EMEA Annual & Emerging Leaders Conference 2025
DFK International/EMEA is pleased to announce our Annual & Emerging Leaders Conference 2025, taking place from 19-21 February.
The conference will be held in Lisbon, Portugal, and will offer our members the chance to network and learn while spending time in one of Europe’s most exciting cities. The conference is comprised of two parts, the Annual EMEA Conference and the Emerging Leaders Conference.
DFK regional conferences provide members with essential opportunities to build lasting connections and exchange knowledge on a global scale. The upcoming EMEA conference offers a unique chance for all members, wherever they’re based, to learn from each other and collaborate across borders.
Expand Your EMEA Network: Meet fellow DFK members from across the region and further afield, many of whom you may not have previously connected with. Building new relationships and strengthening existing ones can lead to new referrals, partnerships, and collaborative opportunities.
Enhance Your Regional Knowledge: Gain insights into the unique challenges and opportunities in various countries throughout the EMEA region with our line-up of expert speakers, industry panels, and workshops.
Share and Learn: Participate in our specialised business sessions and seminars, designed to provide practical takeaways on the latest industry trends, business strategies, and leadership practices.
Emerging Leaders Programme: Led by experienced professionals, this programme offers an excellent opportunity for up-and-coming leaders to develop key skills that are essential for navigating the modern business environment. Participants will explore topics such as leadership influence, managing organisational change, and building strong, impactful relationships.
Social Engagements: Engage in a variety of social activities, offering a chance to unwind and experience the vibrant culture of Lisbon while forming lasting friendships with your fellow DFK members.
We look forward to seeing you in Lisbon - if you have any questions please contact Caroline Cassidy, Global Executive Officer here.
Alberto Colombo
Alberto is the Deputy General Secretary of the European Leagues, the organisation that gathers and represents the interests of 40 professional football leagues and more than 1000 professional clubs in 34 countries, across Europe. He works closely with top leagues’ senior executives as well as with key football stakeholders on political and strategic matters to protect and enhance the growth and development of professional domestic football competitions across Europe.
Alberto is a sports industry senior director with experience in football and sport governance, stakeholders’ relations, media & communication, sports integrity, IPR, public affairs in the EU landscape and event management. Before joining the European Leagues, he had experience in marketing and media operations for major sports events such as the Olympics and the America’s Cup of Sail. Alberto speaks five languages and is a guest lecturer at several academic sport management and legal postgraduate courses across Europe.
Andrew Bryant
Andrew is a Global Authority on self-leadership and coach to executive leadership teams. He has written three books on self-leadership and is referenced in over 140 papers and Ph.D. dissertations. Andrew believes that leadership is a conversation - both one-to-one and one-to-many - and that self-leadership is the key competency for the future of work. Organisations that embrace self-leadership see greater employee engagement, collaboration, and readiness for change, while individuals who develop it unlock their potential, increase productivity, and enhance executive presence.
Katie King
Based in the UK, Katie King is a published author, keynote speaker, and consultant on AI, Gen AI, and business transformation. Voted the leading AI strategist and a ‘Top 10 influencer in AI’ in 2023, she has over 30 years of consulting experience across sectors including financial services, retail, and more.
Katie has delivered two TEDx talks and is a regular speaker worldwide. Her first book, 'Using Artificial Intelligence in Marketing: How to Harness AI and Maintain the Competitive Edge', has been translated into multiple languages and was also listed as a reference source in the 'Brand Strategy' section of the World Economic Forum's Empowering AI Leadership AI toolkit for corporate boards.
In 2020, Katie launched 'Leaders of Tomorrow', a school AI programme in London designed to close the skills gap in education and show young people, especially girls, how STEM and AI will reshape their future careers. Now in its third year, the programme expanded in 2023 to include schools in South Africa.
