StudyWorld summer: specialist seminars to support educators and agents rebuild the industry
Which students are likely to travel first, and what will persuade them to book? How can customer service demands be met and exceeded? And what is the latest information on Covid-19, travel restrictions, visas and accreditation?
These are the crucial issues at the heart of rebuilding UK ELT and getting students to travel post-Covid. The StudyWorld summer seminar programme at the 16-18 March event ensures both educators and agents understand how they need to work together for recovery.
Tim Barker, English UK's business development director, says: "The focus is on providing customers with what they need. This is a team effort between agents and educators. Agents play a critical role in recovery, and our programme is designed to help everyone understand the market better. If both sides have an agreement on what's needed, they can sell together to students and that's the best chance of getting them back in the UK."
Conference producer Tom Weatherley added: "Our seminar programme is designed so that presenters can give agents and educators the latest information across the board, whether that's about preparation for Covid-secure learning, visa changes and regulations or market segments. We are creating a space for agents and educators to collaborate, to make sure their messaging is effective as we begin to rebuild. The more information we can share and pool at events like this, the better for our industry going forward."
Which students will travel first? What do they want?
New for StudyWorld summer is a strand of panel discussions focused on the different types of student, and each group's needs, motivations and likely travel plans. This will include sessions focused on junior summer camps, young adults, more mature students and those seeking teacher training or other specialist courses.
"We are putting together expert panels of agents and educators to talk on each of these segments, not just about whether or not they are travelling but what do they need, what is important to them, what do you need to think about when planning for them," said Tim.
How do you give students the experience they want?
Another strand of the seminars will focus on excellent customer experience. "One of the things we learned from the last StudyWorld was that customer experience will have to be superb. Customer demands are going to be very high, and they are going to want an individualised service," said Tim.
Expert advice on Covid safety, visas and accreditation inspections
The third seminar strand covers regulation and compliance, including the return of accreditation inspections with the British Council, a visa update with Nichola Carter and a session from Kevin O'Donnell and Huan Japes on what centres must do to be Covid-19 secure under the latest UK guidance, and how the UK and its markets are dealing with travel and the pandemic.
Find out more on future travel and how to plan and market it
Richard Nicholls from VisitBritain will be back to tell us more about how to mine the data on UK student travellers to inform marketing and planning, with an expert panel.
Get your questions answered
Most of the sessions will be fully interactive – so if our experts don't cover your question, you can ask it.
Not booked your place yet?
Meeting scheduling opened on 24 February and seminar information goes live from early March: book your place now
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