The Event: Early Intervention and Learning Conference

Client Brief

Small Steps Big Changes (SSBC) is a 10-year, £45 million transformation programme led by Nottingham CityCare Partnership and supported by the National Lottery Community Fund’s A Better Start initiative. 

As SSBC entered the final phase of its journey in 2024, it aimed to host one last major event—a special two-day conference designed to celebrate its impact, share key achievements, and leave a lasting legacy for the community. To bring this vision to life, SSBC partnered with Assemble Events to create a high-quality, high-profile, and inspiring experience.

Our Approach

As an extension of the SSBC team, we worked closely with them and their key stakeholders to ensure a tailored, impactful, and engaging event. Our role included: 

Programme and Speaker Support;  

• Providing expert guidance in shaping the event programme 

• Developing engaging session formats 

• Managing the speaker journey from invitation, to briefing, to the event day. 

Event Marketing and Promotion; 

• Creating a strong visual identity for the event 

• Producing branded collateral 

• Creating and delivering an integrated marketing plan utilising email, social media and the SSBC website to boost visibility and drive registrations. 

Event Management; 

• Creating an event project plan and timeline 

• Budget management 

• Handling all operational details 

• Coordinating with the venue and suppliers to ensure a seamless and enjoyable experience for all attendees. 

Attendee and Stakeholder Management; 

• Creating and managing the registration process 

• Responding to attendee inquiries 

• Maintaining clear communication before, during, and after the event. 

Marketplace Exhibition Coordination;

• Creating a floorplan to encourage delegate interaction with stands 

• Managing communications and overseeing logistics to supporting individuals and programs in showcasing their work 

From planning to execution, we ensured every detail was thoughtfully managed, allowing SSBC to focus on celebrating its incredible journey. 

Event Impact

Over the course of the two-day conference, SSBC brought together its community to meaningfully reflect on and celebrate the achievements of the past 10 years. 

• Welcomed over 300 attendees 

• Delivered 14 engaging sessions featuring over 30 inspiring speakers 

• 97% of delegates rated their experience as Good or Excellent 

Participant Feedback

“Great presentations and very informative, but also the networking.” 

“The conference has given me food for thought.” 

Client Feedback

“The Small Steps Big Changes Programme commissioned Assemble Events to support in the delivery of our final in person two day ‘Early Intervention and Learning Conference’ in Nottingham. This was a crucially important event for us bringing together; 10 years of Nationally Lottery funded local test and learn, including evaluators and commissioned providers, local presenters, a range of national keynote experts on early years, child development and community capacity building and an opportunity to spotlight, showcase and celebrate the wider work of the Programme through a marketplace, the launch of a 10 year legacy film and animation, drinks reception and ‘travelling installation’.

Given the high expectations and ambitions we had for this event as our final conference, Assemble Events helped guide us through the whole scoping, and planning process liaising with the local Programme team on  venue, tech, food and drinks, invites, approaching keynote speakers and the structuring of the two days ensuring the different sections of the day were well timed, with good flow, opportunities for Q and A, handovers etc. In the build up to the conference and on the day their support was exceptional in ensuring all ran smoothly from last minute changes to seamlessly combining in person with virtual presenters. The Conference was a significant success more than 300 delegates attended over the two days, with 20+ speakers providing both local and national perspectives, and 17 local community-based organisations in our marketplace. Assemble Events provided support, challenge and high levels of expertise and acumen, enabling us to deliver a high quality learning event and a conference that truly celebrated the achievements of our work over the last 10 years.” 

Karla Capstick, Programme Director, Small Steps Big Changes