This year, we’re changing one of the ways we bring SIAA membership together. Rather than holding one big annual in-person conference, we will be running a series of 5 regional events across Scotland, starting in Autumn 2026, and continuing through to Winter 2027/Spring 2028.
Why we’re making this change
A single annual conference asks a lot of people: time away from their teams and roles, travel across the country, and a “one size (tries to) fit all” agenda that can’t reflect the realities on the ground in different parts of Scotland.
By moving to regional events, we hope to:
- Make attendance easier: shorter travel times mean more people can take part, including those for whom a full day’s journey to a national conference has never been realistic.
- Promote cross-regional collaboration: smaller, more local gatherings make it easier for organisations working in the same area to connect, compare notes, and build relationships that continue beyond the event itself.
- Help SIAA understand local realities: meeting members in their own areas means we can hear directly about the issues, pressures, and opportunities that are specific to each region.
Who we’d like to see there
We want these events to bring together a genuinely broad cross-section of the sector, not just the people who usually attend. Alongside chief officers and managers, we’re inviting:
- Independent advocates
- Volunteers and trustees
- Supporting staff
Our aim is to meet a real variety of people doing and supporting the independent advocacy work. We’ll also be asking for your help in inviting local commissioners to join us for part of each day, so they can also be a part of the conversation and collaboration.
What to expect
Each event will follow a similar structure and share a unifying theme, while drawing on challenges and characteristics of each region. We’ll share more detail on the format and theme closer to the first event.
We’ve narrowed down to five towns/cities we will host the events with, along with approximate dates and timings. We will secure venues for the first two events in the next few weeks, and the rest closer to the time. We will keep you updated through newsletters and other comms.
Regional Event 1: Kirkcaldy – Autumn 2026
Regional Event 2: Edinburgh – Winter 2027
Regional Event 3: Inverness – Spring/Summer 2027
Regional Event 4: Aberdeen – Summer/Autumn 2027
Regional Event 5: Glasgow – Winter/Spring 2028
How invitations will work
We’ll invite members whose offices/areas they operate in are closest to each venue, as well as organisations that operate across a variety of localities in Scotland.
If your organisation has offices in more than one area, you’re welcome to send staff to multiple regional events, as long as the staff attending work in that locality. For example, an organisation with offices in both Glasgow and Dundee could send staff to events happening in Glasgow and Kirkcaldy.
First up: Kirkcaldy
Our first regional event will take place in Kirkcaldy, most likely in early October 2026. We’ll be inviting member organisations based in Fife, Dundee, and Perth to join us.
Further details on the date, venue, and agenda will follow soon – keep an eye out for your invitation.
We’re really looking forward to meeting more of you, in more places, over the coming months. If you have any questions in the meantime, please get in touch with enquiry@siaa.org.uk
