MEETinLEEDS, the conference and events facilities team at the University of Leeds, is moving towards a digital transformation to support the university’s long-term strategy.
As part of this new initiative, MEETinLEEDS will help employees work effectively by providing them with hybrid resources.
Its sustainability credentials will also be driven through new digitised and automated processes, and reduced paper use and manual processes.
As part of its shift towards a digitally-advanced workplace, the University of Leeds campus will see a physical transformation, which aims to enable meeting, education and social, informal spaces to enable multi-mode use, providing for both physical and remote communication.
Professor Phil Holmes, chair of financial risk management at the University of Leeds Business School, said: “The European Financial Management Association (EFMA) conference has been a great success, and that is due in no small part to the efforts and digital skills and facilities of MEETinLEEDS. Despite not being able to host a physical, in-person event, the team has shown determination and commitment in ensuring that the conference ran smoothly, with a large portion of that emphasis placed on the digital elements.”
Dr. Stephen Muench from the University of Leeds’ School of Biomedical Sciences and organiser of this year’s inaugural hybrid Astbury Retreat, added: “With support from MEETinLEEDS, the Astbury Centre was able to successfully hold its first ever hybrid Astbury Retreat in the Conference Auditorium over two mornings in September. The technical support MEETinLEEDS provided and the guidance on making use of the in-situ AV equipment and Zoom greatly facilitated a successful hybrid event. Attendees were able to watch and engage with presenters from inside the venue or elsewhere. During the recovery from Covid we are pleased to offer our members the choice of attending in person or online as preferences and schedules permit and we received positive feedback from the attendees.”
Harriet Boatwright, sales and marketing manager at MEETinLEEDS, concluded: “As part of the University of Leeds, we take great pride in ensuring that our work reflects the institution’s wider strategy, in order to take a collaborative approach in achieving those goals. Whilst we already had experience in virtual and hybrid events, their importance has really been brought to the fore throughout the pandemic, and we’re so pleased that we’ve been able to use technology to add extra value to our conference programme. We look forward to working towards our new digital transformation, as we see the industry continue to develop in a post-Covid landscape.”
