Megan’s July Monthly Roundup

Comfort zones, conversations & the Autumn conference season

Can we firstly take a moment to acknowledge that it’s the school holidays, and somehow already the end of July?

I hope the first couple of weeks have been kind to you. Whether you’re balancing work around childcare, entertaining little ones or simply wondering where the days are disappearing to, the juggle is real.

One thing I’ve really noticed this summer is that Horizon Leeds has become a bit of a breather for parents. I’ve been covering reception quite a bit over the last couple of weeks, and it’s been lovely hearing people arrive, take a breath and say, “It’s so nice to walk into somewhere calm.” A good coffee, plenty of natural light and a welcoming space before heading into a meeting or conference can make all the difference after a hectic morning.

It’s reminded me that the delegate experience starts long before the first speaker takes to the stage. As event organisers, we often focus on agendas and speakers, but sometimes it’s the smaller things that make the biggest impact. Have you built enough breathing space into the day? Could you offer flexible catering for delegates who need to dash off? Could you include wellbeing elements, movement breaks or even a short netwalking session?

People are busier than ever, and I think the best events recognise that. They don’t just deliver great content; they make life a little easier for the people attending. And if your plans change because life gets in the way, that’s absolutely fine too. We’ve had far more phone calls than emails recently because it’s simply quicker for people juggling school holidays, and we’re always happy to work around that.

A busy month in Horizon Leeds

July has been a brilliant month at Horizon Leeds. We’ve welcomed some fantastic exclusive-use conferences, including one of our regular medical clients, who once again made fantastic use of the whole venue with a busy exhibition alongside their conference programme.

We also welcomed another long-standing client, with multiple workshops running simultaneously before a drinks reception to round off the day. Events like these remind me that conferences are about far more than presentations – they’re about bringing people together.

Stepping outside my comfort zone

Talking of conversations… This month I did something that really took me out of my comfort zone. I’ve been helping to co-organise the BNI Northern Summer Mini Conference, making sure the event ran smoothly for 150 delegates, speakers, workshop hosts and suppliers.

Then I was asked another question… “Would you deliver one of the workshops?” And, if I’m honest, my first reaction was, “I’m really not sure about that.”

The workshop was something I’d created myself and, after spending months helping organise the event, I suddenly had to swap my organiser hat for my speaker hat. I knew it would push me outside my comfort zone, but I also knew it would help me grow. So, I said yes. The workshop focused on using workshops as a sales and marketing tool, but not in a traditional sales sense. Instead, it was about creating opportunities to solve problems, share expertise and build trust before anyone becomes a customer.

We’re living in a world where we’re constantly bombarded with content. Emails. LinkedIn posts. Videos. AI-generated everything. We’re experiencing what many people call a trust recession. Information has never been easier to access, yet genuine human connection has arguably never been more valuable.

The feedback from the workshop was incredible, and I’m now having some brilliant follow-up conversations with people who want support creating workshops of their own.

That, to me, proves the point. Getting people into a room and having real conversations changes everything. So, here’s my challenge for you this month.

• Pick up the phone.
• Arrange a coffee.
• Meet someone face to face.
• Have the conversation instead of sending another email.

It builds trust, prevents misunderstandings and creates opportunities that often never happen behind a screen. If you’d like a copy of the workshop blueprint, just let me know (drop me an email via Megan.MacBrairdy@thenhsalliance.org) . I’m also looking at delivering the workshop for other organisations, so if you think your team or network would benefit, I’d love to chat.

The biggest lesson for me was a personal one. Sometimes we become comfortable because we’ve become good at what we do. Then something comes along that stretches us, makes us nervous and reminds us that we’re still learning. Standing up to deliver that workshop did exactly that. If you’ve ever thought about delivering a workshop, speaking on a panel or presenting at a conference, this is your sign to say yes. And if you’re ever speaking at Horizon Leeds, give us a call beforehand. We’ll happily help you feel prepared and confident before you step on stage.

Looking into the Horizon

Looking ahead, my conversations have shifted towards autumn.

October is filling nicely, and November is becoming incredibly busy for exclusive-use conferences. We’ve recently had a rare cancellation for 16th–18th November, so if you’re planning a larger event this year, it’s worth getting in touch soon.

What I’m really enjoying at the moment, though, are the conversations that go beyond simply booking a venue. We’re working with clients on sponsorship strategies, delegate experience, branding, menus, conference objectives and measuring return on investment. One client is even exploring incorporating a morning networking run into their conference programme, bringing together wellbeing, relationship-building and the overall delegate experience in a creative way.

That’s what Horizon Leeds has always been about. We’re more than just a venue; we’re a team that genuinely cares about helping create brilliant events.

As always, if you’re planning something, even if it’s just an idea, I’d love to have a conversation. Sometimes the best events start with nothing more than a coffee and a chat. Here’s to seeing what August brings.

Have a brilliant month, and if you’re juggling work with the school holidays, you’ve got this.