Member Events
At the Heritage Alliance, we are proud to facilitate a programme of exclusive events for our members, from expert-led webinars, to peer networking sessions, to roundtables, talks, and panel events. Our member-only events programme aims to inform and connect the Alliance community, facilitating the exchange of skills, knowledge, and mutual support.
Currently, our offering features two core pillars: Special Interest Networks, which provide a forum for Alliance members with shared interests; and our Member Networking and Knowledge-Sharing events, which blend networking, training, and resource-sharing to build confidence and resilience. You can find out more about both of these strands below.
To find out more about the benefits of joining the Heritage Alliance, please click here. In addition to our events programme, we provide our members with wide range of special offers and resources to support their activities.
Special-Interest Networks
We are delighted to facilitate a growing range of Special-Interest Networks, which aim to build communities and facilitate conversations amongst Alliance members with shared heritage interests – whether professional, academic, or enthusiast in nature. Regular network meetings provide a dedicated space for sharing expertise, resources, and mutual support, and they allow the Heritage Alliance to stay updated on the latest developments in these specialist areas.
We currently host three networks: Archaeology, International, and CEO Peer-to-Peer. We are seeking sponsors to help us launch a new network focused on Marine Heritage – please get in touch with our Development Team if you are interested.
Our Special-Interest Networks are only open to Heritage Alliance Members – to find out more about the benefits of membership, please click here. If you are already a Member and would like to join one of these networks, please email our Office Manager. Members may also be interested in contributing to our Advocacy and Working Groups, which have a more specific focus on policy development and political engagement.
Archaeology Special-Interest Network
Our lively Archaeology Network provides a quarterly forum to connect members with a shared passion for archaeology. Both practicing and enthusiast members are welcome to attend the group, which aims to exchange the latest news, ideas, resources, and best practice, whilst strengthening professional networks and showcasing member expertise. The group also helps to inform the Heritage Alliance about current priorities and needs within the archaeology community.
International Special-Interest Network
Our International Network connects heritage professionals seeking to build global partnerships and projects. Its participants believe that heritage organisations can play a key role in advancing the UK’s ‘soft power’ and diplomacy worldwide, and that we have much to share and learn from our international heritage partners. Quarterly sessions provide opportunities for exchanging ideas, best practices, and lessons learned through guest speakers, case study presentations, access to resources, and welcoming discussion.
The International Network is generously sponsored by the Scottish Confucius Institute for Business & Communication at Heriot-Watt University. The Confucius Institute has a dedicated programme supporting the role which the historic environment and heritage assets can play in developing successful cultural, social, business, and economic relationships between the UK and China in particular.
CEO Peer-to-Peer Network
Our CEO Network meets regularly to provide a friendly and informal space for CEOs of our member organisations to have a ‘cuppa and chat’. It is open to all CEOs who are interested in building a supportive heritage peer network. Its conversations nurture a community of trust where leaders can bounce around ideas, talk through concerns and challenges, and build camaraderie. New faces are always welcome!
Member Networking and Knowledge-Sharing
Beyond our Special-Interest Networks, the Heritage Alliance also hosts a wide range of additional member events to engage, empower, and connect our community through skills-building, idea-sharing, and peer support opportunities. Through our regular Meet & Greet Roundtables, Expert-Led Insight Sessions, and targeted HR Clinics, we provide an open and inclusive programme of learning and development that blends practical guidance with creative insights to improve members’ confidence and resilience.
Our Member Networking and Knowledge-Sharing events are regularly advertised through our fortnightly Members’ Newsletter and other email channels. All Heritage Alliance Members are welcome to sign up to attend any of these events. If you have any questions, requests, or suggestions for future events, please contact our Membership and Events Officer.
Members’ Meet and Greet Roundtables
Sponsored by Circle Heritage Division
All Heritage Alliance members are welcome to attend our regular Members’ Meet & Greet Roundtables, hosted by our Membership Team. These informal and welcoming sessions typically welcome between five and twenty members to discuss topical issues and share insights and ideas. They’re a great way for our members make new (and often unexpected!) connections with heritage colleagues, growing their network and bolstering their resilience.
Our Meet & Greet Roundtables are kindly sponsored by Circle Heritage Division, specialist insurance advisors for the heritage sector. Circle Heritage also provide an exclusive offer for Heritage Alliance members (click to find out more).
Expert-Led Insight Sessions
Delivered in partnership with Member Organisations
Our Expert-Led Insight Sessions are highly valued by the Heritage Alliance Community, and are typically hosted by seasoned professionals from our Affiliate or Core Member Organisations. Taking the form of webinars, workshops, and guided roundtable discussions, they aim to provide actionable guidance, spark creative ideas, and strengthen organisational strategy and operations.
Past sessions have focused on practical skills – such as maximising fundraising, cutting energy bill costs, or data protection compliance – but also on innovative heritage topics: from capitalising on paranormal tourism, to creating family-friendly trails and interpretation.
We welcome ideas for future sessions. If you or your organisation have a relevant expertise and are interested in hosting a session yourself, please contact our Membership and Events Officer.
HR Clinics
Delivered in partnership with the Bates Wells Foundation (Affiliate Member)
Our HR Clinics, hosted by employment experts from our partner law firm Bates Wells, provide vital support for heritage organisations managing today’s pressing workforce issues for their teams, colleagues, and volunteers.
Each webinar session focuses on a core topic, before opening the floor to more general questions. Members are welcome to seek trusted advice on particular issues, or use the sessions as an opportunity to strengthen their knowledge of topics such as hybrid working, equality and inclusion, staff capability and sickness, and recruitment and retention challenges.
The training and resources these clinics provide are a great way for members to build their confidence and skills, and learn positive and actionable steps for improving the workplace culture within their own organisations.
The Bates Wells Foundation is a law firm specialising in the voluntary sector and wider social economy. It is the Heritage Alliance’s legal partner and, in addition to these HR Clinics, it also offers free legal calls to Alliance Members (click to find out more).