Bright Network FESTIVAL 2024 is taking place on Friday, 13th September. We're looking forward to it, and hope you are too! The leading employers joining us (including Clyde & Co, Lloyds Banking Group, P&G and many more) are excited to connect with you and other members to share their insights with you.
We know attending events can be a bit nerve-wracking for some people, so we want to make sure we provide as much reassurance and guidance as possible to ensure FESTIVAL is an enjoyable experience and safe place for everyone.
Resources
- Accessibility and inclusion for in-person attendees - if you're attending in-person, look at this section to see what support is available (from reserved seating to speaking to a certified Mental Health First Aider).
- Accessibility and inclusion for virtual attendees- if you're attending virtually, look at this section to learn how to use Zoom and utilise the accessibility and inclusivity features.
- Entry time FAQs - we're running FESTIVAL slightly differently this year and in-person attendees will choose whether to attend in the morning or the afternoon. Take a look at these FAQs if you have any queries about this.
- Networking top tips and etiquette - here are some key Dos and Don'ts for networking and access extra resources to feel confident in your networking abilities before the event.
- Guild - we have created an online community where you can meet other attendees before the event. Find out more about the community and how to use Guildhere, then join the FESTIVAL 2024 group via the links in the emails we've sent to you since you got a place at the event (try searching for "Your Application to Bright Network FESTIVAL 2024" in your inbox).
Advice for members attending in person
Venue
Accessing the venue
FESTIVAL 2024 is taking place at QEII Centre. The closest tube station is Westminster (Jubilee, District and Circle lines), which has step-free access. The venue also has step-free access. For information about the venue’s accessibility, take a look at the QEII centres’ accessibility page. If you require any other accessibility support at the venue, please let us know.
This year we're splitting entry times (morning or afternoon). However, we are making special allocations for members with accessibility needs. Please get in touch if this applies to you.
Auditory support
All speakers during the event will be speaking through a microphone, but if you’re hard of hearing we will also be showing closed captioning on at least one of the presentation screens. Please just bear in mind that it is live captioning so may not be 100% accurate.
If you require an auditory loop, please let us know by emailing events@brightnetwork.co.uk.
Prayer room
If you require a prayer room during the event, please speak to the Bright Network team at reception and they can direct you to the dedicated space.
Mental health support
If you’re feeling anxious or overwhelmed at the event - either because of anxiety, autism, or anything else - we have lots of support available, please don’t suffer in silence.
In the main room - where the keynote, panel, skill sessions will take place - we have some reserved seating. There are seats at the front, aisles and the back reserved for any members who have a mental or physical health condition and would prefer having an easy way to exit the room. If a reserved seat would help you feel more comfortable at the event, please let us know by emailing us at events@brightnetwork.co.uk.
If you need a quiet space to take a few minutes and calm down, speak to someone from Bright Network (you can always find someone at reception, but we’re also around the venue all day - look for someone in an orange t-shirt) and they can take you to a dedicated space. A mental health first aider from the Bright Network team will be onsite too, so they can also help you if required.
Gender neutral bathrooms
There are gender neutral bathrooms available on the 2nd floor - next to the Victoria and Albert rooms. Please consult the venue map (in the programme emailed to you on 12th September) for more details on where to find them.
Support from the Bright Network team
The Bright Network events team will be present around the venue all day. If you have a question or require support at any point during the event, we can always be found at reception at the entrance of the events space.
If you need first aid assistance at any point during the event, a mental health first aider and a physical first aider will be available to help.
Anything we haven’t covered? Get in touch
If you need support with anything prior to or during the event, or have any questions, please don't hesitate to email us at events@brightnetwork.co.uk and we'd be more than happy to help. Additionally, if you have any requirements that would help your attendance at the event be more accessible, please let us know and we can make suitable arrangements.
Advice for members attending virtually
Zoom
The event will be streamed over Zoom. You can access the sessions via a web browser or the Zoom app. You will need to have a Zoom account to access the experience.
Signing into your account
Your joining link will be sent to you before the event. Please ensure that you log into Zoom using the same email address you used to apply to FESTIVAL. Click on Register.
An example of the type of email you'd receive is below.
Auditory and visual support
Closed captioning can be added on Zoom Events by clicking the "CC" icon in the lower toolbar on Zoom.
The hosts', speakers' and panellists' introductions will include an audio description for any attendees with visual impairments. For example, "My name is Hester and my pronouns are she/her. I'm the Senior Events Marketing Executive at Bright Network. I'm a white female in her early twenties with curly ginger hair. I'm wearing a green t-shirt and behind me is a busy office."
Your profile
If you click on your icon in the top right corner, you can update your personal profile. You can also select whether you’re ‘Feeling Social’ and are happy for people to connect with you, are ‘Simply Exploring’, or would prefer to be hidden. If you select ‘Hide Me’ people will not be able to DM you, but we will still be able to see your icon and name if you post in the Lobby chat.
We suggest adding your First Name, Last Name, your Degree and University. Add your Degree in the designated space for ‘Position.’ Add your University in the designated space for ‘Company. If you have joined via the Zoom desktop app/client, you will have the option to Create a full profile. You can also add your pronouns next to your last name.
Anything we haven’t covered? Get in touch!
If you need support with anything prior to or during the event, or have any questions, please don't hesitate to email us at events@brightnetwork.co.uk and we'd be more than happy to help. Additionally, if you have any requirements that would help you access our event better, please let us know and we can make suitable arrangements.