The Association of British Professional Conference Organisers
(ABPCO) has finalised the programme for the 2024 ABPCO Festival of Learning,
taking place at the Scottish Event Campus (SEC) in Glasgow on the 29th and 30th
of April.
This year’s theme, "Fit for the Future," reflects ABPCO’s
commitment to preparing the event industry for the challenges and opportunities
of the future.
Programme highlights
Monday 29 April kicks off with a networking session for new
members and first-time attendees at the Crowne Plaza, followed by an evening at
the Glasgow Science Museum with food, drinks and a fireside session titled
"Cultivating Success: The Transformative Impact of Mentoring"
featuring Cally Willoughby-Ward of Chatty Penguin, Sammy Connell of NASUWT,
Sarah Vaughan of CITMA, and Rebecca Towell of Full Circle.
Monday afternoon attendees will also have an opportunity to
take part in an Invisible Cities Walking Tour of Glasgow.
Tuesday 30 April includes:
Event Power – A Force for Good: An interactive session
with Danielle Bounds (ICC Wales), Kerrin MacPhie (MIA), and Martin Fullard
(The Business of Events), discussing the societal and economic impact of
events.
The Winning Combination: Balancing Technology
& Human Expertise in Events: With Jake Dennett (Cvent) and Sammy
Connell (NASUWT), exploring the synergy between technology and human
creativity in event management.
Tips and Hacks: Presenting and Public Speaking by Cally
Willoughby-Ward, offering advice for overcoming public speaking
anxiety.
Adapting to the Future with Limited Resources – The BEST
Example:
A workshop by Elaine Miller (EICC) and Jai Mistry (MICE Organiser Ltd),
introducing a new tool for measuring conference contributions to the UN’s
Sustainable Development Goals.
Accessibility – The Next Frontier in Event Management: With Jo Powel
(Macmillan Cancer Support) and a panel of experts, focusing on creating
inclusive events for all attendees.
Avoid the Pitfalls and Dodge the Disasters – Stay
Future Fit by Minimising Risk: A workshop on risk management in event planning with
Leanne Bladen from The Eastside Rooms, Martin Linfield from James Hallam,
Adam Baggs from Soaring Worldwide and Emma Robson from Alzheimer's Research UK.
Closing Keynote - Unlocking a
future of heightened productivity and reduced stress: The festival will close
with an inspiring session 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, said: "We
look forward to welcoming professionals from across the association event
industry to this year's Festival of Learning. Our carefully curated sessions
and workshops are designed to empower attendees with the knowledge, tools, and
insights needed to thrive in an ever-evolving landscape. This is a unique
opportunity to explore future trends, network with peers, and drive positive
change in our industry."
The ABPCO 2024 Festival of Learning is supported by:
- Venue Sponsor – SEC
- Destination Sponsor – Glasgow Convention Bureau
- Lunch Sponsor – GES
- Refreshment Sponsor – Harrogate Convention Centre
- Networking Reception Sponsor – VisitAberdeenshire
- Student Support Sponsor – ACC Liverpool
For more information and to register for the 2024 ABPCO
Festival of Learning, visit https://www.abpco.org/events/
