Conferences are opportunities for all members to gather twice a year, normally in alternating member cities but most recently online. The programmes offer constructive insights into topics and developments of current practical interest, including critical coerced changes due to CoVid-19 related operational restrictions across all departments. Conferences also serve to develop contacts for Europe-wide collaborations and innovative production formats.
Specialist forums accommodate the needs of the specialist groups for confidential peer-to-peer discussions and sharing or even developing best practises in their respective fields. There are active forums of 13 groups: Artistic Administration & Producing; Audio-visual & Digital media; Chorus managers; Costume, Make-up & Wig; Education; Fundraising; Sustainability; Human Resources; Independent Producers; Marketing & Communication; Orchestra managers; Technical & Production; and Technical Managers & Set Workshops. Because of recent developments, the frequency of these specialist exchanges has increased and moved online.
Online meetings enable colleagues usually less able to travel to live events to connect with a large number of peers. Consequently, they will be maintained as an option for our future planning when physical meetings resume.