From start-up successes to a star of the small screen, the 2023 CIPD Annual Conference and Exhibition in Manchester was full of fascinating stories – and the numbers prove it was a smash hit with the audience too.
The event, organised by Wonderly on behalf of the CIPD, brings together HR and L&D professionals from across the UK and beyond – including, notably, a 100-strong delegation from Iceland – to network, hear about the latest ideas affecting the profession and get the inspiration they need to ‘make work, work’ for individuals and organisations.
This year saw a focus on the implementation of AI into the workplace and the implications for HR and L&D, with a host of experts giving their takes on the topic, including keynote speaker Daniel Susskind, the technologist and author. But there was also a sprinkling of stardust – TV star Davina McCall told delegates how she had become an “accidental activist” after undertaking a campaign to change views around the menopause, while the conference was closed by racing driver Nicolas Hamilton and his inspirational personal story.
With more than 4,500 visitors to the conference and exhibition, visitor/delegate numbers were up significantly (34%) year on year and budgets were smashed by the Wonderly team. Aside from the speakers, visitors enjoyed Insight sessions from exhibitors and other experts, a legal drop-in clinic, a wellbeing zone and a special focus on ethics, including a mock employment tribunal on the exhibition floor.
“The team at Wonderly are brilliant and I love working with them!”
Matt Oliver, Event Strategy Manager, CIPD
“Exhibitions have been a key part of SEEDL’s strategy for 2023, and the CIPD have over-delivered our expectations for their 2 annual events; Festival of Work in London, and the Annual Conference and Exhibition in Manchester. The Exhibition Team have taken close consideration to drive footfall to all parts of their events meaning the floorplan really benefits all exhibitors regardless of location. The team are excellent to deal with and their communications on build up and during the exhibition have meant we’ve felt fully informed of what to expect. As a result, it’s no surprise to see the events well attended. The topics and themes CIPD promote to visitors and delegates, translates to quality and credible footfall; the audience is also the right type of decision makers we’d want to talk to. We’ve been impressed with the quality of the attendees and conversations our team have had on our stands, each event producing a number of new leads we’ve actively pursued, securing a number of new customers as a result. We’ve already booked in for 2024 – and look forward to building our relationship with the Wonderly and CIPD team, further.”
Kate Blair – Head of Events & Chief of Staff
