Expert Financial Sessions
Join seasoned professionals who've managed budgets exceeding £50 million for corporate events, festivals, and international conferences. Learn from practitioners who've navigated real market challenges.
Meet Your Session Leaders
Cordelia Whitmore
Corporate Event Finance Director
Cordelia spent twelve years managing financial operations for Europe's largest trade shows. She developed the contingency planning framework now used by three major exhibition companies. Her approach focuses on realistic scenario modeling rather than optimistic projections.
Beatrice Ashworth
Festival Finance Strategist
After managing budgets for outdoor festivals across unpredictable weather conditions, Beatrice understands how quickly costs can spiral. She'll walk you through the financial mistakes that nearly bankrupted two events she inherited — and how proper planning prevented disaster.
Upcoming Expert Sessions
Advanced Budget Forecasting Techniques
Cordelia examines how seasonal supplier pricing affects long-term event planning. We'll analyze actual budget data from three different corporate events, including one where initial estimates were off by 40%.
Crisis Financial Management
Beatrice shares real stories from festival finance — including the summer when three headline acts cancelled within 48 hours. Learn practical steps for protecting budgets when everything goes sideways.
Vendor Negotiation in Challenging Markets
Both experts tackle the reality of post-pandemic vendor relationships. Prices haven't just increased — entire supply chains shifted. Discover negotiation strategies that work when traditional approaches fall short.