Resilience and Emotional Intelligence
Course Overview:
- Analyse the foundations of being resilient with colleagues and clients
- Understand the meaning of Emotional Intelligence and why it is important in the workplace
- Identify how your own emotions and thinking patterns affect your work performance
- Understand the key emotional intelligence skills and competencies required to develop and enhance workplace performance
- Examine the difference between stress and pressure
- Create a resilience and emotional intelligence action plan to benchmark progress
Experiential Exercises:
- Exercise on managing your emotions at work
- Emotional intelligence self-analysis exercise
- Exercise around a junior colleague is struggling to stay motivated on a project
- Goal setting exercise
- Exercise around coping mechanisms to enhance resilience
- Action planning
Maximise your Strength
Participants take part in a Clifton Strengths Survey, which will identify their top five strengths. Once identified, there will be a facilitator led session to:
- Get to know their own strengths, how to embody them, and how to align them with those of the organisation.
- Identify their unique style and strengths, and why these matter on the path to leadership.
- Understand the strengths of others within their firm and how to adapt with different approaches in mind.
- Recognise the talent in themselves and others and create an action plan.
This interactive and intensive training will once again be led by Sue Mitchell.
Sue is a highly experienced executive coach and facilitator with extensive experience and knowledge of the Professional Services sector. She supports leaders and teams across organisations to drive forward personal, team and organisational change, with a deep understanding of the leadership needs and strategic challenges that they face.
Sue brings an empathetic approach together with an ability to provide challenge, create clarity and enable tangible action.
Sue began her professional career as an auditor and corporate tax advisor within the Big 4 before moving into people development and becoming an accredited executive coach. As well as being a senior coach and Head of Coaching within KPMG, she has also worked with the ICAEW for over 10 years, supporting a wide range of coaching, leadership and development programs, including the ICAEW’s Delivering Leadership in Practice. Sue also has a keen interest in supporting firms in achieving their ESG and sustainability goals.
Social Activities
Wednesday 19th February 2025 (All delegates and guests)
Our Welcome Reception will be held in the Epic Sana Marques 12th Floor, elegant and sophisticated zen Japanese Restaurant, KŌJI
Thursday 20th February 2025 (afternoon) (Annual Conference delegates plus guests)
Lisbon by Tram
Depart from the hotel to board a Historical Tram and start your trip towards the city centre enjoying the views of the oldest part of Lisbon, spotting some unique views during the ride.
The first tram line started operating in 1901, over one century after having begun to operate in the Portuguese capital, they are a charming and non-polluting form of collective transportation.
Now, as electric vehicles, these yellow iconic trams continue to make their rounds of the city, carrying up passengers as they slide along the network of rails with the aid of a pulley. Come with us, your DFK friends on a discovery of the city of seven hills, on an amazing picture-perfect ride.
Please note – this activity will also include a 1 hour walking tour
GROUP 1
• 14:00 Hrs -Depart from the Hotel by motorcoach towards the starting point of the Tram.
• 14:30 Hrs to 15:30 Hrs - Private Ride by Historical Tram
• TRAM Itinerary: Estrela > Chiado > Portas do Sol > Graça > Alm. Reis > Martim Moniz
• 15:30 Hrs to 16:30 Hrs – Walking tour in the city centre
• 17:00 Hrs - Arrive back at the hotel
GROUP 2
• 14:00 Hrs -Depart from the Hotel by motorcoach towards the city centre of Lisbon
• 14:30 Hrs to 15:30 Hrs - Walking tour in the city centre.
• 15:30 Hrs to 16:30 Hrs - Private Ride by Historical Tram
• TRAM Itinerary: Martim Moniz > Alm. Reis > Graça > Portas do Sol > Chiado > Estrela
• 17:00 Hrs - Arrive back at the hotel
Thursday 20th February 2025 (evening)
All delegates and guests
A Farewell Gala to remember at Estufa Fria
Estufa Fría is located within Eduardo VII Park in the city center of Lisbon.
It’s worth taking a walk through the gardens of the Estufa Fria, a unique place in the Lisbon where the lush vegetation coexists with caves and paths, water courses and an atmosphere both wild and romantic. It’s not an oasis in the middle of the city, rather a surreal jungle, right in the heart of the city.
This stunning venue will provide the perfect backdrop for our farewell gala.
