A few weeks on from Care Show Birmingham and we’ve finally had a moment to reflect on this year’s event.

From the opening of the doors on the morning of day one, right until the closing remarks of the very last speaker on day two, we welcomed over 4,500 care sector professionals to our show floor. It is fair to say that between the buzz of excitement in the air, the echoing of steel drums, the harmonies of a barber shop quartet, and the occasional clucking of a rogue chicken, this year’s Care Show Birmingham was one to remember.

This year’s programme boasted some of the best speaker presentations and panel discussions to date, with topics covering government and policy changes, funding options, CQC framework advice, interior design and excellence, technological innovation, and so much more. The Outstanding Society’s Learning Lounge was a bustle of activity, with a series of engaging and thought-provoking panel sessions. With over 250+ speakers taking part across our eight dedicated theatres, Care Show Birmingham had so much to offer.

Our exhibitors also went above and beyond this October, leaving nothing to chance. Stand activities included live singing, product launches, magic acts, give-away competitions, caricature drawings, and an abundance of complimentary food! From one stand to the next, there was plenty to get involved in.

After a sufficient amount of R&R and a cup of tea in hand, now feels like the perfect time to reflect on some personal highlights from the show…

Reaching new heights

This year’s show boasted some of the tallest and most extravagant exhibitor stands to date. Whilst Nourish took to the sky with Care Show’s very first two-tiered stand, Blueleaf Care also raised the roof with an unmissable pink and blue double-decker bus. Both stands created a great deal of excitement among attendees and exhibitors alike and were certainly ones to look out for. With such lofty landmarks raising the bar for future shows, who knows what might feature next…

 

Dinner is served!

Serving up insights from women who have achieved great things in social care, the W.A.G.S. invited attendees to participate in their thought-provoking dinner dialogue in the People, Workforce & Wellbeing Theatre. With Adam Hutchison as maître d’, Ann Taylor, Vic Rayner, Angela Boxall, and Jane Townson dished up personal and professional influences and inspirations within the broader context of social care, all served with the metaphorical flavour of a dinner party. The audience was packed, the conversation engaging, and the take-aways ones to remember.

The only long faces at Care Show

This year we were thrilled to welcome back the beloved Shetland ponies to our Care Show Therapy Petting Zoo, along with a collection of rabbits, guinea pigs, goats, and even a number of chickens! Our attendees were able to meet and interact with the animals, exploring the social, emotional, and physical benefits to be gained as they showcased their calming qualities and therapeutic role in the care sector. The perfect edition to the show that has it all!

Go green or go home!

Pioneered by Grace Cares, a not-for-profit leader in sustainability in the care sector, Care Show Birmingham flaunted its very first Sustainability Zone. Not only did they launch their Sustainability Guide for Care Managers with The Caring View - unveiled alongside a performance from their very own barbershop quartet - but also hosted the national final of the Pimp My Ride campaign, encouraging students to help to upcycle mobility aids and promote sustainable use of care equipment. The overall vibes were immaculate and the engagement from attendees unmatched.

THANK YOU

All in all, Care Show Birmingham was a raging success, and could not have happened without the support of all those involved. THANK YOU to each and every speaker that contributed to the conference programme with expert insights and compelling discussion points. THANK YOU to all the exhibitors who took part and created such an engaging show floor. THANK YOU to our partners and sponsors for your support and guidance throughout the event, and finally a massive THANK YOU to our attendees for coming along and helping us to celebrate and share the passion of the social care sector.

 

If you would be interested in speaking at our future events, please get in touch with Molly Benson at m.benson@closerstillmedia.com