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Summer Eventia 2009 Programme

Sunday 5 July

From 15:00 Registration and check-in
19:00 Bar opens
19:45 Welcome Reception followed by barbecue, Bar and Terrace; Holiday Inn, Brighton-Seafront  
23:00 Evening closes

Monday 6 July

07:30 Registration opens
09:00 Conference opens – Welcome by Eventia, introduction to our host, Neil Jones
09:30 Keynote Speaker: Roger Martin-Fagg, independent behavioural economist -Green Shoots or Hairshirts? The next two years – independent behavioural economist Roger Martin-Fagg reviews the global economic prospects and outlines the shape of things to come for industry sectors and individual businesses and organisations

10:30 Refreshment Break

11:00 Keynote Speaker: Rohit Talwar - Winning in a Downturn – Surviving and Thriving in a Turbulent Age
An eye-opening presentation by futurist Rohit Talwar providing practical insights on what the events industry is doing to respond to current turmoil and develop appropriate business strategies in recessionary times

11:45 Panel discussion: View from the coal face – trends and responses
What is happening at the cutting edge in our sector? Experienced industry practitioners share a variety of perspectives and ideas. Panellists include:

• Julie Witte, BT
• Clare Tunstead, FT Global Head of Events
• Dale Parmenter, DRP Group
• Tina Morris, AddingValue
• Adam Bates, Visit Brighton
• Denise Macdonald, IHG
• Mark Sale, Air Partner

13:00 Lunch Break

14:00 You decide: facilitator-led workshop discussions
Discussion groups focus on priority topics identified through the conference registration process and agree practical steps for positive and proactive responses

15:30 Feedback from breakout sessions by the Facilitators of the above

16:15 Eventia Extraordinary General Meeting (members only)

17:30 Evening activity briefing
18:00 Departures for evening activity around Brighton
20:00 Dinner on the Pier
23:30 Evening closes

Tuesday 7 July

07:30 Registration opens

09:00 Conference opens

09:30 Social media and Web 2.0 – harnessing the new technologies

• Mike Fletcher, freelance writer, journalist and editor
• Simon Burton, MD of Exposure Communications
• Rob Shimmin, MD of Shimmin.biz

10:10 Breakout workshops:
Working with Agencies: Trends, Updates, New Business Models – Mark Taylor, BI Worldwide and David Marks, MM and Company

Measuring Results: Better Evaluation = Better ROI – Elling Hamso, European Event ROI Institute

Destination Innovation –Sara Llewellyn, Convention Bureau Manager,  Cardiff & Co and Sehar Graham, Research Manager, England’s Northwest Conference Research Unit

10:55 Refreshment Break

11:25 The Hard Stuff: the business building blocks that define “fit for purpose” in a landscape driven by corporate procurement and the wider CSR agendas – John Hooker, AddingValue Consulting

Don’t miss the Gravy Train: opportunities for 2012 and beyond –David Hornby, working for England’s 2018 World Cup bid and previously Commercial Director, Visit London

How to Connect with Generations X and Y – Graham Burt and Paul Brown, Grass Roots

12:10 CSR Case Studies and the Green Globe Index – Aileen Reuter, Grass Roots, Rory Sloan, RPM.

Win Win with Hotels and Venues – interactive panel discussion featuring event organisers and hotel and venue representatives examining practical ideas for successful event partnerships – moderated by Cath Couzens, Director of Perception Sales and Marketing. Panellists include: Ian Lapworth (Oxford International), Patrizia di Patrizio (RF Hotels), Robin Parker (Church House Conference Centre), Richard Fine (IHG).

Enhancing your web visibility - Rob Shimmin, MD Shimmin.biz & - Brant McNaughton, MD of Ecce Media

13:00 Keynote Session: Shaping up – optimising performance in hard times – Rob Allen, TRO

13:30 Closing remarks

14:00 Lunch and departures.

The organisers reserve the right to make changes to the programme without notice.

Details of the Plenary Sessions/Workshops and Who should attend

Plenary Sessions

Roger Martin-Fagg: Keynote Overview: Green Shoots or Hairshirts? The next two years

Behavioural economist Roger Martin-Fagg reviews the global economic prospects and outlines the shape of things to come for industry sectors and individual businesses and organisations. He will summarise what went wrong in 2008 and why it continues to affect us now; the return to saving; the outlook for asset prices; why it is different this time; and give a forecast for prospects to 2012.

Rohit Talwar: Keynote Presentation: Winning in a Downturn – Surviving and Thriving in a Turbulent Age

An eye-opening presentation by futurist Rohit Talwar providing practical insights on what the events industry is doing to respond to current turmoil and develop appropriate business strategies in recessionary times. Rohit will draw on global research study to share ideas about how the events industry is reshaping itself to ensure survival and long-term growth. He will present a range of practical examples and ideas of how businesses of every size can win in a downturn by rethinking their approach to services, sales, marketing, people development, technology and innovation.

