How do you make a conference memorable?

HOW DO YOU MAKE A CONFERENCE MEMORABLE? 

 

The organisers of this conference, the Scottish Food Coalition and the University of Edinburgh, had worked hard to shift away from the usual plenary plenary workshop workshop format to include a number of different interactive and creative elements. 

 

▶ cabaret-style seating where people were allocated - wedding guest style - to tables representing a cross-section of participants 

▶ a series of punchy ‘provocations’, time-limited to five minutes with space in between for round-table reflection 

▶ an ‘open space’ session with simultaneous topic-based discussions, hosted by volunteer delegates 

▶ a visual record drawn live on stage (that’s where I came in) 

▶ and an absolutely amazing lunch!