Overview
This year’s event offers options to satisfy event professionals at different levels of seniority and experience. For event director/heads, there will be some strategic sessions with timetabled discussion for the sharing of ideas and best practice. For middle managers or those newly involved in the events function, there will be useful and informative practical workshops. Plus, all delegates will have access to some exciting case studies about innovative and outstanding events. Additionally, we are answering a demand for guidance and support on managing stress with our taster sessions led by Carole Spiers, Chair of ISMA and an expert practitioner in stress management.
This event is designed for Heads and Directors of Congresses and Events; Heads of Commercial and Business Development; Senior event managers and officers; event co-ordinators and executives.
Benefits of attending
- Event heads, directors and senior managers should join our strategic sessions led by highly experienced practitioners, to review your approach to your association’s event function and portfolio:
- Revaluate your strategic objects and values to ensure that your events are fully integrated with the overall association objectives
- Hear from a highly experienced event director and coach on how the step change from middle management to becoming an event head or director will impact your decision making, leadership and business development skills
- Learn about the value of long-term planning beyond the standard one-year rolling event plan and why this is a strategically and operationally invaluable exercise
- Develop successful long-term sponsor relationships to enhance the event revenue stream
Plus, middle level or new event managers and officers can join our practical sessions to develop critical event management skills to:
- Understand the benefits of project management using simple and easily available resources
- Develop a better awareness of setting up and managing accurate event budgeting and understanding the terminology
- Improve successful speaker research skills and effective speaker acquisition at a mini-workshop
- Discuss a variety of innovative formats that can be introduced to events which may need refreshing or updating
- All delegates will also be able to hear about two very different, but innovative and successful events in the golf industry and the financial services sector.
Plus, by popular request, mini-taster sessions on stress-busting techniques by the Chairman of the International Stress Management Association and expert practitioner.
Programme
Sorry, no sessions were found matching your filters.
- 9:00 AM
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Registration and exhibition
Break
Collect your badge, meet your fellow delegates and visit our supplier exhibition
- 9:30 AM
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Welcome & Introduction
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The chairman will welcome delegates, introduce the conference theme and explain the day’s format.Speakers
Chief Executive Officer
Global Destination Sustainability MovementFor the last 15 years, Guy has been delivering award-winning consulting services focused on helping cities, governments, corporations and associations step up, scale up and speed up their sustainability programmes and smart event practices. He is a recognised expert on creating association and corporate sustainability programmes through multi stakeholder collaboration and co-creation. In 2015 Guy launched the Global Destinations Sustainability Index to accelerate the development and performance of sustainable business tourism destinations. Today over 50 cities are participating in the www.gds-index.com
From 2006 to 2018, Guy was the Sustainability Director of MCI where he launched and managed a CSR program that positioned MCI to be an award winning sustainability champion, and the organiser of over 1000 events about sustainable development, Smart Cities and energy. Guy is a passionate and outstanding communicator, who has delivered over 300 keynote presentations and facilitated workshops engaging over 35,000 participants in more than 40 countries. Guy’s pioneering work has been recognised with 21 sustainability awards including the Events Industry Council Pacesetter Award.
Sessions
Welcome & Introduction Monday @ 9:30 AM
LinkedIn: guybigwood
- 9:40 AM
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Association events: delivering member value
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While the revenues generated by events through sponsorship and delegate fees are important to sustain an association’s activities, it is easy to lose sight of the wider benefits, for members and your organisation. Live event experiences offer the opportunity to bring your association’s brand, core values and strategic purpose to life: by focusing on the bigger picture, you can achieve so much more than revenue. This session will explore the purpose of association events and reaping the financial benefits of putting members first.
Topic: Event Strategy
Format:Speakers
Director, Events
UK FinanceAlex began his event management career in 2005 and has since produced over 800 conferences, events and brand activations all over the world in the education, finance, innovation, retail, HR, health, aviation and legal sectors. He has a background working for global media and technology firms and is the author of three books in The Guide to Events series.
In his current role, Alex leads a small, multi-disciplinary, in-house event team who produce around 30 conferences, dinners and business festivals every year for between 100-1000 delegates from UK Finance member firms.
Alex is also a co-founder of the Eventprofs London meetup group and sits on the board of the Event Marketing Association.
Sessions
Association events: delivering member value Monday @ 9:40 AM
- 10:10 AM
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Questions & Discussion
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Discuss how you can apply what you have learnt and share these with the room.
- 10:30 AM
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Creating events with impact: Designing your event with the Event Narrative Framework
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The investment of time and resources into major congresses and events is usually considerable, but the final product can lack inspiration, experiential peaks or deliver the impact you were hoping for.
- How does your event’s purpose differ from your association’s objectives?
- How do you simplify the message of your event and weave that impact into your event’s story?
- What are your stakeholders wants and needs and their motivation for attending your event?
- What event design choices – venue, formats, content, music and staging, your communications strategies and tone of voice – can you make to create an engaging and impactful event?
This session will walk you through the Event Narrative Framework to simplify your event strategy and help you deliver an event that meets its purpose.
Speakers
Managing Director
The Business NarrativeSasha has over twenty-five years' experience of creating conferences and summits, starting her career in the commercial conference industry. She is skilled at curating and shaping events – product development, market mapping, sponsor research, speakers and marketing. Sasha is Fellow of The Chartered Institute of Marketing, The Royal Society of Arts, a visiting lecturer in event management at The University of Westminster, London and judges industry awards.
www.thebusinessnarrative.com
Sessions
Creating events with impact: Designing your event with the Event Narrative Framework Monday @ 10:30 AM
LinkedIn: sashafrieze/?originalSubdomain=uk
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Formats market - a round up and introduction to different formats
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It’s easy to get into a rut when you plan a conference programme. But how can you inject some new ideas and interest into your programmes? Hear some short case studies from those who have dared to be different and the results achieved.
