Ever wondered how AI is reshaping the world of events? Join us as we chat with Gordon Johnstone, who brings a wealth of knowledge from his diverse background in politics, sociology, and the arts. Gordon helps us break down the hype surrounding AI, explaining how technologies like language models and machine learning are not just futuristic fantasies but tools that can influence everything from music creation to event planning.
Fresh off the EXPERIENCEit stage, Lucy Ducker, Associate Creative Director at Seen Presents is in conversation with Robert Dunsmore. Lucy takes us on an enlightening journey through the art of storytelling in event design. Lucy reveals how she transformed the tech-centric CES in Las Vegas into a sensory oasis inspired by the serene beauty of the Nevada Desert, providing a reflective escape from the city’s hustle and bustle.
Matthew Leopold, an advisor to the European Sponsorship Association, shares his wealth of expertise on the transformative power of sponsorships. Matthew reveals how brands can leverage emotional connections to foster genuine brand engagement and build lasting loyalty. His conversation with Robert Dunsmore covers the strategic integration of sponsoring brands into the experiences of their target audiences.
Unlock the secrets to captivating your audience with insights from Robert Dunsmore, a Freelance Creative Director who thrives on generating innovative ideas. Discover how the landscape of audience engagement has transformed in the wake of COVID-19, pushing events towards a more interactive and immersive experience. Robert breaks down the shift from the event economy to the experience economy, offering valuable strategies to adapt and excel in this new reality.
Lucy Nicholls, an accomplished actress turned visionary CEO, joins Kim Myhre to share her remarkable transition from the spotlight of theatre to the creative world of event planning. With her deep-rooted passion for atmosphere and storytelling, Lucy reveals how these elements seamlessly intertwine in her role today, crafting unforgettable experiences that resonate with diverse audiences.
Unlock the secrets to transforming events into inclusive havens for neurodivergent individuals with our enlightening conversation with Andy Williamson of Welcome Brain Consulting. Gain insights into how leading organisations like NASA leverage the unique skills of neurodivergent talent and how the events industry can follow suit to gain a competitive edge.
Euan Hair from Eeek! Events shares his captivating journey from the world of detective work to crafting thrilling escape rooms and splatter art experiences. Discover how a career in the police force equipped him with a unique skill set perfect for designing intricate puzzles that both captivate and challenge.
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?
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
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
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?
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?
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?
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
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?
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?
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?
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
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
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
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
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
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?