Our EVENTIT 2021 education program brought together industry experts and events professionals in September for a day of education at the Edinburgh International Conference Centre. Focusing on sustainability, event technology and ‘building back better’, delegates were able to learn from the industry’s finest.
For those who were unable to join us in person most of these sessions will be available during our Virtual Education Showcase series at the beginning of 2022.
|
|
Sustainability |
Building Back Better |
Event Technology |
|---|---|---|---|
10.00 |
Ideas Factory20 Minutes | Masterclass A session around extreme innovation and rapid idea generation. One event creative explores and analyses the idea process for 8 top line ideas from the last 8 months. Based on the most resource demanding projects – events, Robert will explain how ideas drive your business story.
|
||
10.30 |
How Do We Make Sustainability a Necessary Luxury Element Within Scottish Incentives?30 Minutes | Panel Discussion We know the Incentive Industry has changed post-Covid but with sustainability so high on everyone’s agenda how can the Scottish industry collectively support our country’s route to Net-Zero? Scotland is once again at the forefront of this change globally & there is a huge amount already being done collectively here, so how do create awareness and educate without impacting on the luxury experiences that our clients expect. Share your experiences, thoughts and how we can continue to deliver the amazing experiences that Scotland has to offer our Incentive clients sustainably!
|
The Importance of Finding the Real Person Behind the Mask20 Minutes | Masterclass Far too often what you see does not always reflect the true story. The Pandemic has exacerbated the challenges of mental health across the board, with our sector being particularly badly affected. The unseen damage to many proud characters is only now really starting to unravel. Stuart highlights just some of the reasons to check in on colleagues in general, and why men are so vulnerable to succumbing to dark times.
|
|
11.00 |
What Is an Event Anyway? And How Do You Make Yours Stand Out?20 Minutes | Masterclass Steve will take us through the good, bad and ugly of events and how you can protect yourself from the ultimate event fails. *It might be a pastry.
|
||
11.30 |
Journey to Change20 Minutes | Masterclass VisitScotland believe that business events are change agents and that the #JourneyToChange begins in Scotland. Join us as we discuss events as catalysts for social transformation and a force for fighting climate change.
|
||
12.00 |
Sustainable Meetings. Step Change by the EICC20 Minutes | Masterclass Hear about the EICC’s recently developed sustainability programme: Step Change. Step Change, focuses on three equally significant areas of impact: environmental, societal and economic. We’ll touch on the science behind how it works, as well as the benefits it brings to our clients, our company, and of course, our environment.
|
How Covid-19 is Changing the Role of Event Data – Challenges & New Opportunities20 Minutes | Masterclass The role of data is changing in the events industry. The dramatic shift to virtual has meant that event planners are collecting more data today than ever before. Sponsors and exhibitors are asking for more data to justify ROI. Attendees are also getting more concerned about what data they share online. And as in-person events slowly make a return, Covid restrictions are going to force organizers to be a lot more careful on what data they collect from on-site attendees (ex. vaccine certificates). This session will unveil the results of a recent research study by Eventsforce investigating the changing role of event data for organizers, how organisers can address challenges and why good data management will be critical to their post Covid-19 event strategy.
|
|
12.30 |
Designing for Future Events20 Minutes | Masterclass It is inevitable that advances in technology will continue to challenge and ultimately transform the events industry. Event audiences are changing. Today’s increasingly technology enabled event attendee expects that experiences will meet their live and online needs. Organisers can either resist this change or embrace the opportunity to be the architects of the event industry’s new future. This session explores emerging approaches to human-centered design and the changed mindset that is now required to re-imagine events and create the kinds of innovative experiences that reflect the always connected way that we now live.
|
||
13.00 |
Creating Carbon Offsetting Events20 Minutes | Masterclass Meetings and events have the power to help shape the way people think and act. Sustainability, post pandemic, is at the forefront of event agendas. Our session will focus on why it’s important to make this subject a key part of planning your event, what event organisers should consider when aspiring to operate a carbon neutral event and finally, what is carbon offsetting and how can you use it to support your overall event objectives.
