In addition to a roster of more than 150 suppliers, the PA Expo – co-located with the Venue Expo – features a seminar programme fit for both PAs and event organisers. With so much to see and do on four different stages, here’s our guide to the must-see sessions.
Day One
The first day of the show brings the much-anticipated session from social media magnate Jon Morter, who was the brains behind getting Rage Against the Machine to Christmas Number One in 2009, beating Simon Cowell’s X Factor prodigy Joe McElderry. See him on the Keynote & VIP Stage at 3pm (if you miss this one Jon will be repeating his session on day two at the same time).
Over on the ITM Mobile Stage, day one highlights include web marketing Google expert Susan Dolan, who’ll be talking about Twitter from 11am-12pm, and Paula Ishtar from Earth Moves, who’ll run a session on ‘Feminine ways of working, leadership and team building’ from 12pm-1pm.
On the Keynote Theatre 2 Stage sponsored by PA Life, you’ll find our friend Adam Fidler from Adept Consulting talking about ‘The role of the 21st-century PA’ from 11.30am-12.30pm, as well as Amanda Johnson from VACT, who’ll teach you about ‘Building and growing a VA business’ from 2.30pm-3.30pm.
Finally, on the Taylor Lynn Corporation PA Stage, you can listen to Liz Taylor, the “Millionaire Party Planner” outline ‘The formula to a successful events brand’ from 11.30am-12pm, followed by Gary Hymansoon from Roomax talking about the future of business travel from 1pm-1.45pm.
Day Two
The second day on the Keynote & VIP Stage starts off with Andy Guile from Bear Behind Events teaching us about ‘Relationship building and networking’ from 11am-11.30am, as well as Julie Jordan from Virtualis PA covering ‘Five benefits to corporate organising services’ from 11.30am-12pm.
Head over to the ITM Mobile Stage to see Gavin Bailey from CitySuites talk about ‘Booking for business: Make corporate accommodation work for you’ from 11.30am-12.30pm. Later on Amanda Johnson from VACT will return to cover ‘How to go from PA to VA with ease’ from 1pm-2pm.
On the Keynote Theatre 2 Stage sponsored by PA Life, Carolyn Pearson and Mike Jones from CTI will be giving their top safety tips for female business travellers from 12pm-12.30pm, followed later on by Jacqueline Rogers from The Athena Network speaking about ‘Nifty three-minute speed networking’ from 2pm-2.30pm.
PA Life Editor Amelia Walker will chair a panel session on the Taylor Lynn Corporation PA Stage from 1pm-2pm, which will cover ‘Driving your own career’. Panellists include Penny Whitelock from Strategi HR, Julie Jordan from Virtualis PA and Adam Fidler from Adept Consulting.
Later on the same stage from 3pm-4pm, PA Life Deputy Editor Molly Dyson will host a panel session on ‘The future of the VA industry’. Expert panellists include Caroline Wylie from the Society of Virtual Assistants, Alex Platt from Swift VA and Joanne Hawkins from Executive VPA.
To view the full seminar programme, visit paexpo.co.uk/education.
