The CBEB are please to invite you to this FREE virtual conference to be held on the 12th September 2006.  The conference is aimed at employers and employees in the Management & Professional Business sector, tutors/trainers in further education and other individuals considering entering this employment sector (e.g. in schools, colleges and in other careers).

A Virtual Conference is about providing an opportunity for a large group of people to join together to discuss, and learn about, a topic of interest. A Virtual Conference, however, does not mean that you all have to meet in the same place. It is a conference that is held on the Internet and delegates can access the discussions, presentations and information from their own home, school, college and/or place of work.

The features of a Virtual Conference include:

1:       At a Virtual Conference speakers do not present their paper but answer questions about it.  Papers are made available to the delegates two weeks before and it is intended that delegates read the papers and come to talk to the authors (questions and comments).  This makes the audience a much more informed group of people.

2:       Accessing all the papers that will be presented at the conference will be possible for up to two weeks prior to the start of the conference. All the papers will be available to all delegates to view as well as any PowerPoint’s, web links and other supporting resources.

3:       During the Virtual Conference delegates will have an opportunity to talk to the presenters on-line, and these sessions will be timetabled in advance.  All sessions are recorded and will remain visible/accessible for a short period following the closure of the conference.

4:       Discussions can begin before, and continue after, the speaker’s session through the use of a discussion facility.  Delegates can leave comments and questions which other delegates and the speaker can respond to over time.

5:       The conference will be opened on the 12th September by a surprise guest speaker - yet to be announced. S/He will publish opening remarks will also be available to talk to delegates.  The time of this will be published in the timetable as soon as possible.

6:       There is no Registration Fee.  However, we ask each delegate to pledge a commitment to joining in the sessions during the event on the 12th September.

7:       A Virtual Coffee Shop is available for delegates, during the conference, and for one week before. Delegates can relax over a virtual drink with new friends with similar interests.