CEiS Events
CEiS Events is an experienced, professional event management enterprise providing comprehensive services for event planning, logistics and coordination. With an expanding portfolio and a wealth of experience in delivering a range of diverse events, we are considered to be the leading event management service within the Social Enterprise sector. Our commitment is that, where possible, we will engage with social enterprise suppliers ensuring that the delivery of our events supports the continuing development of social enterprises throughout the UK.
As a social enterprise with established relationships with international, UK and Scottish social enterprises, we have the skills, knowledge and expertise to develop and manage a wide range of events, providing unique learning and networking opportunities for a range of participants. CEiS Events will also guarantee an enthusiastic staff team, unsurpassed attention to detail, exceptional customer service and competitive pricing.
Our services include:
- event logistics
- venue sourcing
- identification and management of speakers & sponsors
- development of the event programme
- contract negotiation with suppliers
- on-line registration and secure payment facilities
- budget management
- marketing and creative marketing
- design
- web page creation
- audio visual recordings
- on-site management
- post event evaluation
Current Events
Realising Potential – Future steps for social enterprise in Scotland – September 2nd
We have now reached maximum capacity for this event. Bookings are closed. Please contact Lynsey Johnston on 0141 425 2923 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it to add your name to a waiting list.
The online conference programme for Realising Potential – Future steps for social enterprise in Scotland is available here.
Attracting Social Investment – Cornerstone Professional Conference, 27th October
The Cornerstone Professional Conference 2010 entitled ‘Attracting Social Investment' will be the first of its kind in Scotland and will inform delegates from the voluntary and public sector on how to change from a grant and statutory funded environment to embrace investment-led and business-like approaches that deliver growth, accountability and sustainability.
Social investment and private sector professionals will inform conference delegates about the strategies, methods and financial products that exist to catalyse growth and financial sustainability in the third sector.
The conference will also hear from professionals that have successfully used social investment to build their organisations. In addition to our keynote speakers and panel sessions, delegates will participate in conversations that expose the key ingredients required to attract social investment. These include robust business planning, leadership, entrepreneurship, risk and seed capital.
For more information or to book your place please go to Register here.
Social Enterprise Study Visit Programme
Despite significant challenges posed by volcanic ash, the 2010 International Social Enterprise Study Visit Programme group held their nerve, no cancellations, lots of enthusiasm, and left Scotland on schedule to check out social enterprise in the USA and Canada from April 26th to May 5th.
The selection strategy of having a mixed group of practitioners and those working exclusively or extensively to support social enterprise was maintained and our 21 strong group demonstrated many of the characteristics of previous learning programmes. This included an honest appraisal of experience as can be seen from the feedback to follow, some of the conference organisation and content was poor, some of our enterprise visits were outstanding.
All of the social enterprise visits in the USA and Canada generated discussion and raised many issues for analysis. Some of the enterprises were truly outstanding global leaders, others were excellent in their ability to give our group an insight into different operating environments. In particular the absence of public funding or social enterprise policy at state or national levels caused our group to reflect on our own circumstances past and future. A number of enterprises managed to generate discomfort amongst participants, the working environment at United We Can in Downtown East Side Vancouver and the cult like qualities of Delancey Street both generated significant discussion and reflection. One persons outstanding solution to an intractable problem is outside of the comfort zone for others. In many ways these challenging situations are the most valuable for a study visit group, we contrast with our own experiences, test our boundaries, appreciate what we have ourselves but understand off the wall approaches have their place.
Social Firms UK – July 1st and 2nd
The 2010 annual Social Firms UK conference is taking place on July 1st and 2nd at Fitzwilliam College, Cambridge. The conference programme is attached which gives details of the keynote sessions, workshops and costs.
This conference is relevant for social enterprises, for people working in the Social Firm sector (or interested in partnering with or starting a Social Firm) and also for service providers - people and organisations that seek to make a difference to those furthest away from the labour market.
This conference is about working together; using the power of business and enterprise to change lives. Over the last few years the Social Firm and social enterprise sectors have been growing both in size and relevance to today’s society. Now is the time to embark upon partnerships that will help realise our ambitions for people who are furthest from the labour market and for the businesses in which they work. Our external-facing conference will have both a UK and a European dimension. Join us to celebrate and debate the power and potential of business to create jobs for those people who are amongst the most disadvantaged in our society.