Panel discussion: View from the coal face – trends and responses

This session will reveal emerging trends, practical responses and innovative ideas from highly experienced practitioners operating at the cutting edge of the events and meetings industry. Buyer/agency, destination, hotel and transport representatives will share their views and experiences and demonstrate how they are responding proactively to the challenges facing the sector. There will also be opportunities for Q&A.

You decide: facilitator-led workshop discussions

Topics to be covered are:

• Business Development – facilitated by Richard Foulkes (event agency Imagination) and Rochelle Long (M&IT magazine)
• Client Perceptions of Events – facilitated by Leigh Jagger (event agency Banks Sadler) and Yasmin Arrigo (C&IT magazine)
• Market trends research (combining survey completion and discussion) – facilitated by Sarah Webster (Webster Wright Marketing Communications) and Pete Roythorne (EVENTS:review and MEETINGS:review)

Delegates will be split into one of three breakout rooms to cover each of these topics, leading to a plenary session summarising the main outcomes, solutions and recommendations.

Keynote session: Social media and Web2.0 – harnessing the new technologies

The social media landscape is growing rapidly and opening up new ways of communicating with audiences.  This session reveals how your business can tap into the potential of blogs, Twitter and Facebook.

Keynote session: Shaping up – optimising performance in hard times

Client companies are reducing headcount, tightening budgets and avoiding ‘extravagant’ activity. Even so, there will be success stories. How must we adapt to the new landscape and ensure that we are among the survivors - or even the winners?

Breakout Workshops

1. Working with Agencies: Trends, Updates, New Business Models

This session looks at the changing landscape of working with agencies in this recession-led time.  Understand what agencies are looking for / innovative ways to present new concepts/pricing structures/offers to them. Where are they making their money, what do they need to achieve to survive and what are their end clients looking for?

Who should attend?
Event service providers having sales and new business client responsibilities.

2. Measuring Results: Better Evaluation = Better ROI

A practical approach to planning and evaluating events which will enable attendees to:

• Present to stakeholders a convincing plan for generating event value
• Set a number of different objectives which ensure that the available budget is spent most effectively
• Make a ROI forecast for any meeting or event.

Who should attend?
All those involved in event planning or influencing buying decisions.

3. Destination Innovation

This session examines case studies and examples of innovative approaches from regional and city destinations to win new events and conference business. It case studies:

• Cardiff & Co’s ‘Cardiff Commitment’, a marketing partnership embracing the DMO, major venue and the city’s hotels to offer event and conference organisers an attractive package of services at specially reduced rates
• England’s Northwest Conference Research Unit, formed in 2004 (previously known as the Northwest Conference Bidding Unit) which aims to attract international and European association conferences to the Northwest region by delivering targeted research, sales and marketing activity.

Who should attend?
Event agencies and event service suppliers at all levels of seniority.

4. The Hard Stuff: the business building blocks that define “fit for purpose” in a landscape driven by corporate procurement and wider CSR agendas

Ensuring businesses are fit for purpose: defining your proposition, delivering on your promises, and ensuring transparency, skill sets and competencies. From risk management to skill sets; good process to professional procurement, this session is about running a tight ship and steering clear of the rocks.

Who should attend?
All those responsible for delivering event services (buyers and suppliers).

5. Don’t miss the Gravy Train: opportunities for 2012 and beyond

Looking at ways to access and capitalise on opportunities for new business in the lead-up to 2012, together with other major events including the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow and England’s bid to host the  Rugby World Cup 2015 and the 2018 Football World Cup. What do such events really mean for businesses, destinations and venues around the UK, and maybe in mainland Europe too?

Who should attend?
Event agencies, destinations, tourist boards and other service providers having sales or new business client responsibilities.

6. How to connect with Generations X and Y

People born after the mid-1960s are more independent, innovative and creative than earlier generations.  What are the communication implications – for staff, clients and delegates – and how do they impact event marketing, planning, programme content, on-site event management and post-event evaluation? How do we effectively bridge the generation gap?

Who should attend?
Senior agency executives and event service providers searching for a deeper understanding of the changing event landscape. 

7. CSR Best Practice and the Green Globe Index

CSR is a moral and business imperative. It can be delivered effectively at little or no extra cost. Case studies will demonstrate how professional CSR can be achieved, with lots of practical tips to take away. The workshop will also demonstrate the new Green Globe Index – why it’s important and how it can add value to all businesses in the events sector.

Who should attend?
Senior and executive event planners from buyer and partner organisations.

8. Win Win with Hotels and Venues

Interactive panel discussion featuring event organisers and hotel and venue suppliers examining practical ideas for successful event partnerships: contracts, commissions, health and safety are among topics likely to be covered.

Who should attend?
Senior and executive event planners from buyer and partner organisations.

9. Enhancing your web visibility

This session provides ideas and practical tips for optimising your presence on the web and using the web as a key marketing tool for businesses. It will also touch on search engine optimisation, interpretation of analytics, using e-marketing communications to best effect, and the new social media.

Who should attend?
Event agencies and event suppliers at all levels of responsibility looking for the latest new ideas on incorporating web technology into your business marketing activity.