Harnessing the power of the EOA Annual Conference 2023

The EOA Annual Conference is always an inspiring event and a real highlight in our calendar as an employee-owned organisation. Not just because of the thought-provoking speakers, progressive content, highly engaging and productive break-out sessions and flipping good party in the evening (it’s all that and more!). It’s the people who attend the conference that make it what it is; a hugely welcoming experience which lifts you up and fills you with new ideas and a spring in your step as you continue on your EO journey.

The makeup of conference attendees is incredibly diverse and that’s what makes it so special. It brings together people from organisations at all stages of employee ownership, from the newly formed to the well-established and everything in between. All are welcomed equally and have a common purpose; an eagerness to engage with likeminded people who want to share EO knowledge and experiences and learn from each other.

But with only a handful of tickets (it’s always a sell-out event and even has a waiting list!) not everyone in your organisation can go along, more’s the pity! So how do you ensure the power of the conference is felt not just by those who attend, but by everyone in your business? This mission is front of mind for us each year and we ensure that partners who go to the conference take responsibility for not just sharing what they’ve learned but bringing to life the experience they’ve had for everyone on their return.

The EOA Annual Conference 2023 was no exception, and on a bright winter’s morning in November five of our partners set out on an exciting adventure - to Liverpool! A mix of seasoned conference attendees and newbies from across our organisation, including three of our EO Voice reps, all five came away hugely motivated by what they’d experience and excited to tell all!

Since the conference they have presented with gusto to our EO Voice group, written content for our company newsletter DJS Digest and they’re part way through a mini ‘roadshow’ around the company running an activity from the conference that they’ve adapted for our needs. In addition to benefiting our growth as an EO business, we’re confident that when the next conference comes around, many more of our partners will feel inspired to put their hand up to go along.

Read on for a first-hand account of the conference from our partner Aoife Lynch and a short summary of the wheel of engagement exercise from the event that’s been modified and rolled out across our business.