Communication Matters Event taking place in Leeds. Large room with lots of people watching the screen.

Case study – Communications Matters Conference and AAC Awards

Event Overview:

The annual Communication Matters International AAC Conference is the UK’s leading AAC event, bringing together AAC users, families, professionals, researchers and suppliers for a diverse programme.

Over 2.5 days, a series of plenaries, workshops, presentations, networking, entertainment and a suppliers’ exhibition, all takes place across a range of University of Leeds venues.

The 2022 conference was the 37th edition as well as the 11th year that the event has been held at the University of Leeds.

Brief and objective:

25 of the attendees were AAC users, requiring easy wheelchair access around the whole venue. Some of our guests have a range of complex disabilities and were attending with their Personal Assistants (PAs) or families, so we needed multiple spaces that could accommodate larger capacities.

Several of the keynote speakers and presenters are AAC users themselves, so it was essential that the venue could facilitate the use of a range of different communication aids and devices.

As a residential conference, we required on-site accessible accommodation, plus additional rooms for staff, PAs and support companions.

Our overriding objective is for every attendee to feel that their individual needs are both understood and catered for so that they get the most out the conference. Ultimately, we want their experience to be the same as for any other delegate attending an event of this nature. Given the broad scope of our accessibility criteria, this requires a collaborative approach to events management from the University’s Conferences and Events team.

Group of people engaged in the Communication Matters conference

How did you choose which spaces you wanted to use?

The key considerations were around accessibility, technical compatibility for our presenters’ different communication aids, and providing separate catering or changing areas for anyone who needed them. Some of our guests are fed by their PAs or a family member and find it a challenge to enjoy meals in a busy or noisy environment. So, to overcome this, we utilised the Baines Wing Café as a quiet breakout area.

The exhibition is an integral element of the programme as many suppliers use this as a platform to launch their latest products or services to the industry. Parkinson Court was ideal for this – there was ample space for catering, 18 stands, wheelchair access throughout the exhibition floor, networking and a quiet zone for AAC users.

In terms of accommodation for the 2022 conference, we occupied every accessible room available on the University of Leeds campus.

What were your catering requirements & did Great Food at Leeds provide anything bespoke for you?

Each day we served a buffet lunch in Parkinson Court so that guests could maximise the time exploring the exhibition. The catering team carefully considered which foods would prove challenging for AAC users to eat and avoided these, devising a menu that enabled all guests to enjoy the same dishes.

We also host other AAC events at the University of Leeds, including Study Days, Exhibitions, Board meetings, and our biennial AAC Awards ceremony. Thanks to the strength of the relationship that has developed with the catering team, our guests feel comfortable in making very specific individual requests, which are always accommodated. As an event organiser, I’m aware that few venues would deliver this level of customised service without a huge cost attached. So as a charity, we’re very grateful that Great Food at Leeds go above and beyond for us.

3 delegates at the Communication Matters conference

What were your AV requirements?

We had a range of content being presented, including videos, PowerPoint presentations, research papers and personal stories. Most of the rooms we used for the plenaries and workshops were sufficiently equipped for our needs. Anything additional was supplemented by the in-house AV team. We also worked with the in-house technicians to ensure that the different AAC aids could be used by our presenters and delegates as required.

This year was our first time hosting the main plenary in the Esther Simpson Building. We were delighted with how seamlessly everything ran and seeing the presentation on huge screens really heightened the delegate engagement with the content.

Testimonial:

“In all our time hosting the annual International AAC Conference at the University of Leeds, we have been blown away by the team’s friendly and collaborative approach. It’s clear they take accessibility seriously, always working flexibly and with a can-do attitude to satisfy all our needs as an organiser but more importantly, those of our delegates.  Their commitment to improving the delegate experience by becoming a Communication Accessible venue, instilled confidence in our attendees that all of their needs will be met. This faith in the venue really helped maximise registrations for our conference.

The University of Leeds Conferences and Events team works like an extension of our own, which helps us to put the delegate experience at the heart of what we do. They have also provided further support by introducing us to key industry partners, which has helped increase awareness of the Communication Access UK initiative. This has proven very beneficial to us, resulting in an increased rollout of the training across hotels and organisations in Leeds. I look forward to hosting future Communication Matters events at the University.”

