In the last ‘Inside BESA’ article we looked at the different types of membership on offer and ways in which we work to support members. Carrying on from that, this article will examine our events work. 

Member events 

We run a range of member events every year including free to attend online webinars covering essential topics to help companies maximise their selling opportunities, including copywriting workshops, engaging with educators, making the most of exhibitions and an overview of the UK Education system – ideal for those new to the industry. 

Additionally we offer more in-depth paid-for conferences such as our Curriculum Conference; SME Conference; and Selling to Schools training day. 

Twice a year we run a member-only Business Insight Day with networking opportunity (the Winter event is happening this November).

Exhibitions 

BESA works in commercial partnership with a number of external exhibition providers, most noticeably the Bett Show, the Education Show, and the Education World Forum.

BESA established the Bett Show in 1988 as the first exhibition of its kind, focusing on technology provision within schools and the show is now owned by Hyve who have a track record of producing globally respected events. BESA works closely with the show organisers to provide education and industry insights and other support to help ensure that the Bett Show continues to provide a fantastic experience for attendees and exhibitors alike and goes from strength to strength as a world-class EdTech exhibition. 

International work 

Over 47% of our members are either actively exporting or looking to develop business opportunities overseas. BESA works to help our members develop their commercial interests overseas by: 

• Identifying trade shows in key regions that would be of interest to members. 
• Organising trade missions to new and developing markets as an early-stage opportunity.  
• Helping to identify B2G contracts by working with Ministries of Education. 
• Working with the Department for International Trade (DIT) to support their UK Tradeshow Programme. We provide DIT with a list of relevant shows that we recommend they support. Once they have allocated the grants we promote the grant scheme to our members (and non-members) in order to raise awareness of the financial support packages available and to encourage applications.  
• We also provide pre-show training and support companies taking part in the DIT UK Tradeshow Programme as required.  

In Autumn 2022 BESA is supporting companies attending the following events: 

• Didac India 
• Gess Asia 
• Bett Asia 
• Gess Dubai 
• Learning & Teaching Hong Kong 
• European EdTech Alliance EdTech Summit 

We are also organising a trade mission to Cambodia on October 13/14 (immediately following on from Bett Asia in Thailand). If you would like to attend please contact eventsteam@besa.org.uk for more details.