JCI UK National Awards 2009 to be hosted by JCI Reading at The Penta Hotel on 4th to 6th December.

Please note the key dates to remember and take action if you are participating:

* Members Early Bird price of £95 all-in (excluding hotel accommodation) expires at 12 noon on 9th November 2009 * No refund of cancellations after 20th November 2009

Friday evening
6.00 pm: Board 2 Board (National Board 2009 and 2010)
7.00 pm: National Public Speaking Competition
8.30 pm till late: Welcome Party (with 2 course hot and cold finger buffet)

Saturday daytime
8.45 – 9.15 am: Registration (with tea/coffee and treats)
9.15 am: Welcome
9.20 am: The Art of Engagement
10.45 am: Break (with tea/coffee and nibbles)
11.15 am: The Art of Engagement
12.30 pm: Sandwich lunch
1.15 pm: National Debating Competition
2.45 pm: Key Note Speaker
3.45 pm: National Council (with tea/coffee and ‘pick me up’) – Room Penta 5
5.45 pm: National Council ends

Saturday evening
6.30 pm: Winter Pimms with roasted chestnuts
7.00 pm: National Awards Ceremony
8.30 pm till late: Black & Gold Masquerade three course Christmas dinner, half bottle of wine per person, tea/coffee and mince pies, followed by DJ entertainment.

Sunday
9.30 am: Champagne Reception – Penta 5
10.00 am: Senate Breakfast
10.15 – 1.15 pm: Deputy Training with lunch – Penta 4 (lunch 1.15 – 2 pm)
10.30 – 1.00 pm: National Board & Shadow Board – Penta 6
1.15 – 5.30 pm: New Trainers Day with lunch – Penta 4 (lunch 1.15 – 2 pm)

NB. These are approximate timings and will be confirmed nearer the Conference.

The main session for the event will be delivered by The Art of Engagement on Saturday 5th September. The draft program is set out in the information flyer, but more details will be forthcoming regarding all the sessions shortly.

What is the aim of The Art of Engagement?

Ultimately, The Art of Engagement aims to help organisations understand what they need to do to engage their staff (/members) by inviting them to experience engagement. It will challenge conventional thinking on engagement and encourage companies (/chambers) to devise and implement engagement techniques that have a real impact on their business (/chamber activities).

What are the benefits of The Art of Engagement?

The current recession means that engagement has never been as important for organisations as it is now. Statistics prove that it is organisations with engaged staff (/members) who will survive and be successful.

The Art of Engagement will help organisations (/members) understand what really makes people engaged. It is the first time ever that managers and staff (/members) will be able to experience what works and what doesn’t when it comes to contemporary engagement techniques. It will also enable them to create action plans to improve employee (/member) engagement.