“Fit for the Future – the ABPCO Festival of Learning, SEC Glasgow 29-30th April
Bringing the association events industry together to promote and encourage excellence, share, learn and collaborate
The Association of British Professional Conference Organisers, (ABPCO) is the UK’s leading professional body for association conference and not-for-profit event organisations. We are excited to announce that our flagship Festival of Learning event is returning in 2024 and it will be taking place in person from Monday 29 to Tuesday 30 April 2024.
The Festival of Learning brings the association events industry together and provides opportunities for sharing, learning and collaboration. After unprecedented change in our industry its more important now than ever that we come together to support each other and the theme of ‘Fit for the Future’ reflects that.”
The Festival of Learning will be attended by over 100 leading PCOs in the UK and a range of industry partners. Sessions include:
- Dr Tharaka Gunarathne ‘Dr T’ , a TV psychiatrist and expert on motivation and mental health, challenges us to unlock a future of heightened productivity and reduced stress with cutting-edge brain science tips designed for event managers. Elevate your skills, amplify your success, and embrace a future fit for unparallelled event management excellence.
- Event Power – A Force for Good. This interactive session with key industry leaders will promote discussion and debate and takes a deep dive into how the wider impact of events reaches beyond the financial margins.
- The winning combination: Balancing technology with Human Expertise in Events led by Cvent and Sammy Connell from the NASUWT
- Adapting for the future with limited resources – Join the team from the EICC and Jai Mistry, MICE organiser as they look at how conferences can actively contribute to the UN SDGs.
- Tips & Hacks: Embracing Public Speaking – using science, understanding, wellness and some neat tricks Cally Willoughby-Ward, Chatty Penguin shares her knowledge.
- Cultivating Success: The transformative impact of mentoring – an informal panel discussion with Sarah Vaughan, CITMA, Sammy Connell, NASUWT, Rebecca Towell, Full Circle and Cally Willoughby-Ward, Chatty Penguin
- Avoid the pitfalls and dodge the disasters – stay future fit by minimising risk with Emma Robson, Alzheimer’s Research, Lee Morgan-Jones, James Hallam, Leanne Bladen, Eastside Rooms and Adam Baggs, SoaringWW
- 'Putting Together an Accessibility-Led Event' - Accessibility will be one of the major trends for 2024. Next to AI and Authenticity it is the third ‘A’. Join Jo Powel, Macmillan Cancer Research and a panel of experts to discuss how we understand and adapt to intellectual accessibility.
We would like to thank the SEC and Glasgow Convention Bureau in their support of this event. Also GES, Harrogate Convention Centre and Aberdeen Convention Bureau and Brightelm,for their support of our lunch, refreshments, networking and event tech.
We have negotiated hotel rates - please follow the banner on the 'directions' tab. Our allocation will close onthe 15th April - so please book before that!
Click here to view our exclusive Festival of Learning assets which are ready for you to share on your social media channels.
We also have some student places available - thanks to the sponsorship of ACC Liverpool.
Thank you to our industry partners for their ongoing support.
View Event Resources
Monday 29th April
|
Time
|
Activity
|
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14.30-17.00
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ABPCO exec meeting and strategy session - SEC. Room M1
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15.00-16.30
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Invisible Cities local guided walk. Meet at the Crowne Plaza lobby in time to leave at 3pm.
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17.30-18.00
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Showround opportunity at the SEC - meet inside the front door.
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18.15-18.45
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New members and first-time attendees networking in the Argyll Foyer at the Crowne Plaza hosted by Glasgow Convention Bureau
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18.50
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All attendees meet at the Crowne Plaza reception to walk together to the Glasgow Science Centre
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19.00- 19.45
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Arrival drinks and an informal supper hosted by Glasgow Convention Bureau
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19.45-20.15
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Fireside session
Cultivating Success: The transformative impact of mentoring
Cally Willoughby-Ward, Chatty Penguin
Sammy Connell, NASUWT
Sarah Vaughan, CITMA
Rebecca Towell, Full Circle
The speakers will explore how mentoring is not only integral to being successful in your role but also a valuable investment in the future of our industry.
|
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20.15-21.00
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Networking and an opportunity to attend a short Planetarium show.
