We’re incredibly excited to welcome you to the NEC in Birmingham on 30 June and 01 July for our inaugural Nursery Managers Show: the UK’s biggest event dedicated to nursery managers. 

An event like this doesn’t happen without a lot of work behind the scenes, so we thought you might like to meet the members of the Nursery Management Today (NMT) team who are making it all happen!

Teresa Zargouni, senior conference producer

As conference producer, Teresa has created our brilliant programme of events. From digital safety to leading a learning walk, from the menopause to recruitment and retention, Teresa is behind all the fascinating sessions you’ll enjoy at the show.

Which sessions are you most looking forward to attending?

“Definitely the HR panel, because there’s such a shortage of employees so this addresses the main challenge of the sector. I’m also really looking forward to the curriculum building session; it will be interesting to see the different approaches to education from the different nurseries. And finally the CPD sessions: the one on how to have difficult conversations will be really interesting.” 

Carly McGowan, event operations manager

An absolute events pro, Carly manages the logistics for all our biggest events, including our sparkling National NMT Nursery Awards (get your entries in now for 2023)! Carly has organised the venue, the stages, stands, furniture, and much more, to make sure everything runs like clockwork.

Sophia Chimonas, operations executive 

As Carly’s right-hand woman, Sophia is an absolutely indispensable part of the team, working with the NEC on logistics for the event and making sure our speakers will be fed, watered, and rested to run their sessions.

What have you enjoyed most about working on the Nursery Managers Show?

“It's been really interesting to see all the different aspects of the show come together. In particular, the development of the speaker and panellist schedule, with so many fascinating and engaging conversations to be had on both days!”

Alice Jones, head of digital content

As well as helping Teresa with some of the sessions, Alice is in charge of the blogs (like this one!) on the show website, writing some of them and roping the team into contributing others – like this great review of Davina McCall’s book Menopausing, by our features editor Charlotte Goddard.

What has been your favourite part of working on the Managers Show blogs?

“I’ve loved interviewing some fascinating nursery managers for our Spotlight and Career Talk interview series. Nursery managers don’t get applauded nearly enough, so it’s been wonderful to not only meet so many interesting people but to give them a platform and hopefully a bit of a boost too!”

Craig Williams, marketing design manager

Craig is our aesthetic magician; he’s the reason our marketing looks as good as it does! Between creating graphics, organising marketing, and designing for the NMT magazine, Craig is often run off his feet, but always has time to help the rest of us out with our innumerable queries.

How have you found working on the graphics and marketing for the Nursery Managers Show?

“It has been great to be a part of a team working on a brand-new show and developing the branding and numerous marketing materials that are a part of making a show like this happen. It's always fun to see artwork go from the small screen to large format in event halls too.”

Sean Sutton, marketing manager

Sean is our social media and email marketing guru. If you’ve seen it on LinkedIn, Twitter, or in your inbox, it’s Sean who put it there! His proactivity and on-the-ball marketing is a big part of why we’ve got thousands of nursery managers signed up to join us at the NEC. 

As a relatively new joiner to NMT, how have you found working on this huge show so early on in your time here?

“It’s been amazing working on a brand-new show so early into my time here, and I love watching the registrations fly in! Being part of a brand-new show presents a remarkable opportunity to leave a lasting impression right from the outset and hopefully, the attendees will feel the same when they are there! I mean, who doesn’t love chair yoga?!”

Briony Richter, NMT editor

A well-known face in the sector, and our resident nursery expert, Briony has been supporting with the creation of the Managers Show – from writing for the blogs to introducing us to her innumerable contacts in the sector. Check out Briony’s fortnightly Hot Take pieces on the blog!

Why do you think the Nursery Managers Show is so important for the sector?

“It’s been a trying couple of years for the sector and we know that getting the necessary financial and strategic support is going to be an uphill battle. Collective effort and collaboration is essential, and at this event you’ll find a huge community of people ready to help you out. I’m in constant awe of the resilience and compassion of those working in early years education, and our whole team at NMT are committed to supporting them in whatever way we can.”

Caroline Bowern, advertisement and event sales director

An NMT team stalwart, Caroline is a familiar face to many in the nursery sector, working on our advertising, event sponsorship, and NMT Agendas. This year, Caroline turned her hand to introducing nursery suppliers to the Managers Show and encouraging people to get involved. Check out the Exhibitors list to see our brilliant exhibitors and find out where to visit them on the day!

How has your experience been of introducing a completely new show to the nursery sector and getting suppliers excited to come and exhibit with us?

“It’s been really enjoyable showing my existing clients this exciting new show and introducing new clients to our brand. I’ve made a lot of new contacts through the show and I’m looking forward to continuing these partnerships in future.”

Sarah Hyman, chief operating officer

As chief operating officer, Sarah, along with our chief executive Alex, masterminds most of our big projects and manages the rest of us in the office (no mean feat!) A big proponent of the nursery sector, Sarah is heavily involved in the creation of the Managers Show as well as our NMT Nursery Awards and Agendas.

What have been your highs and lows of developing the Nursery Managers Show?

“There have only been highs! I’m loving hearing how excited all the managers are about attending, and knowing we’re meeting such a big need for a show like this in the sector.”

Alex Dampier, chief executive/chief financial officer

As chief executive, Alex is a busy man, but he takes a keen interest in all areas of NMT, from the magazine to our events and marketing. Alex is also our chief financial officer, making sure all the sums add up so that we run sustainably and can continue to put on brilliant events like this, free of charge to nursery managers.

Where did the idea for the Nursery Managers Show come from? Why are we doing it?

“Retention. Nursery managers are the backbone of the sector and it’s no secret that people have been leaving the nursery sector for a variety of reasons. They spend their lives doing the most important job, and we thought it was about time someone held a show dedicated entirely to them, covering development and learning but also wellbeing and having some fun!”

Join us and thousands of nursery managers at the NEC Birmingham, on 30 June – 01 July for a packed two days of content, learning, and fun! Get your FREE tickets here.