Topic: Event planning and operations
Speakers
Head of Member Development
British and International Golf Greenkeepers AssociationSami Strutt is the Head of Member Development for the British and International Golf Greenkeepers Association (BIGGA), the professional body for golf greenkeepers.
She began her career at BIGGA in 1993 as an administrative assistant and moved to work within the Learning and Development team in 1994. Following the retirement of her manager and mentor, Sami took on the role as Learning and Development Manager in 2007. Following her marriage to a BIGGA member(!) she took on the role of Head of Member Development, enabling her to work remotely from the office.
Sami was instrumental in the creation of the Continuing Professional Development programme for BIGGA members. Now, having done every job within the L&D, she is responsible for the Continue to Learn at BTME education programme; from subject and speaker selection to create the annual education event, to managing the event on-site. She is also responsible for the Future Turf Managers Initiative, working closely with the sponsor to deliver this much-vaunted event.
In April 2018 Sami celebrated her Silver Jubilee at BIGGA.Sessions
Formats market - a round up and introduction to different formats Monday @ 10:30 AM
Events Manager
Political Studies Association of the United KingdomAvnish Patel is the Events Manager at the Political Studies Association, a membership organisation which promotes the study and understanding of politics. He has been in this role since 2016 and his main responsibilities are: the PSA’s Annual International Conference, attended by up to 800 participants across three days; the prestigious PSA Awards; and the PSA Public Lecture Series, currently in partnership with the British Library. Previously Avnish was at the Royal United Services Institute (RUSI), a defence think-tank based in Whitehall, where he organised events on a wide range of foreign policy, defence and international security issues.
Sessions
Formats market - a round up and introduction to different formats Monday @ 10:30 AM
Head of Conferences & Events
Royal Statistical SocietyPaul Gentry is Conferences & Events Manager at the Royal Statistical Society, which is the professional body for statisticians and data analysts.
Paul has worked at the Society since 1999 in a variety of roles and departments but has been responsible for the planning and delivery of the Society’s Annual International Conference since 2002. Paul manages all aspects of the conference including keynote speakers, session development, budgeting and sponsorship. Over the past 4 years the conference has grown from 460 to 660 attendees.
Sessions
Formats market - a round up and introduction to different formats Monday @ 10:30 AM
- 11:15 AM
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Refreshment & Networking break
Break
Enjoy a hot drink and meet your fellow delegates, speakers, conference sponsors and exhibitors.
- 11:45 AM
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Future focus: building a three-year rolling event plan to mitigate risk, manage costs and drive revenue
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Explaining the design and content elements of the three-year plan and the maintenance process; how the plan assists with budget control and risk management; understanding the information and acting on it.
- What to do with successful events – expansion, spin-offs, geo-cloning
- Why it’s important to strip out under-performing events
- How does this help to secure and grow revenue
Speakers
Event Portfolio Development Manager
Institution of Engineering and TechnologyRiad has over 20 years’ experience in developing content and producing conferences in the commercial and non-commercial sectors, both in the UK and in the Middle East. He has developed new conferences from scratch as well as managed and grown portfolios whilst increasing ROI. He is currently event portfolio development manager at the Institution of Engineering and Technology managing a range of events from technical call for papers conferences, to invite only events, to training courses, annual dinners and evening lectures.
Sessions
Future focus: building a three-year rolling event plan to mitigate risk, manage costs and drive revenue Monday @ 11:45 AM
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Budget planning and management
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Behind every event should be a detailed and regularly reviewed budget. Costs can easily get out of control or important items overlooked if not recorded. A winning event can quickly become a financial nightmare if costs have not been managed. Learn how you can set-up a comprehensive budget; understand the difference between fixed and variable costs; work out how to include fluctuating delegate fees to give a true picture of revenue and profit.
Topic: Event planning and operations
Speakers
Associate Director - Events and Marketing
Biochemical SocietyLorraine is the Head of Conferences and Events at the Biochemical Society, developing and leading the Conference and Events team and ensuring that its activities are aligned with the organisation’s strategy. She began her career at a corporate events management agency but has spent most of the last 20 years working for a range of prestigious associations and learned societies. Lorraine’s first major event was during the final year of a Maths and Computer Science degree at the University of York, when she co-organised the 13th British Juggling Convention, a four-day festival for over 1,000 people.
Sessions
Budget planning and management Monday @ 11:45 AM
Twitter: @LorraineMReese
- 12:30 PM
-
Lunch & Expo (Until 1:30pm)
Break
Enjoy a delicious lunch and take 15 minutes out to join one of two stress-management taster workshops. Please register on the day
- 12:45 PM
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Show Stress Who's Boss! (12:45 - 13:00)
During Lunch
Enjoy a delicious lunch and take 15 minutes out during lunch to join one of our stress-management taster workshops.
In today’s fast paced environment, people need to learn how to work efficiently under pressure, to cultivate mental toughness and build resilience.
Aims of the session are to:
- Understand the difference between ‘pressure’ and ‘stress’
- Identify the early warning signs of stress both in oneself and in others
- Discover tips and tools to manage pressure effectively
- Taking responsibility for one’s own health and wellbeing
This programme is designed for insight and effective action.
All delegates will be given a stress test card for personal use.
Speakers
Chair
International Stress Management AssociationCarole’s credibility is rooted in twenty years’ success as CEO and Founder of the Carole Spiers Group.
