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.
Annual Conference 2025
See Highlights of the conference hereOur 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?
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
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 Steve Cass RN, Cosham Branch
Joint Runners-up:
Ruth Efunnuga, Interim Director Membership
Elaine Butler, President Warwickshire and Birmingham County
National Chairs Award
Winner: Gp Captain R A Reid OBE ARRC, RAF (Rtd)
National Standard Bearer Competition
Winner (National Standard Bearer): Ellie Parke, Cookstown Branch, Northern Ireland
Runner up (Deputy National Standard Bearer): Beth Slade, National Memorial Arboretum Branch
National Youth Standard Bearer Competition
Winner: Rebecca Bell, Cookstown Branch, Northern Ireland
Women’s Section Standard Bearer Competition
Winner (Ashwanden Cup): Rachel Perkins, Gloucester City Women’s Section, Gloucestershire County
Runner up (Urwick Cup): Amanda Bearryman, Chiseldon Branch
