Annual Conference

2012 AMDIS Annual Conference
'Squaring up to the economic climate - facts, figures, foresight and valuable ideas and initiatives'

Venue:      The Belfry, Sutton Coldfield, West Midlands
Date:         Monday 14 May - Tuesday 15 May 2012

Booking Form:  To download a booking form, click here.

We are very pleased to announce that Robert Ward, Director of the Country Analysis Team at the Economist Intelligence Unit will address the 2012 AMDIS Conference which will have the economic climate, both present and into the future, firmly at its core.  The conference programme has been developed to equip those attending with not only the facts, figures and foresight but also to offer some valuable initiatives and ideas that will help delegates to steer their schools through some potentially challenging times ahead.

Keynote Speaker
Robert Ward, Director of the Country Analysis Team, Economist Intelligence Unit
In his role Robert leads the Country Analysis team, which boasts more than 100 country and industry analysts and helps to shape the company's response to changing economic and political trends. Robert has also been spearheading the Economist Intelligence Unit's strategy for China, notably the launch of the new Access China product, which features detailed forecasts for 31 Chinese provinces and nearly 300 Chinese cities. He also plays a core role in communicating the company's forecasts and views to clients and other high-level audiences around the world.

Before taking up this role, Robert was the Economist Intelligence Unit's Global Forecasting Director. In this capacity he led the company's flagship Global Forecasting Service on the outlook for the world economy.

In 2006-08 Robert also led the Economist Intelligence Unit's automotive team, co-ordinating industry forecasts over nearly 60 countries and formulating the company's view of sectoral trends.

Robert holds a bachelors and masters degree from Cambridge University.

 Conference Speakers
-  Kevin Fear, Headmaster, Nottingham High School
-  Dr Joseph Spence, The Master of Dulwich College
-  James Hinde, Research Director, DJS Research
-  Garry Honey, Consultant and Teaching Fellow of the University of Oxford, Said Business School
-  Jenny Davenport, Managing Director, People in Business & Lecturer at Kingston Business School
-  Paula Carter, Viewer's Editor, Channel 4
-  Jonny Ross, Consultant and Social Media Expert
-  Rudolf Eliot Lockhart, Head of Research, ISC
-  Philip Allen, Head of Training Business Development, Institute of Fundraising

2012 Conference Programme
The 2012 programme will cover a wide range if issues and areas including research, internal and external communications, development and fundraising, overseas marketing, crisis management, marketing for smaller schools, admissions management and social media.  In addition, the latest ISC Census figures (due to be published on 29 April 2012) will be presented and anlysised.  The Conference Opening Address will this year be given by Kevin Fear, Headmaster of Nottingham High School and we are very pleased to have Dr Joseph Spence, The Master of Dulwich College, joining us as our After Dinner speaker.

The current economic climate will be at the core of the whole 2012 Conference Programme and our Keynote Address by Robert Ward, 'The UK economy and the next two to five years, what this means for independent schools' will esure that delegates will leave the conference equipped with the facts, figures and foresight as well as valueable insights, initatives and ideas to help them formulate plans and strategies for the coimng years.

Discussion Groups
'One of the most useful sessions of the conferene', 'Longer sessions would have been better', 'More of this kind of format, please'

Just some of the feedback from delegates regarding the Roundtable Discussion Groups at the 2011 AMDIS Conference.

Due to demand we will be running two sessions of Roundtable Discussions at the 2012 Conference.  This will enable delegates to attend two of the five groups that will be on offer.

Venue
The Belfry
Although host to four exciting Ryder Cup Championships, the Belfry doesn't just boast three excellent golf courses, set in over 500 acres of rolling countryside. The Belfry also offers

excellent leisure club facilities, including two spa pools, a sauna, heated swimming pool, a well stocked gym and tennis and squash courts. All the facilities are available to you during your stay at this five star conference centre.

The Belfry is easily accessible just off Junction 9 of the M42 and just 10 miles from Birmingham International Airport and Railway Station.

Sunday Stay
Why not take the hassle out of travelling and arrive early - you can spend an extra night at The Belfry and make use of the superb leisure facilities. Check into the hotel any time after 2.00pm. An informal supper has been arranged for Sunday evening. Special rates have been organised for anyone wishing to take up this additional offer. Please indicate on the booking form if you require a room for the Sunday night.
Don't forget to ensure that your final cheque payment includes your extra night stay.

Conference Packages
- Full Conference, Early Bird (all inclusive): £330 - Early bird available until Friday 16 March 2012
- Full Conference (all inclusive): £375 - Rate charged for bookings taken after 16 March 2012
- Monday Day Delegate: £135 - Not including Conference Dinner
- Tuesday Day Delegate: £125
- Sunday Stay: £145 - Includes Dinner, Bed and Breakfast on Sunday 13 May 2012

Tuesday 15 May 2012 - additional day delegate spaces available to Heads and Senior Management Team members.
The future global economic climate is potentially set to  have a significant effect on the whole of the independent schools'  sector in the coming two to five years. Our programme for Tuesday 15 May 2012 contains data and information that will be of immense importance and interest to Heads and Senior Management Team members from all schools.   

Additional places have been made available for the Tuesday session. If you would like to book further places, please indicate the names of the delegates on the booking form.