Helen Whittle – Chair of the Board of Trustees, Communication Matters

Group of delegates smiling at the event

Speeches during the CHS Welcome Reception in Cloth Hall Court

A week in the working life of Cloth Hall Court Manager – Kelly Allen

On Monday 24th April, we proudly launched the latest addition to our portfolio of venues – Cloth Hall Court, located in the vibrant heart of the city, next to Leeds Railway Station. Following this hugely exciting week for University of Leeds Conferences and Events, our Cloth Hall Court Manager – Kelly Allen, shares some insights into her working life running a multi-purpose venue!

What did the launch week entail? 

With the CHS Leeds show also taking place in the same week, we were thrilled to open our doors for Cloth Hall Court’s first event, the CHS Leeds Welcome Reception. This was closely followed by the AFN Network+ Big Tent Event 2023 attended by 100 delegates.

These two very different events really showcase Cloth Hall Court’s versatility. For the Welcome Reception, over 300 event professionals were in attendance, representing the whole UK-wide industry, for an evening of networking. Guests enjoyed interactive mixology from Leeds-based Mix & Twist, canapés, bowls and grazing stations provided by our in-house caterers, an ice cream station from Leeds’ Northern Bloc and performances from Soniq Empires Partyband.

The two-day AFN Network+ conference has a variety of plenaries, panels and workshops exploring the transformation of the agri-food system for a net zero future. We utilised the whole venue holding the theatre-style main plenaries in the Tweed Suite with a range of simultaneous breakout sessions in our smaller rooms. Merchants Hall was the perfect environment for networking refreshment and lunch breaks.

What were the timelines and challenges in planning these?

The enquiries came in several months ago, but due to refurbishment, followed by use of the venue for Leeds Crown Court trials until a month ago, we had limited access for site visits and client meetings.

We were able to share photographs of the different rooms and talk through the flow of the events and set-up requirements. The venue is hugely flexible, so once I understood the main objectives for each event and the vision for the look and feel, I could propose the best options.

Our clients had faith in our reputation for delivering world-class conferences and events and the communication between us enabled fast and effective planning once we could conduct site visits.

What other types of events can Cloth Hall Court accommodate?

We are now receiving enquiries for a very diverse array of formats. Everything from intimate board meetings for government departments or corporate conferences for up to 300 delegates with interactive breakout sessions – to private parties and even a professional 24-hour Hackathon!

What has been the client and attendee feedback about the new venue?

Cloth Hall Court delivers on multiple objectives for planners. Its prime location reduces travel once delegates arrive in the city, which is a huge plus for sustainability. Also, many responsible businesses now look for their venue hire spend to fulfil an ethical benefit. Our revenue is directly re-invested in the University of Leeds as one of the UK’s leading higher education institutions, so it definitely ticks that box.

It’s also been great to see the reaction to the venue’s theming. The Grade II listed building has an important history for Leeds – it was formerly used for the trade of ‘Yorkshire Broadcloths’. This laid foundations for the city to gain its status as a global centre for textiles commerce.

We really wanted to preserve this rich history, while offering planners all the technical facilities you’d expect to find in a modern, multi-purpose events venue. The room names are all textiles related and the décor also nods to this, so it’s a fascinating talking point when delegates discover more about the venue’s origins.

What does your day-to-day role involve?

It’s a really varied role as I look after the entire operation of the building. This includes line management of the team, health and safety, estates and maintenance, on-site client logistics meetings, supplier liaison and the running of events.

My role requires meticulous organisation, in-depth planning, a practical approach with the ability to think on your feet, and confidence in communicating effectively with a broad range of stakeholders.

What’s your top tip for planners to maximise the potential of Cloth Hall Court for their events?

I would say being open to a creative response to their brief. We often find that organisers come with a very a specific concept in mind, which they don’t like to deviate from. I always explore exactly what it is that they’re aiming to achieve with their event – in terms of budget parameters, format, any specific requirements, and the overall delegate experience.