The EPIC SANA Marquês Hotel in Lisbon is a luxurious five-star hotel located in the heart of the city. Known for its modern design and exceptional amenities, the hotel offers stunning views of Lisbon's skyline, a rooftop pool, and a world-class spa. Its central location, near Marquês de Pombal Square, makes it ideal for exploring Lisbon’s historic sites, vibrant shopping districts, and cultural attractions. With its blend of contemporary elegance and comfort, the EPIC SANA Marquês provides the perfect setting for our conference.
Deluxe Room for Single Use: 215,00 Euros per night
Deluxe Room for Double Use: 245,00 Euros per night
Municipal Tourist Tax. A tax in the amount of € 4,00, per guest and per night, will be charged. The tax on overnight stays is applied to guests over the age of 13, up to a maximum of 7 nights per stay. This city tax is not included in the rates and will be charged upon check-in. Any changes on the amount of the tax will be applied accordingly.
Click here to book your room
Please book your hotel room as early as possible to avoid disappointment. Booking for all available rooms with the DFK rate will close on 15th January.
If you have any questions please contact Caroline Cassidy, Global Executive Officer here.
The EMEA Annual & Emerging Leaders Conference is sold to delegates as a package and it will not be possible to offer refunds to delegates that opt out of the core elements, which include the welcome reception and dinner; all business sessions; and the social activities and meals. Some activities are optional and are at an additional cost – this is clearly indicated where applicable.
Other than in exceptional circumstances, refunds to delegates who need to cancel will only be provided to the extent to which DFK is able to recover costs from suppliers.
Cancellations must be notified in writing to [email protected] no later than 15th January 2025 to avoid charges. After this date, charges will apply. Members are permitted to allocate their place to another delegate from their firm to avoid cancellation charges.
All travel and hotel costs are the responsibility of delegates and guests. DFK take no liability for these costs.
Minimum numbers are applicable to some activities and if we do not reach that minimum number, we reserve the right to cancel the activity before we go on-site. In this instance, you will be pre-notified.
Delegate obligations
- Delegates agree to comply with any requirements communicated by DFK or Event venue employees, contractors or agents, including instructions relating to health and safety, fire safety or consumption of food and drinks.
- Delegates must inform DFK of any specific access or other requirements (e.g. dietary requirements) as soon as reasonably practicable, but in any case before the date of the Event.
- Delegates agree to conduct themselves appropriately in their attendance at the Event. DFK reserves the right to exclude or remove from the Event any person for disruptive, inappropriate, or abusive behaviour, at its absolute sole discretion.
Indemnity
- Delegates shall indemnify DFK in full for any direct or indirect loss or damage it incurs as a result of the delegate’s acts or omissions, including any losses arising from damage to the venue, DFK or third-party property or failure to comply with any requirements specified by DFK.
Limited Liability
- DFK will take all reasonable steps to ensure the safety of delegates, but will not be liable in contract, tort or otherwise for any indirect or consequential losses, including but not limited to loss of profit, loss of use, costs or expenses, or other claims whether caused by DFK, its employees, contractors or agents arising from delegates taking part in an Event.
Annual Conference (£850)
Emerging Leaders (£850)
Annual Conference (£850) and Tax Seminar (£190)
*All tickets are subject to local VAT rates
The EMEA Annual & Emerging Leaders Conference is sold to delegates as a package and it will not be possible to offer refunds to delegates that opt out of the core elements, which include the welcome reception and dinner; all business sessions; and the social activities and meals. Some activities are optional and are at an additional cost – this is clearly indicated where applicable.
Other than in exceptional circumstances, refunds to delegates who need to cancel will only be provided to the extent to which DFK is able to recover costs from suppliers.
Cancellations must be notified in writing to [email protected] no later than 15th January 2025 to avoid charges. After this date, charges will apply. Members are permitted to allocate their place to another delegate from their firm to avoid cancellation charges.
All travel and hotel costs are the responsibility of delegates and guests. DFK take no liability for these costs.
Minimum numbers are applicable to some activities and if we do not reach that minimum number, we reserve the right to cancel the activity before we go on-site. In this instance, you will be pre-notified.
EMEA Lisbon Agenda (2).pdf