Introduction
Our learners had just 6 weeks to research, plan and deliver a conference to a select audience of internal staff from the College and external guests from the local community on the theme of religion and belief in the workplace. Our Travel and Tourism students were also being asked to participate in the event as well, with two of the students volunteering to give a presentation. This conference allowed our learners to showcase their skills such as as customer service, event management and team working and apply them to an event of importance to the local community. It was also an opportunity for our catering students to demonstrate their talents, as they were tasked with providing refreshments and preparing the end of conference buffet. We asked learners to tell us their initial thoughts about doing this project?
"I want to get involved although I am not sure what role it is going to be"
"Excited"
"I'm looking forward to it but not really sure what it's all about"
"Keen"
"I want to get involved although I am not sure what role it is going to be"
"Excited"
"I'm looking forward to it but not really sure what it's all about"
"Keen"
The Venue
The venue for the conference was the Banquet Hall located in the historic and prestigious 14th century Boston Guildhall, now a museum for the town. Our learners arranged a visit the venue and began researching its famous links to the Pilgrim Fathers. Learners were also tasked to give thought as to how the conference could be delivered. Particular attention was given to room layout, meeting and greeting arrangements, as well as assessing the dietary and access needs of what would be a diverse list of delegates.
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Some of our learner's ideas are inspired and are quickly taken on board and used on the day of the conference. For example, the design of question cards for delegates who may prefer to submit their question in words rather than speak in front of an audience.
Attention to detail!
Final preparations being put in place ready for the delegates arrival. Our learners had responsibility for designing the room layout and producing an itinerary that met the needs of their client - Just Lincolnshire
Final preparations being put in place ready for the delegates arrival. Our learners had responsibility for designing the room layout and producing an itinerary that met the needs of their client - Just Lincolnshire
Our learners discovered and learnt that an understanding and consideration of people's different religions and cultures is very much about providing good customer service - essential for a career in catering or travel and tourism. For example, they had to plan and meet the dietary requirements of our delegates and consider if facilities were required for prayer.