What an incredible Annual Conference and Exhibition. There was an excited and engaged atmosphere throughout, with over 6,000 attendees across the people profession across the two days.
This year the conferences were packed full of innovation, hard hitting truths and exploration, in a programme that brought delegates access to the thought processes and toolkits needed to truly embrace the future and evolve the people profession alongside innovations, whilst overcoming obstacles.
The exhibition floor brought new, interactive features and evolutions of attendee favourites. Alongside this was over 130 exhibition stands that brought leading expertise and service providers all onto one floor. It was great to see both new connections being formed, and existing ones being strengthened.
WORLD CLASS KEYNOTE SPEAKERS
Last year, the keynote speakers needed no introductions. With the Conference started by Peter Cheese, later welcoming Daniel Susskind, renown author and economist to the stage who provided an in-depth analysis of how AI has evolved since it's inception and the technology underpinning it. Exploring the themes of possibilities and risks, and how the people profession can shape the narrative on training organisation to embrace innovation.
As the event unfolded, across 4 Conferences stages, 3 Insights stages and a wealth of Exhibition floor features thousands of attendee's explored Ethics, ESG, mental wellbeing and more. There was a noticeable energy of positivity throughout the event as rooms and stages filled up.
Steve Barnett, the silent conductor ensured day 2 carried the same energy, without saying a word! This unique, non-speaker brought together a room of 1000+ people to sure the power of combining different groups of people working at different speeds. Ending with the powerful message 'what change can you orchestrate in the people profession?'.
Later on Thursday, Davina McCall MBE, gave an incredible, fearless fireside chat about menopause and what HR professionals can to move beyond accommodation and into inclusivity and flexibility. Leaving delegates to leave the session inspired to become champions for women's health their selves.
Last, but certainly not least. Nicolas Hamilton gave a truly inspirational story about his journey to overcome cerebral palsy. The concluding message that ambition is only really limited by your own attitude. A well deserved standing ovation for Nicholas was heard across the venue that brought a brilliant event to a close.
A VARIED EXHIBITION FLOOR
It was fantastic to see such a busy Exhibition floor. This year visitors enjoyed fun stand features and prizes, from a miniature car, to a full size one. We saw attendee's interacting and participating in some truly exciting interactive features across the exhibitor stands, and it wouldn't be a CIPD event without puppies, who greeted attendee's upon entry.
All of this, without even touching the Insight stages, Evidence Lab Live, Ethics at Ace and the other learning opportunities. Across the two days, attendee's embraced the learnings from speakers across the free programme, took part in interactive workshops and debated the latest academia and best practice studies.
A HEARTFELT THANK YOU
From everyone at the CIPD, we want to thank you for taking part in this years Annual Conference and Exhibition. Together, we proved that despite many setbacks, changes in the world and instability that the passion within the people profession is greater than ever.
Thank you for joining us in Manchester and to the team at Manchester Central for facilitating such an amazing event. We end on a promise, that next year we will return.
We hope to see you there.