The Future of BNI: Technology, Strategy and Accelerating Forward

By Saturday, the energy of the convention had shifted again — this time toward clarity, momentum, and excitement for the future. After three days of leadership, connection and culture, Day Four was about asking one question:

Where is BNI going next?

The final general session was electric: thousands of members gathered in the ICC Sydney to watch BNI Global’s executive team unveil what’s coming as we move from the 2025 theme BEYOND into the new 2026 global theme: ACCELERATE.

Saturday carried a sense of significance. You could feel that what we were about to hear would shape the next chapter of BNI worldwide.

Morning: Anticipation in the Hall

Members filtered into the main hall early, talking about what they hoped to see:

• Technology updates
• Future global strategy
• New tools
• Better member experience
• Changes in systems and support
• Long-term global direction

There was a buzz in the room — the kind that comes before something big.

And then it began.

KEYNOTE: Mary Kennedy Thompson

Chief Executive Officer, BNI Global

“Beyond to Accelerate: Leadership Momentum”

Mary Kennedy Thompson opened the final day with a message full of clarity and conviction.

Where Friday focused on behaviour and culture, Saturday took us into momentum — how to take everything we’ve learned, everything we’ve built, and accelerate it into 2026.

What Mary Shared

Mary spoke about the importance of building on the foundations laid during the BEYOND year:

• Beyond mindset
• Beyond leadership
• Beyond belief
• Beyond culture
• Beyond consistency

She challenged leaders to look ahead confidently — because acceleration only happens when we’re willing to carry momentum forward rather than resetting each year.

Key Learnings

• BEYOND was about expansion; ACCELERATE is about intentional speed.
• Momentum is created by consistency over time.
• Leaders must create environments where members thrive and feel supported.
• The next chapter requires courage, clarity and accountability.

Mary’s leadership message set a powerful tone for what followed.

KEYNOTE: Dave Collins

Chief Operating Officer, BNI Global

“Global Alignment & Strategic Growth”

Dave Collins, in his calm and grounded way, expanded on Mary’s message by focusing on the importance of alignment — within chapters, within regions, and across the entire global organisation.

What Dave Shared

Dave walked us through how BNI is strengthening:

• Global communication
• Regional consistency
• System alignment
• Leadership pathways
• Training support
• Technology integration

The vision was clear: a smoother, cleaner, more aligned BNI experience — no matter what country you’re in.

Key Learnings

• Alignment is what turns a system into a movement.
• Clear communication creates trust.
• Consistent processes create stability.
• BNI’s future relies on leaders who can stay focused and unified.

Dave’s message made it clear that the global leadership team is working hard to support Directors and members more effectively than ever.

TECH PANEL

“The Future of BNI Technology”

Hosted by: Rob Gorecki — Vice President, Product Development

Panelists:

The tech panel was one of the most anticipated sessions of the entire week — and it delivered.

This was the moment the global team showcased what’s coming to the BNI platform and member tools.

What the Panel Shared

We learnt that BNI is investing heavily in:

• A modernised, more intuitive digital platform
• Stronger global integration
• Smoother communication tools
• More accurate tracking and reporting
• Easier engagement features
• Better Director-level insights
• Improvements to the member journey

Key Learnings

• Technology will support human connection, not replace it.
• The new platform aims to reduce friction and increase engagement.
• Global consistency will be enhanced through updated systems.
• BNI is preparing for long-term digital scalability.

The session left members feeling excited and reassured: the tech future of BNI is strong, thoughtful and member-focused.

KEYNOTE: Michael Walchonski

Chief Development Officer, BNI Global

“Scalable Global Growth & Development”

Michael Walchonski brought a strategic lens to the stage, focusing on how BNI is preparing for long-term, sustainable growth.

What Michael Shared

• The global demand for structured networking continues to grow.
• Regions need strong frameworks to launch, support and scale chapters.
• Growth must be strategic — not just fast.
• The next phase of BNI focuses on expansion with integrity and consistency.

Key Learnings

• Scalability requires strong leadership and strong systems.
• BNI is preparing to enter new markets while strengthening existing ones.
• Growth must be grounded in culture, training and consistency.

KEYNOTE: Claire Sherman

Vice President of Communications and Events / Chief of Staff

“Global Strategy, Member Experience & Communication”

Claire Sherman delivered a polished and strategic keynote that tied together communication, brand and global alignment.

What Claire Shared

• Clear communication reduces confusion and increases confidence.
• Internal alignment leads to a better member experience.
• The global brand must remain consistent as the organisation scales.
• Reinforcing BNI’s values creates cultural stability worldwide.

Key Learnings

• Communication is a leadership tool, not an administrative task.
• Strong brand alignment strengthens trust.
• Members thrive when leadership is clear, aligned and consistent.

KEYNOTE: Ryszard Chmura

National Director, BNI Poland and President of Corporate Connections™ Poland

“Corporate & International Connections: The New Frontier”

Ryszard Chmura closed the general session with a powerful keynote that broadened our perspective on global business opportunities.

What Ryszard Shared

• BNI is expanding rapidly across Europe.
• Corporate connections are becoming an increasingly important part of the network.
• Relationship-based business works across countries, cultures and industries.
• Poland’s growth shows what is possible when belief meets execution.

Key Learnings

• BNI’s future includes more international, corporate and cross-border collaboration.
• The system works everywhere because it is based on trust and relationships.
• The global opportunity is much larger than most members realise.

His session was the perfect way to close the convention’s learning component — broad, visionary and full of possibility.

Evening: BNI Awards and Gala Dinner

Saturday night brought the grand finale — the Awards and Gala Dinner, one of the most beautiful and celebratory events of the entire week.

The evening was elegant, vibrant and full of joy. With incredible food, live entertainment, recognition of excellence and a dancefloor full of members from around the world, it was the perfect concluding moment.

The Gala wasn’t just a dinner.
It was a celebration of everything BNI stands for:

• Leadership
• Impact
• Contribution
• Collaboration
• Community
• Friendship
• Global unity

It was a night filled with laughter, gratitude and pride for the incredible work done across the world.

DAY FOUR REFLECTION

Saturday was visionary.
Saturday was energising.
Saturday was the future.

With leadership, alignment, technology and global strategy at the forefront, Day Four gave us clarity on where BNI is headed — and how each of us plays a role in the next chapter.

As we move into the new global theme ACCELERATE, the message is clear:

BNI is ready.
We are ready.
The future is bigger than we think — and we are part of it.

Author: Vlasta Eriksson – Director – Signature Staff 
Regional Area Director – BNI NQ