In I998, Carole launched Stress Awareness Day on behalf of the International Stress Management Association of which she is the current Chair. She is also a Fellow and past President of the Professional Speaking Association [London].
Carole is recognised as a leading authority on wellbeing and stress at work and is the media’s first choice for comment on workplace issues and best-selling author of Tolleys ‘Managing Stress in the Workplace’ and ‘Show Stress Who’s Boss!’
Carole’s charismatic style of combining inspiration with insight has made her a sought-after international keynote speaker working with equal success in the contrasting cultures of the UK and the Gulf region.
Sessions
Show Stress Who's Boss! (12:45 - 13:00) Monday @ 12:45 PM
- 1:10 PM
-
Show Stress Who's Boss! (13:10 - 13:25)
During Lunch
Enjoy a delicious lunch and take 15 minutes out during lunch to join one of our stress-management taster workshops.
In today’s fast paced environment, people need to learn how to work efficiently under pressure, to cultivate mental toughness and build resilience.
Aims of the session are to:
- Understand the difference between ‘pressure’ and ‘stress’
- Identify the early warning signs of stress both in oneself and in others
- Discover tips and tools to manage pressure effectively
- Taking responsibility for one’s own health and wellbeing
This programme is designed for insight and effective action.
All delegates will be given a stress test card for personal use.
- 1:30 PM
-
EXPERT BRIEFINGS - ROUND 1
Expert Briefing
Round table briefings from experts, each lasting 10-15 minutes with extra time for questions and discussion. -
Social media hacks: how to stand out and be heard
Expert Briefing
Let’s get social! Learn about building a content strategy, and how to boost your social media marketing. Get ideas for your association. Understand the power of influencer marketing, and how you should surround yourself with the right people for successful engagement.
Speakers
Head of Marketing & Business Development
ShocklogicJohnny leads the marketing and business development front at Shocklogic. He has been working with events and associations for the past 8 years, since his time as Events Coordinator at the Global Poverty Project and his role as Performance Coordinator at One World Week. He is now a seasoned contributor in several event publications and moderates regular discussions on social media such as the #EventProfsTalk with The MICE Blog. In 2017, Johnny became part of the PCMA ‘20 in Their Twenties’ class, as well as the EN ‘30 Under Thirty’ class.
Sessions
Social media hacks: how to stand out and be heard Monday @ 1:30 PM
Social media hacks: how to stand out and be heard Monday @ 2:00 PM
Twitter: @johnDmartinez
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Turning viewers into active participants for greater engagement
Expert Briefing
Many associations are now appreciating the value of reaching an audience beyond the confines of the meeting or conference room, by live streaming their events. This works particularly well where time and travel costs prohibit attendance, but where key information and messages need to be delivered or where important topics require immediate member input. But, if the remote audience are just passive viewersand not actively participating, then they might just as well watch a video on demand. Active participation is the first step to longer-term engagement by members, who may otherwise feel out of the loop or not valued or consulted.
The added value of live streaming is in the opportunity for remote delegates to become actively involved and creates greater inclusivity across the whole membership body.
In more than 10 years of live streaming events, Martin has explored many different methods of enabling remote delegates to interact. (He has even written a book on the subject.)
In this briefing Martin will reveal some tips and tools to help you fully engage remote delegates in your webcasts.Speakers
CEO
BeThere GlobalMartin Shepherdly founded BeThere Global in 2008, to provide an efficient, reliable and high quality conference streaming and recording service at an affordable price. After many years of producing conferences, Martin knew this was something missing in the market. Since then the company has served many associations in the UK and internationally, particularly those whose purpose is to educate and inform members on a global scale.
Sessions
Turning viewers into active participants for greater engagement Monday @ 1:30 PM
Turning viewers into active participants for greater engagement Monday @ 2:00 PM
Twitter: @@bethereglobal
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What value can 'tracking' participants bring to your Event Stakeholders?
Expert Briefing
The word 'tracking' gets mixed responses from organisers and attendees alike. We will discuss how you can make your stakeholders feel comfortable with the concept, offer hints and tips on how tracking can add value to your live event and the context it can add to delegate feedback. We will look at real cases and show how the output not only helps in fulfilling objectives, but adds value for all your stakeholders.
Speakers
Account Manager
Crystal InteractiveCaroline specialises in consulting with event organisers, and is responsible for Association customers with much work in the Healthcare sector. She has worked in the events industry for over 11 years and joined Crystal (IML) in 2010 as an Account Manager. Caroline is at her best meeting with clients and discussing how she can help them. She has always enjoyed developing relationships with her clients in the legal, commercial conference and pharmaceutical sectors. Prior to joining Crystal, Caroline graduated with a business degree and worked at The College of Law and Centaur Media.
Sessions
What value can 'tracking' participants bring to your Event Stakeholders? Monday @ 1:30 PM
What value can 'tracking' participants bring to your Event Stakeholders? Monday @ 2:00 PM
- 2:00 PM
-
EXPERT BRIEFINGS - ROUND 2
Expert Briefing
Round table briefings from experts, each lasting 10-15 minutes with extra time for questions and discussion. -
Social media hacks: how to stand out and be heard
Expert Briefing
Let’s get social! Learn about building a content strategy, and how to boost your social media marketing. Hear about successful case studies, and get ideas for your association. Understand the power of influencer marketing, and how you must surround yourself with the right people for successful engagement.
