Session lead guidance

• These sessions, whether they are on a Learning Theatre or in a separate room, are for around 100 people
• 45 minutes in length
• Theatre-style layout (rows of chairs)
• The focus is on showcasing outstanding work within organisations and systems, delivered by the NHS and/or its partners
• Case studies should be presented by those leading the initiatives locally, aiming to share insights and demonstrate how other teams and organisations could achieve similar results, covering action, impact, challenges, lessons and key takeaways
• No more than two case studies per session, with one or two representatives from the organisations responsible
• No more than four speakers, including the session chair.
• These sessions should include a 15-min Q&A session within the overall 45-minutes.

• For 60 - 150 people
• 60 minutes in length
• Banqueting-style layout (round tables with seating all around them)
• Limited speakers – these sessions are not expected to have panels of speakers. For interactive sessions please consider how the interactive elements of the session will be managed and any facilitators you may need to support your session.

• Session leads are responsible for thoroughly checking all speakers and case studies. Please refer to the full guidance document for session leads. 

• Focus on the most impactful and adaptable/adoptable transformations within your work area. 

• Over half attendees at NHS ConfedExpo are Heads of Department or senior leaders, so all sessions must allow ample time for Q&A and discussion. 

• Roving handheld mics are available in all interactive sessions. Other session leads can request these when you fill in your AV request form.
• Insights gathered from interactions, networking or Q&A should be followed-up post-event by the case study presenters and/or the session Chair. 

• Minimise national NHS speakers to one at most, with speakers drawn from across the health and care sector
• Ensure diversity in speakers, considering protected personal characteristics.
• Adhere to the speaker numbers for your session type, as set out above.
• Email sessions@nhsconfed.org before inviting any speaker from national or local government, or from a national Think Tank
• Brief and prepare your speakers, including:
  • What each speaker will concentrate on and how speakers’ topics fit together as a whole
  • Where speakers will gather ahead of their session
  • Confirming attendance and ensuring speakers submit their profiles as early as possible.
• Please confirm all speakers’ names, email addresses, organisations and job titles as early as possible in Lineup Ninja, even if you have not yet confirmed your session name and description. Final deadline is 14 March.
• Once a speaker is marked as confirmed in Lineup Ninja, we will contact them for their biography and photo. If a speaker shares these with you, please forward them to Sessions@nhsconfed.org

• It should always be possible to demonstrate co-production in your session content and there are various ways to work with and/or include Lived Experience Partners and diverse people and communities in your session at NHS ConfedExpo 2025.
• Where possible, taking account of any individual’s speaking experience at events, try to work alongside and/or include people with lived experience as you design and deliver your session.
• Other ways to demonstrate diversity and co-production include:
  • video footage of lived experience partners / diverse people and community involvement
  • direct quotes from members of the public you’ve worked with
  • a description of how you’ve recently incorporated people and community centred insight into your findings and actions
  • detail on the impact the work has had on people and communities, for example on the difference in care received or access to services for lived experience partners.

You are responsible for fully developing and submitting your session, including:

• Meeting all deadlines for confirming:
  • Names and job titles of speakers (on Lineup Ninja)
  • Session title for publication (on Lineup Ninja)
  • Session description for publication (on Lineup Ninja)
  • Slides for your session - note slides are not required for sessions and we encourage you to keep them to a minimum.
  • Confirming your audiovisual needs, including microphones
• Ensuring your session is up to date, reflecting any developments in your work area, especially those related to the Ten-Year Health Plan or other key national strategies plans.
• Cover efficiency savings, productivity gains and staff benefits where relevant in your session, alongside the core aim of improving quality, safety and patient access.
• Communicating and promoting your session:
  • Use your existing channels to target the most relevant audiences for your topic
  • Materials including generic copy, social media graphics, and a PowerPoint slide template, will be provided.

Catch up on the session lead briefing from 19 February 2025.