#39 It's all about the conference

Last updated on Jun 22, 2026

Co-Chairs at the end of the setup day, getting the final bits of the venue sorted.

Weeknotes — Monday 13 April – Sunday 19 April 2026

Summary of the week

Ploughing through the mega list, crappy train travel, event space set up, tweaking sessions, and planning an itinerary for my sister's visit next weekend and a team away day.

IAF Conference week

We met with the session hosts online beforehand, getting to say hello to around 32 people who are running sessions in a few days. Last-minute questions and things they need to know about the venue. Anything to help people feel prepared and have a sense of what the plans were, especially useful for those who had never attended before. On the day it was great to meet people in person, people whom we had been emailing for months, sponsors who were keen to be part of the event. Volunteers decorating and setting things up for everyone.

Last questions session for core volunteers

We had organised a last-questions meeting before the conference got underway, getting all the last details sorted and making sure everyone knew what they needed to know. The calm before the event. Thankfully, we had all 104 tasks on our to-do list all green and completed. Our run sheet for the day.

There is always something slightly surreal about arriving at a venue you have visited and planned around for months and seeing it finally filled with people.

We had a lot of prep to do the day before, and both myself and PK had to make all the final adjustments in line with things that we had planned. Figure out some things that needed adjusting, like the table arrangements, food, sponsors. Very glad to have had a core team of volunteers and wonderful volunteers on the day. This year's run sheet (something I used a lot with customer visits and used in tv production too) detailing times, names, numbers, key activities so everyone knew all the jobs and assigned roles to help the day flow as best as it could. (all the behind the scenes work the volunteers worked hard on)

Crowded trains, full kit list of visual workshop materials, set up crew making the venue amazingly inviting, Facilitate Sheffield

The conference itself was brilliant. So much work has gone into this from so many people, and being in the room seeing people connect, think, and take things away, is the best reminder of why it is worth doing.

It was relentless work to get through our epic to do list. But when people thanked me and gave small gifts to mark the effort, something shifted. I felt so grateful for all the words of support and felt very honored to be amongst some of the genuinely kindest people. Suddenly, all those months didn't feel like a sacrifice anymore. Seeing how everyone was enjoying connecting, having space to chat, collaborate, hugs all around, catch ups between people having spent a year away, sponsors engaging with facilitators, the buzz and atmosphere was incredible.

I was extremely proud to open the conference and welcome everyone. Public speaking with nearly 200 people no longer scares the crap out of me. I loved being up there, seeing everyone looking forward to being at the conference, networking, learning and sharing a beautiful experience together.

App Development

With all the things happening this week, the focus was on Skool sessions continuing through the week. Making sure I was present there for the regulars. Even during conference week, the community keeps going, as I rescheduled a session for a Sunday when I got back home. Thankfully, it was a brain dump session, so I needed it with so many things buzzing around my head. Got started on a playbook to help the next volunteers. This was to start documenting all the things to consider, something that can be passed on each year, iterated on and developed.

Sib stopover

Leena visited this week. Love having her around; she had work to do, so it was great to have people around - in-person, body doubling. We had a list of things to do while she was here, checking out fresh places in Sheffield. And a firm favourite was Domo, a Sardinian restaurant, Gills and Co. wine bar with the best wine selection and crunchy fries. We discovered some ace places, cocktails and delicious food plus we racked up many steps walking around in the sunshine all over Sheffield.

I wonder... what stays with people after a conference, not the sessions, but the conversations and the connections they make long after the event.

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