Speakers
Head of Marketing & Business Development
ShocklogicJohnny leads the marketing and business development front at Shocklogic. He has been working with events and associations for the past 8 years, since his time as Events Coordinator at the Global Poverty Project and his role as Performance Coordinator at One World Week. He is now a seasoned contributor in several event publications and moderates regular discussions on social media such as the #EventProfsTalk with The MICE Blog. In 2017, Johnny became part of the PCMA ‘20 in Their Twenties’ class, as well as the EN ‘30 Under Thirty’ class.
Sessions
Social media hacks: how to stand out and be heard Monday @ 1:30 PM
Social media hacks: how to stand out and be heard Monday @ 2:00 PM
Twitter: @johnDmartinez
-
Turning viewers into active participants for greater engagement
Expert Briefing
Many associations are now appreciating the value of reaching an audience beyond the confines of the meeting or conference room, by live streaming their events. This works particularly well where time and travel costs prohibit attendance, but where key information and messages need to be delivered or where important topics require immediate member input. But, if the remote audience are just passive viewersand not actively participating, then they might just as well watch a video on demand. Active participation is the first step to longer-term engagement by members, who may otherwise feel out of the loop or not valued or consulted.
The added value of live streaming is in the opportunity for remote delegates to become actively involved and creates greater inclusivity across the whole membership body.
In more than 10 years of live streaming events, Martin has explored many different methods of enabling remote delegates to interact. (He has even written a book on the subject.)
In this briefing Martin will reveal some tips and tools to help you fully engage remote delegates in your webcasts.Speakers
CEO
BeThere GlobalMartin Shepherdly founded BeThere Global in 2008, to provide an efficient, reliable and high quality conference streaming and recording service at an affordable price. After many years of producing conferences, Martin knew this was something missing in the market. Since then the company has served many associations in the UK and internationally, particularly those whose purpose is to educate and inform members on a global scale.
Sessions
Turning viewers into active participants for greater engagement Monday @ 1:30 PM
Turning viewers into active participants for greater engagement Monday @ 2:00 PM
Twitter: @@bethereglobal
-
What value can 'tracking' participants bring to your Event Stakeholders?
Expert Briefing
The word 'tracking' gets mixed responses from organisers and attendees alike. We will discuss how you can make your stakeholders feel comfortable with the concept, offer hints and tips on how tracking can add value to your live event and the context it can add to delegate feedback. We will look at real cases and show how the output not only helps in fulfilling objectives, but adds value for all your stakeholders.
Speakers
Account Manager
Crystal InteractiveCaroline specialises in consulting with event organisers, and is responsible for Association customers with much work in the Healthcare sector. She has worked in the events industry for over 11 years and joined Crystal (IML) in 2010 as an Account Manager. Caroline is at her best meeting with clients and discussing how she can help them. She has always enjoyed developing relationships with her clients in the legal, commercial conference and pharmaceutical sectors. Prior to joining Crystal, Caroline graduated with a business degree and worked at The College of Law and Centaur Media.
Sessions
What value can 'tracking' participants bring to your Event Stakeholders? Monday @ 1:30 PM
What value can 'tracking' participants bring to your Event Stakeholders? Monday @ 2:00 PM
- 2:30 PM
-
Making the step change from events manager to event head or director
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Making the transition from being a manager and team member, to leadership can be a daunting change. The operational and practical expertise that led to the promotion may become less important than the ability to think commercially and long-term and bring out the best in the existing team. Learn from our experienced speaker, an Events Director of many years’ standing who is also a business coach.
Hear more about:
- Learning to “let go” and the art of delegation
- Selling the events function to the board
- Getting the most out of your event team
- From colleague to boss - adjusting to the role
- Managing workload and stress for you and your team
- Moving from operational to commercial thinking
- Mentoring and coaching junior colleagues
- Managing conflict
Discussion of the issues at round tables
Speakers
Personal Performance Coach
Association of Professional Staffing CompaniesPersonal Performance Coach, Master Practitioner of Neuro Linguistic Programming (NLP) and licensed Practitioner of Motivational Maps.
Kate has over 15 years’ experience working in the event industry. Kate has worked in commercial, not for profit and government. She began her career as a Conference Assistant at Informa and after promotions to Team leader, then went to work for IQPC as a Conference Director. During her time at IQPC she was seconded to their Singapore Office General Manager. Her commercial experience and passion to make a difference led her to change direction and work for not for profit and government organisations.
Kate faced the many challenges when being promoted with little or no management training. How do you make that switch from a ‘team mate’ to managing and leading your friends. From these experiences and her passion to find out what motivates people and how to empower and engage them, she set up as a personal performance coach, helping people to reach their full potential.
Sessions
Making the step change from events manager to event head or director Monday @ 2:30 PM
-
Evaluating delegate engagement technology
-
For an association event to fulfil its purpose in educating and informing members and wider stakeholders, effective engagement must be a priority. An event provides a unique forum to sound out members’ views, to learn about their challenges and to affirm that the association is delivering on its objectives. Delegate engagement technology makes it easy to have these conversations, to vote on important issues and to highlight future concerns.
This session will give an unbiased review of what technology is available and how it can be used most effectively to maximise engagement and deliver value to all participants.
- Networking tools and aids
- Learning technology
- Interactive audience technology
- Experiential technology VR and AI
- Fun stuff!
Speakers
Dean
International Tourism and Hospitality CollegeDr. James Morgan is the Dean of the International Tourism and Hospitality College in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. He was previously the at the School of Architecture, University of Westminster, London. He was Principal Lecturer of Live Design and departmental leader for the MA Tourism Management, MA Event Design, BA Tourism Planning, BA Tourism Business and BA Events Management. He holds a PhD in Tourism Development and Destination Regeneration, MA Urban Planning and BA Hons Tourism Planning. He is also the founder of non-profit Event Tech Lab, a global partnership community for event technology companies and event professionals. He has been voted as one of the Top 100 Most Influential People in the Events Industry in the Eventex Global Awards in 2019 and 2020 amongst other global awards he has received. As a respected international speaker, Dr Morgan also judge’s industry awards in Europe, North America, and the Middle East each year. As a truly international professional, he is passionate about researching and speaking on tourism, hospitality and events topics including destination design and regeneration, hospitality and live experience design, and visitor engagement.
