Seminars and Speakers
The Conference and Hospitality Show is fast becoming known for its exclusive seminar and learning programme. Here you’ll find all you need to know about the seminars and speakers on all three of our stages.
13.30: Sustainable Events
Ruth Holroyd is Project Manager for Positive Impact, a not for profit providing education to support a movement for sustainability in the events industry. Clients include Manchester Central, The Crystal, Zurich, Reed Exhibitions and Old Trafford Manchester United Football Ground.
Ruth was previously Group Head of Sustainability for the Thomas Cook Group plc, where she was responsible for leading and overseeing the Group wide sustainability functions; developing, implementing and coordinating strategy and operations across 22 countries and in a FTSE100 business. She is on the advisory panel for the International Centre for Responsible Tourism and works with events companies and venues as well as tourism businesses to support strategic sustainability implementation and creation of better business.
Ruth has presented internationally at events such as World Travel Market and World Green Tourism in Abi Dhabi on implementation of sustainability and practical steps to create positive change.
The sustainability session will provide an introduction to sustainability and what this means in the event industry with a closer look at the ISO 20121 Event Sustainability standard, along with the different certification options that are available. The session will also provide details of the resources that you can access at the Positive Impact website, including the online Event Sustainability course which was created and approved by Leeds Metropolitan University and further information on the 2020 Pledge that the industry is taking up to show their commitment to positive change. (more…)
11.10: New and Improved – Update on new and recently refurbished venues in Leeds and surrounding area
Session length: 30 minutes
Stage: Hot Topics
From Conference Leeds / Leeds and Partners, Claire Heap with lead you through all of the changes to the venues you thought you knew!
With investment a plenty in Leeds and the surrounding areas, venues are making the changes they feel will add value and provide the venues you want for your events.
Don’t miss your chance to be the first to hear about these improvements!
12.10 hrs: Think Big and then Do It!
Session Length: 40 Minutes
Stage: Hot Topics
This fun session lead by Richard John and Tom Griffin from The Mark of a Leader will lift your spirits and ensure you leave with a smile!
With their innovative new take on the age old power of stories and storytelling Tom and Richard will inspire you to discover just what you are capable of achieving if you think big and then put it the work required to make it happen. The stories they tell and the way they tell them will stimulate a strong belief in your own resourcefulness as you enjoy discovering just how great you can be.
Tom Griffin is former classical actor turned opera singer. 20 years ago he and a partner began building a brand experience agency called Sledge working with clients such as British Airways, 02, Microsoft and JP Morgan. Since selling Sledge in 2008 Tom has become a sought after speaker, trainer and executive coach and is the MD and Master Storyteller for The Mark of a Leader.
Richard John’s professional life has been a combination of the two fields of event management and training. He’s also a great storyteller, the author of books and articles that constantly promote the idea of motivation through stories that capture hearts and minds, and encourage audiences to think, “yes, I could do that.”. He is also the Chartered Institute of Marketing’s Course Director responsible for all their event-related programmes.
13.50 hrs: Brand yourself to Stand Out from the Crowd
Session Length: 45 Minutes
Stage: Main Stage Seminar Programme Powered by MPI
Did you know you only have thirty seconds to make an impression? Do you know how you are perceived by others? More importantly, do you understand your Personal Brand and the messages this is giving out to your colleagues and clients?
Acclaimed International Keynote Speaker Lesley Everett delivers an insightful and powerful presentation on ‘The Brand Called ME’. With advice on everything from image and dress to voice quality and body language, this really is a must see seminar, which will help you and your team define your very own personal brand.
Lesley has worked with some of the leading global brands, high profile politicians and celebrities, she will share with you her famous “7 Big Strides”® to Personal Branding, which have helped audiences around the world.
10.30 hrs: Flash Forward – The Future of the Meetings & Events Industry
Seminar Length: 30 Minutes
Stage: Main Stage Seminar Programme Powered by MPI
What does the future have in store for the meetings and events industry? This interactive 45 minute session identifies new trends within the industry and will generate new ideas and approaches for you and your business . Key themes and challenges that have emerged from recent research, for MPI on the future of meetings, will provide you with opportunities to learn, share and engage with the emerging future trends.
This seminar is presented by Jackie Mulligan who is a Principal Lecturer and Director of Enterprise at the International Centre for Research in Events, Tourism and Hospitality at Leeds Metropolitan University. She leads MPI’s research on CSR and the Future of Meetings. She is presenting at conferences worldwide on the findings to inspire engagement and innovation in the sector.
10.50 hrs: Victoria Darragh – The Perfect Candidate?
Session length: 30 minutes
Stage: PA Hub
This enjoyable workshop is designed to help you find your perfect job! Expert advice will ensure every aspect of hunting for the perfect job will be covered, including how to write the most attractive CV, interview skills and techniques, how to make yourself appealing to potential employers and how to get the best from your recruitment agency. Award winning PA Victoria Darragh takes it a level deeper than just checking your CV for spelling mistakes. Going through everything you need to know at a very advanced level, Victoria will help you to not only see yourself in the best possible light but make sure future employers do too!
Victoria Darragh is an award winning PA with a career spanning 14 years and is currently Executive Assistant to Group HR & Group IT Director for Hays plc. Victoria worked in various sectors including charity / not-for-profit, public and corporate and spent the first 5 years of her career, from the age of 16 and by the age of 21 Victoria had become the South East Chairman and, later on, Deputy National Chairman for the UK for EUMA (European Management Assistants). In her 3 years as Chair, Victoria arranged numerous networking evenings, workshops, training days and other events for PAs and as a result of this has appeared on the BBC Breakfast Show & BBC Radio 5 as well as contributing to various industry magazines.
