Event Buyers Live (EBL) has unveiled details of eight roundtable sessions to take place at this year’s hosted buyer event.

Returning to Carden Park, from November 9-11, EBL’s education programme is packed with relatable content, delivered in a relaxed roundtable format.

Adverse weather, saving energy, and AI in events are just some of the topics to be discussed this year. With focused sessions on community engagement, site and operations management, inclusivity, queue optimisation, and divergent thinking also set for the three-day event.

Each roundtable is led by a respected events professional, an expert facilitator, with first-hand experience of their field.

Roundtable content sessions include:

• Adverse weather with Nigel Gough, operations director of The Great Run Company
• Community engagement with Parklife and Live from Wythenshawe Park’s community impact manager Hannah O’Riordan
• Clean power and energy reduction with Stefan Edwards, senior events manager at Bristol City Council; currently engaged in the West of England Clean Power Pilot
• Inclusivity with Samie Boyd, accessibility manager at Cuffe and Taylor
• AI in events with Jack Williams, CEO of RunThrough, who is adopting AI throughout the mass participation business
• Site and operations management with 305 Live’s Rick Latham
• Queue optimisation with Manchester Met University’s Marcel Altenburg, programme leader of crowd science
• Divergent thinking with Matt Cope, who will use his tricks and skills to help you think like a magician

Latham, director of 305 Live, said: “Coming off the back of a busy summer in various fields, it feels like there are a lot of shifting dynamics at play in the industry – budgets are being tightened, customer expectations are ever growing, but ticket prices are being capped, where they seemingly can’t go any higher to allow for these increasing expectations or tighter budgets.

“When asked if I would facilitate a roundtable at EBL this year on site and operations management, I jumped at the opportunity.  It’s great to get other people’s experiences from different areas of the industry. Every day is a day at school so they say and it’s always good to see things from other perspectives.”

O’Riordan said: “I’m really passionate about the community impact work I do across festivals and live music events, but it’s not often I get the chance to meet others working in this area. I’m really excited to host the roundtable, share ideas, and hear how others are approaching community impact across the industry.”

On the hugely popular roundtable sessions, Caroline Clift, EBL’s content manager, said: “Roundtables have been a constant within EBL’s content programme and have been a regular feature since day one. Why? Because they are simple yet effective and allow event professionals to do the most powerful thing – talk.”

Clift continued: “When people are busy delivering live events for months on end, the last thing they get to do is share their challenges, so EBL’s roundtable sessions do just that. They empower people to chat, encourage knowledge sharing, and provide an opportunity for event professionals to share their experiences and learn from each other. All whilst not being judged.

“They are the perfect blend of discussion and education, and the conversation is guided by our amazing facilitators, who bring valuable, first-hand experience to the table.

“I want to personally thank our facilitators for giving up their time to come along and discuss important topics with our hosted buyers. These sessions are not to be missed.”

The roundtable sessions cover a range of topics that address the big talking points of the summer and future challenges.

Earlier this month, EBL revealed details of a dedicated Martyn’s Law workshop that will also take place. An insightful and practical session to be led by the Home Office, Security Industry Authority, and United Kingdom Crowd Management Association.

If you would like to attend EBL as a hosted buyer, register now for a complimentary place. Visit www.eventbuyerslive.com

Alternatively, if you have a question about EBL, you can find answers to some common questions on the event’s FAQ page.