CLEAR President's Message - October 2025

Dear CLEAR Colleagues and Friends,

I am honored to share this first message as President of CLEAR, and grateful for the opportunity to serve this global community as we move forward together.

We live in a time where complexity is constant and expectations are rising. The work of professional regulators has never mattered more.

Across continents and sectors, we are called not just to keep pace but to lead with integrity, clarity, and conviction. That is what makes CLEAR more than an organization. It is a global community of professionals bound by purpose, built on trust, and driven by the belief that when regulators come together, we all move forward.

At its core, CLEAR is about connection. We are a community of professionals who understand that regulation is not just about systems. It is about people. Through learning, dialogue, and shared practice, we support one another in navigating the complexity of modern regulation.

That connection comes to life most powerfully when we are in the same room. While our webinars and digital forums will continue to offer flexible access to learning, we also know there is no true substitute for being together. Connection is not forged in keynotes alone. It is built in the spaces between the questions we ask, the insights we share, and the relationships we carry forward.

Over the past year, we listened closely to the feedback from our members. A clear message emerged. When we gather in person, we deepen trust, accelerate learning, and strengthen the purpose that binds this network. In response, we will hold the 2026 Annual Educational Conference in Portland, Oregon, from 14 to 17 September as an in-person event.

This is not a return to what was. It is a recommitment to the power of presence. A space where insight travels faster, partnerships grow stronger, and leadership rises from shared experience. Portland offers the perfect setting for this. A walkable and welcoming city with outstanding venues and an atmosphere designed to spark ideas and encourage collaboration.

CLEAR’s international reach remains one of its greatest strengths. Our members span North America, Europe, Australasia, and beyond. When we meet across jurisdictions, we do more than exchange knowledge. We challenge assumptions, refine our thinking, and elevate our approach to good regulation. That diversity, grounded in shared values and lived through real relationships, is what makes CLEAR exceptional.

As we look ahead to Portland, I also encourage you to join us earlier in the year at CLEAR’s Winter Symposium and Midyear Business Meetings in Nashville, Tennessee, from January 7 to 9, 2026. These meetings offer an opportunity to reflect, plan, and shape the direction of our work in a more focused setting. Whether you are newly involved or a long-standing member, your voice belongs in the room.

But before we reach Portland or Nashville, I am especially looking forward to the 2025 International Congress on Professional and Occupational Regulation and Regulatory Research Day in Wellington, New Zealand, from 3 to 5 December. This Congress brings together regulators, researchers, and policymakers from around the world to explore the forces shaping the future of regulation. It will feature research, case studies, and collaborative insights that transcend borders. An invaluable experience for anyone committed to advancing the profession globally. Space is limited, so I encourage you to register early.

Of course, CLEAR is powered not just by events, but by people. More than 125 members have already stepped forward to serve on committees for the 2025 to 2026 term. Their time, insight, and dedication drive our work forward across training, outreach, and program development. If you have not yet joined a committee, I warmly encourage you to consider doing so. It is one of the most meaningful ways to deepen your engagement, build professional relationships, and help shape the future of this organization.

We are also inviting proposals for the 2026 Annual Educational Conference. If you have an idea to share, a session to lead, or a practice to showcase, I encourage you to submit your proposal before 21 November 2025. Together, we set the tone for the learning ahead.

Finally, a reminder. CLEAR is more than a calendar. It is a community. Our committees, the CLEAR Regulatory Network, training offerings, and digital resources provide year-round opportunities to connect and grow. In a profession that never stands still, CLEAR remains a constant ally in helping you stay ahead of change.

Thank you for your commitment to public protection, to international collaboration, and to the principles of professional excellence that guide our shared work. I look forward to seeing many of you in Wellington this December, in Nashville in January, and in Portland next September as we continue this journey together.

With warm regards,
Paul Byrne
President, CLEAR