RCOT’s review into its Annual Conference has now been completed, with the insights gained from member’s feedback helping shape future events. The results taken from the feedback, including information from previous annual conferences, the member survey, focus groups and telephone interviews and emails, has given RCOT a better understanding of what members are seeking from the yearly event.
The feedback received highlighted improvements that members want to see:
- Accessibility – this was a big topic, with many members finding it difficult to attend the annual conferences, due to either travel restrictions or not being able to get time off work.
- Sustainability – members said they have a strong desire to see future conferences delivered in a more sustainable way and with better value for money.
- Themes – the survey also showed members have a good appetite for overarching themes to be developed to determine and focus the content of the conference.
- Driving the agenda – many members said they want the annual conference to drive the agenda for further events and conversations over the coming year, with more interactive activities and discussions and greater focus on specific topics and theming.
- Informal channels - members embraced the need for scientific papers, but also recognised these should be balanced with more ‘informal’ channels to share practical learnings and ideas, drawing from a wider pool of contributors.
- Continuously evolve – members stressed there is an expectation for the conferences to continuously evolve in order to remain effective and relevant.
For more information on the review, please read the summary :
RCOT Chief Executive, Julia Scott, said of the review: “I would like to thank everyone who took part in the review, your feedback has given us a good understanding of what members are seeking from our annual conference.
“In developing RCOT’s future plans, as well as responding to the insight gained from the review, we have had to consider the ongoing impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Therefore, next year’s event will be our first virtual annual conference. Held over two days, it will be our more accessible and sustainable and will open the door for more participants to be able to take part. The content will be driven by the feedback gained from the review.
“A decision on the format of future conferences will be based on the situation at the time and on members’ ongoing feedback.”
The RCOT Annual Conference 2021 will take place from 30 June to 1 July 2021. Attendees will be able to choose their sessions and if they can’t attend the live sessions, they will be able to catch up at a time that suits them.
There will be time for presenting scientific papers, as well as debates and discussions on policy and practice. Delivering value for money will be core to the programme. Find out more on our Annual Conference page.