Sessions
Evaluating delegate engagement technology Monday @ 2:30 PM
- 3:15 PM
-
Refreshment & Networking break
Break
Network with your fellow delegates and engage with the association business partners exhibiting.
- 3:40 PM
-
Developing the sponsorship revenue stream for long-term benefit
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The acquisition and management of high-level sponsors is one of the most commercial aspects of association event delivery. There can be a nervousness about allowing sponsors to dictate content or have an over-powering presence on the programme. But without the sponsors’ financial support, many events would cease to exist. Balancing the need for funding against the integrity of the event is an age-old problem. But it’s possible to achieve a balance and develop successful long-term relationships. Our experienced sponsorship head will explain how.
Speakers
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Conducting effective research calls and bringing on-board speakers
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Find out some tried and tested techniques to research and acquire great speakers. Copy the commercial approach to speaker research. Overcome your trepidation when approaching senior level speakers – presenting what’s in it for them. Picking up the phone. Working with speakers to create their topic content in line with event objective. Use of speaker agreements/contracts.
Speakers
Programme & Research Director
Association of Association ExecutivesJulia Jepps has worked in events since the 1980s, learning her trade at a major commercial conference company to become a Conference Director. Since then, she has worked for a variety of commercial conference businesses including ICM and the Daily Mail Group; a brief spell in PR managing the RSPCA national account and events and also as a Corporate Fundraiser in a health charity. Julia was the Head of Commercial Development including events for eight years at the Council of Mortgage Lenders, developing a portfolio of highly successful conferences, training courses and hospitality events. During her years in events, Julia has programmed in diverse sectors including construction, maritime, social and health care, financial services, law, tobacco, utilities and now association management. In her spare time, she uses her events skills to run vintage events, fundraising dog shows and community events - she also is an amateur show commentator and compere. Julia has also had a retail business in antiques and vintage for the past 20 years.
Sessions
Conducting effective research calls and bringing on-board speakers Monday @ 3:40 PM
- 4:30 PM
-
Re-inventing an association's exhibition
Case Study
The BIGGA annual exhibition was the association flagship event, but was failing at the time of the speaker's appointment as CEO.
Strong action was needed to turn it round and bring it up-to-date. The improvement has been a continuous programme with some significant changes in 2019. The speaker will describe the thinking and processes involved including:
- Creating a compelling event
- Engaging all stakeholders
- Continual improvement
- Implementation of important change
- Putting the visitor at the heart of the event
- The importance of attracting engaged visitors
- Stakeholder feedback and outcomes
Speakers
Chief Executive Officer
British and International Golf Greenkeepers AssociationJim has spent almost his whole life in golf; when he was six years old his family took over the management of a fledgling golf club in England and he literally grew up on the course, once he was old enough he was set to work in all aspects of the business including greenkeeping, food & beverage and office administration. His first real job was with the Professional Golfers Association where he remained for 16 years until taking up the role of CEO of the British & International Golf Greenkeepers Association in 2011.
During his tenure he has been instrumental in raising the profile of the Association within the golf industry and ensuring that BIGGA’s nearly 6,000 members have a strong voice in how the sport is governed and managed.
The Association focuses heavily on serving the needs of its members and has invested in a doubling of its regional workforce, ensuring that members have support at local level.
BIGGA’s annual exhibition and conference, BTME, has undergone strong growth under his leadership and is now firmly established as Europe’s premier turf management event. The world-renowned Continue to Learn education programme at BTME now delivers the equivalent of more than two hours of education annually for every golf facility in the UK.
Sessions
Re-inventing an association's exhibition Monday @ 4:30 PM
-
Being the solo events manager in your association - ways to manage the workload and deliver results
Solutions Round-Table
-Speakers
Head of Membership & Events
Wine and Spirit Trade AssociationJessica is responsible for all internal and external WSTA events and the day-to-day operations of the WSTA. Her role includes liaising and coordinating suppliers, inhouse design, inventory, and IT.
Sessions
Being the solo events manager in your association - ways to manage the workload and deliver results Monday @ 4:30 PM
-
Launching a new event with a 3 year strategy for growth
Solutions Round-Table
-Speakers
Events Manager
National Association of Commercial Finance BrokersLaura Marshall has been the Events Manager at the NACFB since May 2019. Prior to this she worked at the Federation of Master Builders (FMB), where she was responsible for all external FMB events, the day-to-day operations of the FMB Events Team, and developing and launching new member events. Laura has spent the last 7 years working in the association events sector, first running conferences for the Catering Equipment Suppliers Association and then the Council of Mortgage Lenders.
Sessions
Launching a new event with a 3 year strategy for growth Monday @ 4:30 PM
-
Engaging with your delegates/customers to retain them in an increasingly competitive marketplace
Solutions Round-Table
- Retaining your customer base and not losing it
- When and why discount – what do offer and what not to offer
- Ways to tell your customer what’s happening – don’t keep flogging the same old message in the same old way!
- Keeping market share – how to ensure your customer buys again and attracting new buyers
- Customer care – this will determine whether your customer stays or leaves
- Dealing with competing events
- Brand and reputation – worth much?