Bookings now Closed.
Tender Writing Training
CEIS, the Supplier Development Programme, and partners, are running a series of free of charge tender writing workshops across Scotland. Designed specifically for managers and staff of Third Sector organisations, who have responsibility for business development and tender writing, the workshops will offer practical guidance for organisations wishing to compete for public sector contracts.
The interactive workshops will include contributions from experts, including procurement practitioners and organisations with experience of successful tender writing. The programme has been designed for introductory, intermediate and advanced levels.
Workshop 1: Introductory - Accessing Public Sector Tenders (1 day)
Angus 21st April 2010, Fife 22nd April 2010
Glasgow 26th May 2010 and 7th Sept 2010, Borders 1st July 2010, Edinburgh 9th Dec 2010.
Workshop 2: Intermediate - Successful Tendering for Public Sector Contracts (3 days)
Dundee 13th May, 20th May and 27th May 2010
Glasgow 8th June, 15th June and 22nd June 2010
Inverness 30th Sept, 7th Oct and 21st Oct 2010
Edinburgh 13th Jan, 20th Jan and 27th Jan 2011
Workshop 3: Advanced - Advanced Tendering for Public Sector Contracts (3 days)
Edinburgh 11th May, 18th May and 25th May 2010
Ayrshire 1st June, 8th June and 15th June 2010
Aberdeen 2nd Sept, 9th Sept and 16th Sept 2010
Glasgow 12th Jan, 19th Jan and 26th Jan 2011
For more information and to apply, click here to take you to the online application and questionnaire. This will allow us to match you to the appropriate course and venue.
Financial Management Training for Senior Staff and Board Members of Third Sector Organisations
CEiS, and partners, are running free of charge financial management training workshops across Scotland, to address the varying needs of:
- Senior managers, trustees and board members of Third Sector organisations with little or no finance training
- Senior staff working in Third Sector organisations who may manage budgets but have limited financial training
- Those within Third Sector organisations who have significant financial responsibilities
The aim of the training is to significantly improve the capacity of Third Sector organisations to control finances and engage in high quality financial planning.
These interactive workshops will use a participative process with worked examples based on previous experiences in the sector, appropriate learning from the wider commercial sector and the experience of the Business Advisers involved in the training delivery, allowing the participants to contribute and share ideas and experiences.
The workshops will offer a mixture of class based activity, participative learning exercises and peer learning. Alternatively, courses 1 & 2 are available online. The training will be offered at three levels to ensure the expectations and needs of each participant are addressed.
Workshop 1: Finance for Senior Managers, Trustees and Boards Formal training workshop (1 day)
Glasgow 21st April 2010 Edinburgh 3rd June 2010
Dumfries 14th Sept 2010 Aberdeen 2nd Nov 2010
Workshop 2: Finance for non-finance managers - Classroom based workshop (3 days)
Inverness 28th April, 16th June and 29th Sept 2010
Glasgow 5th May, 25th Aug and 10th Nov 2010
Dundee 26th May, 18th Aug and 17th Nov 2010
Edinburgh 23rd June, 22nd Sept and 24th Nov 2010
Workshop 3: Advanced finance for managers - Residential workshop (2 days)
Perth or Stirling 4th and 5th Nov 2010
For more information and to apply, click here to take you to the online application and questionnaire. This will allow us to match you to the appropriate course and venue.
Alternatively call on 0141 425 2945.
Social Enterprise Visit Programmes, Australia - October 2009
In October 2009 CEiS led an International Study Visit Programme to the Kimberley region of Western Australia incoporating the Social Enterprise World Forum in Melbourne.
This programme provided a group of 20 Scottish participants with an opportunity to experience social enterprise in a different continent, although one with the closest governmental and legal systems to the UK. The journey commenced with participation at the 2nd Social Enterprise World Forum in Melbourne, hosted by Social Ventures Australia and Social Traders. The World Forum enabled our participants to interact with international colleagues and participate in a range of visits to social enterprises in Victoria. Our hosts planned to continue the momentum generated in Edinburgh in 2008 while using the occasion of the World Forum to gain impetus for social enterprise development in Australia.
