I tend to agree Rich. It's a shame that IOSH can't make it more accessible, you might be forgiven for thinking that they don't want it to be. OMG - am I that cynical?

Just had a thought (dangerous - they don't happen very often!); what about IOSH running a competition/prize draw/lotto or what ever you want to call it where they put the names of all those that register interest into a prize draw and give away some tickets? After all IOSH is a charity, charity begins at home, and IOSH should be run for the benefit of its members. As I said just a thought. I do recall IOSH giving away some tickets to a couple of years ago I think, to those that had just got C or Grad' or such like but this would open it up to ALL! Failing that what about some golden tickets in SHP? - OH that's been done already!!

I work for a Charity, 'nuff said, John

I work for myself - more than enough said! ;)

£600+ Hardly aimed at your average member [Chartered or not]. I would be interested in comments from the organisers on how this represents good value for money in these difficult times.

Heather You could spend some of the mythical pots of money?

Agreed, I think most people (lucky enough) struggle to justify their membership fee being paid let alone £600 quid, travel expenses and loss of earnings! I did attend one in Telford a few years back (got a snazzy IOSH badge holder), other than that HIGHLIGHT, I agree with the comments made by Gina-john. Sorry IOSH, no where near enough work to justify your fees!

If by perceiving HSE myth of the month is anything to go by..... Only a select few will be able to afford to go!

Hi, Agree with above - couldn't afford it 10 years ago in the good times never mind now; compares badly with HSE events I've attended which if memory serves are approx £75 for a full day, with food, with CDs and info given away and excellent training material - thinking particularly of the manual handling and slips/trips roadshows. Regards Steve

Anyone from the higher echelons going to justify the cost? I don't, for example, see any comment from our illustrious leader elect (Mr Granger). It would be interesting to know who set the price (presumably some one in PR and marketing). If my assertion is correct perhaps they would like to justify the price as well. Rich

Obviously if people and employers talk with their feet then planning for IOSH 2010 may have more affordable areas to entice both members and industry that ultimately pay for this... My budget is blown before contemplating attending the next one!

Well I have to say I was stunned to see this years fees! As a freelance consultant in a very difficult market both I and many other practitioners are faced with many weeks when we are not earning anything. How on earth are we expected to fork-out such high fees for a seminar organised by the very body that we are members of? My personal view is that this discontentment is going to hit-hard with the people who set this rate at The Grange, I can see a significant lack of attendance by members of our Institution. Professional IOSH members should have been given a much reduced rate as an incentive to gain Knowledge, Network and CPD! Yes, charge a corporate rate for the corporate companies and attendees that are not members but don’t bite the hand that feeds you IOSH! Of course there is still time for IOSH to reverse this error and send all member practitioners information on a realistic reduced rate so that individuals can actually attend.

I’m very disappointed that we have not had an official response to this issue! I know many practitioners who are low paid or currently out of work, why no help from the body that they are members of, the very people that have supported the Institution for years? It is NOT acceptable to remain silent over such a serious issue in such a difficult economic climate. Come on IOSH a REPONSE NOW PLEASE!

I think all that has been said is really important and that the Grange do take note. From the responses here it is clear so many of us would like to attend for all the reasons the conference is advertised - but the cost is prohibitive. It sadly does seem to be that those in the Grange have become wildly out of touch with the current economic climate. £600 plus is just not realistic - particularly when compared to for example in house training courses - or even public courses. I too feel aggrieved that once again it is based in London - so from the Midlands please add another £100 train fare (and that's cattle class)with virgin, plus food ( and let us not forget the fact if you eat at these conferences its £4 odd quid for a sandwich) It is just not going to happen - like other employers mine has cut right back and we are finding times difficult - manufacturing is not a great place to be either. I dont want to think that this conference is only for the large employers but such fees do seem out of the reach of the 'average' safety professional. We shouldn't need competitions to attend - we all pay our (ever increasing) annual membership so surely this should be made accessible for all?

It is NOT acceptable to remain silent over such a serious issue in such a difficult economic climate. Come on IOSH a FORMAL REPONSE PLEASE!

Well if the Grange is not going to respond, perhaps our newly elected council members would like to comment!!!

Its not really surprising that IOSH (so far haven't responded) - its the way it is and the way the organisation usually works. How come organisations from other professional institutions can set up week long training courses and only charge about 2 x the figure quoted here for a 1 day attendance at a conference. Fully appreciate there is a big difference in scale etc - but the principle applies. Strikes me as excessive profit making. As per my previous posting - I finally got fed up paying my membership fees and getting nothing back.

Rich; I don't expect a response in time for anything to be done about it - look at all the fuss on the forums we had trying to get papers/presentations etc from last year (year before??). Although to be fair I think there was some form of concession to the members from IOSH - cannot for the life of me remember what it was though! I have just checked the CMI website (I am also a member there) following their conference last week; and there are copies of the presentations etc also they run an 'on demand' version where for a small fee (£25 I think) you can get to watch the speeches/presentations etc. I must say though at about £500 for one day (I think this included a black tie dinner and awards ceremony though) it too was out of my pocket money range; even with the excellent (in my view) range of speakers which included James Caan and Chris Moon MBE.

Dear all Thank you for raising your concerns about the forthcoming IOSH 2011 conference and exhibition. The event is the most expensive event that IOSH runs , but equally it is by far the largest. IOSH offers a huge range of training and networking opportunities for members, including free and low cost networking events and seminars, free online tools, free forums, subsidised professional training courses and sector-specific conferences. Every year, we offer 500 free or low cost (below £100) events for members, and last year, thousands of members took advantage of these and increased their knowledge and professional networks as a result. The Annual Conference is expensive, but what do you get for your money? It’s a two day conference, with 55 expert speakers including Judith Hackitt, Chair, Health & Safety Executive, and John Armitt, Chair, Olympic Delivery Authority. This year, the conference will be more interactive, more 'hands on', encouraging debate with peer to peer round table discussions and involving practical workshops covering communication skills, finance, fire safety and more. There are 35 conference sessions, with 15 hours of learning and debate including 9 innovative case studies. As a networking opportunity, IOSH 2011 offers over 10 hours of face to face networking time with evening drinks receptions and breakfast briefings. As usual, we’ve worked hard to make sure that everyone can benefit from the event: - This year we provided a bursary scheme for members. 20 free passes were issued on a lottery basis. We are looking to provide further free passes on a similar basis - more details to follow. - Every April the members' survey offers one free pass on a prize draw basis. Indeed, another survey will soon be appearing on the IOSH website which also plans to offer a free place as a prize. - In addition, many of our branches subsidise a number of local members each year to attend. - Of course, if you aren't lucky enough to get a free pass or be subsidised, the cost can be high. If you can't manage the conference fee - the exhibition is free to attend and includes over 100 organisations and two spotlight theatres. There are two IOSH stands, which will have free sessions for exhibition visitors and delegates. - This year we have introduced the fifth conference track providing sessions at a low cost rate. - If you can't attend at all w e also use YouTube, Twitter, our website, the conference website and SHP online to keep you up to date with the very latest at IOSH 2011. So even if you can't be there, you can still see behind the scenes coverage, interviews with speakers and join in the debate. IOSH 2011 is at the top end of our events pricing scale, and offers value for that price. And please don't forget, with another 500 free or low cost events every year, there should be something to support all our members’ learning and networking needs, whatever your budget. Yours, Ian Smart Interim IOSH Communications Director

Ian, your extensive reply is welcome. I agree and accept most of what you say, including your opening phrase of your 3rd paragraph. However, the 2nd phrase of the first sentence of your final paragraph is a matter of opinion and one which I do not share.