Our 2019 Conference, Awards, and Exhibition guide: what you need to know

24-26 June 2019
East Midlands Conference Centre, Beeston Lane, Nottingham, NG7 2RJ

Registration and accommodation

Our registration desk in the entrance hall is open from 9am–6pm on Tuesday, and 8am–3pm on Wednesday.

Room keys can be collected from 3pm on Tuesday from the registration area at the East Midlands Conference Centre (EMCC). You must collect your own key. Please make sure you have vacated your bedroom by 9.30am on Wednesday. Keys should be dropped in the key collection boxes in the common area of your accommodation block or at the hotel reception desk.

Luggage may either be left in your vehicle in the car parks, which are all monitored by security, or in the luggage room in EMCC. Please inform a member of staff at the registration desk if you wish to use the luggage room.

Transport

If you have travelled by car, it is free to park on campus. Please park in the EMCC car park, using alternative car parks if this is full. Cars can be left in any of the car parks on site. Parking permits will be needed if parking in an alternative car park. These can be collected from EMCC reception. Delegates who wish to park at the Jubilee Conference Centre will also need to display a parking permit.

On Tuesday evening, coaches will take you to Colwick Hall for the drinks reception and dinner. The pick-up point will be outside East Midlands Conference Centre from 6pm–7.30pm, and 10.30pm–12.30am to take delegates back to their accommodation. There will also be a pick-up point outside Jubilee Conference Centre departing at fixed times.

Please speak to a member of the team for further details.

Food

Breakfast is served in your accommodation restaurant, on the ground floor from 7am–9am. All meals and refreshments are included in the conference fee, including lunch on both Tuesday 25 and Wednesday 26 June.

If you have any dietary requirements, e.g. vegan, dairy free, or coeliac please make yourself known to the catering staff.

Evaluation

Please complete the evaluation form in your pack, and return it to the registration desk on Wednesday 26 June, or post it back to us.

Other information

If you need to leave a plenary or focus session early, please try to minimise noise and disruption.

If you require any help with getting around any of the venues or locating disabled access entry points to buildings, please speak to a member of staff who will be happy to help.

Quick FAQs

I’ve run out of cash. Does the venue have an ATM?
The University of Nottingham campus has a small shop and ATM; Another ATM can also be found in the David Ross Sports Centre, just across the road.

Can I tweet during conference?
Yes please! Use the hashtag #CharityRetail2019. Keep up with what everyone else is saying by following @CharityRetail on twitter. At the awards dinner use the hashtag CharityRetailAwards

Which focus sessions am I booked into?
Your focus session choices are on your name badge. Rooms for each session can be found in the Conference Programme.

I’m speaking at conference: where do I go?
To register, please go to go the Entrance Foyer where you will get your speaker pack and shown to the room you’ll be using, checking you’re happy and your presentation works.

I’m chairing a focus session. What do I do?
Please collect the ‘Chair Guidelines’ pack from the speaker’s desk and try to introduce yourself to the speaker in good time before the session.

I’ve lost one of my personal belongings.
Please speak with EMCC reception and they will assist you. Come to stand 23 if you need replacement items of anything contained in your delegate pack.

What time is breakfast?
From 7am–9am on both mornings in your accommodation restaurants. Cooked and continental.How do I book a taxi back to the station?

I have a dietary requirement, who do I speak to?
Please speak to one of the catering staff at EMCC or Colwick Hall who will talk you through the menu/provide you with an option for your dietary needs.

Can I buy a drink or snack at the venue?
There are unlimited refreshments throughout the conference in EMCC. If you fancy something different, you can pop to the hotel bar, or there is a small shop on campus by the Portland Building.

How do I get from Jubilee to East Midlands Conference Centre?
If you have booked accommodation in Jubilee Halls, the address is: Triumph Road, Nottingham, NG7 2TU. You need to make your own way between both venues during the day on Tuesday and Wednesday (a free shuttle bus will transport you from Jubilee to Colwick Hall and back again for the awards dinner).

Most people staying in Jubilee are driving, but if you did not drive we would advise you booking a taxi or asking another delegate for a lift.

How do I book a taxi back to the railway station?
You can ask EMCC reception, or the hotel reception to book a taxi. Otherwise please book one yourself. Here are some local companies:

  • DG Cars: 0115 950 0500; Nottingham Cars: 0115 970 0700
  • Central Cars: 0115 976 2222
  • Lenton Cars: 0115 978 1781
  • Forest Cars: 0115 950 0600.

What time is hotel check out on Wednesday morning?
10am. You must drop your key into the key return box in the accommodation block or reception. You can store your luggage in the luggage store on Wednesday, which will be manned.

24-hour security and support in campus
Outside of the conference timings:

  • Orchard Hotel guests: use any internal phone and dial 0 for reception, otherwise telephone 0115 876 0900.
  • Student halls of residence guests, please telephone 0115 951 3013.
  • Jubilee guests: please telephone 0115 938 0080.

Can I get a copy of the slides from the focus sessions?
Slides and any handouts will go up onto the members’ area of the website next month (as long as the speaker is happy for us to share it)

How to do I get over to the Colwick Hall venue for the Charity Retail Awards on 25 June?
There will be coaches outside EMCC and at the Jubilee accommodation to take delegates over to the evening venue (until 7.30pm) and then back again from 10.30pm – 12.30am. Please do not drink and drive.

What is the Awards Night dress code?
Smart please. However, no one will be denied entry.

Useful links