A major exhibition in Coventry will give practitioners across the early years and primary education sector fresh insight and ideas to help the industry move forward following the pandemic.
More than 2,000 delegates are expected for the Childcare & Education Expo at Coventry Building Society Arena from 24 to 25 September.
It will be the 11th time the show - which runs in three locations across the UK - has been held in Coventry, with the Coventry Building Society Arena being its launch venue in 2010.
The free event will be the first opportunity for the professionals in the industry to meet in around two years, with over 100 exhibitors showcasing products and services.
It is specifically for professionals, practitioners, teachers and senior leadership who work in early years and primary education.
For this year the trade exhibition has expanded into primary education for the first time and will feature a packed schedule of panels and seminars.
Key speakers will include June Sullivan MBE, Chief Executive of London Early Years Foundation, Purnima Tanuku OBE, Chief Executive of NDNA and Professor Christine Pascal OBE, Director for Research in Early Childhood.
It follows a string of successful virtual summits over the last 18 months which have united the early years and primary education sector.
Director and Show Organiser Emma Barrett said: “It has been a very challenging couple of years for the sector and while we have been able to provide support through our virtual summits it will be great to engage with the industry again at a face-to-face event.
“This is the longest running exhibition in the early years sector and we are now launching into primary education too, with panel sessions and seminars focusing around both sectors across the two days.
“For 2021 the hot topics will be around how the sector moves forward in the post-pandemic world and also be a showcasing products which will help to enhance learning methods which have become popular during the pandemic, for example we will have a forest school area promoting the benefits of outdoor learning for children. We will also be focusing on sustainability and Birth to 5 Matters guidance.
“Unlike some events we won’t be just focusing on the leaders and CEOs of the industry. We will be welcoming practitioners on our panels who have first hand experience of working on the front-lines of childcare in this very difficult period.
“We have been working with Coventry Building Society Arena to grow our show for more than 10 years and we’re pleased to be continuing our long-term presence in Coventry this year.”
Paul Michael, Commercial Director at the Coventry Building Society Arena, added: “We have an excellent long-term partnership with the organisers of the Childcare & Education Expo and it will be fantastic to welcome the exhibition back in September.
“At the Arena we pride ourselves on building strong relationships with organisers and helping them to grow and develop their events, and that is certainly the case with this exhibition over the last 11 years. It will be great to welcome back some familiar faces.”
For more information about Childcare & Education Expo visit www.childcareexpo.co.uk/why-visit-midlands/