Registration for the National Annual Conference 2026 in Brighton is now open!
Whether you’re planning to attend as a delegate or visitor, in person or online, you can register your place from 15 January.
Those joining us at the Brighton Centre, 8-10 May, can expect the return of familiar agenda items, including keynote speaker addresses, the Membership Forum, National Membership Awards Ceremony and more.
Find out more or register your place from 15 January via the Annual Conference webpage.
Key Dates:
Registration opens: 15 January 2026.
Registration to attend in person closes on 23rd March at 12 PM.
Registration to attend online closes on 6th April at 12 PM.
National Annual Conference
National Annual Conference is a great opportunity to come together and meet fellow members, hear the latest updates and announcements, celebrate success, watch or join the debate and voting on Motions, get answers to your questions and more.
Activities including Standard Bearer Competitions and an act of Remembrance take place over a weekend from Friday to Sunday, with the main business of the conference starting on Saturday. For members who cannot attend in person, the Annual Conference’s hybrid format enables you to watch the main business of the Conference online.
All RBL branches, regardless of compliance, may propose Motions to Conference on RBL’s policies, rules or Royal Charter and send a delegate to Conference to vote and speak on their behalf.
What’s on?
The provisional agenda will be published in March 2026. Familiar agenda highlights will be returning, including:
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Main Conference: addresses from keynote speakers, presentation of reports and accounts for the past year and the debate and voting on Motions.
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Membership Forum: members ask senior staff questions relating to RBL’s work and the branch and membership experience.
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Exhibition: staff from RBL teams and associated organisations exhibit to attendees.*
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National Standard Bearer Competitions: a prestigious occasion, where regional winners participate in front of qualified judges.*
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Membership Awards: members and formations receive recognition for their achievements in fields such as fundraising and recruitment.
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Act of Remembrance: a cornerstone of the agenda in which members come together to remember the service and sacrifice of the Armed Forces Community.*
*not available to online attendees.
Annual Conference 2026 FAQs
How do I know how many delegates my Branch can send to the 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.
Who can attend the Annual Conference?
Anyone may attend as a Visitor (including carers), but they cannot propose or second motions or vote.
Branch delegates may propose or second motions and vote.
County Delegates may speak for or against motions but may not vote.
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 may then 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 by the streaming partner closer to the event date.
Can a branch change its voting delegate if the one registered cannot attend?
Yes.
The Branch Secretary must delete the existing registration and create a new one before the published deadlines.
After registration closes, contact [email protected].
Can I park at the venue?
There are no parking spaces at the venue.
Nearby parking is available but limited.
Blue Badge holders may use the lay-bys at the front and back of the venue (3-hour limit).
See Brighton parking guidance pages for full details.
What time will the registration desks be open at the venue?
Will there be evening entertainment at the Annual Conference?
Yes — Saturday evening at Brighton Centre with The Central Band of the Royal British Legion and themed performances.
Does the venue offer accessibility provision?
Yes. Full accessibility details are available here:
Accessibility at the Brighton Centre.
Please state your requirements when registering.