Our knowledge of the intricacies of the venue makes us best placed to suggest the most suitable solution – even if it’s not what they originally had in mind! Ultimately, we are always striving to surpass their expectations and we love exploring new ways of using our versatile venue. We can then pass on this invaluable tried and tested expertise, for the benefit of our clients.

To find out more, arrange a site visit or discuss your specific requirements, contact Kelly and her expert team:

Telephone: 0113 343 6100

Email: conferences@leeds.ac.uk

Members of the University of Leeds Conferences and Events team at their CHS Leeds event stand

MEETinLEEDS re-brands as University of Leeds Conferences and Events

MEETinLEEDS, the University’s conference service, has re-branded to University of Leeds Conferences and Events. This exciting change brings the service’s identity closer to the main University brand, allowing it to reap the benefits of the strong recognition that the University has as a world-class institution.  

The new brand was first showcased at our Cloth Hall Court venue in the city centre on Monday 24 April, with the hosting of the Conference Hospitality Show (CHS) Leeds’ Welcome Reception. Following this, the team also exhibited at CHS Leeds on Tuesday 25 April. This helped to introducee the new brand to the wider conferences and events industry. 

The service’s website, conferencesandevents.leeds.ac.uk, reflects the new re-branding and showcases the great range of venues we have at the University of Leeds. The team can now be reached via a new email inbox conferences@leeds.ac.uk or on 0113 343 6100 for any enquiries or questions.  

Take a look at some highlights from the Conference Hospitality Show Leeds Welcome Reception  

University of Leeds Conferences and Events controls the majority of out of term time availability of spaces across campus. This ensures that the University is able to host research-led academic conferences and events that are organised to the highest possible standard in line with our strategic commitments. The team also collaborate with local businesses to deliver on-campus events – helping us forge closer relationships with the wider city. Through this work Conferences and Events generate additional income for the University.  

The team offers a one-stop solution for all event planning and delivery needs. Their expertise in sales and operational processes ensures that internal and external bookings are supported every step of the way. For internal customers, the competitive rates start from £165 for room hire and just £42.50 per person for day delegate packages. This includes the room, food and event management support. With capacities of up to 2,000 guests, the University’s facilities offer immense potential for events on every scale.  

Sam Glenister-Batey – Head of Conferences and Events at the University of Leeds says: “We’ve re-branded as University of Leeds Conferences and Events as I believe that the University’s reputation as a world-leading organisation offers us a real point of difference to competitors in the conferences and events industry.  

We were also thrilled to open another exciting addition to our extensive venue portfolio at Cloth Hall Court. Increasingly, planners are looking to source venues that deliver on sustainability and ethical responsibility. Cloth Hall Court – with its prime location, and venue hire revenue directly supporting one of the UK’s leading institutions for higher education, delivers on these objectives. We’re proud to be further contributing to Leeds’ world-class offering for conferences and events.” 

Ann Allen, Director of Campus Innovation and Development, said: “This re-branding will allow the team to benefit from the University’s local, national and international renown. Alongside this, the recent opening of Cloth Hall Court represents a fantastic new commercial opportunity for the University. Launching a prestigious conference and events space that is available all year round in the heart of the city will be an important new source of revenue for us. Together, these innovations will help us in achieving both our aims as a Facilities Directorate and the wider University strategy.” 

Guests in Merchant's Hall at Cloth Hall Court

The University of Leeds re-brands and expands its conferences and events portfolio

On Monday, University of Leeds Conferences and Events (formerly MEETinLEEDS) officially launched its new city centre venue – Cloth Hall Court. Located on Quebec Street, opposite Leeds Railway Station, the Grade II listed building is a multi-purpose corporate and private events venue for up to 300 delegates.

The launch and re-brand coincide with the University exhibiting at CHS Leeds this week, where a brand-new website has been unveiled to event professionals attending the show. To mark the importance of this event for business tourism in the region, the first event held in the recently refurbished Cloth Hall Court was the CHS Leeds Welcome Reception.

