• Venue sourcing
• Delegate management
• Online delegate registration
• Audio visual and production solutions
• Logistical management
• Exhibition management
• Event delivery and post evaluation
• Budget management

The initial brief changed several times before a decision was taken to focus on the DfES’s preferred list of attendees comprising Chief Executives only which restricted numbers to 250.

Having previously worked with the Business Design Centre for a number of smaller events we were confident that their conference centre would provide the perfect space for the event. With complete flexibility in dividing 1700 square metres of space using movable walls and changing access points, the venue provided the perfect solution in a very convenient location.

EVENT DESIGN
The DfES invited a number of partners to participate at the conference including, HLTA, Department of Health, SureStart, TYSP, ContinYou, Every Child Matters, 4Children and the National Remodelling Team along with Council members and other multi agencies. Each partner had an influence on the content and overall agenda which promoted constant communication with all the partners to ensure their objectives were taken into consideration throughout the planning process.

The main elements of the event consisted of a number of Key Note speeches and panel discussions including Ruth Kelly – Former Secretary of State for Education and Skills, Dame Pat Collarbone – National Director of the National Remodelling Team (Now TDA Development for Schools) and Beverley Hughes – Minister for Children, Young People and Families.

EXHIBITION
Each of the partners was given the opportunity to exhibit at the conference. The Finishing Touch managed all aspects of this, liaising with all Exhibitors and supporting their requirements.

PRODUCTION AND AUDIO VISUAL
The set design had to incorporate a number of agencies branding. 3 dimensional logos were created and positioned around the set before being individually lit. The event title became a brand in itself which was designed by the NRT’s in-house creative team. This was positioned and lit to present the main focal point of the set.

CHALLENGES AND OUTCOMES
We managed the continual changes in plenary content, breakout requirements, delegate registration and production while on the day we responded to changes in the agenda and the timings.

The day of the Event Build onsite proved more eventful than anticipated due to a Greenpeace protestor climbing into the ceiling struts across the ceiling and handcuffing themselves above the audience ahead of Tony Blair’s speech on Nuclear Power. The Centre had to be closed down until the situation was resolved which reduced our set up time by several hours. To ensure this did not impact on the Target 2010 conference, we brought in additional labour and continued through the night. By the morning of the conference we were back on schedule.

POST EVENT EVALUATION AND CONCLUSION
The Target 2010 Conference was a much-publicised event due to the profile of presenters and delegates attending. The Finishing Touch managed all of the requirements of each of the agencies ahead of the event and on the day ensuring their objectives were achieved and the conference was received as an outstanding success.

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