The Leisure Review is pleased to announce arrangements for its inaugural symposium. This event is the outcome of numerous conversations and lunches in which the future of the leisure sector, the nature of professional development and the absence of a focal point for industry debate were frequently discussed. Several people whose opinions we respect suggested that The Leisure Review might be well placed to provide a forum for such debate. Our initial response was a number of round-table discussions and then a series of larger TLR summits, events that proved popular among those who attended and provocative in terms of the topics covered. The Leisure Review symposium is the next step in the development of these events and, we hope, the logical conclusion of The Leisure Review as an independent view for the leisure industry.
The Leisure Review symposium
Date: Thursday 31 March and Friday 1 April 2011
Venue: Wadham College, University of Oxford
The concept
The Leisure Review is hosting a 24-hour symposium to provide an opportunity for senior practitioners and thought-leaders within the sport, leisure and culture sector to explore the future of the sector within the context of national policy and funding priorities. Through facilitated discussion and debate the symposium will create an environment for new and challenging thinking. Wadham College, Oxford will provide the appropriately scholarly setting for the event and delegate numbers will be limited to 80 to facilitate the exchange of ideas and perspectives.
The format
The emphasis of the symposium will be on providing delegates with opportunities for interaction with speakers, colleagues and peers, both formally and informally, throughout the programme. The opening afternoon will feature an expert panel to place sport, leisure and culture within the context of the new political and economic environment. Delegates will be invited to explore and challenge the panel’s theses, offering their own view of a viable and sustainable future for the sector. This will be followed by The Leisure Review lecture, the centrepiece of the event, and the symposium dinner. The final morning of the symposium will comprise focused discussion groups exploring specific aspects of the previous day’s debates. A closing plenary session will summarise the key conclusions of the symposium and seek to draft a communiqué relating to the future of the sport, leisure and culture sector.
Programme:
Thursday 31 March
1.30pm Arrival, registration and refreshments
2.00pm Facilitated discussion session with expert panel
(inc refreshments)
4.30pm Opening session concludes
6.00pm Early-evening reception
6.30pm The Leisure Review lecture
7.30pm Symposium dinner in the Grand Hall of Wadham College
(dress code: formal/black-tie).
Friday 1 April
9.30am Discussion groups
11.30am The symposium communiqué
12.30pm Symposium programme closes
An informal post-symposium programme will include the options of continuing discussion, site visits and study tours within the city of Oxford.
For the inaugural symposium we are delighted to offer the TLR First 500 and Friends a preferential delegate rate. A variety of rooms have been reserved within, and within walking distance, of Wadham College.
BOOK NOW: download the symposium booking form
The Leisure Review symposium
A new way of thinking about the delivery of sport, leisure and culture
The University of Oxford: home to the TLR symposium
