I was in Gaborone, the capital city of Botswana, from November 2 to 5 for our association’s annual CEO Forum held at the spanking international convention center there. Over 350 delegates from 31 countries attended the event, which was organized under the auspices of the World Federation of Development Finance Institutions, where I am the secretary-general representing my association, ADFIAP.
Chief executives of development banks presented during the conference, themed “Development Finance Institutions Sustaining Relevance in the Age of Disruption,” the challenges they faced and solutions they made amid the rapid changes in today’s “disruptive economy.”
“Disruption” does not mean only innovation in technology, but also shifts in demographics, societal behavior and needs, economic and market conditions, as well as ongoing reforms in political, legal and regulatory regimes.
What emerged prominently from the discussions are three salient points in the context of meeting head on the disruptions mentioned, and these are purpose, relevance and leadership. Interestingly, these points are interrelated, i.e., to remain relevant, an organization needs a purpose-driven leadership.
These points are also very much valid for associations. In my August 10 column, I mentioned these same current shifts shaping associations and other membership organizations of today, particularly the one that relates to digital disruption.
The days of “business as usual” are over in this age of disruption. Associations must innovate to deliver products and services that matter to their members. They must innovate to tackle disruption; create clarity of purpose; optimize board and governance systems and structures; improve on internal culture and efficiency; increase income and influence; accelerate progress; and focus on sustainability into the future.
These issues will be presented and deliberated on when the Philippine Council of Associations and Association Executives (PCAAE), the country’s “association of associations,” where I am the president and CEO, will hold its fourth annual Associations Summit (AS4) at the Philippine International Convention Center next week (November 23 and 24, 2016). The summit’s theme is “Race to Innovation: Winning in the Age of Disruption.” Twenty-three speakers and thought leaders from here and abroad will cover various topics on the subject for an expected audience of over 150 association executives, board members, and professionals.
Aside from the various educational tracks during the event, a 30-plus tabletop exhibition of suppliers to associations and the meetings, incentives, convention and expos (MICE) industry will also be held. The summit will also shine the spotlight on outstanding associations and association board members and professionals through the “Ang SUSI Awards,” which will be presented during the formal gala dinner and awards night on November 23.
The two-day event is supported by ADFIAP, the Tourism Promotions Board and the PICC. Please e-mail at inquiries@adfiap.org for more details on AS4.
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The column contributor, Octavio Peralta, is concurrently the secretary-general of the Association of Development Financing Institutions in Asia and the Pacific and the president of the Philippine Council of Associations and Association Executives (PCAAE).
The mission of PCAAE— the “association of associations”—is to advance and sustain the work and advocacies of associations and other membership organizations, set industry standards and policy guidelines for associations and help further professionalize their ranks.