|
||
13.30 |
|||
14.00 |
How Do We Create a Sustainable Event Sector?20 Minutes | Masterclass Sustainability is somehow a very misunderstood word. Event Professionals have a myriad of actions to manage in the process of creating, organising and delivering an event ‘sustainably’! The Institute of Event Management is now working on transforming the event management standards with the common thread of sustainability running through the whole process making it easier at every stage. This session provides an introduction to the role of the Institute of Event Management and its contribution to the future of human interaction through the medium of events.
|
WTH – What The Hybrid20 Minutes | Masterclass The future of hybrid isn’t the “double the work, half the ROI” reality you know now. Learn how to turn these events into engaging experiences for everyone (online and on-site) and how to extend the value of your hybrid event, long after the venue lights go out.
|
|
14.30 |
Embracing New Technologies for Maximum Benefit30 Minutes | Panel Discussion The panel shares their thoughts on what tech they will be embracing and how it can be optimised for best results and optimal benefits.
|
||
15.00 |
What Does Sustainability Mean for Your Event?30 Minutes | Panel Discussion We all perceive saving the planet in different ways. Certainly events shouldn’t ‘Cost the Earth’ but how in practice are we going to build back better?
|
Designing Business Events for Generation Z20 Minutes | Masterclass People born between 1996 and 2010 are now the largest generation in the global population. The older members of this cohort represent the fastest-growing segment of young professionals, and many of them are now attending in-person business events for the first time in their careers. This session will explore the distinguishing characteristics that set this group apart from previous generations and will focus on what we already know about how business events can be designed to appeal most strongly to participants in this age group, including the types of meetings formats, venues and speakers that hold most appeal for them.
|
|
15.30 |
What does the road ahead look like for healthcare events?30 Minutes | Panel Discussion We all know too well that the live event’s industry has had to adapt over the last 18 months in the absence of being able to meet in person. This this has been acutely felt in the healthcare events sector. At a time when healthcare research, exchange, collaboration and education has never been more necessary, finding alternate solutions in a virtual environment to meet the continuing need was imperative. However, what does the future for healthcare meetings look like?
|
||
16.00 |
4th & 25th February, 4th March and 1st April.
Sarah Jane Anderson
Little’s Chauffeur Drive & President Elect SITE Scotland
Sarah Jane is an award winning industry peer who has been working within the Hospitality and Tourism industry for the last 29 years. She is the Business Development Manager at Little’s Chauffeur Drive and her passion for the industry led to her joining the board at SITE Scotland. She currently holds the position of President Elect for 2022 and looks forward to leading the Scottish chapter into its 20th anniversary year with a huge focus on Sustainability and ensuring that Scotland becomes a world leader in this area. She looks forward to opening up the discussion to all attendees at the session on the day.
Panel Discussion
How Do We Make Sustainability A Necessary Luxury Element Within Scottish Incentives?
Kim Myhre
Experience Designed
An intersectional design thinker, thought leader, innovation activist and brand storyteller with a unique combination of strategic, creative, commercial and international experience, Kim has a strong background in strategy and planning, creative and talent management. An action-oriented executive with a track record of winning new business, creating results for clients and driving agency growth.
Masterclass
Designing for Future Events
Rob Davidson
MICE Knowledge
Dr Rob Davidson is the Managing Director of MICE Knowledge, a London-based consultancy specialising in research, education and training services for the meetings and events industry.
He is regularly invited to speak at international conferences on themes linked to business events, in particular to present the results of his ongoing research into conference industry trends. Rob also teaches as a Visiting Professor in three European universities, where he educates and inspires Events Management and Tourism Management students every year.
Masterclass
Designing Business Events for Generation Z
Chitra Ram
eventcloud
Chitra joined eventcloud as a Business Development Manager, and quickly elevated the way that eventcloud approaches sales. Her solutions-focused approach, and focus on strong client relationships has delivered incredible results. She has extensive event experience in the non-profit (Wateraid, UNICEF), global sports (London Olympic Games) and corporate sectors (VW, Forrester Events), and holds dual event-focused degrees; a BA Honours Creative Events Design and Production from the University of Kent and an MSc International Events Management from the University of Surrey.
