The Programme
EvolveGrow! 2026 delivers a one-day conference on event sales, marketing & sponsorship for associations.
See the agenda below and stay tuned for more speaker announcements.
The Programme
EvolveGrow! 2026 brings you a one day conference on event sales, marketing & sponsorship for associations. View the agenda below, with more speakers to be announced.
Agenda
09:30
09:50
10:00 - 10:45
Registration and refreshments
Welcome and introductions
Personalisation – how to extend your audience reach and increase engagement
This session will look at how event marketers can use audience insights, data, and technology to create more personalised experiences before, during, and after an event. From targeted marketing campaigns and curated agendas to intelligent networking and content recommendations, personalisation can transform how attendees discover, interact with, and benefit from events.
Speaker: Lisa Collins, Dovetail Creative
10:45 - 11:15
11:15 - 12:00
Refreshments and Networking
Signed, Sealed, Delivered: The Psychology of Selling Events That Sell Out
In today’s crowded events landscape, selling isn’t about pushing… it’s about influencing. This session unpacks the psychology behind high-converting event sales, blending proven principles from Robert Cialdini, Stephen Covey and Chris Voss with real-world event marketing strategies.
Discover how to build trust faster, negotiate more effectively and tap into what truly drives delegates and sponsors to say “yes.” From persuasion frameworks to relationship-first selling, you’ll leave with practical techniques you can apply immediately to boost registrations, secure sponsorships and maximise event revenue.
The session concludes with a live conversation with industry experts, bringing these concepts to life through real experiences and modern selling challenges.
Speakers: Johnny Martinez, Henry Hall, CrowdComms, Stephanie Garey
12:00 - 12:50
Attracting and Retaining Sponsors at Your Event
Sponsorship can transform the success and profitability of an event, but attracting the right partners and keeping them engaged requires a clear strategy. In this session, we’ll explore how event organisers can design attractive sponsorship opportunities, demonstrate measurable ROI, and build lasting relationships with sponsors. Learn how to align sponsor goals with your event audience, create high-value packages, and turn one-time sponsors into long-term partners.
Speakers: Shaun Jones, UK Finance, Adam Jones, Ffair, Katie Whatley, Ffair
12:50 - 14:00
Lunch and de-liberation
14:00 - 14:45
Securing the future of your event - Identifying and unlocking new revenue streams
This interactive session explores how event organisers can future-proof their events by identifying, diversifying, and activating new revenue streams. In an increasingly competitive and rapidly evolving events landscape, relying solely on revenue sources such as ticket sales and traditional sponsorships is no longer enough.
The session will enable you to think creatively about sponsorship features and explore alternative partnership options that generate enduring value for both members and sponsors.
Speaker: Chris Chisman, Brightelm
14:45 - 15:30
Refresh your marketing message with stronger, more persuasive copywriting
This hands on workshop will help you refine the way you talk about your events audience. In this session, we look at how clarify your core message, rewrite key marketing copy, and shape language that connects with the right people. You leave with clear, compelling messaging you can use across your events, website, social media, and promotional materials.
Speaker: Catherine Jones, CREST
15:30 - 16:00
Refreshments and Networking
16:00 - 16:45
Event Marketing through to 2030 - a Data Led Approach
Event Marketing is a specific discipline that is often misunderstood, or deprioritised by marketing professionals in membership. On top of that, getting people's attention and commitment is becoming harder and harder. The session will help you understand available marketing channels in events, available data and measurement, and the growing importance of personalisation. Attendees will work in groups on real-life case studies to suggest solutions on how to improve the performance of the marketing, reporting back to the rest of the room with discussion. The session will end with a review of a ten-point marketing healthcheck that attendees can use to help future-proof their marketing.
Speaker: Rob Eveleigh, Brightelm
16:45 - 17.15
17:30 - 20:00
Wrap Up
Key learnings and takeaways!
After Party
Join us in the penthouse for a drinks reception before heading home.
Want to join us? Tickets are limited and registration is available until the 30th June.