Attending the Fundraising Convention for the first time can feel both exciting and overwhelming for charity professionals and fundraisers. In this guide, Richard Barwick, Fundraising Officer at Brainkind and a member of the 2026 Fundraising Convention board, shares practical advice on how to navigate the event with confidence. From planning your schedule and making meaningful connections to embracing new ideas and avoiding burnout, this blog will help you make the most of your first Convention experience and turn small moments into lasting impact for your organisation.

Photo of Richard Barwick
  • Richard Barwick
  • Fundraising Officer, The Disablities Trust trading as Brainkind

Every year, the Fundraising Convention brings together some of the brightest minds in the sector, and 2026 promises to be no different. Taking place on 4–5 June at the QEII Centre in London, this event will centre around the theme “Small Shifts, Big Impact”, highlighting how incremental changes can drive meaningful fundraising success. 

Heading to the Chartered Institute of Fundraising Convention for the very first time is genuinely exciting, but it can also feel daunting. There’s a packed programme, a busy venue, and a whole community of people who seem like they know exactly what they’re doing. The truth is, most of them remember what it felt like to be new, and Convention is one of the friendliest and supportive spaces you’ll step into. 

 

Before getting into the tips, it helps to know what you’re walking into.

The atmosphere is lively and full of energy, with sessions and conversations happening everywhere, from the track rooms to the coffee queues. There’s always more than one session you’ll want to attend at the same time, and that’s completely normal. You’ll quickly realise that no one is doing everything, and no one expects you to either. 

There’s plenty of space to pause, reflect, and chat, which is often where the most insightful moments happen. 

Now, tips for your first time at Convention:
  1. Remember that you don’t need to know and do everything. It’s easy to compare yourself to others and assume they’re more experienced or confident. But Convention is designed for sharing and learning. You’re there to listen, ask questions, share, network and explore ideas, not to have all the answers. Let people know it’s your first time and they will more than likely give you pointers or recommend certain sessions or speakers. 


  2. It’s worth spending a bit of time looking at the programme before you go, just to get a sense of what’s on and what interests you. Try not to plan every minute or be ridged in following one track and pick some alternatives sessions. Some of the best parts of Convention come from being flexible or following a recommendation, but don’t forget to take a break when you need it, that way the experience feels far more enjoyable and less overwhelming.


  3.  When it comes to networking, it doesn’t need to feel formal or intimidating. You don’t have to introduce yourself to everyone. In fact, the easiest way to start is by keeping it simple. A quick chat with the person sitting next to you in one of the sessions or a comment while waiting for coffee is often how the best conversations begin. Most people are open, friendly, and just as happy to connect as you are. The exhibitor stands are another great way to get chatting to people and the exhibitors themselves have a wealth of knowledge of the sector.


  4. One thing that can really make your first Convention memorable is trying something you wouldn’t normally choose. It’s tempting to stick to sessions that feel directly relevant to your role, but stepping outside that comfort zone can be where the most interesting ideas come from. You might discover a new approach, a different perspective, or something you hadn’t even realised would be useful that you can adapt.


  5. By the end of the two days, you’ll probably have pages of notes and more ideas than you know what to do with. Instead of trying to act on everything, focus on just one or two things that really stood out to you. Something practical, something you can share with your team, or something you can try fairly quickly. That’s often how small moments at Convention turn into real change back at work. Follow up on the connections you made.

Most importantly 

Your first Convention isn’t about doing everything. It’s about experiencing it, meeting people, and taking in as much as you can at your own pace. If you go in with an open mind and a bit of curiosity, you’ll come away feeling more confident, more connected, and ready to put what you’ve learned into action. 

 

Check out the in-person programme

Get your in-person tickets

Have a look at the fringe events happening at Convention 2026