LBAP

We had not worked for Natural England before we won the contract to run the Local Area Biodiversity Action Plan (LBAP) Conference in 2005; since then we have won successive contracts to run this event in 2006, 2007 and 2008, and are currently working with them on a LBAP/Biodiversity Event in association with Defra to be held in October 2009.

These 3 day residential include plenary sessions, breakout groups, an ideas exchange fair, conference dinner, extra-curricular entertainment, and a field trip to a local habitat demonstrating wide biodiversity. They bring together all the LBAP Officers from across the UK and their partner organisations for three days of learning, sharing of ideas and networking. We have been responsible for sourcing and booking a suitable venue; and creating a conference website with online registration, including facility to pay for the event online.

We sent out invitations; followed up those who did not register; managed accommodation bookings; followed up unpaid invoices; researched and oversaw the provision of stage set and AV equipment; liaised with the venue; managed menus and special dietary requirements; and designed and produced 40 speakers, workshop leaders and exhibitors to ensure all their requirements were met and managed the field trip, including transport.

It was important to Natural England that the events should be environmentally efficient and we ensured menus included locally sourced produce, fair trade tea and coffee, and that conference materials were recycled or sustainably produced.