Festival of Learning 2023 6pm 24th-4pm 25th April

Event Summary

ABPCO - Festival of Learning 2023 at Telford International Centre sponsored by Telford & Wrekin Council

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 ‘Thrive and Survive’ reflects that. If you are interested in sponsoring our event - Our event sponsorship packages can be seen here.

Please register here. We would like to thank Brightelm for providing the registration services. Full details of prices and a link to the hotel booking can be seen on our registration site. For ease, the hotel booking link can also be seen here https://www.hitelfordhotelevents.co.uk/order/LqHDzlkDDdUmAN7IbGuh

The programme

Monday 24^th April

Join us from 6.30pm in the Ludlow Suite at Telford International Centre for an evening of networking. We invite you to start the evening by joining Rose Padmore and friends for a selection of true PCO stories you really couldn’t make up! This humorous session will kick-start our 24hrs of networking and learning, by showing us that sharing our challenges is ok, and of course that laughter is a great tonic. It will be followed by a networking supper.

Tuesday 25^th April

Time	Sessions
09.30-09.45	Coffee, registration and networking, kindly sponsored by Fango with sponsor exhibition stands.
09.45-09.50	Chairs welcome – Emma Duffy and Sarah Byrne
09.50-10.00	Telford International Centre and Telford & Wrekin Council sponsor welcome
10.00-10.40	The Association Meeting of the Future Speakers Robert Dunsmore, Event Creative and Consultant to The Meeting of the Future Adam Fillary, Meeting & Event Support Association (MESA) Jo Austin, Lime Venue Portfolio Jennifer Jenkins, WorldSpan David Parker, RCP, MC Working with the Meeting & Event Support Association (MESA), a panel of creative event organisers and futurists, Lime Venue portfolio has created ‘The Association Meeting of the Future’. Introducing meetings with creche’s, workspaces, water cooler moments and hybrid extensions that reach audiences far and wide; ‘The most inclusive and democratic meetings you’ll ever be at’. From the architecture of the event to its culture and personality. This is a gaze into a future that is closer than we think.
10.40 -10.55	Fringe update from The Business of Events – Martin Fullard
10.55-11.25	Coffee and networking, kindly sponsored by Fango with sponsor exhibition stands.
11.25-11.55	Moving Sustainable Meetings Forward: The Next Step in the Journey Speakers Dawn Lauder, Head of Association Sales, Scottish Event Campus Sarah Garry, Executive Officer, British Association of Soil Science Over the last few years, we have seen a massive acceleration in sustainable practices within association meetings. Here, Dawn and Sarah host a discussion on where this increased ambition will take us next. Encouraging input from the audience, the session will look at what we’ve learnt over the past year, what we’re changing moving forward. Sarah will bring this to life through her own experiences with Soil Science.
11.55-12.35 Choose one of these 2 options	Either. How can we improve the experience of attendees at our conferences? Speaker Rob Eveleigh, Managing Director, Brightelm In this workshop session Rob Eveleigh, will lead a discussion and exercise in considering experience as a buying-factor in attending conferences. In a peer-to-peer environment attendees to this session will explore how “Experiential” can be mapped to association events from the perspective on content, practical tips for facilitating a memorable experience for attendees, and how to build this into our comms plans and marketing channels to maximise attendance. Or: Accessibility and inclusivity is a must for all conference delegates Speakers Leanne Bladen, The Eastside Rooms Lizzie Eaton, Oddity Events Rory Archibald, New Intent Gabrielle Austen Browne, Diversity Alliance (Chair) How inclusive is our industry really? How accessible are our events for the full spectrum of society and how welcoming are they to those with different or specific needs? In this interactive discussion we ask how inclusive our events are, and what are the barriers to them becoming more welcoming, more accessible and with more equity for every kind of delegate.
12.35-12.45	Fringe update from Meeting Needs – Chris Peacock, Chair of the Board of Trustees
12.45-13.30	Lunch and networking - kindly sponsored by Mercure Telford Centre Hotel
13.30-13.40	Fringe update from the Event Apprenticeships Scheme – Candice Kass
13.40-14.25 Choose one of these 2 options	Either: Award Winners Roundtable Learn a little more from the NASUWT (In-house PCO winner), Seren Events (Agency PCO winner) and ICC Belfast (EDI winner) about their award-winning conferences. Lots of opportunities to delve deeper into their conferences, ask questions and take home some top tips. Or: Bridging the Gap – The Events Industry and Universities unite to shape the future of the next generation of #eventprofs A panel of UK-wide higher education academics and students will engage with ABPCO members during an interactive roundtable discussion which will shape the future generation of event professionals, supporting academia with student recruitment initiatives to provide a new influx of talent into the industry. It is our responsibility to give back to the industry and engage with students to create a legacy, instigating positive change and sharing the passion for this industry we all love.
14.25-14.45	Coffee and Networking
14.45-15.45	Survival to Thriving - Why adopting a positive mindset is transformational Purusha Gordon, a forty-something mum of two, saw her life transform following a conscious shift in mindset seven years ago. After the arrival of her two children, she battled with post natal depression, gained five stone and approached her 40s in the worst shape and health she had ever been in. On a bleak January morning six years ago, she stood on her doorstep, strong coffee and cigarette in hand and wondered why she was living a life which was passing her by. It was in that moment she realised something had to change. Stretching her body and challenging the mind she started to face her fears of inadequacy and failure. With no rowing experience, in summer of 2021 and against all odds and in the midst of the global pandemic, Purusha and her all-female team, Ocean Sheroes set a new world record, rowing 2 hours on 2 hours off 24/7 across the Pacific Ocean. Battling sea sickness, fatigue, extreme weather, their strong values and positive mindset saw them row into Hawaii shaving 15 days off the previous record. Purusha’s story will share with us how, with zero rowing experience, she put together a world record breaking row across the Pacific whilst navigating home schooling, the collapse of her events business during the pandemic and how curating a culture of kindness on the boat and adopting a positive mindset saw the team thrive. Purusha is passionate about helping others believe anything is possible by connecting and challenging the mind and body, resulting in healthier, happier, balanced and thriving individuals and organisations.
15.45-16.00	Closing remarks from the Chairs