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.
Scroll down this page to see highlights of Annual Conference 2024.
Registration for in-person and virtual attendance to Annual Conference is now closed
If you have any queries about your registration please email [email protected]
Annual Conference 2025 FAQs
Information will be updated as availableGeneral
Where will Annual Conference 2025 take place?
Harrogate Convention Centre, King's Road, Harrogate, Yorkshire HG1 5LA
When will Annual Conference 2025 take place?
Friday 16th to Sunday 18th May 2025
Registration
When does Registration open and close for Annual Conference 2025?
Registration has now closed for in-person and virtual attendance to Annual Conference. Please contact [email protected] if you have any questions.
Who can attend Annual Conference?
Anyone may attend Annual Conference as a Visitor (this includes carers), but they cannot propose or second motions or vote. Branch delegates may propose or second for motions and vote on motions. County Delegates may speak for or against motions but may not vote.
Can delegates attend and vote online?
How do I register for Annual Conference 2025?
Can someone register on my behalf?
I registered to attend in person but I can no longer attend, what do I do now?
Enter the portal from your confirmation email and click ‘Cancel Attendance’. Then please contact [email protected] confirming if you would like to attend virtually or cancel your attendance.
I have registered as a virtual delegate for Annual Conference, how do I join on the day?
How can a branch change their Voting Delegate if the one they registered cannot come?
Registration has now closed for in-person and virtual attendance to Annual Conference so if you would like to make any changes, please contact [email protected] stating your requested changes.
Previously County Delegates were asked to register as 'Visitors', is this the case for 2025?
Accommodation & Travel
What accommodation is near the venue?
The venue is just a short walk away from parking, hotels and restaurants. Please visit the venue website for more information.
Can I park at the venue?
On-site parking (including accessible parking) at the Convention Centre is limited and costly. However, there are several more affordable options just a 5-minute walk from the venue.
Is there a recommended taxi service?
Please see Harrogate taxi services here.
I am arriving by coach. What details do I need?
If you are arriving by coach there will be a bay on the road outside the Conference Centre (Entrance one) This space will be reserved on Friday 16th May from 1230 – 1630 and Sunday from 1500 – 1700. Please note these timings and inform your coach companies. There is plenty of coach parking in the town.
Compliance
How do I know how many delegates my Branch can send to conference?
Branches with up to 300 delegates may send one delegate.
Branches with over 300 members can send two delegates.
Branches with over 1000 members can send three delegates.
After that, one additional delegate is permitted per every 500 members.
How do I prove I’m compliant?
Compliance sits with the branch, not with the attendee/individual. Please contact your Membership Engagement Officer (MEO) should you require more information.
How do I ensure my branch is compliant?
Agenda & Itinerary
When will the agenda be available?
When are the National Standard Bearers Competitions?
They will take place on Friday 16th May 2025 at the Royal Hall, Harrogate Convention Centre.
Who will be exhibiting at Annual Conference 2025?
Representatives of various RBL directorates as well as external organisations. Details are shown in the Delegate Pack.
Will there be an act of Remembrance?
What time will the registration desks be open at Annual Conference 2025?
I need to arrange a meeting point with other attendees, can you assist?
When and where is the Evening Entertainment taking place at Annual Conference 2025?
What is the evening entertainment at Annual Conference 2025?
RBL North and East Yorkshire County will host an evening concert in the Royal Hall at Harrogate Convention Centre on Saturday 17th May, doors from 6.30pm. The wonderful Humberside Police Concert Band, the country’s oldest continually-performing police band and big supporters of RBL, will perform music with something for everyone – be it military, dance or sing-along tunes. We don't require you to book a ticket in advance to attend.
How do I nominate a place of conference for 2029?
Nominations to select a town or city for Annual Conference 2029 has now closed. Please contact [email protected] if you have any questions.
Finance
Can my branch request financial support for sending a voting delegate?
Applications for the Jim Prince Fund has now closed.
Who do I need to contact regarding my expenses for Annual Conference?
Only branch delegates are eligible for a partial expense reimbursement from the RBL Central Fund, in line with the information supplied in the October Circular. Please refer to the Delegate Pack or speak to your Branch Secretary for further guidance on expenses.
Awards
How can I nominate someone for an award?
I am an award winner, will I be sent a photo of myself with my award? And when?
Accessibility
Does the venue provide hearing loops?
The auditorium is set-up to accommodate hearing loops.
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?
Please contact [email protected] if you have any medical requirements that you have not indicated on your registration form.
Catering
Which catering options will be available at Annual Conference 2025?
Lunch will be available to purchase at the Exhibition Hall on Saturday and Sunday. There will be a coffee shop located near the auditorium entrance.
