Annual Conference Itinerary

At a time when the Higher Education sector is facing significant change and challenge, this year's conference will focus on how University Catering Managers can "Raise the bar" in 2012 by developing themselves, their teams and the services they offer to meet the increasing demands of full fee paying students.

The TUCO Conference is a great opportunity for individuals working in the higher education catering arena to undertake professional development and to network with people from other institutions within the sector.

The conference will take the format of a business programme with specialist keynote speakers. The emphasis will be on personal development with motivation, team building and increasing performance key topics. Other sessions will include workshops aimed at creating opportunities for delegates to focus on specific topics in smaller groups. Finally a panel session will allow for an in depth discussion around key issues facing the sector at present.

Given the increased financial challenges that many institutions face, the trade exhibition of over 50 suppliers will allow delegates to start pulling together their service and sales plans for the coming year.

And last, but not least, a social programme taking in some of Blackpool's most famous attractions is aimed at providing an ideal networking opportunity as well as time away from the intensive business programme.

Monday 26th March
All day	Exhibition set up all day	Hilton Hotel
All day	Delegate arrival	Imperial Hotel
Evening	Conference social and dinner	Tower Ballroom
Tuesday 27th March
9.00am - 9.30am	Conference opening address
9.30am - 10.30am	Keynote: Jim Lawless Change management and team motivation
10.30am - 11.15am	Refreshments and exhibition
11.15am - 12.15pm	Keynote: Ed Bussey Target setting
12.15pm - 1.30pm	Lunch and exhibition
2.00pm - 5.00pm	Conference workshops Focus on developing transferable skills in smaller focussed groups
Evening	Competitions awards dinner and entertainment
Wednesday 28th March
9.00am - 10.30am	Exhibition
10.30am - 11.30am	Keynote: Pete Cohen Commercial entrepreneurship and achieving goals
11.30am - 12.15pm	Nigel Howarth
12.15pm - 1.30pm	Lunch and exhibition
1.30pm - 2.30pm	Keynote: Sally Gunnell Setting goals for success and motivating teams
2.30pm - 3.00pm	Refreshments
3.30pm - 4.30pm	AGM
4.30pm	Conference closes
Evening	Conference annual gala dinner
Thursday 29th March
Morning	Conference delegates depart