WAPI at WAD 2026: representing our members in Cannes
In the first week of September 2026, the World Association of Detectives (WAD) held its 101st Annual Conference at Le Gray d’Albion in Cannes, France. WAPI was represented by Governing Council member Natalie McCullins and WAPI member Charley Gracey, who took part in the educational sessions and the networking programme across the week.
This short report explains why WAPI makes the effort to be in the room at events like this, and what it means for our members at home.
About WAD and its annual conference
Founded in 1925, the World Association of Detectives is one of the oldest international bodies in our profession. It describes its membership as nearly 1,000 investigators and security professionals serving more than 75 countries. Its annual conference moves around the world: last year’s centenary meeting was held in Chicago, and this year’s ran from 1 to 6 September on the Côte d’Azur.
For a UK-rooted association with members in more than 40 countries, WAD’s conference is one of the few occasions when investigators from every continent are in one place for a week.
Why WAPI attends international conferences
Investigations do not stop at borders. An enquiry that begins in Belfast or Birmingham can lead to Bucharest or Bogotá within a day. When it does, a member needs someone on the ground who knows the local law, the local records and the local language, and who works to the same ethical standard. Those relationships are far easier to build over a coffee than over email.
Trust is built in person. Before passing a client’s matter to a colleague overseas, an investigator wants to know who they are dealing with. Meeting face to face, hearing how someone talks about their work and seeing who vouches for them is still the best due diligence our profession has.
Knowledge comes home with us. Regulation, data protection and technology are changing quickly, and differently, in every jurisdiction. Hearing how colleagues abroad are handling the same pressures helps WAPI represent its members better in the UK and Ireland, and feeds directly into our own training programme.
As WAPI said at the time: “International representation is about more than simply being present. It is about building bridges between investigators, developing trusted professional relationships across jurisdictions and ensuring our members remain connected to a truly global network.”
A busy week for the profession
The same week, the Council of International Investigators (CII) held its 72nd Annual General Meeting in Prague. WAPI’s Ian Withers attended and reported “amazing educational topics, and wonderful networking along with an outstanding program of social events”. You can read more in Our roundup of the WAD and CII meetings →
Both organisations elected new leadership teams for 2026–27. WAD’s officers are now led by President Juan Giraldo of Colombia, with Philip Ryffel of Switzerland as Chairman of the Board and Vice Presidents Roger Bescoby (United Kingdom), Alex Auslander (Israel) and Svenja Meismann (Germany). WAPI congratulates them all and looks forward to working with them.
What this means for WAPI members
Every introduction made in Cannes widens the circle our members can call on. If you need a trusted contact overseas, start with the WAPI member directory → ], which is searchable by country, or ask through the members’ e-group, where colleagues are quick to recommend people they have worked with.
You do not need to travel to the Riviera to benefit from this kind of networking. The WAPI Conference and Black-Tie Banquet → takes place at the Union Jack Club, London, on Saturday 21 November 2026. It is open to members and non-members alike, and colleagues from overseas are especially welcome.
Be part of an international network
WAPI was founded in 2000 by working investigators, for working investigators. Members are vetted, follow a joint Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct, and belong to a network that reaches well beyond the UK. If you are not yet a member, see our Membership grades and fees → and join us.
Natalie McCullins is a member of the WAPI Governing Council →