Associations Spotlight

The OurWhisky Foundation has unveiled a new global online platform and app to connect whisky professionals, foster collaboration, and support women in the whisky industry through networking, exclusive content, and career development opportunities.

Since its launch in September 2022 by the British Furniture Association, the HR Forum has provided a platform for furniture industry HR professionals to share best practices and tackle sector-specific challenges, including wage changes and retention strategies.

The National Tile Contractors Association (NTCA) is set to conduct more than 300 training sessions in 2025, supported by industry-leading sponsors, to elevate skill levels, promote US manufacturing, and foster collaboration across the tile installation sector.

The Modular & Portable Building Association (MPBA) is strengthening the UK’s modular construction sector by providing expert guidance, exclusive networking, practical training through its Learning Hub, and influential advocacy to help members navigate business challenges and grow sustainably.

Increasingly endorsed by the USGA, Allied Golf Associations are harnessing HubSpot’s integrated platform to automate membership workflows, customise regional communications, and sharpen event and donation management, significantly boosting operational efficiency and member satisfaction.

The European Geosciences Union hosted a dedicated Equality, Diversity and Inclusion event at its General Assembly, highlighting new initiatives and fostering open dialogue to create a more supportive and equitable environment for geoscientists.

Award-winning Co-Women, a networking club for female entrepreneurs, is broadening its reach in Sussex and aims to launch in Glasgow, promoting collaboration and inclusion through sponsored memberships for marginalised women.

A recent Momentive Software survey highlights significant gaps between the priorities of association members and professionals, particularly in career advancement benefits and the use of generative AI, urging leaders to rethink engagement strategies.

The International Association of Exhibitions & Events (IAEE) has introduced Event Tech Demo Days, a series of free virtual events designed to connect event organisers with the latest technology providers. The initiative offers live demos and interactive sessions on tools to enhance event planning and management, starting with floorplan planning systems in April 2025.

The IPA and Brixton Finishing School join forces for Advertising Unlocked 2025, aiming to provide UK students with hands-on industry experience and employability support, in a bid to foster a diverse and skilled advertising workforce.

The Global Association of the Exhibition Industry (UFI) has revealed the recipients of its 2025 Next Generation Leadership grant, recognising emerging talent reshaping event formats and driving innovation in the exhibition sector. The programme supports professionals with fewer than ten years' experience through funding, mentorship, and a global platform to showcase their visionary projects.

The Korea Standards Association reveals its comprehensive 6th Mid-Term Strategy to 2027, focusing on sustainable growth, advanced technological standardisation, AI integration, and fostering collaboration to enhance industrial competitiveness and societal value.

Three major regional tea associations in India have joined forces to create the Federation of Indian Tea Manufacturers Association (FITMA), representing over 525 tea factories nationwide. The launch coincided with the unveiling of the Mission 1K campaign, aiming to raise per capita tea consumption to 1,000 grams annually, signalling a new era for India's tea industry.

Six leading associations in the global mobility and relocation sector have established the Coalition for Associations in Global Mobility, a UK-registered entity aimed at enhancing collective action on industry challenges, expanding collaboration beyond environmental concerns, and providing unified leadership across international markets.

The Association for Hospitality in Healthcare (AHIH), based in Las Vegas, has been launched to fuse hospitality principles with healthcare delivery, aiming to advance patient-centred care through research, education and cross-sector collaboration.

The AMGTA 2025 summit gathered global experts to discuss additive manufacturing innovations, AI integration, and praised efforts in sustainability, spotlighting 3D-printed awards made from recycled polymer powder, advancing circular economy principles in manufacturing.

IPAF introduces two innovative training pathways for mobile elevating work platform operators, enhancing compliance, accessibility, and flexibility. New eLearning courses meet ANSI and CSA standards and support the industry’s growing need for scalable, high-quality safety education, timed with World Day for Safety and Health at Work 2025.

The British Furniture Association’s HR Forum, led by Sarah Jane Hutchinson, brings together HR professionals from major furniture companies like DFS and G-Plan to share best practices on wage changes, employee retention, and adapting to industry shifts, with events planned through September.

Delegates from twelve countries convened to discuss advances in motorcycle safety education, endorsing the Czech-developed Learn to Survive programme as a prospective European standard. Innovative methods include electric motorcycle training and educational videos enhancing rider risk perception, attracting wider international interest.

Australia has officially launched the globally recognised Food Made Good Standard, aimed at enhancing sustainability across its hospitality sector. The initiative, backed by Innavi and the Sustainable Restaurant Association, promises rigorous certification and expert guidance to transform restaurants, cafés, and caterers nationwide.