Take a look at some highlights from the Conference Hospitality Show Leeds Welcome Reception

Julie Philips – Chief Operating Officer at CHS Events, says: “We are delighted to be holding this year’s CHS Leeds Welcome Reception at Cloth Hall Court. It is important that our show represents the city and really showcases what Leeds has to offer our visitors who are joining from across the events industry. Cloth Hall Court is an exceptional new venue having received huge investment from the University of Leeds and we can’t think of a better way to showcase it than at our Welcome Reception.”

Cloth Hall Court offers nine versatile event spaces of varying size, situated over four floors. Its rich historical significance for the city’s textiles trade has been preserved and fused with state-of-the-art technical facilities, to accommodate a broad range of in-person and hybrid event formats.

Sam Glenister-Batey – Head of Conferences and Events at the University of Leeds says: “We’re thrilled to launch another exciting addition to our extensive venue portfolio. Increasingly, planners are looking to source venues that deliver on sustainability and ethical responsibility. Cloth Hall Court – with its prime location, and venue hire revenue directly supporting one of the UK’s leading institutions for higher education, delivers on these objectives. We’re proud to be further contributing to Leeds’ world-class offering for conferences and events.”

Claire Heap – Visitor Economy Manager at Conference Leeds adds: “It’s hugely exciting to see the return of Cloth Hall Court to the city’s conference venue portfolio, especially at a time when the city’s meeting and events sector is enjoying significant success.  Located in the heart of the city centre, Cloth Hall’s dedicated multi-purpose event spaces will offer event organisers many options for their conferences and events, whilst at the same time offering delegates a chance to enjoy the vibrancy of the city.”

Cloth Hall Court Rooms

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The Grand Opening of the Bragg Building!

A week ago we welcomed delegates from all over the country to join us in celebrating the grand opening of the Bragg Building! This brand new building is a part of our Chemistry and Engineering departments and owes its name to Sir William Henry Bragg, a Nobel Prize winning researcher who taught at the University of Leeds.

 

 

On Tuesday 7th June, the Sir William Henry Bragg Building received the grand opening such a prestigious building deserves. Delegates were treated to a day of wonderful experiences across campus to celebrate the life of Sir William Henry Bragg as well as the importance of the building named after him. The Bragg Building aims to bring together scientists and engineers to discover, create, and design new materials. With state-of-the-art laboratories and teaching spaces, it will enable cutting edge research and strengthen collaboration between the University of Leeds and industries across the world.

 

 

Delegates were first welcomed to the iconic Parkinson Building for a welcome reception. Delegates were served a buffet lunch alongside drinks, all served by our experienced catering teams. While as the Parkinson Building, delegates were treated to a classical musical performance from some students at the University.

A variety of esteemed guests came and gave speeches at the School of Music, including Sir Adrian Smith, Prof Nora De Leuuw, and the Vice-Chancellor. The all gave credit to the amazing inspiration Sir William Bragg offered students and the incredible work that could take place in the building. Members of the Bragg family also joined us to celebrate the opening of the building, giving a fascinating speech into the life and times of the man the building owes its name to. Delegates were then given tours of the building accompanied by PhD students and researchers

 

Finally delegates were again given the chance to network and talk about the day celebrating the building. A series of performances from the Black Dyke Band helped to set the scene for the afternoon celebration at the Parkinson Building and Clothworkers Concert Hall. Dame Julia Higgins then gave a speech and the University’s galleries and libraries were opened for guests to explore.

The Sir William Bragg Building promises to be a cornerstone of the University of Leeds in years to come as it inspires students and offers a base for meaningful and impactful research across the country.

 

Celebrating our Hotel Partners across the City of Leeds!

Over the past 2 months we have been shining a spotlight on some of our hotel partners around Leeds that we work closely with, whether it be for accommodation or to host dinners alongside our conference activity. We have a really great relationship with our hotel partners and if we are unable to host you, we will always direct you to one of our partners. It is so important to us to create the best possible experience for our delegates here in Leeds and we are so lucky to have the partnerships we do across the City.  

The Queens Hotel Leeds

First, we began with the Queens Hotel Leeds which has recently undergone a large scale refurbishment from top to bottom and we thought it looked amazing. Located overlooking City Square, it is right by the train station and the Victoria Shopping Quarter making it a great location in the city centre. It hosts a variety of meeting rooms from smaller boardrooms to large Gala dinners, they have a space to cater for all needs.