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21.00
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Walk back to the hotels. No formal arrangements from this point.
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Tuesday 30th April SEC
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Time
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Sessions
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7.30am
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5k run leaving from the front of the Hydro
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Or 7.00 - 7.40
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Yoga session - this will take place in Gala Foyer, access through the front doors of the SEC Armadillo.
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09.15-09.45
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Coffee, registration and networking, with sponsor and partner exhibition stands.
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09.45-09.50
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Chairs welcome – Emma Duffy and Sarah Byrne
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|
09.50-10.00
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Glasgow/SEC welcome
|
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10.00-10.40
|
Event Power – a force for good
Danielle Bounds, ICC Wales
Kerrin MacPhie, MIA
Martin Fullard, Davies Tanner
Emma Duffy, RCPCH
This interactive session with key industry leaders who will promote discussion and debate and takes a deep dive into how the wider impact of events reaches beyond the financial margins. By exploring these diverse and often overlooked benefits how can we realistically unleash the true value that events bring to our society and economy and how can we leverage this compelling evidence to position our industry higher up the political agenda?
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10.40-10.50
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Results of our impact survey
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10.50-11.20
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Coffee and networking – with sponsor exhibition stands
|
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11.20-11.50
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The winning Combination: balancing Technology & Human Expertise in Events
Jake Dennett, Cvent
Sammy Connell NASUWT
Adam Baggs, Soaring Worldwide
With event teams at associations having to do more with less, finding ways to be more efficient is critical. Technology can automate processes, giving teams more time to focus on strategy, creativity and community building. But where should we draw the line between technology and human involvement?
Join us for a thought-provoking discussion on the role of technology in association events, and learn how your association can leverage technology to innovate and stay ahead of the curve.
|
|
11.55-12.25
|
Tips and Hacks: Presenting and Public speaking.
Cally Willoughby-Ward, Chatty Penguin
If you feel nervous or scared about giving a speech, presenting to new clients or known colleagues, or being on stage, you’re not alone.
Using science, understanding, wellness and some neat tricks honed over many years and used by professional sports people and public personalities, it’s possible to get you from presentation panic to delivering an engaging talk, and in some cases, even enjoy it!
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12.25-12.30
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Chef update re the food at the SEC
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12.30-13.20
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Lunch and networking and showrounds
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|
13.20-13.30
(optional)
|
Dissertation discussion on the utilization of content creators to support event digital marketing.
Scott McKillop – Edinburgh Napier University
Student update –– learn the findings of Scott’s dissertation on the use of influencers in the events industry.
|
|
13.35-14.05
|
Adapting to the future with limited resources – the BEST example
Workshop led by
Elaine Miller of EICC
Jai Mistry of MICE Organiser Ltd
Edinburgh event professionals launched an innovative new tool to measure the contribution and impact conferences bring to the city and the wider community.
Business Events Shaping Tomorrow (BEST), is a free and easy to use tool, designed to support event organisers in ensuring their conferences actively contribute to the UN’s SDGs of Good Health and Well-being, Quality Education, Reduced Inequalities, Sustainable Cities and Communities, Responsible Consumption and Production and Partnership for the Goals.
For the session each table will have a different conference and different UN SDG to work on to come up with an idea for impact from the conference with limited resources as in the case of BEST. Teams will also have to think about how to measure the impact from their conference.
|
|
14.10-14.40
|
'Putting Together an Accessibility-Led Event' - Accessibility will be one of the major trends for 2024. Next to AI and Authenticity it is the third ‘A’.
Jo Powel, Macmillan CancerSupport and a panel of experts.
There are 16 million disabled people in the UK, 23% of working age adults are disabled and 45% of pension age adults are disabled. Also according to data, 70-80% of disabilities are invisible. The fact of the matter is, event organisers, more than ever, need to have a better understanding of their delegate accessibility needs and deliver events which meet these needs.
In this session, Jo Powel from Macmillan Cancer Support will be joined by a panel of experts each trying new things in this space to explore how associations can organise more inclusive and accessible events.
