This session will give you the tools to create and deliver sustainable stewardship activity for your internal community that highlights the impact of philanthropy across the institution. Through recent case studies from UCL and group discussion, participants will gain insights into how recognising philanthropic achievements can deepen internal engagement, increase collaboration and encourage proactive work with academics.

Vicky Conroy will walk you through how we help universities unlock the potential of their own data—using modelling, descriptive analysis, and segmentation to target, attract, and convert the right students. She will also explain how this develops a strategy for growth, helping universities expand into markets they don’t yet know by understanding behaviours and demographics. Learn how propensity modelling identifies those ready to commit, so you can focus your marketing where it matters most. John Cavani will then share his first-hand experience applying these insights at the University of Suffolk, revealing how this approach uncovers ‘quietly keen’ students and drives real recruitment growth. This session offers a fresh, practical roadmap to making your data work harder, sharpening your campaigns, and maximising marketing budgets.

The most effective fundraising isn’t just about securing donations – it’s about presenting a compelling case for internal investment- both to retain budget allocation and increase investment to deliver bigger returns-on-investment. To do that, fundraisers must work in close partnership with finance leaders - understanding the big picture, aligning institutional and philanthropic priorities, demonstrating impact, and speaking the language of value-for-money. Hear real-life examples of philanthropy leveraging other income, such as government grants, and techniques such as matched funding. We will acknowledge the increasing pressure on fundraising teams in a challenging financial environment, as well as the need for unrestricted income and substitute funding. We will share examples of ‘funding the fundraising’ and other ways to build your team’s resources, working in collaboration with other professional services. In this session, you’ll explore how building a strong relationship with your CFO can elevate your fundraising credibility, sharpen your case for support, and drive sustainable growth. Learn how to communicate investment-worthiness with confidence—whether you’re engaging major donors, corporate sponsors, or institutional decision-makers.

Join fellow professionals from Northern Europe for lively discussion, idea-sharing, and regional networking. Celebrate what makes our institutions unique while exploring opportunities for partnership. This meetup is hosted by: • Anita Straujuma, Head of Alumni Relations and Fundraising Department at Riga Technical University and Chair of the Northern Europe Cabinet • Jacob Jensen, Senior Executive Officer, Stakeholder Management at DTU (Technical University of Denmark) and Vice Chair of the Northern Europe Cabinet.

Connect with colleagues from across Continental Europe to share regional insights, challenges, and successes. A relaxed space to strengthen connections and spark collaboration across borders. This meetup is hosted by Nathaniel (Tan) Avital, Senior Director of Development at INSEAD and a member of the Continental Europe Cabinet.

Tired of AI buzzwords? In this session, we cut through the noise to give you a grounded, research-backed tour of how you as a development and alumni relations professional can actually using AI right now to work smarter, not just harder. We’ve tested today’s most impactful and affordable -- AI tools, from ChatGPT to Perplexity and beyond for usecases that are relevant for you. We’ll walk you step-by-step through approachable, high-value use cases: prospect research, automating admin, personalizing communication at scale, and more. You’ll see live demos using sector-relevant scenarios, so you can judge for yourself which tools fit your needs (no technical background required!). Whether you’re AI-curious or ready to level up, skip the generic slides and product pitches. Leave with a practical shortlist of AI solutions (many free or low-cost) and simple frameworks to help your team save time, increase impact, and build stronger alumni relationships, starting tomorrow. You don’t have to do all the research -- we’ve done it for you. Come for the “aha” moments, stay for the toolkit.

As advancement strategy evolves, so must the technology behind it. The era of the Single Platform View is giving way to a smarter, more flexible future - one where modular platforms, AI orchestration, and seamless integrations empower advancement teams to move faster, think bigger, and deliver deeper impact. Join Blackbaud Customer Success as we explore: (a) Why legacy systems are holding institutions back - and what to do about it; (b) How modular tech stacks unlock agility, insight, and innovation; (c) Examples of connected systems and AI-powered orchestration in action; (d) What this shift means for your team, your tools, and your outcomes. Whether you're rethinking your solution setup, exploring new integrations, or planning for the next decade of advancement, this session will help you connect the dots, and the data.