusing on how associations and their communities are adapting to new economies as part of their resilience strategy, such as the Sharing / Circular / Experience / Innovation / Platform / Knowledge economies. They will also demonstrate that “Learning organisations” are organisations who:
CEO, The Middle East Council of Shopping Centres, UAE
Chair, American Society of Association Executives & CEO, Heart Rhythm Society, USA
CEO, The World Free Zones Organization, UAE
CEO, Talley Management, USA
15:45 - 16:35
LEARNING LABS – Session 2: Hijacking Tech for Impact
Session 2: Hijacking Tech for Impact
(Case Studies – Panel Discussion x 3 Speakers)
In this session, Associations will present case studies which address the following questions:
Founder, DE Design + Environment Inc, Canada
Principal Data Scientist/Fellow, TeraCrunch/Capria, Canada
Founder, AmpUz & Board Member , United Nations Global Compact UAE, UAE
CEO, Biz Group, UAE
15:45 - 16:35
LEARNING LABS – Session 3: Leadership and Governance
Session 3: Leadership and Governance
(Panel Discussion x 3 Panellists)
Panelists will be discussing topics pertaining to the capacity of organisations to develop human resources policies enabling them to support innovation and transformation:
Director for Partnerships, International Society of Geriatric Oncology, Thailand/Switzerland
CEO, Association of Corporate Treasurers, UK
CEO, ICCA, The Netherlands
CEO and Chief Curator at eko6, Canada
16:35
End of Day
19:00
Gala Dinner – Four Seasons Resorts Dubai at Jumeirah Beach