The British Academy of Management (BAM) invites tenders from academic institutions and venues to host its prestigious Hybrid Annual Conference in 2028, provisionally scheduled for 4th – 8th September.
About the BAM Annual Conference:
The Annual Conference is a cornerstone of BAM's mission, providing a vital platform for its members to connect, share research, and shape the future of management thought. Our 2024 conference welcomed over 900 in-person attendees and 300 online participants from more than 58 countries. The event featured a rich programme of workshops, keynotes, panel sessions, and paper presentations across 30 tracks, culminating in a memorable Gala Dinner at Colwick Hall.
The Conference fosters collaboration, facilitates networking, showcases cutting-edge research, and sparks discussions on key policy initiatives. It is preceded by a one-day Doctoral Symposium, a core component of the event, typically attracting 200 - 250 doctoral students from approximately 40 countries.
Tendering Process:
Due to growing interest in hosting the BAM Annual Conference, we have implemented a formal tendering process to ensure fairness and transparency. This process is overseen by the Chair of BAM, the CEO, the Head of Events and Operations and the Co-Vice-Chairs for Academic Affairs of Conference & Capacity Building.
Key Dates:
- Expression of Interest: 21st March 2025
- Detailed Proposal: 30th May 2025
Detailed Proposal Requirements:
Your detailed proposal must include the following information:
- Doctoral Symposium: Outline the proposed venue for the Doctoral Symposium and its associated dinner, accommodating approximately 250 participants.
- Main Conference Venue: Detail the proposed venue for the main conference, ideally with a capacity of 1,200-1,500+ delegates.
- Gala Networking Reception: Outline a suitable venue for the Conference Gala Networking Reception.
- Conference Dates: Acknowledge that the final conference dates are set by BAM. The Doctoral Symposium traditionally precedes the conference by one day.
- Conference Organising Committee: Identify the proposed Host Institution's Conference Chair (who will collaborate with the BAM Co-Vice-Chairs for Academic Affairs of Conference & Capacity Building) and outline the proposed Conference Committee structure. This typically includes chairs for Sponsorships, Publicity, Local Arrangements, and Volunteer Recruitment (60-90 volunteers), along with a dedicated conference/events Chair/s from the host institution.
- Cost Outline: Provide a detailed breakdown of costs for both the conference (including room hire, catering, and equipment) and the Doctoral Symposium (catering only). The host institution is expected to provide rooms and AV for the Doctoral Symposium free of charge, as part of their support for doctoral students.
- Sponsorships: List sponsorships that have been agreed upon in principle.
- Accommodation: Outline the range of local accommodation options available (including student accommodation) and their price ranges.
- Accessibility: Describe accessibility within and around the venue, including wheelchair access and public transport links.
- Conference Themes: Suggest potential conference themes and provide a rationale for each.
- Fringe Sessions: Outline any potential "fringe" sessions.
- Institutional Contributions: Detail any financial or in-kind contributions from the institution.
- Confirmed Sponsorships: Outline any sponsorships agreed in principle.
- Risk Management Plan: Provide a comprehensive risk management plan.
- Budget Template (Appendix 1): Complete the provided budget template, considering that the conference is a primary income stream for BAM and must be profitable. BAM aims for a surplus of at least 20% to support other activities, in addition to recouping direct and indirect costs.
- Institutional Support: Describe existing and potential future support for BAM from members at the institution.
- Sustainability: Detail how the host university can contribute to improving sustainability at the conference, aligning with BAM's commitment to sustainable practices.
- Equality, Diversity, Inclusivity, and Respect (EDIR): Outline how the bid addresses EDIR principles, reflecting BAM's core values and commitment to EDIR best practices.
Shortlisting Process:
Following an initial shortlisting, BAM’s CEO, Head of Events & Operations and Conference and Communities Manager will conduct site visits. BAM will then make a final decision.
Institutional vs. Venue Bids:
Tenders can be submitted by either academic institutions or venues (e.g., large conference hotels or centres). Venue bids should include as much information as possible, though detailed information on Academic Chairs and themes may be limited. Given the academic nature of the conference, venues are expected to partner with a local university to ensure academic focus and content. BAM can assist in establishing such partnerships if needed.
Further Information:
For further information about hosting a BAM Conference, please contact Justina Senkus at jsenkus@bam.ac.uk for an initial discussion.
Venue Requirements:
The main conference (including the virtual day) and Doctoral Symposium span five days, typically during the first full week of September. The conference usually begins with the virtual day, followed by the in-person Doctoral Symposium and 2.5 days of in-person conference activities. The organising team requires venue access from 7:00 am to 9:30 pm daily.
Doctoral Symposium Facilities:
- Auditorium (500-700 capacity) for welcome address/plenary (or details of spill-out venues if smaller)
- 10-12 seminar rooms (40-60 capacity)
- 30-35 meeting rooms (4+ capacity)
- 4-5 contingency classrooms
- Open-plan area for poster presentations, coffee breaks, lunch, and registration (1,200-1,500 capacity)
- Doctoral Symposium dinner venue (250+ capacity) on campus
BAM Conference Facilities:
- Virtual Element: BAM manages the virtual platform and livestreaming of plenaries. The virtual element includes online paper presentations, a keynote panel, online sessions, Professional Development Workshops (PDWs), and networking activities.
- In-Person Element: Includes paper presentations, PDWs, a grand opening plenary, panel sessions, track symposia and workshops, the BAM Awards Ceremony, SIG and network activities, networking cafes, and committee/board meetings.
In-Person Conference Facilities:
- Lecture theatre (500+ capacity) and overflow lecture theatre
- 50-60 lecture theatres/seminar rooms (25-50 capacity) for PDWs and paper sessions
- Combined exhibition and catering area (20-25 table-top stands)
- Conference Gala Networking venue (300-500+ capacity)
- Technical infrastructure including streaming for hybrid sessions
The provision of these facilities by the host institution needs to be clarified. A range of accommodation options (hotels and student accommodation) near the venue is required.
Hosting the BAM Conference offers a valuable opportunity for the host institution to engage with the local business and management community and showcase its strengths.
BAM works closely with the host institution in planning and organising the event. However, BAM retains final decision-making authority based on its overall strategic direction, delegate expectations, and event management considerations.
Contracts:
A formal contract outlining responsibilities, underwriting agreements, and liabilities (e.g., cancellation charges related to minimum delegate/accommodation numbers) must be signed between the host institution and BAM as early as possible after bid confirmation. BAM will require an official invitation from the host university's senior management upon successful bid confirmation.