Masterclass
WTH – What The Hybrid
Aaron McKeen
EICC Association Researcher
Aaron is the EICC’s association research expert and leads on the conference centre’s ESG activities. A qualified project manager, Aaron has headed up ambassador programmes, carbon mitigation efforts, public outreach events, and more.
In his spare time, Aaron is a keen outdoorsman and amateur mycologist. He also loves swimming in the frigid Forth estuary by his home in South Queensferry!
Masterclass
Sustainable Meetings. Step Change by the EICC
Fiona Pengelly
Cameron House & Board Member SITE Scotland
A passionate hospitality professional, with over 20 years’ experience in the corporate and incentive industries, Fiona prides herself on providing tailor made, high quality, never to be forgotten experiences for clients which showcase Scotland as the place to come and visit. As an active member of SITE Scotland, Fiona enjoys networking, meeting new people and demonstrating her passion for the industry and Scotland’s outstanding beauty.
Fiona holds the position of Sales Manager for Scotland at Cameron House and is excited about contributing towards securing a successful future for the hotel. She looks forward to welcoming guests and allowing them to experience a memorable stay, along with the opportunity to take part in incredible activities both on land and water.
Panel Discussion
How Do We Make Sustainability A Necessary Luxury Element Within Scottish Incentives?
Lindsey Whitehouse
MD Integrity Corporate Events Ltd.
With a background that started in large UK conference hotels, Lindsey entered agency event management over 30 years ago working on pharma accounts worldwide. Edinburgh then lured her north, and after three full-tilt years opening EICC as Operations Director, she founded Integrity in 1998. Beginning its life very much with pharma, the business has extended its client base to include tech, finance and associations, managing international events up to 2000 delegates, and more recently large virtual and hybrid events.
Panel Discussion
What Does the Road Ahead Look Like for Healthcare Events?
Jenny Elliot
Fitwise Management Ltd.
Fitwise is an award-winning employee-owned Professional Conference Organiser (PCO) and association management company, based just outside Edinburgh.
Jenny has worked in the event sector for nearly 15 years and for much of this time has specialised in healthcare conferences, exhibitions and events.
Panel Discussion
What Does the Road Ahead Look Like for Healthcare Events?
Caroline McKenzie
Open Audience
Caroline has worked in the medical and healthcare meetings sector for almost 30 years. She has developed an in depth understanding of healthcare events gained from 12 years spent within the medical communication industry, managing meetings and congress participation for several top 5 global pharmaceutical companies, and 17 years as a PCO and Association consultant, providing meetings management and compliance guidance to; national and international medical associations, venues and CVBs. She has a keen interest in the medical meetings sector and the impact that Healthcare Compliance is having, and will continue to have, as part of the evolution of medical congresses and meetings.
Caroline is Founder / Director of consulting company Global Association Partners and also holds the role of Operations Director for Open Audience, audience engagement experts who also provide full service event delivery to corporate healthcare and medical association sectors.
Panel Discussion
What Does the Road Ahead Look Like for Healthcare Events?
Susan Spibey
Institute of Event Management
“My work is about guiding organisations to make a difference creatively and commercially both through internal and external communication activities”: events for business.
Susan has spent more than 30 years creating and delivering event strategies for business development with clients across a range of organisations and professions globally. As the UK is hosting in 2021 COP-26, the UN Conference on Climate Change, Susan is now working with event professionals to further develop ISO20121 and also with the IEM to respond to the UN Sustainable Development Goals in preparation for the Conference.
Masterclass
How Do We Create a Sustainable Event Sector?
Graeme Dowie
SITE Scotland
As General Manager, Scotland for Spectra DMC Graeme’s passion is introducing clients (new and old!) to the unique experiences that his homeland has to offer. Having worked for a small DMC in Ireland for 14 years he’s used to a hands-on approach from researching new products & creating proposals right through to programme delivery. Since returning home in 2010, the excitement of discovering new properties, venues, attractions and experiences around Scotland continues to rub off on clients and colleagues alike. An active SITE member, including serving as Chapter President, he’s completed his CIS & his CITP certification is next.