I have very specific dietary needs; will I be catered for?
If you have any further dietary requirements that you have not indicated on your registration form.
Membership Forum
When will the Membership Forum take place?
How do I submit questions to the Membership Forum?
As a virtual delegate will I be able to ask questions during the Membership Forum?
Annual Conference 2024
Annual Conference 2024 took place at the International Convention Centre in Newport, Wales.
To read about some of the highlights, look out for July’s issue of Legion magazine.
Also, read our interview with guest speaker, RAF veteran and RBL colleague Stacey Denyer.
Membership Award winners 2024
The Annual Membership Awards celebrate the great work that supports our Armed Forces Community
Click here to see the list of winners announced at Annual Conference 2024
Churchill Shield
Winner: Y Services
“The branch has continued to perform admirably over the past twelve months, reaching out not only internally to help its members and beneficiaries but also externally to highlight the work of the RBL to the general public, regular and reserve armed forces personnel and local communities”.
Downing Shield
Winner: John Davis, Blackwood and District Branch
“John has never failed to provide advice, encouragement and support to branches and BCS representatives. John Davis is a credit to the county and deserving of this award.”
Runner-up:
Thomas Miller, Aldridge Branch, Staffordshire.
Ian Hamilton Cup
Winner: Whitstable RBL Club
“The atmosphere of the club is always of positivity and enjoyment. There is always laughter and banter between the team and the members. It is a club and branch that are working well together and have the same work ethos of being at the centre of the community for its members, veterans and beneficiaries so that loneliness and isolation are becoming a thing of the past in the club premises.”
Runner-Up:
Kingswinford RBL Club, Staffordshire
Jellicoe Cup
Winner: Osnabruck Branch. Germany
“The Branch holds an annual open day which attract 400 - 500 visitors. The public is attracted by the British cuisine and the various information stands of the RBL and other charities. These stands include where to get help and how to join the RBL.”
Runners-up:
2nd – Ashford Branch, Kent
Joint 3rd – Blyth Branch, Northumbria; Lees and District Branch
Knox Shield
Winner: Paderborn Branch
“The Paderborn Branch has had stands at the Summer Fete, the Wellbeing and Wealth Fayre and the Garrison Bonfire. The Unit Welfare Office has collaborated with the branch and this has helped the branch to raise over 20,000 Euros for the Poppy Appeal.”
Maurice Challenge Cup
Winner: Women’s Section
“This has been a remarkable year for the Women’s Section. Together with the Central Committee, MEO and the Finance Team, the Women’s Section undertook a major house-keeping exercise. This work identified Women’s Section S ‘live’ branches, counties and contacts meaning communication direct with members is reconnected. Direct contact has led to branch return compliance increasing by 48% to 79% overall.”
Runners-up:
2nd – Devon County
3rd – Staffordshire
Lister Cup
Winner: Dromore Branch, Northern Ireland
“We are in contact with those beneficiaries who are ill and isolated. We have one dealing with cancer and his wife is under pressure trying to care for him. We offer her help on a regular basis.”
McCrae Shield
Winner: Paphos Branch, Cyprus
“The branch holds many commemorative dinners throughout each year – at least ten a year, these attract differing people and gives us the opportunity to explain about our branch and the RBL.”
Runners-up:
2nd – Hannover Branch, Germany
3rd – Gran Alacant and La Marina Branch, Spain
Poppy Appeal Award
Winner: Lees and District Branch
Runners-up:
2nd – Brackley Branch
3rd – Soham Branch
Overseas Poppy Appeal Award
Winner: Paphos Branch, Cyprus
Membership Training Award
Winner: Dave Brett, Germany District
Runners-up:
2nd – Shirley Patterson, Northern Ireland District
3rd – Margery Taylor, Spain South District
Haig Cup
Winner: Blyth Branch
“The branch collaborates with local schools to encourage greater awareness of remembrance and the work of the RBL and by doing so promotes awareness of the RBL and greater involvement of the community with the branch, with one of the two academies wanting to create ambassadors for Remembrance and also the newly formed Blyth Combined Cadet Force Navy Cadets. Branch Standard Bearers attended a schools' Armistice Sunrise Service at Blyth beach.”
Runners-up:
2nd – Dungannon/Moy, Northern Ireland
Joint 3rd – Riders Branch; Tamworth Branch
Lewis Shield
Winner: Alistair Wilcox
Runners-up: 2nd – Robert Thompson, Germany
Joint 3rd – Alan Purdy, Blyth Branch; Jane Vallance, Riders Branch
Annual Conference FAQs: Please note that these FAQs will be updated as information becomes available. We will also share updates in our usual communications channels.
Annual Conference 2024 highlights