Speakers
Freelance Researcher, Content and Event Project Manager
ConsultantChristine has been involved in conference content creation and production for over thirty years. Starting her career with Informa (then IBC Legal Studies and Services) working on a number of projects in the property, planning and environmental field, she was instrumental in developing the content of a numerous number of events focusing on policy and practice for large scale conferences in London, Edinburgh, Cambridge University for summer schools and major European capital cities. Christine was seconded to the Sydney office in the mid-to late-90s just at the time when IBC became Informa to be a general manager and head of the banking and finance team responsible for content and event generation – this saw her taking events to Adelaide, Brisbane, Hobart and Melbourne as well as in Sydney. As a consequence, Christine has seen a huge amount of change in the way events are researched, delivered and marketed! For the last twelve years, Christine has been freelance and responsible for a large number of projects creating content, delivering events and project managing (from blank sheet of paper to creating content of one, two and three day projects and online content) for a number of clients mainly in the field of property and digital asset management in London and the US.
Sessions
Engaging with your delegates/customers to retain them in an increasingly competitive marketplace Monday @ 4:30 PM
LinkedIn: christine-le-couilliard-b7b73b5/
- 5:00 PM
-
Event innovation and delivery - Creating the Festival of financial planning
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The brainchild of our speaker, this exciting event brought fresh take on a dry topic. Combining many elements, the Festival generated great feedback from all involved. Find out about the “festivalisation” of this unique event.
Speakers
Societies & Member Marketing Director
Chartered Insurance InstituteMark Hutchinson is Societies and Member Marketing Director at the Chartered Insurance Institute. He has spent the last 30 years marketing financial services across a broad range of sectors including insurance, investment banking and private equity. His experience includes business to business, employee benefits and direct to consumer. In his current role he is focused on membership growth and engagement, both in the UK and overseas. As well membership revenue growth, Mark also has responsibility for communications, web, digital marketing and brand.
Mark is married with two children and, in what little spare time this affords him, he is a reluctant gardener and enjoys skiing and cycling. Mark completed his Open University MBA in 2004.
Sessions
Event innovation and delivery - Creating the Festival of financial planning Monday @ 5:00 PM
- 5:30 PM
-
Chairman’s conclusions and close
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Summary and closure of the conference.
Speakers
Speakers
Chief Executive Officer
Global Destination Sustainability Movement
For the last 15 years, Guy has been delivering award-winning consulting services focused on helping cities, governments, corporations and associations step up, scale up and speed up their sustainability programmes and smart event practices. He is a recognised expert on creating association and corporate sustainability programmes through multi stakeholder collaboration and co-creation. In 2015 Guy launched the Global Destinations Sustainability Index to accelerate the development and performance of sustainable business tourism destinations. Today over 50 cities are participating in the www.gds-index.com
From 2006 to 2018, Guy was the Sustainability Director of MCI where he launched and managed a CSR program that positioned MCI to be an award winning sustainability champion, and the organiser of over 1000 events about sustainable development, Smart Cities and energy. Guy is a passionate and outstanding communicator, who has delivered over 300 keynote presentations and facilitated workshops engaging over 35,000 participants in more than 40 countries. Guy’s pioneering work has been recognised with 21 sustainability awards including the Events Industry Council Pacesetter Award.
Sessions
Welcome & Introduction Monday @ 9:30 AM
LinkedIn: guybigwood
Chief Executive Officer
British and International Golf Greenkeepers Association
Jim has spent almost his whole life in golf; when he was six years old his family took over the management of a fledgling golf club in England and he literally grew up on the course, once he was old enough he was set to work in all aspects of the business including greenkeeping, food & beverage and office administration. His first real job was with the Professional Golfers Association where he remained for 16 years until taking up the role of CEO of the British & International Golf Greenkeepers Association in 2011.
During his tenure he has been instrumental in raising the profile of the Association within the golf industry and ensuring that BIGGA’s nearly 6,000 members have a strong voice in how the sport is governed and managed.
The Association focuses heavily on serving the needs of its members and has invested in a doubling of its regional workforce, ensuring that members have support at local level.
BIGGA’s annual exhibition and conference, BTME, has undergone strong growth under his leadership and is now firmly established as Europe’s premier turf management event. The world-renowned Continue to Learn education programme at BTME now delivers the equivalent of more than two hours of education annually for every golf facility in the UK.
Sessions
Re-inventing an association's exhibition Monday @ 4:30 PM
Managing Director
The Business Narrative
www.thebusinessnarrative.com
Sessions
Creating events with impact: Designing your event with the Event Narrative Framework Monday @ 10:30 AM
LinkedIn: sashafrieze/?originalSubdomain=uk
Head of Conferences & Events
Royal Statistical Society
Paul Gentry is Conferences & Events Manager at the Royal Statistical Society, which is the professional body for statisticians and data analysts.
Paul has worked at the Society since 1999 in a variety of roles and departments but has been responsible for the planning and delivery of the Society’s Annual International Conference since 2002. Paul manages all aspects of the conference including keynote speakers, session development, budgeting and sponsorship. Over the past 4 years the conference has grown from 460 to 660 attendees.
Sessions
Formats market - a round up and introduction to different formats Monday @ 10:30 AM
Societies & Member Marketing Director
Chartered Insurance Institute
Mark Hutchinson is Societies and Member Marketing Director at the Chartered Insurance Institute. He has spent the last 30 years marketing financial services across a broad range of sectors including insurance, investment banking and private equity. His experience includes business to business, employee benefits and direct to consumer. In his current role he is focused on membership growth and engagement, both in the UK and overseas. As well membership revenue growth, Mark also has responsibility for communications, web, digital marketing and brand.
