Events

We are shaping the day to include briefings, discussions, and conversational networking time so that you can get the most out of being in a room full of people who specialise in running gliding activities for club members.

The programme will be published in September and topics will all link to the conference theme of ‘participation’

Why participation? Have you seen the numbers recently? Something needs to change.

What does someone saying ‘I’m going gliding this weekend’ mean? They will be looking forward to having a nice time at their club and to taking part in all sorts of gliding activities, on the ground and in the air.

How can we make it easier for everyone to enjoy their gliding, so that whether new members or established pilots, they stay as a club member for longer?

And then there is the matter of promoting the sport to the general public: how can we do that well and then make sure people who come to gliding are well received and then looked after?

Building on recent research both within gliding and from other sports, there will be much to discuss, with plenty of scope for strategic thinking about the future of the sport and contributing your ideas. Gliding has never been a solo sport.

There are many topics currently in the mix:

Instructor development, Pilot development. Membership retention, Building the club brand, Promoting gliding, Membership recruitment, Encouraging volunteering, Club strategy, Governance, Succession, BGA News & Safety briefings

If you have ideas to contribute as we build the program, please let us know as soon as possible.

The £35.00 Delegate Fee includes:  

• Entry
• Access to conference materials & resources
• Lunch & refreshments

EARLYBIRD DELEGATE RATE £30.00 Available until 18th October 2024

The event is for elected and unelected club officials and key volunteers

• Chairs | Treasurers | CFIs | Club Managers | Junior Gliding Centre Coordinators
• People who are involved in developing and delivering specific gliding activities

We welcome unelected, active, club volunteers because we recognise that being ‘on the Committee’ is not for everybody. Whilst not every club is represented by their elected committee, and the aim of the conference is to share ideas and information between clubs so that each club is a vibrant and enjoyable place for taking part in gliding, so we welcome unelected volunteers to come and join in too.

Several clubs send multiple delegates who value their discussions during the shared car journey to and from the conference. We have plenty of space, so please do encourage more people from your club attend.

Extend The Day

Many delegates arrive on the previous evening, gather for dinner and catch up in the bar. They enjoy a good breakfast and an easy arrival into the conference room.  If this idea appeals to you, we have secured a preferential rate for early bookings before 4th October 2024.

Dinner, Bed & Breakfast Rate £119.00 or Bed & Breakfast Rate £99.00.

Please contact Eastwood Hall on 01773 532532 or 017732 532505, quoting “Club Development Conference”.

Comments from Previous Events:

“Great opportunity to meet like minded club members who are probably trying to solve similar issues and making similar mistakes. Meeting each other might solve the problems and reduce the mistakes!”

“Learning what works”

“This is THE event of the year for club management volunteers”

“A must attend event”

“The most useful event in the BGA calendar”

“Very good for sharing information”

“It gets better every year”

“The representation of the diversity of gliding in the UK, and from right across the UK was striking”

“that chance at lunch or tea break can put you alongside the particular person that can make all the difference to something you are doing”

 Can you afford to miss it?