Standards leaning against a wall at The Royal British Legion Annual Conference

Annual Conference is the biggest RBL Membership event of the year.

It is regulated by the Royal Charter and includes the following: annual accounts report, the Director General’s address and voting on motions brought by delegates from their branches and counties.

The Annual Conference is a great opportunity to catch up on Royal British Legion news, meet fellow members and RBL teams.

The exhibition promises an exciting and interactive space where visitors and members can visit the Poppy Shop and other exhibitors, speak to our teams on a variety of subjects such as Branch Finances, Membership Services and learn first-hand about RBL's plans and ambitions.

Annual Conference 2024

Our Annual Conference 2024 will take place a week earlier than usual. The exhibition, Women’s Section Forum and Overseas’ Forum will take place Friday 10 May, with Conference opening on Saturday 11th May and concluding on Sunday 12th May. Virtual attendees will be able to view the business of Conference that takes place in the main auditorium over the two days via live stream.

This will be a hybrid event, with in-person attendance at the stunning, purpose-built International Conference Centre (ICC) Wales, in Newport, Wales, just off junction 24 of the M4 and a short ride away from Newport Station.

 

Registration for Annual Conference 2024 has now closed



Annual Conference - 2024 FAQs»

Annual Conference 2023

Our 2023 Annual Conference took place at the Riviera International Centre in Torquay, Devon. This hybrid event saw 484 in-person attendees and 195 people attend online.

Annual Conference 2023 Highlights

Annual Conference 2022

In 2022 we held a hybrid Annual Conference for the first time, enabling delegates to attend in-person or virtually. Around 185 delegates attended virtually, and around 638 delegates attended in-person.

In case you missed it, you can watch the livestream of the Annual Conference which included the following: the voting of motions, guest speakers and the award ceremony by clicking on the YouTube links below.

Royal British Legion Annual Conference - 14 May 2022 - YouTube
Royal British Legion Annual Conference - 15 May 2022 - YouTube

Frequently Asked Questions


General

Where will Annual Conference 2024 take place?

ICC Wales Newport: The Coldra, Catsash Road, Newport NP18 1HQ.

When will Annual Conference 2024 take place?

The exhibition, Women’s Section Forum and Overseas’ Forum will take place Friday 10 May, with Conference opening on Saturday 11th May and concluding on Sunday 12th May. Virtual attendees will be able to view the business of Conference that takes place in the main auditorium over the two days via live stream.

 

 

Why has Annual Conference 2024 been brought forward a week?

At the decision of the Conference Committee to ensure that a suitable venue could be provided as close as possible to the location selected by Conference.

 

 

What time will Annual Conference 2024 begin?

Timings will be included in the agenda, which will be shared in due course.

Registration

When does Registration open and close for Annual Conference 2024?

Registration will open at 00:01 on 08 January 2024 and close at 23:59 on 28 March 2024.

Can we attend Annual Conference 2024 a virtual delegate?

Yes, please select virtual attendance when registering.

Why has the registration date changed?

The Conference Committee has changed the registration date to reduce the time between registration and compliance confirmation, leading to greater accuracy and efficiency.

How do I register for Annual Conference 2024?

The link for registration will be shared in Central News on MAP and via the RBL website during the registration period. If you need support with the registration process, please contact your Membership Engagement Officer (MEO).

Can someone register on my behalf?

Yes. If you need support with the registration process, please contact your Membership Engagement Officer.

Who can attend Annual Conference?

Anyone can attend Annual Conference as a visitor (this includes carers), but they cannot propose or second motions or vote.

Accommodation & Travel

What accommodations is near the venue?

Please https://www.visitwales.com/destinations/south-wales/things-do-newport. There are further hotel and Airbnbs available in the city centre, which is a 10-minute drive from the venue.

Can I park at the venue and what costs are associated?

• Day rate discounted from £24.00 to £6.00 
• Overnight is an extra £10.00 (£16 for 24 hours).  
 
