Afternoon all, Why is the conference so expensive? http://www.ioshconference.co.uk/why-attend

Absolutely not! There should be complete transparency on this issue and no 'hiding place'. There is a lot that is good about Iosh but the cost of the conference is not one of those. It is shamefully expensive and if you work for a public service like I do there is no km chance of having attendance funded by your employer. So you inevitably miss out on listening i to some inspirational and 'big hitters r' health and safety speakers.

Because it's got that famous fella talking, you know errr whats his name, he done something once and now he can talk about all sorts of stuff. I think it is like everything if you don't like the price don't go, if only a few people turn up then IOSH will get the message. Why doesn't someone start a petition for IOSH members to sign and then send it in to the top person.

I've been to 2 in the past 20 years. The hype never matches the content. Its a waste of time even if it was free.

OK - I am a fence sitter on this.... but just try this.... If it was renamed; UMB International Safety and Health Expo, Conference and Scientific Forum (other titles are available) would you think differently? (name changed for legal reasons) I did not ask; 'would you go'..... but would you think differently about the event and its relative value to the world of working safely?

Steve, If you are asking "should IOSH put their name to this bunfight" then its a resounding no from me. IOSH needs to concentrate on providing resources to benefit the majority of members and not a small elite.

Steve Not sure where you are coming from, but the name is irrelevant. Indeed there are other events such as Health and Safety Expo which is free to attend. However it is more of a sales event than a conference. I have only ever been once when the company paid for my ticket. I would not have paid for it as a consultant and now work in local government...I would not go anyway due to the exorbitant price. Why can't we have a more modestly priced conference, without all the bells and whistles and expensive speakers. I'm sure there is enough expertise within the membership who would gladly give up some of their time to put on a great show. I for one would volunteer.

People - my point is that the name seems to imply that it should be low cost to 'the IOSH members' and it is their (membership) right to have a low cost conference in a high cost venue and top class speakers flown in. In reality we get many low cost activities and regional events; from branches, groups and more. This is the showcase. It is market priced by a commercial organization - not IOSH (I may be corrected here). It is set in a prestigious location to attract sales of both exhibition space and delegates with a view to a) recovering cost and b) making a margin. The agents event team are employed year round. I concur with the sentiment and feeling of exclusion to this conference -which is, imho wrong. But I can go to the free exhibition and free events surrounding the plenary chamber. Just saying 'I won't be going, full stop!' is a bit like biting ones nose to spite the face. I suspect people in ivory towers are listening and hearing... but do remember the rules of contract, sales, and of course marketing. We are not all customers for this event. But I suspect it will be full - so someone is, and they will have a good time and (as every year) feedback that is was a very valuable few days.

Hilary - obviously the financials are confidential and out of my knowledge anyway, but we can discuss the general situation. Firstly 'profit' is a term I'd rather avoid. 'Surplus' can be shared out according to the contract relationship - if it came back to IOSH it would be used as any surplus produced by IOSH is; 'to meet our charitable objectives' and that includes subsidizing membership fees, producing free guidance, subsidizing network events, undertaking consultation of changes to law and management systems etc etc. Secondly the 'free tickets' and jollies for the team...... Grrr!!!!! Over the last few years I have had a number of these so called 'freebies'. Basically working very hard before during and after said 'freebie' to ensure IOSH remains in pole position. I don't get paid for doing it, I don't get compensated for not working, I claim only certain expenses but do not recover the whole of my personal outlay to be a volunteer, whilst I am away my business stops, whilst I am away my business is prevented from moving forward and when I get home I have to work twice as hard to catch up..... Yes I get travel paid and meals provided - thanks for that, but the understanding of free tickets needs to be put in context - very little in life is actually free when all is said and done, but those that do these things seldom speak their frustration at this (rather demeaning) label .... Over the years I guess I have given no less than 500 days to IOSH, I am a freelance consultant and I pay my membership every year. Someone 'do the math' as our more commercially minded US cousins might say. Please understand this was given and is not in anyway to say that I got nothing from the investment. I would do it all again - but 'freebies'.... grr.

So people do get freebies then, so Hally was right some are given out. The fact that some have to work to get them makes no difference are they offered to all in the IOSH community? I have never been offered one. I also think that they are offered to companies so that they have representation at the conference, Like you I have been a member for a long time never been offered anything except the threat that I would not be allowed to do anything or use IOSH initials (which I don't anyway unless I paid my subs.

I have never been able to afford to attend the event as I would be self funded. Did go to the free exhibition a few years ago when it was held in Harrogate as that was minimum cost. I have been to a number of cheaper Health and Safety events that I could afford but its hard to compare value for money. Some people have mentioned the price of Liverpool Football Club season Tickets - I pay a lot less for my Bradford City Ticket am I getting a poorer Saturdays entertainment for my money? (that's rhetorical by the way no answers needed!) As for people attending as freebies - I help out with a local safety event 3 times a year. They are some of the hardest days work I do! (again no comment needed thanks) and I would not consider it a freebie for anyone attending to represent the members interest.

I wouldn't even bother to ask mine. The question back to me would be: 'Can you justify the cost to the business?' The answer is 'Nope'. Even if it was half the cost I would still struggle. Andy

Hi I've been every year for the last 15 years, I'm lucky my employer pays, but I'm giving it a miss this year as even I'm feeling it's not great value for the company now. I went to the Health and Wellbeing at Work conference at the NEC Birmingham last year for £37.50 if you sign up for annual membership of the Health and Wellbeing network. Two days with about 10 different streams per day and many of the same speakers as at IOSH. OK there is a focus on health and wellbeing and some HR related streams. But you still get streams on leadership, employee engagement, human factors and a range of other H&S related sessions plus a small exhibition. great value at an easy to access venue.

Just to clear up any confusion, i was referring to free tickets being given out, not and i repeat NOT for those who have put in lots of work for free this year, last year or any year and although they might be going for free are still working not as a jolly... Yours Hilary Hall ;) Oh and my catcha image thingeymebob is vipFi Might change name to Fiona...