Entrance of the Queens Hotel Leeds

IBIS Styles Leeds

Next we travelled over to the IBIS Styles Hotel which offers a great location nearby the First Direct Arena and city centre. The IBIS Styles always looks bright and lively and are incredibly accommodating of our large conference bookings during term time when we don’t have capacity at Storm Jameson Court. The hotel also has themes of Yorkshire throughout offering a nod to the industrial past of the City of Leeds.

A Bedroom from the IBIS Styles Hotel

Hilton Double Tree

The Hilton Double Tree was next under the spotlight of Hotel Hour and we love its location, situated right on Granary Wharf it overlooks the River Aire running through the heart of Leeds. It also plays host to the amazing rooftop bar, Sky Lounge, which provides you with great drinks and wonderful views of the city. The Double Tree has a variety of amenities as well as dynamic meeting space to help accommodate for a variety of event sizes.

The cafe in the Double Tree Hotel with fresh cakes and coffee being served

Radisson Blu Leeds

We then jumped over to The Light shopping centre, home of the Radisson Blu Leeds. It is situated a few minutes from the University campus and also a short walk to the city centre. It is a great hotel for those conferencing with us and very accommodating to large group bookings during term time. It gives you a short walk to the University and the city centre, giving you the full experience of conferencing here with us!

A Bedroom of the Radisson Blu Hotel Leeds

Leeds Marriott Hotel

The Leeds Marriott Hotel was the next of our partners to feature on #HotelHour and the Leeds Marriott Hotel has recently undergone an extensive refurbishment, making it one of the most exciting places to stay in the city. Marriott Leeds has impressed guests with a complete transformation of its bedrooms and Meetings and Events space, and a brand-new Executive Lounge. In the heart of the city, nestled on a quiet courtyard, the four-star hotel offers contemporary comfort in bright, stylish surroundings

The Executive Lounge of the Marriott Hotel Leeds 

Crowne Plaza Leeds

The next hotel we visited was the Crowne Plaza Leeds. The Crowne Plaza has fantastic service and a variety of dynamic meeting space to cater for anything from small meetings and large gala dinners. It is also located in the city centre offering great access to the train station and shopping centres alike. Visiting the Crowne Plaza is always great and we think it’s a wonderful location for those conferencing with us at the University of Leeds!

Lobby of the Crown Plaza Leeds 

Hilton Leeds City

The Hilton Leeds City was the final hotel we visited and with a dynamic array of meeting space and bedroom options it is a great partner of ours! With 14 meeting rooms able to host 350 delegates alongside 208 bedrooms it is a dynamic and versatile partner of ours! They also offer the fantastic Livingwell Health Club to all guests which has a Spa, pool, and more!

Meeting room of the Hilton Leeds set up for a large meeting

At MEETinLEEDS, we absolutely love working with our partners across the city to ensure we deliver the best experience possible. We would like to thank those across our partners who helped this campaign and we are looking forward to working with them in the future.

#Leeds2023 – A journey back through our cultural events

With #Leeds2023 a year away we have been reflecting on a few cultural events that we have hosted at the University of Leeds over the years. The opportunity to celebrate these fantastic events has really built up the excitement for #Leeds2023 and the year of culture! Click on the subheading to be taken to the article and read our full story about the event. The team behind #Leeds2023 had this to say about the event with a year to go:

“2023 is going to be a year that changes our extraordinary city forever and for the better. We’re embarking on a year-long celebration of culture, happening all over the city and everybody can be a part of it.”

 

Opera North Orchestra Academy and Orchestra Camp

First we revisited the exciting work of the Opera North Orchestra Academy and Orchestra Camp hosted in the University’s School of Music. The Opera North Orchestra Academy is aimed at 14-19 year olds and offers a fantastic experience for aspiring young musicians to receive world-class orchestral training. Last taking place in 2019, the camp offered an inspirational and supportive environment for everyone to learn and grow in confidence. Alongside practicing and rehearsing with professional musicians, the young delegates were able to benefit from a side-by-side rehearsal with a full orchestra and professional conductor. The eager young musicians were able to develop their technical and creative ability in an action-packed programme full of fun and high-quality teaching. Working with Opera North is such a fantastic opportunity to promote culture in younger people and we always love seeing them return to campus. Emma Barnett, Youth Orchestral Manager from Opera North says:

“Being able to host the students nearby to the Howard Opera Centre, in a safe and supportive environment at the University of Leeds, enables us to reach and support the development of young musicians across the North of England and beyond”

Young and adult musicians play string instruments in front of their music stands.

