The Event: Global reputation-building events

Client Brief

The University of Nottingham planned a series of high-profile events to enhance its global reputation. These included sponsoring and participating in the Global Sustainable Development Congress (GSDC) in Bangkok, alongside a range of fringe events. Additionally, the university launched a new forum titled “Knowledge Diplomacy: The Role of International Higher Education in a New Geopolitical Era.”

Through these activities, the university aimed to: 

• Showcase its expertise as a global leader in Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) attainment through research, teaching, and cross-sector partnerships. 

• Amplify its inaugural participation in the THE Impact Rankings. 

• Engage university alumni across Thailand and Southeast Asia. 

• Strengthen existing and establish new research, teaching, and knowledge exchange (KE) partnerships. 

• Promote its academic offerings to prospective students in Thailand. 

• Enhance collaboration and strategic alignment among tri-campus colleagues in research, teaching, and philanthropic initiatives. 

To successfully deliver these events, the university enlisted Assemble Events to provide specialist resources and event management expertise, working closely with the multi-disciplinary project team across its three campuses. 
 

Our Approach

Working as an extension to the University project team we:

• Supported the team as they scoped the right approach for the tri-campus project

• Scoped the project with the team  

• Event budget 

• Project plan + internal communications 

• Guided the team throughout the planning process 

• Event delivery and co-ordination 

Event Impact

Through the strategic deployment of event activities, the University successfully met all of its objectives. Each event was designed to meet at least three of the six overarching goals to ensure maximum return on investment.

Client Feedback

“I had the pleasure of partnering with Assemble Events to deliver my university’s presence at a large international sustainability conference in Thailand. Assemble supported my project team by providing specialist event support and project management that allowed our team, operating across divisions and global campuses, to deliver a top-quality series of events engaging key cross-sector stakeholders. 

Assemble brought both experience in overseas events management and a valuable network of international contacts that helped make a complex project run smoothly. Assemble helped us find excellent venues for in-person events, negotiate contracts with overseas vendors, manage online registration processes for public events, interface with conference organisers, and publish a sleek final report showcasing how the project met its KPIs. 

The team was brilliant to work with, demonstrated consistent professionalism and kindness, anticipated potential obstacles before they arose, and calmly addressed and overcame challenges when they did arise. They were a delight to work with on all fronts.” 

John Coggin, Head of Research Advocacy, University of Nottingham