In association with the Kendal Mountain Festival, Shane Ohly of Ourea Events and James Thurlow of Open Adventure and Open Tracking are inviting event organisers to the first industry conference aimed specifically at those who organise adventure sports events on Friday 19th November 2021. The event will be held at the Castle Green Hotel in conjunction with the Kendal Mountain Festival. The Adventure Sports Event Conference (ASEC) will provide an opportunity to hear some well-regarded speakers as well as network with other event organisers who like so many others have faced a difficult few years.

James Thurlow said, “We would like to think that 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.” He continued, “The first ASEC pulls together a range of speakers with real insight and expertise and our conference goal is to share good practice examples and stories amongst the community of adventure sport event organisers whether they be small community focused events, or some of the UK’s largest commercial events.”

Speakers Include:

  • Andy Towne – Chair of the Board of Directors for Montane
  • Lucy Scrase – Operations Director for Ourea Events
  • Richard Warren – Chair of the Lake District Search and Mountain Rescue Association
  • Chris Mills – Owner of racedirector
  • Shane Ohly – Managing Director for Ourea Events
  • Andrew Slattery – Assistant Chief Constable for Cumbria Police
  • Sophia Reed – Mutual Manager for Activities Industry Mutual

The full conference programme covers a diverse range of subjects affecting and influencing adventure sport event organisers.

See the full conference programme

Co-organiser Shane Ohly added, “I am passionate about sharing good practice and relish the opportunity to learn from others whenever that opportunity presents itself. I am very hopeful that ASEC will provide a great opportunity for the community of adventure sport event organisers to come to together and learn from each other. It is our intention that ASEC will become an annual event, and James and I are looking forward to welcoming you to Kendal in November.”

This conference is being run on a not-for-profit basis. The 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 the 2022 conference.