Photo Credit Justin Slee

Leeds International Piano Competition

We then celebrated the Leeds International Piano Competition, a key cultural event that the University has hosted since 1961. The competition is open to pianists under 30 from around the world and has always had a very close relationship with the University of Leeds. ‘The Leeds’, as it is affectionately known, took place from 8th-18th September 2019 and as is tradition held its semi-finals in the Great Hall. 22 Pianists from 19 countries went on to perform in the grand finals at Leeds City Hall. The Leeds International Piano Competition is a long standing partner and is a much celebrated cultural event celebrated across the city, we always look forward to working with them! Adam Gatehouse, Artistic Director for Leeds International Piano Competition, says

“We are thrilled to be able to hold the main part of the Competition in the University’s iconic Great Hall and enjoy access to the top-quality pianos of the University’s own Steinway School. All our competitors and jury members enjoy wonderful hospitality – the University staff are part of our family, and provide incredible support and enthusiasm for our young competitors.”

Mslexia

The final stop on our cultural journey was to reflect on Mslexicon 2019, an event run by Mslexia – A magazine for women who write covering the business and psychology of writing. Mslexicon was aimed at female creative writers, covering those interested in novels, short fiction, memoirs and many more types of non-fiction writing. The event allowed writers to nurture their craft and progress their career with help from leading agents, authors, tutors, and mentors. The group workshops and talks covered topics such as voice, character development, plot, as well as advice on publishing trends, creativity, and how to cope with the submissions process. Supporting events like Mslexicon is such an important part of supporting the city of Leeds to ensure everybody gets the chance to experience and share their cultural knowledge with those around them!

Mslexicon inside Devonshire Hall Courtyard

Looking Ahead

#Leeds2023 is just one year away and we have loved reflecting on our past events in order to build the excitement for what should be a fantastic year for the city of Leeds in 2023. At the University of Leeds we pride ourselves on being able to support the city by hosting great events such as those above. #Leeds2023 promises to deliver a cultural event the type of which the city has never experienced before and at the University of Leeds are excited to support a fantastic year of events.

“For one whole year (all 365 days, 12 months, and 500,000 minutes of it), this city is letting culture loose. We’re gonna create, make, perform, run, bake, eat, share, sing, speak, play and more besides. Because culture is everywhere in this city.”

Mslexicon inside Devonshire Hall Courtyard

Looking back at Mslexicon 2019, looking forward to #Leeds2023

As we celebrate culture in anticipation of #Leeds2023, we are finishing up our reflective journey by putting the spotlight on literature. In Summer 2019, at the historic Devonshire Hall, we hosted Mslexia, a magazine for women who write which covers both the business and psychology of writing.

Mslexia hosted their first ever weekend writing retreat with us, called Mslexicon 2019. Mslexicon was a retreat aimed at female writers of creative prose including novels, short fiction, memoirs and all types of narrative non-fiction. The retreat was designed to foster creativity and provide attendees with the skills and confidence to achieve their writing goals.

The event allowed writers from across the UK to nurture their craft and progress their career with the help of leading agents, authors, tutors and mentors, who were all hand-picked for their commitment and knowledge in supporting women who write.

Their group workshops, talks and panel discussions covered key issues such as character development, voice and plot, as well as career advice on publishing trends, performance skills, prioritising your creativity, and how to cope with the submissions rollercoaster. One of the most popular events at Mslexicon 2019 was ‘Find Your Tribe’, where attendees identified the genre they wrote in, and mingled in groups.

The historic courtyards of Devonshire Hall were a beautiful backdrop for the outdoor dinners and drinks receptions which saw attendees come together to discuss the exciting talks they had attended.