Key learner outcomes:
- Hear about best practice for organising accessible events
- How you can understand and better cater to all delegates needs
- See the issue through the event organisers eyes
Speakers
- Jo Powel, Macmillan
- Lizzy Eaton, Oddity Events
- Nicola Underhill, Hilton Birmingham Metropole
- Heledd Williams, Meet In Wales
|
|
14.45-15.15
|
Avoid the pitfalls and dodge the disasters – stay future fit by minimising risk
Lee Morgan-Jones, James Hallam
Leanne Bladen, The Eastside Rooms
Adam Baggs, Soaring Worldwide
Emma Robson, Alzheimer's Research UK
To succeed we must often take risks – but when and how much? This workshop will examine not just the risks inherent in Association events but also the tools available to maximise impact, whilst minimising the risk.
The panellists will discuss potential risks for PCOs from court action and media crises to cyber-crime and natural disasters before suggesting, recommending and highlighting steps that could be taken to mitigate such risks.
The remainder of the workshop will see attendees work together as small teams devising solutions to real life crisis scenarios that have happened to the panellists and their peers.
|
|
15.15-15.30
|
Comfort break and grab a coffee
|
|
15.30-16.20
|
Unlocking a future of heightened productivity and reduced stress
Dr Tharaka Gunarathne ‘Dr T’ , a TV psychiatrist and expert on motivation and mental health, challenges us to unlock a future of heightened productivity and reduced stress with cutting-edge brain science tips designed for event managers. Elevate your skills, amplify your success, and embrace a future fit for unparallelled event management excellence.
|
|
16.20 – 16.30
|
Closing remarks from the Chairs
|
Glasgow Convention Bureau are kindly providing a coach back to the airport - leaving at 4.30pm. Please let us know in advance if you need a seat.
Arriving
Arriving into Glasgow Airport
The Glasgow Airport Express bus service runs frequently from just outside the terminal.
Tickets and information are available here:
https://www.firstbus.co.uk/greater-glasgow/routes-and-maps/glasgow-airport-express
This service drops off next to Glasgow Central (see below for onward travel), Glasgow Queen Street and Glasgow Buchanan Bus Station.
If you would prefer to book a taxi, you can call Glasgow Taxis on 0141 429 7070.
A set fare from the airport to the SEC or city centre is available at £30 by quoting code ‘GCB1’ when booking.
Arriving into Glasgow Central station
Trains to Exhibition Centre station run frequently from lower level platforms at Platform 17.
A taxi rank is also situated at the Gordon Street exit.
Arriving into Glasgow Queen Street station
You can take a short walk to Glasgow Central station for a train onwards to Exhibition Centre station (see above).
You can also transfer by bus between stations: https://www.scotrail.co.uk/plan-your-journey/travel-connections/glasgow-stations-link-bus
There is a taxi rank opposite the station on George Square.
Departing
Airport transfer
Glasgow Convention Bureau are arranging a departure coach from the Scottish Event Campus to Glasgow Airport on Tuesday 30th April at 4.30pm.
If you would like a place available on the airport coach, please let us know your travel arrangements in advance by emailing heatherlishman@abpco.org by Thursday 11th April.
Departing by train
Frequent trains run from Exhibition Centre station on campus at Platform 1 into Glasgow Central station.
Plan your journey here: https://www.scotrail.co.uk/
Departing by taxi
You can pre-order or order a taxi with Glasgow Taxis on 0141 429 7070.
A set rate for an airport transfer is available at £32 by quoting ‘GCB2’ when booking.
You may wish to share a taxi with colleagues departing at the same time.
We have some negotiated rates - please book before the 15th April as our allocation will close then.
Prices
Please find a list of tickets for this event below.
| Ticket |
Price |
|
ABPCO member
|
£50.00 |
|
Non-member PCO
|
£100.00 |
|
Non-member supplier
|
£195.00 |
Attendees
The following delegates are already attending this event.
)
Mr Adam Baggs
Soaring Worldwide
)
Mrs Nichola Bartlett
AUGIS
)
Ms Pauline Beattie
Conference Care Ltd
)
Ms Linda Best
Birmingham and West Midlands Convention Bureau
)
Ms Hannah Beynon
DoubleTree by Hilton Brighton Metropole
)
Mr Mark Blair
InEvexco Ltd
)
Ms Katie Bolton
MCI Group
)
Ms Danielle Bounds
ICC Wales
)
Mr Andrew Bowers
MICE Concierge Ltd
)
Mr GRAEME BROWNE
Visit Belfast
)
Mrs Georgina Bula
Compleat Group
)
Ms Sarah Byrne
Mosaic Events Ltd
)
Mr Greg Carew
Abbey Conference & Events
)
Mrs Sammy Connell
NASUWT - The Teachers' Union
)
Ms Jude Cosway
JC Connects Ltd.
