The Association of British Professional Conference Organisers (ABPCO) has unveiled the detailed program for the 2024 ABPCO Festival of Learning, which will be held at the Scottish Event Campus (SEC) in Glasgow on April 29th and 30th under the theme “Fit for the Future.” The event is geared towards preparing professionals in the event industry for the challenges and opportunities ahead.
The festival begins on April 29th with a special networking session exclusively for new members and first-time attendees at the Crowne Plaza. This is followed by an evening event at the Glasgow Science Museum featuring food, drinks, and a fireside session titled “Cultivating Success: The Transformative Impact of Mentoring.” Speakers include Cally Willoughby-Ward of Chatty Penguin, Sammy Connell of NASUWT, Sarah Vaughan of CITMA, and Rebecca Towell of Full Circle. Additionally, attendees will have the chance to participate in an Invisible Cities Walking Tour of Glasgow.
On April 30th, the festival continues with a series of engaging sessions.
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- “Event Power – A Force for Good”: This interactive session explores the societal and economic impact of events and features speakers Danielle Bounds (ICC Wales), Kerrin MacPhie (MIA), and Martin Fullard (The Business of Events).
- “The Winning Combination: Balancing Technology & Human Expertise in Events”: This session delves into the symbiotic relationship between technology and human creativity in event management, led by Jake Dennett (Cvent) and Sammy Connell (NASUWT).
- “Tips and Hacks: Presenting and Public Speaking”: Cally Willoughby-Ward offers invaluable advice for overcoming public speaking anxiety.
- “Adapting to the Future with Limited Resources – The BEST Example”: Elaine Miller (EICC) and Jai Mistry (MICE Organiser Ltd) present a workshop introducing a new tool for measuring conference contributions to the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals.
- “Accessibility – The Next Frontier in Event Management”: Jo Powel (Macmillan Cancer Support) and a panel of experts discuss creating inclusive events for all attendees.
- “Avoid the Pitfalls and Dodge the Disasters – Stay Future Fit by Minimising Risk”: Leanne Bladen (The Eastside Rooms), Martin Linfield (James Hallam), Adam Baggs (Soaring Worldwide), and Emma Robson (Alzheimer’s Research UK) lead a workshop on risk management in event planning.
The festival concludes with a closing keynote by Dr. Tharaka Gunarathne, exploring cutting-edge brain science tips for enhanced productivity and reduced stress in event management.
Heather Lishman, ABPCO’s association director, emphasizes the festival’s aim to empower attendees with knowledge and insights necessary for success in the ever-evolving event industry.
The ABPCO 2024 Festival of Learning is supported by various sponsors including SEC, Glasgow Convention Bureau, GES, Harrogate Convention Centre, VisitAberdeenshire, and ACC Liverpool.
For more detailed information and registration, interested individuals can visit the ABPCO website.
