Annual Conference is a highlight in the AFM year. A unique opportunity for over 250 leaders and influencers in the mutual sector, their supporters and partners, to come together to share experiences, insight and expertise about issues that have vital impact on the future of insurance and mutuality.

The theme of this year’s Conference is Better Together: working together to do the best for our members. That collaborative spirit is at the heart of the relationship between AFM, our Members and our Associate Members, and it will be woven into the Conference programme.

As every year, we’ve listened to feedback from delegates, sponsors and exhibitors, and have made a few changes to the event this year. We’ve chosen a location closer to the centre of the country with both good public transport access and plenty of car parking on site. The venue is a purpose-built conference centre which will give us more flexibility for the format and range of sessions. Conference will open late-morning on Monday, making it easier for those delegates who prefer not to travel over the weekend to arrive in time for the start. But we have also reintroduced the two-night accommodation package for anyone who does still want to arrive on the Sunday evening and join us for a relaxed welcome meal.

Other features of the Conference will remain the same – engaging, relevant and thought-provoking content, with great guest speakers and lively breakouts and small-group discussion sessions. And of course, the ever-popular Monday evening Gala Dinner. We’ll be updating this Conference website with details of the programme as speakers and other contributors are confirmed over the coming weeks – so watch this space!

One new initiative this year is a Charity Partner for the Conference. I am delighted that we have linked up with FareShare Midlands, the region’s largest charity fighting hunger and food waste, and who have a base in Nottingham. They save surplus food from going to waste and redistribute it to over 800 frontline charities and community groups across the Midlands, providing nutritious meals and essential support to 83,000 vulnerable individuals and families facing food insecurity each week. There will be opportunities to hear about the great work they do at Conference, but in the meantime, you can find more on the Charity Partner page on this website.

Conference is always a special occasion and I am looking forward to seeing you in Nottingham in October. Due to the popularity of the event last year, we had to close registrations several weeks before the event, so I urge you to book your place early this year, to avoid disappointment.

All the best.

Andrew