Back to school
Joe Gallop talks to Emma Barrett , Broadway Events managing director and organiser of The Childcare & Education Expo , which returns this month
More than 2,000 delegates are expected to attend the Childcare & Education Expo when it returns to the Coventry Building Society Arena ( formerly the Ricoh Arena ) on 24-25 September this year . The event aims to give practitioners across the early years and primary education sector insight and ideas to help the industry move forward following the pandemic . It won ’ t have escaped your attention that the way we teach has been the talk of much discussion , with remote learning thrust upon children across the land since March 2020 . This radical shift , notably using technology , has created new opportunities and ways of thinking in the education sector in way not seen before . With many parents required to home-school , there is now a greater awareness of the challenges the sector faces , and where better to explore , discuss and innovate than at a show dedicated to this knowledge economy ? If ever proof were needed about the importance of a live event , this is it .
Emma Barrett is the managing director at Broadway Events , the show ’ s organiser . She answers our questions .
How will the exhibition help the industry move forward following the pandemic ?
Throughout the pandemic , the early years and primary education sectors have had a really challenging time . Unlike a lot of industries , they had to put on a brave face and keep on working – they ’ ve been amazing . This year ’ s show will , I hope , give them a space to celebrate their achievements over the past couple years and get back to exploring the passion for their work . Every aspect of the show from the exhibition to the seminar and workshop programme will provide visitors with support , educational information , and inspiration to take back to their settings and our new forest school feature area will offer support for the growing interest in outdoor learning following the pandemic . You also can ’ t forget the value of face-to-face networking , which from the response to registrations so far , I don ’ t think our visitors have forgotten .
Why did you choose the Coventry Building Society Arena ?
It was where we launched our first ever Expo in 2010 . It ’ s important to us that the visitors ’ journey to any of our venues is as easy as possible . The arena has fantastic transport links and with 75 % of the population being able to reach the venue within two hours , it was perfect . The facilities onsite are a real bonus too .
Tell us about your marketing strategy , was it any different ; are people more nervous to visit ?
We knew right from the start that the safety of our visitors needed to be a priority and therefore something we needed to incorporate into our marketing . We introduced a safe and secure campaign that is making sure our message on our Covid-safe
36 — September