Mark is married with two children and, in what little spare time this affords him, he is a reluctant gardener and enjoys skiing and cycling. Mark completed his Open University MBA in 2004.
Sessions
Event innovation and delivery - Creating the Festival of financial planning Monday @ 5:00 PM
Programme & Research Director
Association of Association Executives
Julia Jepps has worked in events since the 1980s, learning her trade at a major commercial conference company to become a Conference Director. Since then, she has worked for a variety of commercial conference businesses including ICM and the Daily Mail Group; a brief spell in PR managing the RSPCA national account and events and also as a Corporate Fundraiser in a health charity. Julia was the Head of Commercial Development including events for eight years at the Council of Mortgage Lenders, developing a portfolio of highly successful conferences, training courses and hospitality events. During her years in events, Julia has programmed in diverse sectors including construction, maritime, social and health care, financial services, law, tobacco, utilities and now association management. In her spare time, she uses her events skills to run vintage events, fundraising dog shows and community events - she also is an amateur show commentator and compere. Julia has also had a retail business in antiques and vintage for the past 20 years.
Sessions
Conducting effective research calls and bringing on-board speakers Monday @ 3:40 PM
Freelance Researcher, Content and Event Project Manager
Consultant
Christine has been involved in conference content creation and production for over thirty years. Starting her career with Informa (then IBC Legal Studies and Services) working on a number of projects in the property, planning and environmental field, she was instrumental in developing the content of a numerous number of events focusing on policy and practice for large scale conferences in London, Edinburgh, Cambridge University for summer schools and major European capital cities. Christine was seconded to the Sydney office in the mid-to late-90s just at the time when IBC became Informa to be a general manager and head of the banking and finance team responsible for content and event generation – this saw her taking events to Adelaide, Brisbane, Hobart and Melbourne as well as in Sydney. As a consequence, Christine has seen a huge amount of change in the way events are researched, delivered and marketed! For the last twelve years, Christine has been freelance and responsible for a large number of projects creating content, delivering events and project managing (from blank sheet of paper to creating content of one, two and three day projects and online content) for a number of clients mainly in the field of property and digital asset management in London and the US.
Sessions
Engaging with your delegates/customers to retain them in an increasingly competitive marketplace Monday @ 4:30 PM
LinkedIn: christine-le-couilliard-b7b73b5/
Event Portfolio Development Manager
Institution of Engineering and Technology
Riad has over 20 years’ experience in developing content and producing conferences in the commercial and non-commercial sectors, both in the UK and in the Middle East. He has developed new conferences from scratch as well as managed and grown portfolios whilst increasing ROI. He is currently event portfolio development manager at the Institution of Engineering and Technology managing a range of events from technical call for papers conferences, to invite only events, to training courses, annual dinners and evening lectures.
Sessions
Future focus: building a three-year rolling event plan to mitigate risk, manage costs and drive revenue Monday @ 11:45 AM
Events Manager
National Association of Commercial Finance Brokers
Laura Marshall has been the Events Manager at the NACFB since May 2019. Prior to this she worked at the Federation of Master Builders (FMB), where she was responsible for all external FMB events, the day-to-day operations of the FMB Events Team, and developing and launching new member events. Laura has spent the last 7 years working in the association events sector, first running conferences for the Catering Equipment Suppliers Association and then the Council of Mortgage Lenders.
Sessions
Launching a new event with a 3 year strategy for growth Monday @ 4:30 PM
Head of Marketing & Business Development
Shocklogic
Johnny leads the marketing and business development front at Shocklogic. He has been working with events and associations for the past 8 years, since his time as Events Coordinator at the Global Poverty Project and his role as Performance Coordinator at One World Week. He is now a seasoned contributor in several event publications and moderates regular discussions on social media such as the #EventProfsTalk with The MICE Blog. In 2017, Johnny became part of the PCMA ‘20 in Their Twenties’ class, as well as the EN ‘30 Under Thirty’ class.
Sessions
Social media hacks: how to stand out and be heard Monday @ 1:30 PM
Social media hacks: how to stand out and be heard Monday @ 2:00 PM
Twitter: @johnDmartinez
Dean
International Tourism and Hospitality College
Dr. James Morgan is the Dean of the International Tourism and Hospitality College in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. He was previously the at the School of Architecture, University of Westminster, London. He was Principal Lecturer of Live Design and departmental leader for the MA Tourism Management, MA Event Design, BA Tourism Planning, BA Tourism Business and BA Events Management. He holds a PhD in Tourism Development and Destination Regeneration, MA Urban Planning and BA Hons Tourism Planning. He is also the founder of non-profit Event Tech Lab, a global partnership community for event technology companies and event professionals. He has been voted as one of the Top 100 Most Influential People in the Events Industry in the Eventex Global Awards in 2019 and 2020 amongst other global awards he has received. As a respected international speaker, Dr Morgan also judge’s industry awards in Europe, North America, and the Middle East each year. As a truly international professional, he is passionate about researching and speaking on tourism, hospitality and events topics including destination design and regeneration, hospitality and live experience design, and visitor engagement.
Sessions
Evaluating delegate engagement technology Monday @ 2:30 PM
Head of Membership & Events
Wine and Spirit Trade Association
Jessica is responsible for all internal and external WSTA events and the day-to-day operations of the WSTA. Her role includes liaising and coordinating suppliers, inhouse design, inventory, and IT.