Harriet Boatwright, Sales and Marketing Manager for MEETinLEEDS, says:

With its unique character and period architecture, we knew that Devonshire Hall was the perfect venue for delegates to network and explore their creativity.  Environment, and sense of place and belonging is an important factor in the creative process and can lead to very powerful storytelling.  We are privileged to be a part of the continuing journey for  #Leeds2023 and we know the crucial part events will play in bringing the power of culture (in Leeds) to the world.

Literature is a key element of culture being celebrated by #Leeds2023, alongside music, dance, art, sports and theatre. We can’t wait to be part of the exciting events of #Leeds2023 in a year’s time!

Reflecting on LIPC before Leeds 2023

In celebration of the #OneYearToGo campaign for Leeds 2023, we’re once again looking back at the cultural conferences and events we have hosted on campus.

Leeds 2023 is a yearlong celebration of culture across our city. Dance, art, sports, poetry and theatre will all take centre stage for the whole year.

The team behind it say:

“We think culture is everywhere in this city and this is our time to shout about it. We’re working with local, national and international artists and communities to create a celebration that’s for Leeds, with Leeds and inspired by Leeds.”

One of our key cultural events is the Leeds International Piano Competition, which we have been proud to be involved with for many years.

The competition, open to pianists under 30 from around the world, has had a close relationship with the University of Leeds since its earliest days in 1961. Let’s take a look back to the 2021 event.

Despite having to hold preliminary rounds online, ‘The Leeds’ (as it is affectionately known) took place from 8th-18th September in person. We were so pleased to host the second round and the semi-finals in the Great Hall on campus as is tradition. 22 pianists from 19 countries performed across 3 days leading to the spectacular finals in Leeds Town Hall.

Alim Beisembayev, 23 year old pianist from Kazakhstan, took first prize after his performance alongside the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra. Winning the competition is widely regarded as one of the most coveted prizes in the musical world.

The event was a glittering finale to the triennial piano competition which – with the University as its principal partner – has seen every aspect of the instrument celebrated by a global audience.

Adam Gatehouse, Artistic Director for Leeds International Piano Competition, says

“Our relationship with the University of Leeds began in 1963 and is completely unique in the world of competitions as a partnership between one of the world’s leading music competitions and one of the world’s most prestigious universities.

We are thrilled to be able to hold the main part of the Competition in the University’s iconic Great Hall and enjoy access to the top-quality pianos of the University’s own Steinway School. All our competitors and jury members enjoy wonderful hospitality – the University staff are part of our family, and provide incredible support and enthusiasm for our young competitors.

A hugely rewarding aspect of our partnership is our internships and volunteering programme. This offers University of Leeds students the chance to gain valuable experience in a variety of roles which bring the competition to the world, whether it is as production assistants, supporting fundraising, driving cultural engagement on our community Leeds Piano Trail, or providing a warm welcome to audiences at events.

Our global reach, particularly through our online streaming with Medici.tv, enables us to reach out to alumni and networks worldwide, and we are able to develop new thinking together in areas where we have mutual interests, such as digital transformation and community engagement.

We are truly fortunate to have such a forward-looking and vibrant organisation as our Principal Partner.”

 

Alongside the main competition there was a varied range of concerts and events designed to showcase the talents of all involved. This included the Leeds Piano Trail – 11 beautifully decorated pianos and 10 sculptures spaced across the city which provided an opportunity for anyone to safely play and enjoy the piano for free. Community groups and professional artists transformed the instruments into works of art, including one located in campus inside LUU. The trail encouraged people in Leeds to explore the city and to come together once again.

Harriet Boatwright, Sales and Marketing Manager at MeetinLeeds, says

“We are so very proud of the partnership we have with Leeds International Piano Competition and love how global the event continues to be. As we look to welcome the City of Culture to Leeds in 2023, as a conference team we are driven to ensure that cultural activities remains a crucial part of our event delivery throughout the year and more importantly beyond.  We welcome and look forward to the opportunity to work with the University of Leeds core partners, among the many; Northern Ballet, Opera North and Leeds Museums and Galleries.”

 

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