At PN Digital, we’re still buzzing from the energy at this year’s FIA Conference! As the Social Media Partner for another year running, our team was on the ground capturing the “gold nuggets” of wisdom shared by industry leaders.
Day 1: Deep Dives, Diverse Donors, and the Power of Partnership
Day 1 was all about in-depth sessions. While the main conference agenda is always packed, the pre-conference Masterclasses provided that essential “deep dive”. We spent the day moving between sessions, filming interviews, and chatting with speakers about the practical takeaways for fundraisers.
Masterclass: Diversifying Your Major Gift Donor Base
We caught up with the team behind the “Diversifying your Major Gift Donor Base” masterclass, including Radhika Sukumar, Jennifer Gibbons, and Annabelle Rogers.
One of the most valuable insights shared was the importance of partnership. Radhika highlighted how working collaboratively with other charities and organisations can significantly grow your own networks and donor base. In a crowded landscape, we’ve seen firsthand how evidence-based partnerships help our clients reach diverse audiences more effectively.
Day 2: Testing Budgets, Tackling Leadership, and Celebrating Across the Ditch
We hit the ground running on Thursday for Day 2 of the FIA Conference! Day 2 was heavy on strategy, rich in emotion, and packed with fantastic networking. Here is a look at what we captured on the ground.
Leadership Without the Fluff: Amplifying Your Impact
We caught up with Lisa Rudolphe from Presbyterian Support Northern, who delivered a packed session reminding us all that fundraising is a team sport.
Lisa addressed a very real pain point in our sector: many fundraisers find themselves in leadership positions without formal management training. Her advice was straight-up and honest. If things are going wrong, leaders need to be brave, identify the root cause, and focus on open communication with their teams.
She also reminded us of the sheer power of networking. The people you meet at these conferences can become your mentors and peers, giving you a completely different energy to bring back to your day-to-day work.
A Plenary to Remember: Finding Opportunity in Adversity
One of the most grounding moments of the day was capturing Bec Daniher, Executive Director of FightMND, following her powerful plenary session.
Bec spoke candidly about her family’s journey following her dad’s terminal illness, and how taking action allowed them to take control back and find positivity. Her message to the sector was profound: focus on controlling the controllables and finding opportunity in adversity.
She shared a beautiful Greek proverb that perfectly encapsulates the non-profit sector: “Society grows great when old men plant trees in whose shade we know that they know they shall never sit“. As Bec noted, we work in a unique space filled with people who choose a career path focused on creating a better future rather than serving themselves. It was a brilliant reminder of why we all do this work and what motivates us every day.
Celebrating Across the Ditch: The NZ Networking Event
Did you know we had a massive Kiwi contingent this year? Up to 70 New Zealand fundraisers travelled across the ditch for the sector’s largest professional education event.
We loved capturing the NZ Networking Event, where everyone gathered with peers to connect and celebrate. It was a fantastic opportunity for FIA to present NZ organisations, individuals, and suppliers, highlighting how cross-border collaboration is actively increasing our collective impact. Kia ora to everyone who made the trip!
Capping it off: The Gala Awards
We wrapped up Day 2 by swapping our conference lanyards for evening wear at the Gala Awards. It was an incredible night celebrating the sector’s brightest minds and most effective campaigns. Seeing the tangible results of hard work, data-driven strategies, and strong partnerships being recognised is exactly why we love being a part of this community.
Day 3: Leading with Heart, Demystifying Tech, and Celebrating a Successful Week
Friday rolled around, and while the coffee was definitely needed, the energy in the room was still absolutely electric for the final day.
Leading with Heart at Mythsmashers
The highlight of our Friday was undoubtedly catching up with the winner, April de Haan, of the highly anticipated Mythsmashers session right as they stepped off the stage.
April’s presentation was a masterclass in itself, featuring powerful storytelling and striking imagery that clearly blew the audience away. What really stood out to us, though, was the emphasis on teamwork and support.
Their final piece of advice for the sector? “Go for it. Smash the myth, know yourself, lead with heart.”
Demystifying CRMs with Lanrex
We also had the opportunity to sit in on a highly practical session with Ellen Hunter, the Customer Growth Manager from our partner, Lanrex, who discussed exactly what they have done to help non-profits.
They addressed a massive pain point we see all the time: organisations are often too scared to implement a new CRM because it requires a huge upfront investment and comes with overwhelming, unnecessary features.
Their approach is straightforward: building a simplified, scalable Microsoft Dynamics base that strips away the “overkill” features so NFPs can start small. By conducting holistic business reviews, they act as true partners, delivering a 360-degree supporter view and embedded AI tools that save teams from endless data hunting.
Beyond the sessions, it was so wonderful to catch up with PN Digital team members and partners that we don’t often get to see in person. Sharing these moments really reinforced the collaborative spirit of our team.
That’s a Wrap! Looking Forward to Next Year
As the doors closed on another fantastic FIA Conference, we packed up feeling incredibly inspired. Having the opportunity to speak directly with so many dedicated professionals is exactly why we love partnering with this event.
It was a brilliant few days of connection, learning, and celebrating the vital work happening across the sector. A massive thank you to everyone who stopped to chat with us, shared their knowledge, or simply gave us a wave across the exhibition hall.
We are already looking forward to doing it all again next year!
