StudyWorld educators embrace table-free meetings

StudyWorld’s innovative attendance options have proved hugely popular with educators and service providers this year.

Almost half of the UK educators attending this year have opted for a table-free package, either with or without a meeting schedule, and numbers choosing to raise their profile with an exhibition stand are also rising. Service providers are also experimenting with different options, with rising numbers choosing a schedule-free networking pass at the event, which opens today.

“We trialed our flexible packages last year and they’ve really taken off. We are clearly offering something that the market wants, and we’ll be looking closely at the feedback we get this year,” said English UK’s director of strategy Jodie Gray.

“There are so many benefits for our delegates: many can’t take the time to attend the whole of StudyWorld but it really suits them to book up a single day of appointments, for instance.

“The move away from static tables has had a dramatic effect: StudyWorld felt a lot more dynamic and buzzing last year, as delegates moved around more between meetings and often took the chance for a quick catch-up along the way. We had a lot of positive feedback about that.”

Around 700 delegates from over 50 countries will attend this week’s UK-focused education showcase at London’s QEII Centre. High numbers of appointments have been booked over the past weeks before agents, educators and service providers began arriving today.

Highlights will include a keynote speech from Lindsey Hilsum, Channel 4’s International Editor, on how international education can help to build bridges in an increasingly dangerous world.

This evening, StudyWorld delegates will be welcomed with an evening reception at the QEII Centre.

Notes to Editors

1. StudyWorld is a long-running international workshop, founded in 1969, and organised by English UK. It introduces international buyers and study abroad agents to UK educators and service providers

2. English UK is the national association for English language teaching centres in the UK, with over 420 accredited centres in membership. It covers university and further education college language departments, international study centres in independent schools, educational trusts and charities, and private sector colleges. English UK is a UK registered charity (www.englishuk.com)

3. For more information, contact Susan Young, press relations manager.