To provide family business leaders with actionable insights, a national Family Business Conference will take place on 1st October 2026 at The Malta Chamber of Commerce, Enterprise and Industry. Organised collaboratively by EMCS Advisory, The Malta Chamber, and the Family Business Office, the conference will unpack the extensive findings of the Family Business Survey 2026.

Besides the core theme of this family business conference – Turning Growth into Profit – as the survey results show an emergency of family businesses that in recent years have grown their top lines but not necessarily their bottom lines, the survey findings and conference will also cover core operational, strategic, and governance themes directly impacting family businesses today.

Below find an outline of the themes that will be covered in this Conference:-

1. Strategic Leadership vs. The Operational Firefighting Trap

Many family leaders find their days consumed by urgent operational tasks and daily firefighting. The conference will explore practical frameworks for escaping the operational trap, allowing owners and directors to carve out the necessary bandwidth for strategic planning and long-term value creation.

2. Workforce Pressures, Talent Retention, and Wage Dynamics

Sourcing skilled talent, retaining experienced personnel, and managing wage bills that outpace revenue growth represent acute operational challenges. Discussions will examine how family firms can maintain competitive compensation structures while optimising workforce productivity.

3. Succession Readiness, Next-Gen Preparation, and Contingency Planning

Multi-generational continuity remains a central concern. Conference will address overcoming informal succession delays, formalising transition blueprints, preparing the next generation for leadership, and establishing contingency plans—including third-party mergers, acquisition or sale, when internal succession is not viable.

4. Leadership Development and Executive Education

Leading a family business demands a specialised skill set that balances commercial acumen with family relationship management. The conference will evaluate the value of structured governance education and soft skills development for family members active in the business.

5. Corporate Governance, Independent Oversight, and the Boardroom

The conference will investigate the evolution of board structures in family firms, examining the role of independent Non-Executive Directors (NEDs) in instilling discipline, preventing margin erosion, and moving beyond informal decision-making habits.

6. Institutionalisation: Codifying Family Policies and Boundaries

Clear ground rules are vital to business continuity. Attendees will explore how codifying formal family employment rules and transparent dividend distribution policies helps prevent misunderstandings and protects operational cash flow.

7. Digital Transformation, Automation, and Practical AI Adoption

Technology is shifting from a back-office tool to a core strategic asset. The conference will outline how family enterprises are adopting ERP/CRM systems, process automation, and artificial intelligence to address labour shortages, improve diagnostic KPI reporting, and unlock operational efficiencies.

8. Navigating the Mid-Market “Scaling Canyon” and Sector Realities

Operational complexity changes significantly with scale. The conference will examine why mid-sized firms often experience structural friction and margin strain, while also comparing the distinct resilience profiles of importation, distribution, services, and manufacturing businesses.

9. Conflict Resolution, Mediation, and Ecosystem Support

Interpersonal friction can disrupt even the strongest business model. The conference will highlight the growing acceptance of professional dispute resolution and mediation, alongside examining how businesses can better leverage available state schemes, tax incentives, and advisory support under the Family Business Act.

The Family Business Conference on 1st October 2026 (morning) offers a vital platform for founders, next-generation successors, board directors, and key executives to benchmark their performance against national data and gain practical strategies for sustainable growth. Reserve your place on 1st October (morning) at The Malta Chamber to help shape the future of your family business. CLICK HERE to REGISTER.