)
Ms Aileen Crawford
Glasgow Convention Bureau
)
Mrs Alison D'Allessandro
ACC Liverpool
)
Mr Steven Daun
ASM Global
)
Mrs Michelle Davidson
EICC
)
Ms Winnie Dehaney
Independent
)
Mr Jake Dennett
Cvent
)
Ms Jemima Dewhurst
Manchester Central
)
Mrs Sarah Dietrich
Warwick Conferences
)
Ms Therese Dolan
Professional Conference Organiser
)
Mrs Emma Duffy
The Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health
)
Mrs Louise Edwards
Offshore Energies UK
)
Ms Jenny Elliot
Fitwise Management Ltd
)
Mrs Gaynor England
Abstract Events
Mrs Heather Enticott
Compleat Group
)
Mr Rob Eveleigh
Brightelm
)
Ms OLIVIA CHARLOTTE GARVEY
Manchester Central
)
Ms Leanne Griffiths
GES
)
Ms Kaylie Hodges
NASUWT
)
Ms Davina Keen
NUS Students’ Unions Charitable Services
)
Mr Garry Kinnear
Seren Events
)
Mrs Heather Lishman
ABPCO
)
Ms Caroline Mackenzie
The Conference Consultancy Limited
)
Ms Madalina Marincas
Opening Doors and Venues Ltd
)
Ms Fiona McGillivray
Abbey Conference & Events
)
Miss Rebecca McIntyre
Aberdeen Convention Bureau
)
Ms Sally McNamara
Conference Care Ltd
Ms Elaine Miller
EICC
)
Mr Jai Mistry
MICE Organiser Ltd
Miss Rachel Mumford
Aberdeen Convention Bureau
)
Dr James Musgrave
Leeds Beckett University
)
Ms Rachel Neil
Abbey Conference & Events
)
Ms Nicola Pearce
University of Aberdeen
)
Mrs Jessica Penney
BSI
Mr Jerilee Pinto
Brightelm
)
Ms Sigita Pjampite
Unique Venues Birmingham
Ms Leanne Planche
ACC Liverpool
)
Mr Jason Rade
K.I.T. Group
)
Ms Caroline Reed
NewcastleGateshead Convention Bureau
)
Ms Samantha Salisbury
Jonsam Events Ltd
)
Mrs Kate Sargent
Bioscientifica Ltd
)
Mrs Gemma Savage
ICC Wales
)
Ms Margaret Sherry
In Conference Ltd
)
Mr Charlie Smith
Barbican Centre
)
Ms Melissa Sobo
Nottingham Venues - East Midlands Conference Centre
)
Ms Shelley Spencer
Fitwise Management Ltd
)
Mr Paul Swain
Visit Flanders
)
Miss Hana Taylor
AUGIS
)
Ms Rebecca Towell
Full Circle Events & Exhibitions
)
Miss Louise Anne Watson
Scottish Event Campus
)
Ms Corinne Weatherup
The Event-Ful Consultancy
)
Ms Heledd Williams
Welsh Government / Event Wales
)
Ms Antonia Willis
ICC Belfast
Mrs Laura Wilson
Aberdeen Convention Bureau
Ms Natalie Wing
GES
)
Ms Kerry Wright
Lime Venue Portfolio
| Name |
Organisation |
| Ms Eloise Alikhani |
Royal College of Psychiatrists |
| Mrs Suzanne Allan |
Edinburgh Napier University Student |
| Mrs Bev Bailey |
Northstar Meetings Group |
| Mrs Carrie Blackwood |
ACS Global |
| Ms Leanne Bladen |
The Eastside Rooms |
| Miss Makenzie Brown |
SEC |
| Mr Simon Callaghan |
Callaghan Photography Ltd |
| Mr Geoffrey Campbell |
Oxford Abstracts |
| Ms Glenda Carlyle |
SEC Campus |
| Miss Emma Carroll |
ExCeL London |
| Miss Rheo Clarke |
NASUWT - The Teachers' Union |
| Miss Hannah Cochrane |
SEC Campus |
| Mr Paul Cuthbert |
Glasgow Convention Bureau |
| Ms Helen Davidson |
Glasgow Convention Bureau |
| Ms Jessica Davies |
Pensions and Lifetime Savings Association |
| Miss Rachel Dickie |
Scottish Renewables |
| Mrs Angela Dowdells |
ACS Global |