The Forum and local enterprise visits were followed by a visit programme to the Kimberley region of Western Australia, an amazing region with unique culture, geography and approach to enterprise. The Kimberley programme incorporated visits to social enterprises run by aboriginal groups, offering an insight into Australian culture and society which was completely different from the standard tourist experience. Our hosts included leaders who have brought about fundamental change in Australian society through their fight for social justice.
We have compiled a visit programme evaluation report which provides an overview of Social Enterprise in Australia and the key learning points from our participants.
Download the Social Enterprise Visit Programme: Australia, October 2009 (7.59MB).
Event Portfolio
Since 2007 CEiS Events has developed a comprehensive events portfolio including:
- Conferences
- Trade Fairs & Exhibitions
- Study Visit Programmes
- Gala dinners & evening receptions
- Workshops & Seminars
- Event launches
- Staff Sessions
Our Event Management Experience includes:
Social Enterprise World Forum – September 2008
CEiS developed and managed the Inaugural Social Enterprise World Forum in partnership with the Scottish Government, Scottish Enterprise, HIE, and a range of international partners. This event brought social enterprise practitioners and support agencies from 25 countries to Edinburgh to expand collective vision, share best practice, network intensively and learn from each other. The event established Social Enterprise World Forum as the annual international gathering for social enterprise practitioners and support agencies. Future events have been held or are confirmed for Australia in 2009, USA in 2010 and South Africa in 2011.
CEiS Social Enterprise Business Models Conference – annually in September
CEiS Events organises an international social enterprise conference in Glasgow on the first Wednesday of September each year. This event features the latest developments in social enterprise growth, support and innovation. In 2009 the conference dealt with acquisitions, mergers and partnership support.
International Social Enterprise Study Visit Programmes
CEiS, funded by the Scottish Government, Government Agencies and sponsors organises an international study visit programme for 20 Scottish social enterprise practitioners, support agencies and policy makers. The programme engages with leading international social enterprises and focuses on analysis of experience and applied learning. Venues attended or planned include, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Long Beach, Berlin, Genoa, Melbourne, The Kimberley region, Vancouver and Johannesburg.
Previous Events Downloads and Presentations
In all aspects of our event management service, we strive to provide green events and as such do not provide printed copies of presentations at our events. We do however make all presentations available for download below. If the event downloads you are looking for are not shown below then please contact a member of the events team who will be able to assist you.
Financial Inclusion – Can You Afford Not? – Dundee, November 2009
This one day conference was held at the West Park Conference Centre, Dundee. The event was a joint venture between the DWP Financial Inclusion Champions Team and the Scottish Government, and was supported by the FSA.
Just under 200 delegates joined us for a day of in-depth discussion around financial inclusion, covering the following topics:
- Financial Inclusion Prevention and Early Intervention
- Economic Benefits of Financial Inclusion
- Challenges Facing the FI Sector
- Solutions: Sharing Best Practice
- Getting the most from Partnership Working
If you would like to download any of the conference presentations please click here.
International Social Enterprise Business Models Conference – September 2009
On Wednesday September 2nd the International Social Enterprise Business Models Conference – Mergers, Acquisitions and Partnerships was held in the Radisson SAS, Glasgow.
This one-day conference brought together social enterprise practitioners, support agencies and policy makers to interact and network in a conference setting. The event showcased international and local social enterprise best practice to generate debate and discussion about the potential of business models in a social enterprise context. The high calibre of speakers included Kevin Lynch (co- author of Mission, Inc., THE social enterprise book of 2009) from America, who shared his insights on the reality of running a social enterprise. The event also included 5 engaging workshops with a wide array of speakers covering the key themes of mergers, acquisitions and partnerships.
The conference report and all keynote session presentations are available for download below:
- Conference Report: Download Conference Report
- Session 1: Download Acquisitions: Practice and Process
- Session 2: Download Gaining Business and Seizing Opportunities
- Session 3: Download Mergers and Partnerships
