ASEC 2022 Round Up

ASEC took place on the Friday before the Kendal Mountain Festival weekend as usual and nearly 80 race organisers, race directors and planners from across the UK (and a few from Europe) attended.

ASEC continues to provide an opportunity to hear from highly regarded speakers, and this year, Dave Robinson (Access and Recreation Officer, Loch Lomond National Park) and Matt Neale (Lead Ranger Yorkshire Dales National Park) gave a joint presentation about event access to National Parks and the countryside and mountains in the UK.

Next Up, Damian Hall challenged organisers on their sustainability credentials, and showcased how this was influencing elite athletes' perspectives on events they choose to enter or not.  

The final morning session was about the provision of medical services at events by Dr Charlotte Hattersley who has worked for both Ourea Events and Open Tracking for many years.

After a lunch break and a fantastic networking opportunity, delegates needed to be encouraged out of the restaurant and back to the presentation room, such was the lively conversation and networking opportunities that ASEC provides.

The afternoon started with Lucy Speakman (Director Outdoor UK, Adidas) sharing her insights about brand sponsorship for events, which as organisers, we all understand can be a magical part of the event proposition when it works well.

The final speaker was Chris Barnes KC, from Exchange Chambers, who impressed everyone present with his no-nonsense summary of the legal implications should someone decide to sue a race organiser. Combined with his straightforward advice to protect and mitigate against legal action, this presentation was one of the highlights of the day.

The day finished with a lively panel discussion with most of the room chipping in with questions and anecdotes.