FIA Conference 2027 | Call for Speakers Submission Guide
About the Conference
The conference is the premier event of its kind in Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand and provides an opportunity to examine the present and future direction of the fundraising sector. The program is designed to support the career development of professional fundraisers and further the incredible impact of the for-purpose sector.
The conference attracts upwards of 1000 attendees annually, including over 100 speakers and presenters. The three-day program provides a range of sessions covering core disciplines, as well as the latest fundraising techniques, trends and innovations. It hosts the largest exhibition in Australasia for professional fundraising with around 60 stands and includes a Gala Awards Dinner celebrating the FIA Awards for Excellence in Fundraising.
Interested in speaking at FIA Conference 2027?
Fundraising Institute Australasia is seeking:
- Submissions from individuals willing to present best practice or innovative, evidence-based presentations at the conference
- Suggestions from fundraising professionals, on what topics, sessions and presenters should be included in the program.
Submissions and ideas will be reviewed by the 2027 FIA Conference Program Committee, a committee formed of your fellow fundraising professionals and FIA Members from across Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand. During the review process, the following will be considered:
- The proposed topic and its current relevance to the profession. We are looking for new topics and trends as well as traditional fundraising topics. Presentations should challenge views, reinforce best practice and/or promote new ideas to attendees.
- Whether the subject and presentation complements or competes with others being considered for the program.
- The credentials and speaking experience of the speaker/s, if applicable. But, if you have no speaking experience don’t let that put you off. We’re always looking for new people to share their great ideas and stories.
- Whether the speaker is new to the FIA Conference and/or International.
- If the speaker/s has presented at a past FIA Conference the ratings and feedback they received may be considered.
Speaker Requirements
When speaking at the conference we ask:
- All presentations adhere to the FIA Code. Speakers are required to complete the online Code Course.
- The session be as learner-centred as possible and not a promotional opportunity for industry consultants and suppliers. Speakers may not promote their company, products or services as part of their presentations.
- Industry consultants and suppliers present a case study with a charity client. The charity client must be known before the session can be confirmed.
- All presentations will be made available to conference delegates. These will be made available online as PDF’s acknowledging the author.
- Only the approved FIA Conference slide template be used for the presentation. Your organisation or company logo and website address may appear on the first and last slide of the presentation only.
You'll be entitled to:
- A complimentary registration for the conference (Masterclasses and Gala Awards Dinner excluded).
- If you are presenting as part of panel discussion, you will be entitled to a complimentary registration for the day of your presentation; and offered a discounted panellist rate for the additional day.
Diversity Equity and Inclusion
FIA recognises the value of diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) in achieving meaningful and best-practice fundraising. We encourage sessions focused on, or with an element of, DEI, as well as a diverse range of speakers and organisations.
Program Information
FIA works in collaboration with the Conference Program Committee to ensure sessions remain relevant, current and innovative.
This year FIA Conference will offer sessions in line with the following topics:
We’re looking for presentations for all ‘mass’ individual giving channels, including regular giving, cash giving, and appeals, across all media, covering acquisition and retention, diversification, and related innovation.
Track Chairs:
- Laurie McPherson MFIA | LinkedIn
- Chandini Devasahayam
The Gifts in Wills track aims to cover large and small gift in Will programs, including how to grow, maintain, or even start your GiW program, with best practice examples.
The Mid-Value section of this track will cover worked examples from organisations who have embedded profitable MV programs within their broader fundraising. Other sessions will cover philanthropy contributors to help individuals and organisations understand the bigger-ticket giving that comes through relationship fundraising, including the sometimes seemingly hidden world of writing successful grant applications.
Track Chairs:
Leadership presentations are sought across all aspects of leading a fundraising team. Submissions can range from how to prepare for leadership, and optimising your behaviour as a fundraising leader, through to support for established fundraising leaders, covering topics such as building trust, the challenges of leading a multi-portfolio team, and how to remove structural barriers to fundraising in your organisation.
Track Chairs:
Emerging Issues will look at the contemporary topics most important to fundraisers today; the ethics of modern-day fundraising, accountability and transparency, the role of Diversity and Inclusion, how to continue to innovate and grow in the face of extended ‘unprecedented times’, and more.
Track Chairs:
In response to consistent feedback and the success of last year's conference, we are looking at the special insights about working in a small charity, possibly with fundraising ‘teams’ comprised of just a single individual. If it helps small charities to fundraise better, then it’s relevant for this track.
Track Chairs:
While innovative thinking will appear across all tracks, there will be a special focus on people breaking new ground in fundraising. This topic is for sharing out of the box thinking and ideas.
Track Chairs:
Community Fundraising takes many forms, and here we’re looking for contributions in running successful peer-to-peer and other community fundraising activities, large and small. We’ll also showcase making your event fundraising profitable with inspiring and creative worked examples.
Track Chairs:
We are seeking successful examples of charities making Corporate Partnerships work for both parties, helping expand the reach of their important work in the community with the help of aligned partners.
Track Chairs:
The ‘how to’ of fundraising activities across any individual portfolio or range of portfolios. For new and mid-stage fundraising professionals wanting to learn or refresh themselves with best practice guidelines, this track will have practical, easy-to-implement takeaways for any size organisation.
Track Chairs:
Exploring how fundraisers can practically and responsibly use digital tools, data, automation and artificial intelligence to strengthen fundraising outcomes. We’re looking for sessions that move beyond the hype and provide clear examples, lessons and practical takeaways, from using AI to improve supporter journeys, content, analysis and productivity, through to selecting and implementing technology, managing risk, protecting data, and bringing teams along with change.
Conference Program Committee Chair:
Have you got so much great information that it would take at least half-a-day to share it, and you want to take a hands-on approach with up to 25 keen fundraisers in any of the above topics? Then please submit your idea for a ‘must-attend’ Masterclass for the Wednesday morning of Conference day 1.
Masterclass Chairs:
In submitting your proposal, please ensure you let us know which of the above topics your session is relevant for in the “Track” field of the online form. If it fits into two different topics, you will be able to make another selection in the “Secondary Track” field of the online form.
Session Format Options
When submitting your session proposal, you will be asked to indicate what format that session will be.
60-minute Presentation
- Informative or interactive session accompanied by PowerPoint presentation
- 5-10 minute Q&A at the end
- Can present alone or with up to 2 others
Panel Discussion (60 minutes)
- Panel discussion with 1 host and up to 5 panellists
- 5-10 minute Q&A at the end
- PowerPoint presentation optional
5-hour Masterclass
- Workshop accompanied by PowerPoint presentation
- Morning tea and lunch breaks totalling 1 hour
- Round table setting to facilitate collaboration and discussion
Key Dates and Times
- 11 May 2026 - Submission portal opens
- 14 May 2026 - Call for Speakers submission info webinar
- 12 June 2026 - Submission portal closes
- September 2026 - Submitters notified of outcome
- November 2026 - Pre-Conference speaker briefing
- 24 - 26 February 2027 - FIA Conference 2027 on the Gold Coast
Conference Dates
Wednesday 24 February - Friday 26 February 2027
Time
Wednesday
8:30am - 2:00pm (Masterclasses)
2:30pm - 3:30pm (Sector Discussion Groups)
4:00pm - 5:30pm (Opening Plenary)
5:30pm - 7:00pm (Welcome Reception)
Thursday
8:30am - 5:30pm (Conference sessions)
7:00pm - 11:30pm (Gala Awards Dinner)
Friday
8:30am - 5:30pm (Conference sessions)
Venue
Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre (GCEC)
