StudyWorld London – but in January!
The successful refocusing of English UK’s StudyWorld events has continued with a new date for its in-person UK event.
StudyWorld London 2024, held at the Hilton London Bankside, welcomed 105 educators and service providers and 123 agents from 36 countries. Around 2,000 pre-scheduled meetings took place.
An evolving event
StudyWorld London was held in January for the first time, a change welcomed by educators and study travel agencies alike. And next January the UK event moves outside the capital for the first time since 2007. StudyWorld Manchester takes place at the Hilton Manchester Deansgate.
Move to Manchester for 2025
Mark Rendell, chair of English UK, said: “We are really happy with the new formula: it’s a very manageable size and the atmosphere is really good. The event is targeted and business-focused. It seems to be well-received and very well-attended. I am also really happy we are finally able to move the event to Manchester for a year. It’s important to showcase different parts of the UK.”
Chief executive Jodie Gray added: “We love StudyWorld’s new format and are really excited about going to Manchester in 2025. Together with StudyWorld online in September and the StudyWorld China Roadshow in November, we’re giving our members and the wider industry a variety of access to markets and business development opportunities. Our participants tell us that our friendly, “human-sized” and UK-focused events are unique and just what’s needed.”
Why January works
Zaid Hunaiti of Knowledge Well Group, Saudi Arabia, said: “StudyWorld is amazing. It’s a good time of the year – we are normally a bit more relaxed than at the busy time of the year and we can use it to refresh business and get new partners before the season gets busy.”
Millad Noor of Abbey College Malvern was attending for the second time. “I actually got a booking at the event so it could be very successful. The majority of people I met were new but I also caught up with people. The end of January is perfect – it’s a good time to come.”
Collaboration with the Department for Business and Trade
There was a zone for Department for Business and Trade (DBT) commercial officers from all over the world plus embassy representatives, who made themselves available for meetings with educators and agents alike.
Mark Henebury, the DBT’s sector specialist for ELT, said: “StudyWorld is very sector-focused, it’s a friendly professionally-run event. You come here you know you’re going to get business out of it. You meet the right people – the people you should be meeting – there’s no wasting time, you’re talking to people who are going to do business and it facilitates those important conversations”.
Professional and boutique
Informally, delegates reported packed schedules and productive meetings.
“I’ve come back because it’s very successful,” said Kate Hargreaves of Living Learning English, praising the calm and professional boutique feel to the event.
Steve Wheeler of Bucksmore Education had a full schedule and planned to meet an extra six agents. “I’m really pleased – there are lots of new agents.”
Agile networking
Tim Shoben of Islington Centre for English, one of 35 educators on a no-schedule networking pass, was also positive. “It’s a nice size and it feels more boutique. There are all good contacts and lots of energy to grow our business which we need for the UK ELT industry to get us back where we need to be. And it’s a very nice time of the year – January is perfect to get us into the right place for summer.”
Join us in Manchester in January 2025 – agents are already booking!
And things look promising for the Manchester event in 2025.
Carlos Marcelo from Eunoia’s new Spanish office said: “It’s my first time at StudyWorld and I am very excited about being here. We’ve had very productive meetings with many different schools. It’s been interesting, it’s the first of many I hope. I’ve already booked for Manchester.”
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