Organising a successful conference is a collaborative effort, and we greatly appreciate the insights and suggestions from our members. As we plan our future National Conferences, we want to share how your feedback influences our decisions.
What We’ve Heard from You
Through surveys, discussions, and direct conversations with the UK Committee and at the Annual General Meeting (AGM), you’ve shared valuable thoughts on what makes a conference engaging and effective. As a member-led association, we take these ideas seriously and want to provide a clear response.
Key suggestions included:
- Reducing the conference to a two-day, one-night format
- Introducing hybrid and online options for attending keynotes and sessions
How We’re Responding
Conference Format and Future Planning
It has been decided that we should continue with the existing conference format for 2026 (due to contracts already being signed for 2026) and 2027 events. Due to the nature of business event planning, the deadline to book the 2027 National Conference venue is coming up soon so the decision has to be made quickly. Another consideration is that the current Vice-Chair (Training)’s term will conclude in January 2026, meaning a smoother transition for the incoming Vice-Chair (Training) if plans for the 2027 National Conference are already in motion. However, we will carry out research and gather member input throughout 2025 to inform future decisions.
For 2025, we introduced more flexibility by allowing delegates to customise their packages, including day delegate bookings, optional gala dinner attendance, and self-arranged accommodation. We will continue to offer these options in 2026 to accommodate a range of budgets.
Start and End Times
Currently, the conference begins at 1 pm to allow for morning travel. Starting earlier would require delegates to stay overnight, effectively making it a two-night event again. Additionally, we’ve received feedback requesting an earlier finish on the final day, so extending the schedule beyond 1 pm wouldn’t be a feasible option for all members.
Value for Money
The current three-day conference includes:
- 3 keynotes
- 5 workshops
- 2 networking opportunities
- A business expo
- Additional social and informal networking activities
An example of what a condensed two-day, one-night version could look like:
- 2 keynotes
- 3 workshops
- 1 networking opportunity
- No business expo
Would this streamlined version meet members’ expectations? We welcome your thoughts and feedback on this option.
Sponsorship and Budget Considerations
Reducing the conference duration would likely mean removing the business expo, which would impact sponsorship opportunities. Currently, sponsorship allows us to reduce delegate fees by approximately £100 per person. Without this income, cost savings might be minimal.
Gala Dinner: Keep or Remove?
With a shorter conference, we need to consider whether the gala dinner remains a valuable feature, particularly for those who have traveled that morning. The gala dinner is also when we present the HELOA awards, a key moment for recognising achievements and sharing best practices. If we remove the dinner, we would need to explore alternative ways to celebrate these contributions.
We’d love to hear your thoughts—does the gala dinner still add value to your National Conference experience?
Online and Hybrid Options
At the 2022 National Conference, we trialled hybrid sessions, but feedback from both delegates and speakers was mixed. To offer a high-quality hybrid experience, we would require additional AV support, which would come at a cost. Currently, HELOA does not have the necessary in-house technology to provide this service effectively.
Volunteer Capacity
Expanding hybrid offerings would also increase the workload for our volunteer team, whose commitments are already significant in the lead-up to and during the National Conference. The UK Committee Team plays a key role in event logistics, session support, and networking facilitation. Adding further responsibilities would require careful consideration to ensure sustainability.
Your Role in the Process
Our conferences are shaped by our members, and your input remains invaluable. We encourage you to:
- Share your ideas and preferences through our member surveys.
- Participate in discussion forums to help shape the agenda.
- Volunteer as a speaker, panelist, or session facilitator.
Please email training@heloa.ac.uk with your thoughts – our inbox is always open and we’d love to hear from you!
If you’re interested in presenting at a session or have suggestions, please get in touch to share your ideas or express your interest via our form in contributing to future events.