NASUWT Exhibition: A Mindful Conference

For the annual exhibition of NASUWT, The Teachers’ Union, held at the world-class International Convention Centre (ICC) in Birmingham, Freshwater delivered a three-day exhibition promoting mindfulness and solidarity after the stress and isolation of the pandemic. It was held alongside the NASUWT National Conference.

The NASUWT wanted to mark the first in-person event with a warm, wellbeing-focused experience for its members. Recharge zones were essential, given this would be a paper-free event. Having developed new brand guidelines for the union’s annual report, Freshwater was also asked to design branding for the exhibition.

Freshwater provided full event management, from supplying a three-dimensional animated fly-through, demonstrating the proposed use of space, to delivering a tipi-housed wellbeing zone with standing yoga and bhangra dancing. While a “Soundbites” stage gave talks via personal headphones, preserving the autonomy of separate zones, self-contained ‘nooks’ and ‘chill and re-charge’ zones were a cosy space for informal chats.

Freshwater used sensory props, including photography, colouring books, plants and scented diffusers, to enhance the event’s healthful atmosphere. Meanwhile, virtual reality gaming provided care-free fun and Yes/No containers, ball bins and an easel prompted dynamic discussion.

Freshwater created fresh branding for the exhibition based on an updated colour palette, typography and imagery, with a conference logo adapted to screen, banners and other event materials.

The event was extremely popular among delegates. While tipi sessions were well-attended, delegates appreciated the charging zones and nooks, and enjoyed the colouring books and virtual reality gaming. Attendees also felt the easel provided networking opportunities and interesting content for their social media.