Conference Producer, C&A, UBM Built Environment, VAC 760
Location: London
Candidate Profile
The ideal candidate will be a second jobber with experience either producing commercial conferences, or in a non-conference related research or sales role. The candidate will have a high level of commercial awareness and be target and deadline driven. As part of a growing division, the candidate will be required to actively seek out opportunities and thrive in an entrepreneurial environment. They will have excellent influencing skills, the ability to understand brands and their value, and work closely with editorial, exhibition, logistics and sales teams. Please note that we will accept candidates with no previous conference experience, possibly even recent graduates who can demonstrate to us that they fit the desired criteria. On-the job training will be given.
This person wants to progress their career by through successfully growing a market and become a specialist in their field. They may also want to develop a career as a people manager. Both career paths are available.
They will have a high level of commercial awareness and be target and deadline driven. As part of growing division, they will be required to actively seek out opportunities and thrive in an entrepreneurial environment.
The Conference Producer Role
UBM Conferences are looking for a Conference Producer to research and create viable, sustainable conferences for this division. The opportunities around this market are substantial and would provide an excellent career path for an exceptional conference producer.
Job Responsibilities:
Growth of new conference opportunities
Overall management of existing conferences within the … portfolio and others where necessary.
Key Objectives:
To work in partnership with the relevant UBM brand to develop commercially viable conferences based on in-depth market research
To carry out comprehensive research into the relevant market and topic
To write promotionally-led programme and sales copy that are in the language of the market
To acquire top level speakers as defined during the research phase, and recommended by the editorial team (and awards research where relevant)
To always work within the timelines and deadlines specified
To manage the conference on the day to ensure the most successful event possible
To carry out post-conference administration
To work closely and develop excellent relationships with Marketing, Operations, Sales and Editorial teams
Duties:
Deliver commercially viable conferences
Ensure that conference content is primarily based on market feed-back rather than editorial input and to manage this balance successfully
Achieve number of conferences per year or annual revenue targets
Provide marketing with as many new sources as possible for each event
Minimise speaker costs and expenses by setting a precedent of not paying these
Work closely and cooperatively with the sales team to ensure all sponsorship information is accurately and effectively handled
Identify areas where you can impact costs and monitor individual cost-effectiveness
Work closely and flexibly with brand team to ensure communication, alignment of objectives and strong relationship building
Research Phase:
Maintain appropriate and accessible records of research in project files
Use the editorial team in the most effective way to keep up to speed with conference-specific topics
Research with a mixture of readers, past delegates, lapsed readers and new names
Carry out open-ended research in order to ensure that the market is not biased and that the true picture is gained
Define the commercial angle of the conference: ‘must know’ rather than ‘nice to know’
Write an event brief for internal use to make sure all departments are aware of event details.
Liaise with the brand team on a regular basis as agreed with the manager and the brand
Copywriting:
Develop a programme that is commercially written and totally relating to the results of research
Ensure that the programme is ‘weighted’ to reflect the top issues in the market
Focus copy on the benefits of the conference to the target market
Ensure that copy is ‘sales’ led rather than ‘editorially’ led
Produce innovative copy that reflects the market’s needs rather than the writing skills of the producer
Ensure programme style reflects the brand style by working closely with the brand team to achieve this
Develop a programme that is aesthetically correct as well as containing the right content
Manage the proof / print process within the required deadline
Speaker Acquisition:
Always aim for the highest calibre of speaker possible
Work with brand to identify best speakers and use brand resources where appropriate to secure top names
Ensure that the speakers approached are the ones desired by the market rather than well known favourites or conference regulars
Present a knowledgeable, professional face to our speakers
Keep up-to-date information about the status of each speaker
Confirm all speakers before going to press to ensure that they have agreed all the relevant information
Manage speaker dropouts leading up to the conference to ensure no gaps in the programme
Make sure as many speaker presentations and biographies are received before the conference
Logistics:
Work closely with Logistics team to ensure smooth handover of contacts
Ensure that a full speaker contact sheet is ready for Logistics team at appropriate time
Achieving Deadlines:
Discuss with the manager any potential problems that may affect achieving deadlines to ensure contingency plans can be made
Meet all deadlines including turning over information for marketing, events management, sponsorship etc
Understand that a producer’s performance is measured on achieving deadlines and know the importance of this in terms of career advancement
Take responsibility for delivering on the required dates (i.e. cover letters, sales letters, emails, brochure sign-offs and so on) and not relying on the manager to remember these
Conference Management:
Understand that project management is a key part of this role and that the Conference Producer takes overall responsibility for each of their events and therefore must be satisfied with logistics management
Present a calm, professional and positive UBM image at all times to ensure a general atmosphere of enjoyment, professionalism and networking opportunities at an event
Keep conference on time and ensure that the chairman has been briefed on how to achieve this
Control costs at conference: minimise phone, fax and photocopy use accordingly
Work closely with the chairman regarding problem speakers and conference procedures
Follow up any dissatisfied customers in a courteous and professional way
Take full responsibility for the conference including troubleshooting and dealing with problems as they arise
Post-Conference Duties:
Write thank-you letters to speakers and other key contacts within seven days of the conference happening
Analyse evaluation forms and calculate results in a neat and tidy way
Write a post-conference report, summarising the event – from research to the day itself
Internal Communications:
Work closely with relevant brand team to ensure excellent two-way feed of timely communication
Work closely with marketing, sponsorship and the awards team to ensure excellent two-way feed of timely information
Develop excellent relationships with all teams (editorial, sales, design and awards)
UBM Conferences are looking for a Conference Producer to research and create viable, sustainable conferences for this division. The opportunities around this market are substantial and would provide an excellent career path for an exceptional conference producer.
