CBI Annual Conference 2022 - Birmingham

WHO.

The CBI (Confederation of British Industry) speaks on behalf of every sector of the economy. They represent 190,000 businesses; which together employ nearly seven million people. The CBI ensures businesses get heard, by the UK government and on the world stage by being the UK’s most effective and influential business organisation.

WHAT.

The CBI Annual Conference is their flagship event and the UK’s highest-profile business conference. The UK Prime Minister and Leader of the Opposition both deliver keynote speeches alongside the country's business leaders, including the CEO of British Airways and the Director General of the BBC. 2022 would be the first live conference format for this event since 2019 and Sleek won the tender to deliver the project, our first for this client. We would provide a full end-to-end project management and event delivery service. The conference took place at The Vox conference centre in Birmingham over two days.

HOW.

An event that includes the UK Prime Minister delivering a keynote address to global media outlets is a unique element that Sleek was proud to deliver. The calibre of the speaker schedule added a further layer of expectation to this prestigious event that saw a combined attendance of 1400 across both days.

Sleek’s service is founded on robust processes and a core policy of seamlessly integrating with the client’s teams and systems. From this foundation, we are able to conceptualise creative solutions to elevate the event experience. This was a project in which this level of service truly showed its unique value.

• Given the nature of the client and event, there was a vast range of CBI stakeholders to consult during the planning process. Sleek chaired their weekly meeting to ensure the decision-making process was thorough and timely.

• We introduced a selected registration system which the client and attendees enjoyed immense benefits from as it provided a far smoother experience. Sleek also sourced and managed the enhanced security measures required for attendees entering the event.

• The conference is centred around a keynote stage where the notable speakers would address the attendees and global media. Sleek saw the opportunity to create further prestige for the staging by installing an impactful 18 x 14-meter digital screen.

• The speaker schedule was intensive and Sleek managed this process to ensure timings and speaker requirements were met.

• Given the profile of the speakers, Sleek was required to deliver security solutions with their teams, including working directly with 10 Downing Street.

• The timing of the event meant that the World Cup 2022 game of England Vs Iran was taking place. Not something to be missed for many! Sleek used the digital screen to broadcast this during lunch catering which was not only enjoyable but also provided attendees with a relaxed opportunity to network.

• The event was sponsored by Accenture and Hays. Sleek managed these relationships while also delivering the exhibition element of the event. CBI recommended us to Hays for their stand build - we were delighted to gain an additional client who commented that our stand delivery was the best they had ever seen.

• The UK’s most prominent media platforms were covering the conference and therefore Sleek was required to accommodate them including the need for satellite vehicles for live broadcast.

• Lastly, Sleek delivered several fringe events including a gala dinner and breakfast meetings for various industry leaders.