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.

Scroll down this page to see highlights of Annual Conference 2025.

Our next Annual Conference will be held 8-10 May 2026

 at The Brighton Centre, Kings Road, Brighton BN1 2GR

Annual Conference 2026 FAQs

Information will be updated as available

General

Where will Annual Conference 2026 take place?

The Brighton Centre, Kings Road, Brighton, BN1 2GR

When will Annual Conference 2026 take place?

Friday 8th to Sunday 10th May 2026.

Please note this is one week earlier than Annual Conference 2025.

Registration

When does Registration open and close?

Registration will start in January. Dates will be released later this year.

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?

Yes, please select virtual attendance when registering.

How do I register for Annual Conference?

The link for registration will be shared in our usual communications channels including Central News, the eNewsletter and via this webpage during the registration period.

After registration opens, if you need support with the process, please contact your Membership Engagement Officer (MEO) (branch secretaries and voting delegates only) or [email protected] (for all other members and visitors).

Can someone register on my behalf?

Yes.

If you need support with the registration process, please contact your Membership Engagement Officer (MEO) (for branch secretaries and voting delegates) or [email protected] (for all other members and visitors).

Once registration opens, if I register to attend in person but can’t attend, what do I do?

Whilst registration is still open, re-enter the portal from your confirmation email and click ‘Cancel Attendance’.

You are then able to re-register up until the published deadline to attend online.

If I register as a virtual attendee, how do I join on the day?

Joining instructions will be emailed to you by our streaming partner, LUMI, closer to the date of the event.

Can a branch change its voting delegate if the one registered cannot attend?

Yes.

To change the voting delegate, the Branch Secretary must delete the existing registration and create a new one. These changes must be made by the published deadlines for in-person or virtual attendance registration, depending upon the method of attendance.

If you would like to make any changes after registration closes, please contact [email protected] stating your requested changes.

Accommodation & Travel

What accommodation is near the venue?

The venue is just a short walk away from parking, hotels and restaurants.

Please see the Visit Brighton website for more information.

Can I park at the venue?

There is no car parking onsite at the venue, however there is ample parking in the city at Regency Square Car Park and the various NCP carparks, all located a few minutes from the Brighton Centre.

Is there a recommended taxi service?

To be confirmed.

I am arriving by coach. What details do I need?

To be confirmed.

Compliance

How do I know how many delegates my Branch can send to conference?

Branches with up to 300 members may send one delegate.

Branches with over 300 members can send two delegates.

Branches with over 1,000 members can send three delegates.

After that, one additional delegate is permitted for 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?

Compliant branches are those that have submitted their annual accounts on or before 30 September 2025 and their MS1 form by 31 December 2025 to their Membership Engagement Officer (MEO).

Agenda & Itinerary

When will the agenda be available?

A provisional agenda will be released eight weeks before Conference and the final agenda will be shared with registered attendees four weeks before Conference.

When are the National Standard Bearers Competitions?

Details will be provided in the provisional agenda.

Who will be exhibiting at Annual Conference?

Representatives of various RBL directorates as well as external organisations.

Details will be released with the final agenda.

Will there be an act of Remembrance?

Details will be provided in the Delegate Pack.

What time will the registration desks be open at the venue?

Details to be confirmed.

I need to arrange a meeting point with other attendees, can you assist?

The Membership Events team will unfortunately not be able to make personal arrangements on behalf of conference attendees.

Will there be evening entertainment at Annual Conference and, if so, when and where will it take place?

Details to be confirmed.

Finance

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

Details to be confirmed.

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.

National Awards

How can I nominate someone for an award?

Details on how to submit nominations for awards are published each year in the October Circular.

Please see your Branch or County Secretary for details or contact [email protected]

I am an award winner, will I be sent a photo of myself with my award? And when?

Those collecting awards at Annual Conference will be sent a photograph of themselves collecting the award within approximately 2 months of the event.

Accessibility

Does the venue offer accessibility provision?

Yes.

For all details of the venue’s accessibility provision, please visit: Accessibility at the Brighton Centre.

Please let us know your requirements when registering.

Catering

Which catering options will be available at Annual Conference?

The Brighton Centre boasts several catering outlets serving hot and cold food.

The venue is also a short walk from a selection of restaurants and cafes.

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

When registering, please state your dietary requirements and the events team will share this with the venue.

Membership Forum

How do I submit questions to the Membership Forum?

Details will be shared with registered attendees prior to Conference.

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

Yes, you will be able to ask questions via the chat function which will be available on the day.

Please note that these FAQs will be updated as information becomes available.

We will also share updates in our usual communications channels.

Annual Conference 2025

Annual Conference 2025 took place at the Harrogate Convention Centre.

Look out for Legion magazine to read about some of the highlights.

National Award Categories and Winners 2025

The Annual Membership Awards celebrate the great work that supports our Armed Forces Community

Awards Group shot

Click here to see the list of winners announced at Annual Conference 2025

Churchill Shield

Winner: National Memorial Arboretum Branch

Downing Shield

Winner: Debbie Brettle, Javea Branch, Spain North

Ian Hamilton Cup

Winner: Kingswinford RBL Club

Runner-Up:

Waterside RBL Club

Jellicoe Cup

Winner: Rheindahlen Branch

Runners-up:

2nd: Blandford and District Branch

Joint 3rd: Waterside Branch, Paphos Branch, Cyprus

Knox Shield

Winner: Northern Ireland Women's Section

Maurice Challenge Cup

Winner: Spain North District

Runners-up:

2nd: Staffordshire County

3rd: Buckinghamshire County

Lister Cup

Winner: Alford and District Branch

Runner-up: Cullybackey Branch

McCrae Shield

Winner: Paphos Branch, Cyprus

Runners-up:

2nd: Bergen-Hohne Branch

3rd: Javea Branch, Spain North

Poppy Appeal Award

Winner: South West Wales District

Runners-up:

2nd: Berkshire County

3rd: Herefordshire County

Membership Training Award

Winner: Lee Gobie, Herford Branch, Germany

Haig Cup

Winner: Blackburn Branch

Runners-up:

2nd: Whitchurch and Pensford Branch

3rd: Abergavenny Branch

4th: Aldridge Branch

Special Recognition Certificate: Worcester Park Branch

Lewis Shield

Winner: Robert Thompson, Bielefeld Branch

Runner-up: Katie J Matthews, Torrevieja Branch

Noel Rogers Trophy

Winner: Thailand Branch

Runner-up: Ypres Branch

Hughes Trophy

Winner: Bedfordshire County

Runners-up:

2nd: Staffordshire County

3rd: South West Wales District

Sir Clive Johnstone award

Winner: LT Cdr Stev Cass RN, Cosham Branch

Runners-up:

2nd: Ruth Efunnuga, Interim Director Membership

3rd: Elaine Butler, President Warwickshire and Birmingham County

National Chairs Award

Winner: Gp Captain R A Reid OBE ARRC, RAF (Rtd)

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