Job Responsibilities:
Growth of new conference opportunities
Overall management of existing conferences within the … portfolio and others where necessary.
Key Objectives:
To work in partnership with the relevant UBM brand to develop commercially viable conferences based on in-depth market research
To carry out comprehensive research into the relevant market and topic
To write promotionally-led programme and sales copy that are in the language of the market
To acquire top level speakers as defined during the research phase, and recommended by the editorial team (and awards research where relevant)
To always work within the timelines and deadlines specified
To manage the conference on the day to ensure the most successful event possible
To carry out post-conference administration
To work closely and develop excellent relationships with Marketing, Operations, Sales and Editorial teams
Duties:
Deliver commercially viable conferences
Ensure that conference content is primarily based on market feed-back rather than editorial input and to manage this balance successfully
Achieve number of conferences per year or annual revenue targets
Provide marketing with as many new sources as possible for each event
Minimise speaker costs and expenses by setting a precedent of not paying these
Work closely and cooperatively with the sales team to ensure all sponsorship information is accurately and effectively handled
Identify areas where you can impact costs and monitor individual cost-effectiveness
Work closely and flexibly with brand team to ensure communication, alignment of objectives and strong relationship building
Research Phase:
Maintain appropriate and accessible records of research in project files
Use the editorial team in the most effective way to keep up to speed with conference-specific topics
Research with a mixture of readers, past delegates, lapsed readers and new names
Carry out open-ended research in order to ensure that the market is not biased and that the true picture is gained
Define the commercial angle of the conference: ‘must know’ rather than ‘nice to know’
Write an event brief for internal use to make sure all departments are aware of event details.
Liaise with the brand team on a regular basis as agreed with the manager and the brand
Copywriting:
Develop a programme that is commercially written and totally relating to the results of research
Ensure that the programme is ‘weighted’ to reflect the top issues in the market
Focus copy on the benefits of the conference to the target market
Ensure that copy is ‘sales’ led rather than ‘editorially’ led
Produce innovative copy that reflects the market’s needs rather than the writing skills of the producer
Ensure programme style reflects the brand style by working closely with the brand team to achieve this
Develop a programme that is aesthetically correct as well as containing the right content
Manage the proof / print process within the required deadline
Speaker Acquisition:
Always aim for the highest calibre of speaker possible
Work with brand to identify best speakers and use brand resources where appropriate to secure top names
Ensure that the speakers approached are the ones desired by the market rather than well known favourites or conference regulars
Present a knowledgeable, professional face to our speakers
Keep up-to-date information about the status of each speaker
Confirm all speakers before going to press to ensure that they have agreed all the relevant information
Manage speaker dropouts leading up to the conference to ensure no gaps in the programme
Make sure as many speaker presentations and biographies are received before the conference
Logistics:
Work closely with Logistics team to ensure smooth handover of contacts
Ensure that a full speaker contact sheet is ready for Logistics team at appropriate time
Achieving Deadlines:
Discuss with the manager any potential problems that may affect achieving deadlines to ensure contingency plans can be made
Meet all deadlines including turning over information for marketing, events management, sponsorship etc
Understand that a producer’s performance is measured on achieving deadlines and know the importance of this in terms of career advancement
Take responsibility for delivering on the required dates (i.e. cover letters, sales letters, emails, brochure sign-offs and so on) and not relying on the manager to remember these
Conference Management:
Understand that project management is a key part of this role and that the Conference Producer takes overall responsibility for each of their events and therefore must be satisfied with logistics management
Present a calm, professional and positive UBM image at all times to ensure a general atmosphere of enjoyment, professionalism and networking opportunities at an event
Keep conference on time and ensure that the chairman has been briefed on how to achieve this
Control costs at conference: minimise phone, fax and photocopy use accordingly
Work closely with the chairman regarding problem speakers and conference procedures
Follow up any dissatisfied customers in a courteous and professional way
Take full responsibility for the conference including troubleshooting and dealing with problems as they arise
Post-Conference Duties:
Write thank-you letters to speakers and other key contacts within seven days of the conference happening
Analyse evaluation forms and calculate results in a neat and tidy way
Write a post-conference report, summarising the event – from research to the day itself
Internal Communications:
Work closely with relevant brand team to ensure excellent two-way feed of timely communication
Work closely with marketing, sponsorship and the awards team to ensure excellent two-way feed of timely information
Develop excellent relationships with all teams (editorial, sales, design and awards)
General Duties
You may also be required to carry out responsibilities outside those defined above.
Contact Details