Victoria has presented at conferences and events right across the UK & Ireland as well as internationally, most recently Singapore, Dubai and Moscow and will be heading to LA in 2013.
11.30 hrs: Almost everything you need to know about Strategic Meetings Management
Session Length: 30 Minutes
Stage: Main Stage Seminar Programme Powered by MPI
This seminar is a short sharp session that explains the ‘what is’ and ‘what for’ of SMM – a growing business practice that is being adopted by agencies and buyers worldwide. Dr Eliza Hixson from International Centre for Research in Events, Tourism and Hospitality at Leeds Metropolitan University provides your Guide to SMM and will lead interviews with an agency and a corporate buyer who have embraced SMM to help us understand what we should do about this emerging practice.
This is a panel lead seminar.
11.50 hrs: Laura Richardson Ahmed – Be PA of the Year!
Session length: 30 minutes
Stage: PA Hub
Laura Richardson Ahmed, UK PA of the Year 2010, shares a unique perspective on the different (and surprising) roles top level EAs perform. She gives tips on how to grow and enhance the role, and also shares secrets on overcoming common challenges faced by EAs and PAs. Lastly, Laura offers some strategies to help ensure PAs and EAs receive the recognition they deserve!
Laura Richardson Ahmed began her career in marketing, and was lucky enough to work on a number of Britain’s best loved brands, including Wall’s Ice Cream, Flora margarine and everyone’s favourite spicy snack- Peperami!
Laura joined ELEXON in February 2008 as PA to the CFO. Within three months she had been promoted to PA to the Chairman, CEO and CFO, and in addition to her PA duties was appointed to a number of projects and forums. As the most senior assistant in her company, Laura now manages her own assistant and works to expand and promote the roles of other PAs within ELEXON. Laura is also a passionate member of several different PA organisations and is very proud to be a Board Director of the Association of Personal Assistants.
12.50: Corporate Social Responsibility – It’s not what you think it is!
Session Length: 30 Minutes
Stage: Main Stage Seminar Programme Powered by MPI
Researchers from International Centre for Research in Events, Tourism and Hospitality at Leeds Metropolitan University bring findings from the global study commissioned by MPI on the value of CSR to the meetings and hospitality industry. The team will bring examples of CSR in practice to help businesses shape their own plans and ideas on how to enhance the value of CSR to their business and their events. The session will end with a live case study that will inspire creative thinking and generate ideas for your own business.
This session is led by Dr Alex Kenyon and Jacqueline Musgrave.
Dr. Alexandra J. Kenyon has been one of the lead researchers on the MPI commissioned study investigating the value and importance of CSR to the meetings and hospitality industry. She is a Senior Lecturer with extensive research, teaching and scholarly experience, and a proven record of success in pursuing, winning and managing delivery of complex, research funded consultancy contracts; more recently under the banner of Corporate Social Responsibility for Events, Hospitality and Retail businesses.
Dr Alexandra will be sharing some inspiring stories that were uncovered during the MPI commissioned study into the value and importance of CSR – stories that will change the way you think about what CSR is, how it can be implemented and the value it can bring.
13.10: Jamila Juma-Ware – Social Career Building or How to Win Friends and Influence People
Session length: 30 minutes
Stage: PA Hub
Do you want to build you career and become an influencer at work? This seminar tells you how to build an identity through various mediums.
Marketing Manager at Pitman Training Group, Jamila Juma-Ware brings 10 years’ experience in business and personal brand promotion. Creative, motivated and personable, with strong communications skills, her gift for networking, both online and in person has helped her achieve many goals in her career and has built her a reputation of being a ‘go to person’ amongst her contacts.
Working within an international group that tailors its products and services to the career aspirations of the UK’s top PAs and Office Executives, she has worked closely alongside both businesses and consumers to ensure a value, trust and results.
Jam is the epitomy of the digital age, engaging with clients, suppliers, friends, journalists and business contacts via a myriad of channels 24/7 but she has not, unlike so many others in her field, rejected the art of face to face networking.
14.15 hrs: The Power of Connections – Donna Coulling, Celebrity PA
Session Length: 45 Minutes
Stage: PA Hub
This fascinating seminar gives you an insight into the day to day life of a celebrity PA. Donna Coulling originally trained as an actor at the renowned Italia Conti Academy in London before becoming PA to Helena Bonham Carter, Rachel Weisz and Sir Derek Jacobi.
She is known as an expert in her field and has made many television appearances as a Celebrity Assistant including I’m with the Band – Channel 4, Pete Burns’ PA – Living TV and is regularly seen as a guest presenter on the shopping Channel QVC.
Donna has run seminars and been a guest speaker at an impressive number of prestigious events including, VA Conference 2012, ExecSec Summit and both the Olswang LLP and BDO LLP PA Networking as well as being a judge and presenter at the Mayfair PA of the Year. This years sees Donna speaking at the Behind Every Leader conference in LA and the National EA & PA Convention in Sydney.
Features in publications include: Easy Living Magazine, Executive PA Magazine, Executary News, PA Life Magazine, The VA Magazine and Top Santé.
Donna says:
I am nothing without my black book of contacts, and neither are you.
Are you using your networks to their full capabilities?
Are you being creative enough to source out new contacts?
I will show you how to build your contact list into something that is worth its weight in gold.