We’re heading to Derbyshire for our fifth Members’ Away Day – a half day’s un-conference and optional residential to take time out to work on your business, connect with other people working in magazines, and be part of presentations and discussions to help you with your magazine publishing challenges.
What is an un-conference?
Our Away Day is a half day conference for people working in and around magazine publishing.
But there’s a twist. It’s an un-conference, which means the speakers are also the delegates.
Once you’ve booked to attend, we’ll ask you to submit the topic of something you would like to talk about. This could be business or personally focussed; it could be magazine related or something that feeds the industry; it could be something you’re looking for feedback on, or something you think you could support others with.
The topic is entirely up to you, as is the format – whatever you’d be happiest with. It could be:
- a talk
- a workshop
- a discussion point
- a case study presentation
- a skill-share
- or something else entirely
We suggest 30 minutes for each session, but if you have an idea that would be longer or shorter, just chat to us about it.
We’ll take all the topics submitted, anonymise them, and then put them out to vote on from everyone attending. This means that whoever gets chosen will know that there’s already lots of people who would like to hear from them, which hopefully will reduce some nerves, and make the conference useful and fun for everyone.
Not sure what to put forward? Everyone that submits a topic, is also asked to submit a topic that they’d like to hear about, so we may be able to offer inspiration. Email Nikki Simpson for a chat.
What’s the Agenda?
We’ll have lunch on arrival on the 22nd, then the conference with a break in the middle, time to relax before dinner, then dinner and drinks in the evening.
If you’re staying over, breakfast will be available on the 23rd, and there’ll be a chance for a walk-and-talk (weather permitting) before we head home.
Thursday 22nd May
- 11am-12pm Arrival and bag drop-off
- 12pm Lunch
- 1pm Conference Part 1
- 1pm Welcome and introductions
- 1.10pm Speaker 1
- 1.40pm Speaker 2
- 2.10pm Speaker 3
- 2.40pm Speaker 4
- 3.10pm Break for refreshments
- 3.40pm Conference Part 2
- 3.40pm Speaker 5
- 4.20pm Speaker 6
- 4.50pm Speaker 7
- 5.30pm Break before dinner
- 6.30pm Dinner
Friday 23rd May
- 8am-9am breakfast
- 9.30am-10.30am walk-and-talk (weather permitting)
- 10.30am check out and head home
What do tickets include?
This is a members-only Away Day, so if you’d like to attend but you’re not a member, please sign up here and we look forward to meeting you.
Tickets include attendance at the conference, lunch on arrival, dinner and three drinks in the bar after dinner, and your accommodation and breakfast if you’re staying over.
- Conference + accommodation in Family Room – £270+VAT
- Conference + accommodation in Superior Room – £260+VAT
- Conference only, no accommodation £150+VAT
We ask you to make your own way there – if you would like to car-pool, get in touch and we can introduce you to other people coming from your area.
Book your place
Choose which accommodation you would like. For double occupancy, please book a second ticket without accommodation, and let us know you’ll be sharing.
Family Room – £270+VAT. Spacious rooms with a large bed, single bed or futon and ensuite bathroom. Price includes lunch on arrival, attendance at the conference, dinner and three drinks after dinner, and your accommodation and breakfast.
Superior Room £260+VAT. Spacious rooms with a large bed and ensuite bathroom. Price includes lunch on arrival, attendance at the conference, dinner and three drinks after dinner, and your accommodation and breakfast.
Conference only, no accommodation £150+VAT. Price includes lunch on arrival, attendance at the conference, dinner and three drinks after dinner.
FAQs
Q Where are we going this year?
Join us at The George Hotel in Hathersage, nestled in the Peak District’s Hope Valley. The address is The George Hotel, Main Road, Hathersage, Derbyshire S32 1BB
Q What’s the easiest way to get there?
- By train: Hathersage is the nearest train station, which is 2hrs 30mins from London, change at Sheffield; 4hrs 30mins from Edinburgh, change at Sheffield; or 1hr from Manchester, direct. The train station is 9mins walk from The George. We recommend using Lumo for affordable train fares.
- By car: The George has ample parking available at the hotel. We encourage you to car pool – get in touch if you’d welcome a lift or a passenger.
Q I’d like to car pool – can you put me in touch with others attending?
We’d be happy to. Email us and we’ll introduce you to others coming from your area.
Q I’d like to come but I don’t know what to put forward as a talk topic – can you help?
If you’re not sure about what to put forward or you feel nervous about public speaking, get in touch and we’ll have a chat about it – there are lots of ways we can support you and things we can suggest to make you feel more comfortable. Know though, that everyone coming will be there to support each other – you will feel welcome.
Q What happens if I book but then can’t come? What is your refund policy?
We will refund you:
- 100% of the ticket fee if cancelled by 20 March
- 50% of the ticket fee if cancelled between 21 March and 17 April
- 0% of the ticket fee if cancelled after 18 April
Q Can I pay in instalments?
Yes, just drop us a line and we’ll set you up a link to pay over 3 months or 6 months.
Q What happens if Covid restrictions return and the event is cancelled?
We will refund all ticket fees.
Q I have other questions, who do I speak to?
Please direct all enquiries to Nikki Simpson, she’d love to chat to you.
