ABPCO (the Association of British Professional Conference Organisers) has announced details of the content line up for the Festival of Learning taking place from 1st-9th December, sponsored by GES.
Register here – https://www.abpco.org/events/abpco-festival-of-learning-1-9-december
The seven-day Festival of Learning will be online for the first six days before moving to a hybrid format for the final day at ExCeL London. Key themes explored during the festival will be: Future and Innovation, Marketing, CSR and Career Development.
ABPCO Association Director, Heather Lishman commented: “We received an overwhelming number of abstract and applications to speak at the Festival of Learning – demonstrating the importance of content aimed specifically at association event professionals. This programme offers content for all and is perfectly balanced to deliver what our industry needs to know now to continue recovering, moving forward, growing and developing.”
The Festival of Learning is being supported by:
- GES – headline sponsor
- Anna Valley – Excellence Awards sponsor
- EventsAIR – digital platform provider
- ExCeL London – live event venue and hospitality
- Outsourced Events – PCO (delivered by ABPCO member Sue Frye and her team)
- The Meetings Show – after show party sponsor
- ACC Liverpool – Excellence Awards reception sponsor
- JL Live – breaks and refreshments sponsor
Registration is open at https://www.abpco.org/events/abpco-festival-of-learning-1-9-december
ABPCO is the UK’s leading organisation for professional conference and event organisers, industry associates and those studying for, or seeking a career in the conference and meetings industry. For more information about ABPCO visit www.abpco.org
The programme is as follows:
7 Days of content | 30+ Speakers | 20+ Sessions
1-8 December – Up to 3 hours of content per day delivered online
9 December – Full day, in-person conference and Excellence Awards at ExCeL, London
(9 December conference content will also be streamed online)
(The Excellence Awards will be in-person only)
| Wednesday 1st – Online | ||
| 1345-1400 | ABPCO Chairs – Michael Smith & Barbara Calderwood | Welcome |
| 1400-1445 | Adam Baggs, Soaring Worldwide | Positive thought, Positive interaction and Positive action – how the 3Ps can support your mental health |
| 1600-1645 | Martin Boyle & IAPCO Representatives | International Collaboration: working together for the greater good |
| Thursday 2nd – Online | ||
| 1115-1145 | Gordon Glenister | Influencer Marketing |
| 1200-12.45 | Anna Abdelnoor, ISLA | How we can use sustainable events to regenerate the industry |
| Friday 3rd – Online | ||
| 1130-1200 | Ken Kelling, Sense of Purpose | 5 Steps to future proof your career |
| 1215-1245 | Clare Hearn, Falmouth University & Teresa Moore, A Greener Festival | Designing the future of sustainable event training |
| 1300-1330 | Lauren Fuery, MacMillan Cancer Support | Wellbeing at work |
| Monday 6th – Online | ||
| 1400-1425 | Sandra Eyre & The ICC Team | How venues have adapted their catering offering post COVID-19 (The ICC) |
| 1430-1455 | The Barbican, London & Partners & MCI UK | Collaboration, partnership and legacy (Barbican with London & Partners & MCI) |
| 1500-1525 | Aaron McKeen, EICC | Step Change – The Future of CSR at the EICC |
| 1530-1555 | Caroline Mackenzie & Marion Brown | Putting Sustainability at the centre of event planning: A COP26 case study |
| 1600-1630 | Lyndsey Rafferty, EICC & Julian Smith, memcom | Falling in to the ‘unknown’ world of Associations |
| Tuesday 7th – Online | ||
| 1000-1030 | Dr Raphaela Stadler, University of Hertfordshire | Effective Knowledge Management in event organisations – how to stop re-inventing the wheel |
| 1045-1115 | Martin Linfield, James Hallam | How the insurance world is adapting post pandemic to event organisers evolving risks |
| 1130-1215 | The team from Manchester Central | The evolving future of hybrid events |
| Wednesday 8th – Online | ||
| 1000-1045 | Dr Caroline Jackson | Diversity, Equity and Inclusion – a social responsibility practically solved. |
| 1100-1145 | Alistair Turner, EIGHT PR & Marketing | Empathetic marketing |
| 1200-1245 | Mark Ford, Whitespace XPO Ltd | Brand Identity |
| Thursday 9th – In-person at ExCeL London & Online | ||
| 0930-1020 | The ABPCO Team, partners and sponsors | Arrival and welcome |
| 1020-1100 | Tracey Greaves, Goodwood Estate | Remaining relevant in a fast-changing world |
| 1130-1215 | Rob Eveleigh, Brightelm | Conference 2031: How will global industry trends affect association meetings in ten years’ time? |
| 1215-1235 | Kathleen Warden, SEC | Overview of COP26 and its legacy |
| 1330-1415 | Catherine Newhall-Caiger, Bramcote International | How can venues and conference organisers maximise their partnership |
| 1415-1530 | 1:1 Networking – Reconnect; Relax; and Meet our sponsors, supporters, industry partners & more | |
| 1560-1630 | ExCeL, MCI UK, London & Partners and James Latham | Leaving a legacy: the heart of a face to face meeting |
| 1630-1700 | ABPCO Chairs – Michael Smith & Barbara Calderwood | Closing Remarks |
| 1700-2000 – Excellence Awards 2021 | ||
| 2000-late – After-show party at the Aloft Hotel | ||