ICC Wales will set up a dedicated link so people can input their registration number and pre-pay for their parking at this rate. Link to follow.

Compliance

How do I prove I’m compliant?

Compliance is vested in the branch, not the attendee/individual.

How do I ensure my branch is compliant?

Compliant branches are those that have submitted their annual accounts on or before 30 September 2023 and their MS1 form by 31 December 2023 to their Membership Engagement Officer (MEO).

Agenda & Itinerary 

When will the agenda be available?

The Annual Conference 2024 agenda will be available closer to Conference. 

When are the National Standard Bearers Competitions?

Friday 10th May. Women’s Standard Bearers Competition will take place in the morning and National Standard Bearers Competition will take place in the afternoon.

Who will be exhibiting at Annual Conference 2024?

Representatives of various RBL directorates will be exhibiting. Details will be released near the time.

Will there be an act of Remembrance?

There will be an act of Remembrance on Sunday 12th May; details to be confirmed.

Finance  

Can my branch request financial support for sending a voting delegate?

Yes, you can apply for the Jim Prince fund. Please click the link to see if your branch is eligible and complete the MS Form. Please note, the MS Form must be completed by the 10 April 2024.  

Who do I need to contact regarding my expenses for Annual Conference? (Non-Overseas Branch Delegates)

All UK based branch delegates will have their expenses calculated based on their home address to the venue and a proportion of these expenses will be paid to their Branch account. Delegates do not need to submit an expense form.

Who do I need to contact regarding my expenses for Annual Conference? (Overseas Branch Delegates)

All overseas branch delegates that fall into bands G and H will need to submit an expenses form and their receipts to MembershipServices@britishlegion.org.uk

Awards

How can I nominate someone for an award?

Information on the awards process is released in Central News. Please refer to your Branch Chair for further details.

Accessibility

Does the venue provide hearing loops?

Yes, but please let us know your requirements when registering.

Is the venue Wheelchair/Mobility Scooter Friendly?

Yes, accessibility at the venue includes step-free access, lifts and escalators, wheelchair seating in the auditorium, and accessible toilets and changing places.

I'm registered blind, can I bring my guide dog?

Yes, but please let us know your requirements when registering.

My medication needs to be refrigerated; can this be done?

Yes, but please let us know your requirements when registering.

Catering

What catering options will be available at Annual Conference 2024?

As with previous years, catering will be provided on site and will take into account a variety of dietary needs. More information will be available closer to the time and the ability to express preferences/requirements will be available once registration opens on 8th January 2024.

I have very specific dietary needs; will I be catered for?

When registering, please state your diet requirements and needs.

Membership Forum

How do I submit questions to the Membership Forum?

Please submit these questions to the membershipservices@britishlegion.org.uk mailbox

As a virtual delegate will I be able to ask questions during the Membership Forum?

Yes, via the membershipservices@britishlegion.org.uk mailbox and via the chat function which will be available on the day.

Motions

What are the Motions deadlines for annual Conference 2024?

There are three key deadlines for Motions, these are:

  1. The Branch AGM – A Motion must be debated and agreed at a full Branch Meeting before the end of November.

  1. The County/District Committee – the Branch must submit a Motion to their County/District Committee by the end of the last week in November, or not less than 8 weeks before their County/District Conference.

  1. Successful Motions must be submitted by Counties/Districts the to Annual Conference Committee by 5pm on Friday 2nd February 2024 (13 weeks before Annual conference 2024). No Motions can be submitted after this deadline.

Who submits Motions?

Motions are debated and agreed by branches, which submit them to the County/District Committee for debate and agreement at the County Conference. Agreed Motions are then submitted to the Annual Conference Committee. 

What must a motion include?

All motions must be accompanied by a certificate and have the following sections:

  • Motion text

  • The reason for the Motion

  • The effect of the Motion, if passed

  • Main argument in favour of the Motion

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