3 months to go until another Resilient Scotland Conference 2017 (Thursday 23rd February 2017) and planning is well under way! Crescent Events has worked with Scottish Continuity since 2007 organising this event so we’re now planning the 11th event. We’ve helped increase the number of delegates and also the number of exhibitors, and are proud to be working with Scottish Continuity. But where has the last 11 years gone to?
So now the planning commences.
Venue finding? There are a myriad of elements to consider, not least the venue, and depending on which venue you wish to use, it is often the case that it needs to be booked 12 months prior and immediately following the previous year’s event. Suitable, cost-effective, venues are in huge demand so we need to act early. For the 2nd year we are returning to Royal Bank of Scotland at Gogarburn. A very prestigious venue and location and Scottish Continuity is delighted that RBS is allowing them to return again this year.
How do we ensure there is an interesting programme? Well, there is a conference planning team who take account of comments received from delegates and exhibitors as well as trying to incorporate as many new / topical subjects as possible. We learn about interesting speakers from other conferences and, if relevant, we approach them. We also get approached by organisations / companies wishing to speak. There are a few new Board members who, this year, are involved in programme planning, so we hope that you will find the Resilient Scotland Conference 2017 very interesting and topical.
What happens between now and then? We are tasked with selling exhibition space; leaflet inserts; securing sponsorship. Without income from all these areas, the event simply could not happen. We have a good membership base but we need to cover the costs by bringing in this income. The logistical elements need to fall into place ie registration; confirmations; venue logistics; catering options; audio visual; speaker liaison; exhibition liaison; marketing of the event; pulling together of information which results in an Event Guide; catering; dietary requirements and the ever dreaded risk assessment. It takes time and effort by all concerned, but it is worth it when the end result is a successful conference with attendees leaving the event having learnt something new.
So over to you? So that we can expand the membership and interest of Scottish Continuity and the Resilient Scotland Conference, please distribute the information to your colleagues and get the message out about the event. Delegate spaces are limited so we would encourage you all to book early. For SC members attendance is free of charge, which is a fantastic benefit for your £50 individual membership fee. £100 for non-members is also good value for money – and we would encourage non-members to join so they too can benefit from the very reasonably priced membership.
And ….. Not just the Resilient Scotland Conference! Scottish Continuity are now developing a range of Learning Events. Organised approximately every 3 months, they are running 2 hour learning events for members and non-members to get involved and hear first-hand about specific subject matters / current issues and is a fabulous way of extending your knowledge but also meet like-minded business continuity / resilience / disaster recovery colleagues.
The future? Scottish Continuity is looking for members, ideas and suggestions, venues for future events, speakers, sponsors; exhibitors – and for your help in getting the message out about the organisation and how it would benefit others from being involved.