The event manager of the 2005 G8 Summit is to deliver a keynote address at International Confex 2006 that will give delegates an insight into organising one of the world’s highest profile events.

The keynote presentation will be given by Stuart M. Smith, director of events & leisure at The Gleneagles Hotel where the G8 Summit was held in July 2005.

The presentation will cover the many issues that had to be addressed to ensure that the Summit was successful. These included:

• Managing the infrastructure build that supported the event.
• Good relationship building skills, allowing the Gleneagles team to work seamlessly with UK government agencies such as the Foreign & Commonwealth Office, The Scottish Executive, Police, and numerous international governments security services.
• Making sure all the appropriate security measures and plans where in place to minimise any risk and ensure the safety of all delegates and staff.
• PR & media training and ensuring the journalists in the media centre felt they were looked after.
• Managing change and speed of response to shifting circumstances.
• Adaptive contingency plans and crisis management training.
• Organising staff to ensure the right people where in place at the right time, even though they could not be told details in advance.
• Communication skills to ensure that everyone - staff, delegates, all principal agencies and the media  - was kept informed to ensure everything went smoothly

Stuart M. Smith said: ‘Imagine the challenges involved in running an event where the eyes of the world are upon you – it’s an event manager’s dream or nightmare!’

The keynote address will take place at 14:00 on Tuesday 21 February at International Confex 2006, Earls Court 1, London. There is no charge for visitors to attend the Confex Conference.

Visitors wishing to attend should register at: www.international-confex.com