The only industry conference for adventure sports events organisers.
Introduction - ASEC 2024
In association with the Kendal Mountain Festival, Shane Ohly of Ourea Events and James Thurlow of Open Tracking are hosting the fourth industry conference explicitly aimed at those who organise adventure sports events on Friday, 22nd November 2024. The conference is being held at the Castle Green Hotel, Kendal. The Adventure Sports Events Conference (ASEC) will once again provide an opportunity to hear some highly regarded speakers whilst networking with other event organisers and industry professionals. We hope that delegates will make a weekend of it, staying in Kendal for the internationally renowned Kendal Mountain Festival.
When? Friday 22nd November 2024
Where? Kendal, Cumbria
Who? You!
Tickets? £85, including refreshments and lunch. Limited availability HERE
Conference Aims
The conference will be a chance to be informed and challenged by a great selection of speakers on a range of topics relevant to those who put on Adventure Sports events. For us, the definition of Adventure Sports events is more about where the event is held and the challenges it presents, rather than the type of event taking place (e.g., an off-road triathlon Vs a city-based triathlon).
ASEC pulls together a range of exceptional speakers with real insight and expertise, and our conference goal is to share good practice examples and stories amongst the community of Adventure Sports events organisers, whether they are small community focused events, or some of the UK’s largest commercial events.
Who Should Attend?
The conference is for Adventure Sports event organisers. This likely includes operational staff and managers, course planners, race directors, and event directors at larger commercial events, but independent race and community event organisers are also most welcome.
If you are a volunteer event organiser working on a community/club not-for-profit basis, don't hesitate to contact us for eligibility for limited free-of-charge tickets.
The following organisations attended ASEC in in the first
Your Hosts
James Thurlow – occasional cyclist, orienteer, walker – previously Event Director for Open Adventure, hosted over 120 events in 16 years, including the ITERA Expedition Race part of the Adventure Racing World Series, the C2C in a Day, a sportive for over 1000 cyclists from one side of the country to the other, and the Lakes in a Day 50-mile ultra-run through the Lake District. James is the owner of Open Tracking, which provides live tracking and timing services to around 250 events each year in the UK and throughout the world with their operating partners.
Shane Ohly - is the CEO of Ourea Events and works as the Race Director of the Montane Dragon’s Back Race®, Cape Wrath Ultra® and Salomon Skyline Scotland®. He was the organiser of the Skyrunning World Championships in 2018. He has a fascination with risk management within adventure sport, and has not been afraid to push the boundaries of what is achievable with events like the Glen Coe Skyline®. Shane is also a well-known mountain runner, multiple mountain marathon champion, and esoteric FKT record holder.
In association with the Kendal Mountain Festival taking place in Kendal the weekend of 22nd-24th Nov.
Why not make a weekend of it?
08:30 - 09:15
Registration
Join us from 08:30 for coffee, pastries and breakfast baps, and enjoy the chance to meet other conference delegates for some informal networking before the day kicks off.
09:15 - 09:30
Welcome
Kendal Mountain Festival Director Steve Scott, and your ASEC hosts Shane Ohly and James Thurlow will welcome everyone to the conference.
09:30 - 10:30
Morning Presentations 1
2024 speakers and topics TBC
10:30 - 11:00
Break
Coffee, tea, refreshments and biscuits, and the opportunity for catching up with friends and colleagues, and to network with conference delegates.
11:00 - 12:45
Morning Presentations 2
2024 speakers and topics TBC
12:45 - 13:45
Lunch
Two course buffet lunch served in the Greenhouse Restaurant. Last year, this was a real highlight for delegates, with ample time to relax in the comfortable hotel restaurant, enjoy the spectaular views over Kendal and mingle and network with other race organisers.
Lunch menu TBC.
11:00 - 12:45
Afternoon Presentations 1
2024 speakers and topics TBC
15:15 - 15:45
Break
Coffee, tea, refreshments and biscuits, and the opportunity for catching up with friends and colleagues, and to network with conference delegates.
15:45 - 16:30
Expert Panel Discussion
A highlight of the 2022 and 2023 ASEC was the panel discussion for all the conference attendees. This year Shane Ohly and James Thurlow will lead a conference-wide discussion on the day's themes and ask our panel of experts for their opinions.
16:30
Wrap Up
ASEC hosts Shane Ohly and James Thurlow take the floor and wrap up the Adventure Sport Events Conference.
Not for profit.
This conference is being run on a not-for-profit basis. Your attendance fee covers ticketing, the hotel conferencing facilities, drinks and food, as well as any expenses for the speakers. Any excess fees will be rolled into hosting future conferences.
