This years forum was called ‘Relationships 2.0 – The Heartbeat of Hospitality and Human Connection’ and discussed the key themes of authenticity, honesty, trust and bravery.
The aim of the forum was to connect hearts and minds and for attendees to leave more human, more real and more connected.
Following some energising breakfast snacks, the day started with an opening address from Jack Rankin, MP for Windsor and member of the APPG for Events.
He discussed how events are at the heart of this country and spoke about the importance of them in terms of how they benefit the economy and bridge the gap between government and industry professionals. He also discussed how their is a role for local authorities to play in supporting events in their local areas.
Following this, there was an inspiring session from keynote speaker, Mariana Saraceni entitled ‘Finding your happiness-Why human connection matters’. Saraceni shared her own journey—navigating ADHD, grief, self-doubt, and a few questionable life choices—to show how self-advocacy transforms not just our confidence, but the way we show up in the world.
Following this there was another keynote session from TEDx speaker coach and leadership strategist, Helen Packham, who shared how storytelling, presence and vulnerability can transform your influence and emphasised the importance of being human in a world of shortcuts.
Following a short coffee break, John Rowland provided a sharp, accessible take on the current and future economic climate—what’s happening now, what’s on the horizon, and how these shifts will impact the hospitality and events sector.
After a delicious, healthy lunch and a charity spotlight from beam’s charity partner The Rainbow Trust, there was a fireside chat with rugby player Will Greenwood MBE, which offered delegates an energising and reflective perspective on what it means to lead through adversity, build trust under pressure and create winning cultures.
Following this, delegates split into two breakout sessions – Leadership & Culture Stream–How to communicate like an effective zookeeper, where Nigel Risner shared how to be “in the room“ and how to focus on what’s important rather than what’s urgent and Trust, Stories, and Standout Sales: Relationship-First Growth in the Digital Age, where agency and venue leaders discussed real-world examples and explored the sales strategies that build long-term loyalty and measurable growth
The day finished with a panel called ‘The Social Impact of Events: Creating legacy, changing lives, and inspiring the next generation.‘ This panel discussed what real impact looks like in today’s event landscape and explore how the industry an drive lasting change through community legacy, social inclusion, sustainability and next gen engagement.
The evening consisted of a cuban street food experience, with live music, dancers and cuban inspured food and the next day, there was a networking brunch.
Overall, the forum was a stark reminder that, even amid remarkable technological advancements and the allure of shortcuts, it is our humanity and the power of storytelling that truly stand out and make a lasting impact in the world of events. While digital tools and innovations can enhance experiences and streamline processes, it is the authentic human connections, emotions, and compelling narratives that resonate most deeply with audiences. In the end, it’s the stories we share and the genuine interactions we foster that leave people inspired and create memorable, meaningful events.
Photos by Lee Wilkinson Photography.
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