Sessions
Being the solo events manager in your association - ways to manage the workload and deliver results Monday @ 4:30 PM
Events Manager
Political Studies Association of the United Kingdom
Avnish Patel is the Events Manager at the Political Studies Association, a membership organisation which promotes the study and understanding of politics. He has been in this role since 2016 and his main responsibilities are: the PSA’s Annual International Conference, attended by up to 800 participants across three days; the prestigious PSA Awards; and the PSA Public Lecture Series, currently in partnership with the British Library. Previously Avnish was at the Royal United Services Institute (RUSI), a defence think-tank based in Whitehall, where he organised events on a wide range of foreign policy, defence and international security issues.
Sessions
Formats market - a round up and introduction to different formats Monday @ 10:30 AM
Account Manager
Crystal Interactive
Caroline specialises in consulting with event organisers, and is responsible for Association customers with much work in the Healthcare sector. She has worked in the events industry for over 11 years and joined Crystal (IML) in 2010 as an Account Manager. Caroline is at her best meeting with clients and discussing how she can help them. She has always enjoyed developing relationships with her clients in the legal, commercial conference and pharmaceutical sectors. Prior to joining Crystal, Caroline graduated with a business degree and worked at The College of Law and Centaur Media.
Sessions
What value can 'tracking' participants bring to your Event Stakeholders? Monday @ 1:30 PM
What value can 'tracking' participants bring to your Event Stakeholders? Monday @ 2:00 PM
Personal Performance Coach
Association of Professional Staffing Companies
Personal Performance Coach, Master Practitioner of Neuro Linguistic Programming (NLP) and licensed Practitioner of Motivational Maps.
Kate has over 15 years’ experience working in the event industry. Kate has worked in commercial, not for profit and government. She began her career as a Conference Assistant at Informa and after promotions to Team leader, then went to work for IQPC as a Conference Director. During her time at IQPC she was seconded to their Singapore Office General Manager. Her commercial experience and passion to make a difference led her to change direction and work for not for profit and government organisations.
Kate faced the many challenges when being promoted with little or no management training. How do you make that switch from a ‘team mate’ to managing and leading your friends. From these experiences and her passion to find out what motivates people and how to empower and engage them, she set up as a personal performance coach, helping people to reach their full potential.
Sessions
Making the step change from events manager to event head or director Monday @ 2:30 PM
Associate Director - Events and Marketing
Biochemical Society
Lorraine is the Head of Conferences and Events at the Biochemical Society, developing and leading the Conference and Events team and ensuring that its activities are aligned with the organisation’s strategy. She began her career at a corporate events management agency but has spent most of the last 20 years working for a range of prestigious associations and learned societies. Lorraine’s first major event was during the final year of a Maths and Computer Science degree at the University of York, when she co-organised the 13th British Juggling Convention, a four-day festival for over 1,000 people.
Sessions
Budget planning and management Monday @ 11:45 AM
Twitter: @LorraineMReese
CEO
BeThere Global
Sessions
Turning viewers into active participants for greater engagement Monday @ 1:30 PM
Turning viewers into active participants for greater engagement Monday @ 2:00 PM
Twitter: @@bethereglobal
Chair
International Stress Management Association
Carole’s credibility is rooted in twenty years’ success as CEO and Founder of the Carole Spiers Group.
In I998, Carole launched Stress Awareness Day on behalf of the International Stress Management Association of which she is the current Chair. She is also a Fellow and past President of the Professional Speaking Association [London].
Carole is recognised as a leading authority on wellbeing and stress at work and is the media’s first choice for comment on workplace issues and best-selling author of Tolleys ‘Managing Stress in the Workplace’ and ‘Show Stress Who’s Boss!’
Carole’s charismatic style of combining inspiration with insight has made her a sought-after international keynote speaker working with equal success in the contrasting cultures of the UK and the Gulf region.
Sessions
Show Stress Who's Boss! (12:45 - 13:00) Monday @ 12:45 PM
Head of Member Development
British and International Golf Greenkeepers Association
She began her career at BIGGA in 1993 as an administrative assistant and moved to work within the Learning and Development team in 1994. Following the retirement of her manager and mentor, Sami took on the role as Learning and Development Manager in 2007. Following her marriage to a BIGGA member(!) she took on the role of Head of Member Development, enabling her to work remotely from the office.
Sami was instrumental in the creation of the Continuing Professional Development programme for BIGGA members. Now, having done every job within the L&D, she is responsible for the Continue to Learn at BTME education programme; from subject and speaker selection to create the annual education event, to managing the event on-site. She is also responsible for the Future Turf Managers Initiative, working closely with the sponsor to deliver this much-vaunted event.
In April 2018 Sami celebrated her Silver Jubilee at BIGGA.
Sessions
Formats market - a round up and introduction to different formats Monday @ 10:30 AM
Director, Events
UK Finance
Alex began his event management career in 2005 and has since produced over 800 conferences, events and brand activations all over the world in the education, finance, innovation, retail, HR, health, aviation and legal sectors. He has a background working for global media and technology firms and is the author of three books in The Guide to Events series.
In his current role, Alex leads a small, multi-disciplinary, in-house event team who produce around 30 conferences, dinners and business festivals every year for between 100-1000 delegates from UK Finance member firms.
Alex is also a co-founder of the Eventprofs London meetup group and sits on the board of the Event Marketing Association.
Sessions
Association events: delivering member value Monday @ 9:40 AM
Venue & Hotels
The Event is hosted by ETC Venues Monument

Options & Fees
The Conference is open to employees of Associations, Societies, Federations and other membership organisations.
Very Early Booker
Valid up to 30 April 2019: £345.00 plus VAT
Early Booker
Valid 1st - 31st May 2019: £395.00 plus VAT
Standard
Valid after 31st May 2019: £445.00 plus VAT