Annual Conference 2003 - Stratford-upon-Avon - September 2003

Over 250 delegates descended upon the picturesque town of Stratford-upon-Avon to participate in the BACP Annual Conference. 

Above: Annual Conference programme cover - BACP focuses on the issues of Emotional Intelligence and Emotional Literacy

Above: Delegates at Stratford Conference

Addressing the issues of Emotional Intelligence several keynote speakers and workshop leaders cover a wide range of topics including EQ and EI, in a wide range of settings from schools to the workplace.

Overall, delegates found the conference useful, insightful and - most importantly - value for money.  The Conference managed to mix useful insights and learning with the social elements of networking and meeting new people.

Above: Networking plays just as an important part as learning

Above: BACP Chair Val Potter welcomes delegates to the Annual Training Conference

Above: BACP Chief Executive Laurie Clarke

Keynote speeches

• Andrew Samuels launched the Conference with a well received, high level presentation on emotional and social justice
• Pauline Clare concluded the first day addressing the issues of Intelligent Organisations
• Peter Sharp opened day two with the subject of Emotional Literacy - the big picture. The conclusion was a stunning video clip focusing on geese
• Rosie Boycott concluded the event with a fascinating insight from the client's perspective

Above: Andrew Samuels speaks on 'Emotional and Social Justice'

Above: Pauline Clare talks about 'Intelligent Organisations'

Above: Questions from the floor

Workshops

In response from previous delegates there was an increased number of workshops - focusing on a wide range of EI subjects. 

• Deidre Sanders - Emotional Literacy in Sun readers
• Noreen Tehrani - Institutionalised Bullying
• Olive Harrion - Emotional Intelligence in Schools
• Anne Munro - Emotional Intelligence when selecting candidates
• James Park - Emotional Intelligence in Schools and in the Workplace
• Philip Hodson - Managing Change with Intelligence
• Monika Jephcott - Developing Emotional Literacy through Therapeutic Play
• Dr Joanna Kozubska - Emotional Intelligence and Health

Above: Workshops provide a popular forum for more detailed exploration of key issues

Above: Play Therapy workshop

Feedback

Full feedback forms can be found here (Word or PDF) but a brief summary indicated that

• Delegates attended from a wide geographic spread covering the whole of the UK apart from Northern Ireland
• 3% of delegates were self-funding
• 50% of delegates attended conference for the first time
• 76% of delegates expressed a preference for a residential conference
• Delegates rated their overall impression of conference at 4.0 (very good) based on a scale from 1 (poor) to 5 (excellent)
• 82% of delegates said conference was good value for money compared to 58% in 2001

Above: BACP Events Manager Bev Brennan organised the Annual Conference

Above: Delegates enjoy a quite break from the Conference

Keeping informed and up to date

The Annual Conference provided a huge networking opportunity for delegates to meet each other, workshop leaders, keynote speakers, BACP staff, Governors, Divisional Chairs and representatives, alongside a small exhibition of booksellers.

Time for networking and socialising could be found during coffee breaks, over lunch, at dinner or during breakfast.  Both Staff and Divisional representatives found the whole process both enlightening and enjoyable.

Above: Delegates and BACP staff discuss ideas, thoughts and issues

Above: Essential networking over a cup of tea

Above: BACP's Divisions on show

Above: CPJ Editor Sarah Browne in discussion

Annual Conference 2004

For information on Conference 2004 click here