Panel Discussion
How Do We Make Sustainability A Necessary Luxury Element Within Scottish Incentives?
Robert Dunsmore
Independent Creative Director
Freelance creative director concept and content creator – storytelling strategist delivering limitless experiences defined and shaped by culture first – everything else is just infrastructure. Message me for rapid response ideas.
Event stories that touch your audience, and stories your audience can touch. Ideas that duet live, and live-online, product and purpose, behaviour and belonging adding “one new thing” to every event – the only thing anyone will remember. Every event is an experiment, as live returns plan to deliver extreme accessibility, extreme sustainability, and extreme likeability.
Masterclass
Ideas Factory
Mark Upham
Conference Care
Having 4 environmentally aware daughters has made me more conscious of how sustainability impacts on our day to day life. I’m proud to work at Conference Care, a company that has been carbon neutral for over 10 years and this gives me the opportunity to put into practice actionable and practical ideas about how sustainability can have a positive impact on the hospitality industry.
Masterclass
Creating Carbon Offsetting Events
Pauline Beattie
Conference Care
I feel strongly about the whole topic of sustainability and believe the UN SDGs should be embedded in everything we do. I have worked in events and hospitality all my life and I am proud to work in a business (Conference Care Ltd) that has sustainability running through our decision making and operation. The time is now for us all to help to create change and think about our carbon output. Measuring, reducing, and offsetting events will help us to play our part in the journey to lowering carbon emissions.
Masterclass
Creating Carbon Offsetting Events
Steve Hill
BIG Partnership
As Creative Director at BIG, Steve works with the design and digital teams across its four offices to strengthen brand identities and deliver award-winning marketing campaigns. Steve has also run successful brand/product workshops for many clients both in the UK and overseas.
Clients include (but not limited to) Highland Spring, NHS, The Famous Grouse, Kraft-Heinz, Scottish Government and The Macallan.
He still plays 5s (badly) and draws but is rubbish at hands.
Masterclass
What Is an Event Anyway? And How Do You Make Yours Stand Out?
Ian Webb
Eventsforce
Ian is an event technology specialist who has spent the last 15 years managing conferences and developing complex technology solutions for hundreds of events globally. At Eventsforce, he advises clients on how they can use technology to maximise the value of their events – from registration and marketing to engagement and event reporting. He also works closely with them on managing complex data integration projects which allow organisations to manage their event data a lot more effectively.
As a regular speaker on the circuit, Ian is passionate about the potential of technology and its role in changing the way the events industry works.
Masterclass
How Covid-19 is Changing the Role of Event Data – Challenges & New Opportunities
Panel Discussion
Embracing New Technologies for Maximum Benefit
Stuart Mitchell
Catch the MICE
Stuart Mitchell started his career in event hospitality at the Oval Cricket Ground, London and later managed the Greater Manchester Exhibition Centre (GMEX – now Manchester Central) before becoming National Operations Director for Compass Group, the largest contract-caterer in the UK. After publicly clashing swords with Jamie Oliver on national television, he moved into luxury international hotel sales; specialising in the Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibition (MICE) market. He has represented some of the most prestigious hotels, venues and private islands worldwide. His business Catch the MICE has successfully switched to virtual and hybrid events, providing short and medium terms solutions for event planners. His key objective is to support event professionals as we all adapt to new ways of delivering events in a post-Covid world. Stuart is a keen festival aficionado and is an active member of the fundraising team for EventWell the “Mental Health and Wellbeing Voice of the Event Industry.”
Masterclass
The Importance of Finding the Real Person Behind the Mask
Panel Discussion
What Does Sustainability Mean for Your Event?
Alistair Turner
EIGHTPR
Alistair Turner is Managing Director of EIGHT PR & Marketing, a specialist creative agency servicing the events industry. Alistair has over 20 years of experience in the PR and events industries, working closely with the key trade associations as well as the UK government.
He is the Past President of the International Live Events Association (UK) and a regular speaker on events, experience and their place in the wider marketing mix.
Panel Discussion
What Does Sustainability Mean for Your Event?