The 2026 National Celebrants' Convention
Date tbc
Connect, learn, and grow at
The National Celebrants' Convention
The National Celebrants’ Convention is an exciting and interesting day for ALL UK celebrants, as a dedicated event packed with speakers, workshops, exhibitors, and networking opportunities.
When: tbc
Where: tbc
Time: 9:45am to 4pm
The National Celebrants’ Convention offers delegates the opportunity to learn from not only our guest speakers, but it also provides a platform for related businesses and individuals to showcase the products and services they offer the wider celebrant community. This includes funeral directors, wedding suppliers, stationery suppliers, businesses, and many more.
The event has been organised by the Association of Independent Celebrants (AOIC) since 2024, taking over the reins from Civil Ceremonies, and the host team warmly welcomes celebrants from across the profession.
To book your place, click here for details.
If you are a business or individual looking to exhibit at the event, please click here for details and booking information.
We very much look forward to meeting you at our next event.
Convention Location 2025
voco® St. John’s Solihull
651 Warwick Road
Solihull
West Midlands
B91 1AT
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Event schedule 2025
8:30am - 9:30am
Park Suite Foyer
Registration
The registration desk will be open from 8:30am, when refreshments will be available.
The exhibition will also be open from 8:30am and throughout the day, with exhibitors on hand to welcome you to their stands and answer your questions.
9:45am - 10:00am
Brueton Suite
Welcome & Introduction
Our event hosts, The Association of Independent Celebrants, will open the Convention with a welcome message and a summary of the day’s schedule.
10:00am - 10:25am
Brueton Suite
Keynote Speaker - Ian Rasmussen
Just a walk in the park
10:30am - 11:10am
Brueton Suite
Match & Dispatch
Breaking free of the funeral director as gatekeeper model
Malvern Suite
Michelle Taylor
A shallow dive into inclusivity in your celebrant business
11:25am - 12:05pm
Brueton Suite
Guides for Brides
Enhance your understanding of today’s wedding market
Malvern Suite
Child Funeral Charity
Improving the quality of child and baby funerals
12:10pm - 12:50pm
Brueton Suite
Wedding Law Reform
Professor Russell Sandberg will give an update followed by Q&A with our panel
Malvern Suite
Ashes into Art
Thinking differently about how we remember our loved ones
12:50pm - 1:50pm
Lunch
1:50pm - 2:30pm
Brueton Suite
Obitus
A variation of ‘Mastermind’ with Obitus’ special guests
Malvern Suite
Carole Henderson
Vocabulary to help with emotionally charged conversations
2:35pm - 3:15pm
Brueton Suite
Simon Shepherd
Effectively using AI in your celebrancy business
Malvern Suite
NAFD
An update on regulation in the funeral profession and the impact on Celebrants
3:30pm - 4:00pm
Brueton Suite
Speakers Q&A Panel
Closing Comments
