Parklane Plowden: Personal Injury and Clinical Negligence Conference – Litigation and Rehabilitation: the role solicitors play in rebuilding lives

Scala was asked by leading the leading North Eastern set, Parklane Plowden Chambers, to assist with the concept, organisation, and event management of their annual autumn personal injury and clinical negligence conference in Leeds.

How we helped 

Concept

From the very beginning of the process, we recognised an opportunity to develop a unique conference programme that deviated from the one traditionally held by Chambers. Our close involvement with a range of organisations and individuals working in the personal injury and clinical negligence sphere provides us with a unique understanding of topical issue and the increasingly collaborative approach being taken by those working in this field.

Through our work with – STEPS Rehabilitation – we had already been involved in handling the PR for an Exoskeleton demonstration and witnessed the fantastic response from professionals seeing this technology close-up. Additionally, we had got to know a Doctor who had become paralysed following a cycling accident, and who was passionate about sharing his story; the impact of his injury and his rehabilitation journey. He was also keen to use an Exoskeleton as part of his rehabilitation.

This gave us the idea for the basis of the conference around which we could build a distinctive programme of speakers to attract high delegate numbers.

The aim of the conference was to highlight the role of solicitors in the rehabilitation process, but also provided a great opportunity to demonstrate the work STEPS Rehabilitation do with their clients.

Secured external speakers

We contacted each speaker (listed below) and liaised with them to secure their involvement and agree their talk topic. Throughout the process we provided regular updates to everyone, informing them of the conference arrangements (timings etc) and booked accessible accommodation where needed.

• Matthew Nakonesky (Speech Therapy North East)
• Dr Karen H Simpson (Consultant in Pain Medicine & Anesthesia)
• John Davis (Sintons)
• Daniel Herman (Stewarts)
• Ken Young (Keoghs)
• Dr Ruth Kent (Consultant Neurologist)
• Dr Ed Hudson (STEPS Rehabilitation)
• David Tomlinson (Barratts Solicitors)
• Mr Pradeep Thumbikat (Consultant Surgeon in Spinal cord injury rehabilitation – STEPS Rehabilitation.
• Jo Shaw (Physiotherapist, STEPS Rehabilitation)
• Alex Jones (Ectron Ltd)

Given the calibre of the event, through our network of contacts we were able to secure sponsorship from Affiniti Finance and liaised with Innova Care Concepts for the supply of a ‘plinth’ to be used as part of the Exoskeleton demonstration.

Venue

We scoped out several potential venues in Leeds before securing the DoubleTree by Hilton. This hotel was chosen for a number of reasons including: its close proximity to Leeds train station; the capacity and layout of the conference area; and also the overall quality of the hotel following a recent refurbishment. The hotel also benefits from the stunning ‘Sky Lounge Bar’ with impressive views across the city to accommodate delegates for post-conference drinks.

We liaised closely with the hotel on the run up to the conference, confirming equipment and accessibility requirements; delegate numbers and informing them of the conference schedule to ensure the smooth running of the day.

Conference Schedule

Once a list of internal (Parklane Plowden Chambers) and external speakers had been confirmed, we developed the conference schedule for the day. The afternoon session focused entirely on Dr Ed’s case study, with a moving talk from Ed himself (his first public speaking experience), his treating doctors and therapists and his solicitor which all showcased the collaborative approach to help catastrophically injured people. The finale was a showstopping exoskeleton demonstration by Ed which you can view here.

Marketing the event

We emailed Parklane Plowden’s client database to invite them to the conference and posted details of the event on the websites of both Parklane Plowden and STEPS Rehabilitation.

In addition, we devised and implemented a social media marketing schedule lasting several months which ensured the conference was shared across several platforms, including Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn.

Scala also tweeted throughout the day at the conference on behalf of Parklane Plowden Chambers and STEPS Rehabilitation; maximising social media engagement through retweets, likes and comments. From our analysis post-event, there were spikes in visitor numbers to both websites and significant social media activity. 

Marketing and Conference Materials

We worked closely with a graphic designer, Aimee (madebyaim) to design and edit the conference invitation, flyer and lanyards. In a move to reduce the amount of printed conference materials, we recommended to our clients to introduce a new system to enable delegates to access materials online.

Rather than giving delegates a pack of printed materials, on arrival at the conference each delegate received a lanyard which included the conference running order and speaker information, along with a QR code, link and password which directs delegates to the Parklane Plowden website, where they can download (and print if they wish) all conference materials (including PowerPoint Presentations) prior to, and after the conference.

Event Management

Scala travelled to the hotel early on the morning of the conference, liaising with the hotels Operations Team and members of Parklane Plowden Chambers to ensure the venue was set up and ready for the arrival of delegates from 8:30am.

This included setting up a registration desk, promotional stands and setting up the main conference room with Parklane Plowden marketing collateral.

We welcomed and registered over 100 guests, and looked after the external speakers, answering any queries and resolving issues.

Throughout the day, we maintained a visible presence and assisted as and when needed, we also closely monitored the progress of the day and ensured the conference ran on time.

Conference Follow Up

Following the conference, we created a feedback survey using SurveyMonkey which was circulated to all delegates for completion. From this we created a comprehensive report of all the feedback, which also included identify potential topics for future conferences.

We continued to share details of the success of the conference across social media and have seen an increase in followers and engagement on Twitter and LinkedIn for both Parklane Plowden and STEPS Rehabilitation.

Thanking all external speakers

We also thanked and tagged the external speakers in posts across the social media platforms and arranged for gifts to be sent to them on behalf of Parklane Plowden by way of thanks.

Delegate Feedback

The conference was a huge success, here’s what a few people had to say:
Jules Leahy, Founder and Business Development Director at STEPS Rehabilitation –

“Congratulations on organising such a successful event…We had so many lovely comments yesterday. You and Carly have done a superb job on so many levels…”

James Murphy, Barrister and Head of the Personal Injury and Clinical Negligence Team, Parklane Plowden Chambers: “It was an excellent programme & a slick production…one, if not the best conference we have done, a superb day and quality audience…”

Michael Stubbs, Practice Director, Parklane Plowden Chambers,

“A big thank you to Natalie and Carly for the organisation and the main instigators for such a wonderful conference, it wouldn’t have been so good without them…I cannot count on my two hands how many times I have been complimented on such a good conference and the speakers…”

Delegate

“Well organised conference, there’s nothing to improve on.”

Delegate

“An exceptional conference.”

Delegate

“I thought it was an excellent conference.”

 

If you require assistance with event management, please do not hesitate to get in touch: info@scala.uk.com / 0114 4070159.