International Confex 2004 announced the 2005 conference programme…
International Confex 2004 announced the 2005 conference programme. The conference theme is Creating and delivering inspirational events, and includes presentations and case studies from agencies, corporate companies and associations.
The 2005 conference will include everything from How do I…, an event organising guide for beginners, to a session focusing on Exceeding Expectations. Delegates attending the conference will learn from some of the most knowledgeable speakers in the industry as well as having the opportunity to interact with panel debates on key issues.
International Confex event director Jessica Blue said “This year’s conference programme has an emphasis on the How to elements. Our research over the last year has clearly shown that the top reason for attending Confex is to learn and find out about new products. This year’s conference programme supports this through the focus on practical knowledge, and with such a wide range of sessions there are learning opportunities to suit all tastes.”
The conference programme and details of each session are as follows:
Day One – Tuesday 15th February
Session 1: Bringing a bright idea to life – how to launch / re-launch an event
Chair: Brian Wiseman, Principal Consultant, Answers Training
10.30 – 10.40 Chairman’s Introduction
10.40 – 11.25 Launching a new event: the highs and lows
- An understanding of the planning process for a new event
- How to target and promote a new event
- How to manage suppliers for a new event
James Cobb, Director, Sound Advice
11.30 – 12.15 Injecting creativity into your event – Whatever your budget
- Gain a greater understanding of the vital role that creativity plays in the entire event process, from conception through production
- Produce an event with a ‘wow’ factor
Matthew James, Director, DNA Productions
12.15 – 12.30 Q&A, Chairman’s comments and close
12.45 – 13.45 Day One Keynote: Effective Events for Effective Business
Events in the future will play a greater role in the marketing mix for businesses and associations alike. This debate will offer guidance and practical advice on what will be expected of destinations, venues and agency suppliers and how reacting to changes in marketing by improving their event services provision will pay dividends.
Chair: Michael Hirst, Consultant, Chairman and Director, Business Tourism Partnership and Tourism Alliance
Rob Davidson, Senior lecturer, University of Westminster
John Spain, Editor, Conference News, Mash Media
Mike Lyon, Consultant, Write Style Communications Ltd
Peter Mainprice, Project Director, National Conference on Business Tourism
Session 2: Drawing the crowd – event planning & marketing with a difference
Chair: Chris Hughes, Managing Director, Brand events
14.30 – 14.40 Chairman’s Introduction
14.40 – 15.25 Be the best! How to make your Conference really stand out
- Understand what makes a really successful conference
- Get ideas on how to market events more effectively
- Learn ways to deliver great return on investment
Vanessa Cotton, Managing Director, Conference & Events Division, Excel
15.30 – 16.15 How Destination Selection Impacts Results
- Understand how to achieve competitive advantage by using innovative destinations to increase media attention
- Understand how destination may be used to build a brand image or heritage
- Understand how to manage the perception of emerging/challenging destinations
Elaine Richardson, Account Director, TFI Group Ltd
Hugh Barnard, Commercial Director, Asia Pacific, Jose Cuervo International
16.15 – 16.30 Q&A, Chairman’s comments and close
Day Two – Wednesday 16th February
Session 3: Exceeding expectations – Inspire and captivate your audience
Chair: Richard Waddington, Chief Exec, First Protocol & cluster champion, LondonMICE
10.30 – 10.40 Chairman’s Introduction
10.40 – 11.25 Providing what your delegates really want to enhance the delegate experience
- Gain insights into what delegates really want from their conferences
- Find out how to improve the delegate experience
- Accurately gauge delegate satisfaction to secure delegates for your next conference
- Establish key performance indicators for your future conferences
Ray Elmitt, Founder and Chief Executive, Crystal Interactive
11.30 – 12.15 AV…doing it better
- The core elements of AV
- The best of the best in action…case studies
- Using AV to maximise brand cohesion
- Matt’s Top Tips to effective and imaginative use of AV.
Matt Sims, Managing Director, Revelation Events
12.15 – 12.30 Q&A, Chairman’s comments and close
12.45 – 13.45 Day Two Keynote: Panel Debate – Procurement and the events industry
Can bridges be built between the events industry and procurement managers? Is it a lack of understanding or bad practices on both sides that have caused difficult relationships? These questions and more will be debated from four angles…
Chair: Kerry Baggott, Editor, Conference & Incentive Travel
Bob Rodwell, DWR Consulting Ltd,
Richard Waddington, Chief Executive, First Protocol
Becky Graveney, Group sales and marketing director, Initial Style Conferences
An ITM representative
Session 4: Down to business – Using events to maximise your business
Chair: Trevor Foley, Chief Executive, AEO
14.30 – 14.40 Chairman’s Introduction
14.40 – 15.25 Event Management – “Is Big Beautiful?”
- Hear how to capture more business in an increasingly competitive market place
- Gain insights into ways to meet and satisfy client’s expectations
- Get practical advice on how to plan a successful event and how to secure repeat business
John Hoy, Chief Executive, Blenheim Palace
15.30 – 16.15 Association Exhibitions and Events as membership Recruitment/Retention Tool
- How to create your own sector event
- How to minimise risk and maximise return
- How to use other activities to retain and expand membership
Robert John Kemp, Managing Director, The Robert Kemp Consultancy Ltd
16.15 – 16.30 Q&A, Chairman’s comments and close
Theodore is the Co-Founder and Managing Editor of TravelDailyNews Media Network; his responsibilities include business development and planning for TravelDailyNews long-term opportunities.