| Ms Lizzy Eaton |
Oddity Events & Marketing Ltd |
| Mr Dan Edwards |
Whitespace Group |
| Ms Goda Eimontaite |
The Eastside Rooms |
| Mr Martin Fullard |
Davies Tanner - The Business of Events |
| Ms Tanita Gill |
The Eastside Rooms |
| Mrs Georgia Glasswell |
Harrogate Convention Centre |
| Miss Rosalind Godfrey |
Telford International Centre |
| Mrs Lauren Godward |
Thailand Convention Bureau |
| Mrs Kate Hadley |
Pensions and Lifetime Savings Association |
| Miss Jessica Haligah |
London Metropolitan University Student |
| Ms Jennifer Henry |
EICC |
| Ms Charlotte Homa |
Freshwater |
| Mr Ali Hormuz |
Hilton Birmingham Metropole |
| Ms Joy Hurrell |
University of Surrey |
| Miss Soma Huy |
MMGY Global |
| Mr Michael Jamieson |
Royal College of Psychiatrists |
| Mr Sanj Kumar |
ELRIG |
| Mrs Kerrin MacPhie |
The Meetings Industry Association |
| Ms Julie Mann |
ExCeL London |
| Miss Rachael Masson |
P&J Live |
| Ms Cara McIlwraith |
In Conference Ltd |
| Mr Kai McKechnie |
Whitespace Group |
| Mr Scott McKillop |
Edinburgh Napier University |
| Mr Billy McLean |
RD Mobile |
| Mr Lee Morgan-Jones |
James Hallam |
| Mr Richard Morris |
Active Media Events Ltd |
| Mr Jack Newey |
Mash Media Group Ltd |
| Mrs Catherine Newhall-Caiger |
Bramcote International |
| Ms Katie Newton |
Royal College of Psychiatrists |
| Miss Lois Ormesher |
Leeds Beckett University |
| Ms Bhavnita Patel |
NBL Solutions |
| Ms Jo Powel |
Macmillan Cancer Support |
| Mrs Marion Rankin |
James Hallam Limited |
| miss Leah Rankine |
Leeds Beckett University |
| Miss Hannah Rice |
Scottish Event Campus |
| Mr Jon Richards |
Brightelm |
| Mrs Aileen Ryan |
De Vere |
| Ms Angela Sanders |
Edgbaston Events |
| Ms Samantha Shamkh |
ExCeL London |
| Mrs Tara Tattersall |
Imago Venues |
| Mrs Natalie Telot |
Full Circle |
| Miss Natalie Timoney |
Marriott International |
| Mr Alistair Turner |
EI8HT PR & Marketing |
| Miss Katarina Vargova |
Dubai Business Events |
| Ms Kathleen Warden |
Scottish Event Campus |
| Mrs Faye Williamson |
The SEC |
| Miss Sian Williamson |
Visitscotland Business Events |
| Mrs Carolyn Willoughby-Ward |
Chatty Penguin Ltd |
| Ms Rosalind Wilson |
Edgbaston Events |
| Miss Helen Wormall |
Mosaic Events |
| Miss Emilly Wright |
Harrogate Convention Centre |
| Miss Kiya Wright |
Telford International Centre |
Delegate Terms and Conditions
ABPCO are committed to and actively encourage diversity and promote inclusion and accessibility at our events.
We value the participation of each individual and want everybody to have an enjoyable and fulfilling experience. All communication and behaviour should therefore be appropriate for a professional audience.
By attending an ABPCO event, you’re agreeing to respect and be kind to everybody, regardless of their gender, race, religion, age, sexual orientation, disability, or any other aspect of what they look like, where they come from or who they are.
For further information and our full code of conduct please visit our website here.