2023 Conference

AHOEC annual conference 2023

The AHOEC 2023 National Conference

NB: Provisional Timetable: (timings and workshops are subject to change)

Day 1: Wednesday 18th January 2023


  • 3.00pm – 4.30pm Arrivals. Kilve reception and main meeting room. Richard Hathaway and South and SW team + Kilve team
  • 4.30pm Welcome and Conference notices. Developing Independence in Learners Main meeting room. Dave/Mark, Chris Easterbrook
  • 5.30pm Networking and trade stands. Trade area and main meeting room – ALL
  • 6.00pm Dinner. The outdoor centre dining hall – ALL
  • 7.45pm – 9.00pm Bar is open till 9pm / Pub. The outdoor centre dining hall – ALL

Day 2: Thursday 19th January 2023

  • 8.00am – 8.45am Breakfast. The outdoor centre dining hall – ALL
  • 9.00am Conference notices. Main meeting room – Dave/Mark
  • 9.15am – 9.45am Deputy Director of Children’s Social care for Somerset. Main meeting room – Jayne Shelbourne Barrow
  • 10.00am AHOEC Business session. Lobbying and Voice (sector future). Main meeting room – Martin Smith
  • 10.45am Break. Trade Area – ALL
  • 11.15am Workshops.
    • Trash free Trails – Trash free trails
    • Insurance issues – AIM
    • Workforce Development through Apprenticeships – Recruit, Train, Retain – Channel Training
    • IOL Awards (LPIOL, FPIOL) – Jo Barnett/IOL
  • 12.30pm Lunch. The outdoor centre dining hall – ALL
  • 1.30pm Workshops.
    • Bushcraft – Basic Principles with diverse applications – Dave Watson
    • Mountain biking – Paul Booker
    • Go anywhere All terrain Wheelchairs – Gordon McGregor
    • Walk and talk – AHOEC exec
    • Building Students’ voice into residential outdoor learning – Stu Meese
  • 3.30pm Break. Trade Area – ALL
  • 4.00pm Ask the Panel. A group of willing “experts” will be available to answer questions and give opinions on a range of sector topics. Main meeting room – TBC (volunteers welcome)
  • 4.45pm AHOEC Business sessions. Building a resilient sector for the future (workshop/discussion). Main meeting room – AHOEC Exec
  • 6.30pm Pre-dinner drinks. The outdoor centre dining hall – ALL
  • 7.00pm Formal dinner. The outdoor centre dining hall – ALL
  • 8.30pm After dinner speaker and Bar. The Long Paddle – The outdoor centre dining hall – ALL
  • 12.00am Bar closed.

Day 3: Friday 20th January 2023

  • 8.00am – 8.45am Breakfast. The outdoor centre dining hall – ALL
  • 9.00am Conference notices. Main meeting room – Dave/Mark
  • 9.15am Conference notices. Quality and Safety in our sector. AHOEC/BAPA scheme. Main meeting room – Gold Managing committee
  • 10.00am Break. Trade Area – ALL
  • 11.15am Workshops.
    • Investigating, managing, and reducing human error – Steve Woods
    • Trash free trails: OUR MISSION is to reduce single-use pollution (aka; litter!) on our trails and wild places by 75% by 2025 and (re)connect people with nature through purposeful adventure – Trash free trails
    • Workforce Development through Apprenticeships – Recruit, Train, Retain – Channel Training
    • Future Footprints – Jo Barnett
    • Insurance – AIM
    • Bushcraft: Quality sessions and training – Dave Watson
  • 12.00pm Closing comments for the conference. Main meeting room
  • 1.00pm Lunch. The outdoor centre dining hall – ALL
  • 1.30pm. Departures

Exhibitors List

  • Adventure Climb Rescue: www.adventureclimbrescue.co.uk
  • NAHT: www.naht.org.uk
  • Skern Training: www.skerntrainingandskills.com
  • The Outdoors Company: https://theoutdoorscompany.co.uk/
  • AIM insurance: https://www.activitiesindustrymutual.co.uk/
  • GM4X: https://www.gm4x.co.uk/
  • Palm: https://palmequipmenteurope.com/gb/
  • Trash Free Trails: https://www.trashfreetrails.org/
  • IOL will have a second-hand kit exchange stand.