Railway Division Virtual Annual Luncheon 2021

Overview

In case you missed them, both the Railway Division Chair's speech (reflecting on his year in office and on the positive prospects for our industry), and the excellent keynote from Caroline Sheridan (explaining how TfL has worked to meet the challenges of the pandemic), are still available to view online, alongside our Annual IMechE update:

Felix Schmid

Caroline Sheridan

 Railway Division IMechE update

Click here to view the PDF slides

The IMechE Virtual Annual Luncheon is "not just another webinar". The team created a bespoke event to replicate the physical opportunities the Lunch is loved for, so you can catch-up with corporates, colleagues and, frankly, friends.

Guests clicked though the Virtual Exhibitor Hall (with its tempting staffed Kiosks, downloadable brochures and on-demand videos) to the Meetings Hub, and tagged guests for a 1-to-1s.

They took the opportunity to go international (guaranteed to stay in everyone’s Covid-comfort zone), so that this much-loved event went ahead where guests joined from home, office or wherever permitted:

Hosted by Professor emeritus Felix Schmid, Chair of the Railway Division, the Luncheon was an excellent opportunity to network and raise the profile of your organisation. This year's keynote speaker will be Caroline Sheridan, Director of TfL Engineering Delivery.

Every guest shared the traditional Annual Luncheon experience of:

• being seated at a virtual table of 10 people (think Zoom breakout room)
• networking with potential customers and suppliers
• listening to thought-provoking talks
• catching up with colleagues in 1-to-1s, with bookable slots available throughout
• gaining insights into new railway products and services
• participating as much or as little as they wish

The catch: provide your own lunch! (The benefit: prize for the photo of the best dinner plate!)

£18 + VAT per individual, or £150 + VAT per table of 10. Please note that individual bookers will be allocated to virtual tables hosted by IMechE Railway Division member volunteers, who will facilitate networking. If you book a table, you will be the table host.

As ever, the Luncheon provided excellent networking opportunities to engage with peers, suppliers, and railway sector influencers. The online platform hosted supplier exhibitions, virtual tables for spirited discussions and a range of activities and speakers to keep everyone entertained and informed. Perhaps best of all, proceeds from the event went to two charities focussed on railway industry employees in the UK and engineers throughout the world.

1. Railway Benefit Fund the charity that supports railway people and their families. Particularly with Covid, it’s important to remember the needs of “real rail, real people”.

and

2. The Support Network the mechanical engineers' charity, providing information and advice; together with financial, emotional and practical assistance to people in need.

As usual, bookings with additional options were available to make your Luncheon experience even better.

Regular attending companies include:

Other ways to get involved:

As ever, sponsorship of the Railway Division Annual Luncheon is a unique opportunity to position your organisation as a key player in the railway community. There is a range of packages available, and all will deliver high profile, relevant brand exposure and extensive networking opportunities.

For more details contact the Sponsorship Team on +44 (0)20 7973 1309 or email sponsorship@imeche.org

To book multiple tables, download a booking form to complete and send it back to eventenquiries@imeche.org

Day 1

11:30 - Programme

11:30 Optional log on and explore:
- Pop into different companies’ sponsored virtual kiosks to gain insights and updates*
- Book yourself a one-to-one anytime
- Browse the event-special website and watch sponsors’ videos
- Check out the charities we are supporting; and even…
- Prop up a virtual bar to catch up with colleagues or explore potential customers and suppliers

12:25 Plenary: Welcome and introduction
Professor emeritus Felix Schmid, Chair, Railway Division, Institution of Mechanical Engineers

12:30 Grace: led by Rebeka Sellick MEng FIMechE, Chair of the Railway Division Luncheon Committee
Enjoy the lunch that you have perhaps cooked in advance (recipes will be suggested!), heated- up, ordered in or that your physical host (if you have one) may provide. Whether you eat at a virtual or, maybe, a real table, you will have a table host and conversation.

13:00 Plenary:
From the Chair: state of the IMechE Railway Division; Toast to the Queen; break;
        From the Guest Speaker: Caroline Sheridan’s speech; vote of thanks; break.

14:00 Plenary. Either:
Quiz in table teams (in breakout rooms); or
Another chance to visit the kiosks or book more one-to-ones.

14:30 Plenary: prizes for best dressed table, table raising most money for charity, table winning the quiz and much more…

14:45 Plenary: Chair’s thanks to all for attending, reminder to save the date for next year's Luncheon (Friday 4th March 2022 in-person in London!), Toast the Railway Division and the IMechE

14:50 Return to tables (breakout rooms) to conclude conversations

15:00 Optional networking continued – including bookable one-to-ones

*Extend your reach beyond the Guests you invite to your Table – generate new leads by booking a Virtual Kiosk. During networking (before, between and after the Plenary and Table sessions), all guests are free to visit your branded Kiosk and watch your hosted video on demand, or download your brochures. You can also arrange one-to-one meetings with your Kiosk visitors through the meeting hub, limited only by how many you want to staff. A Kiosk costs £150 + VAT - see Booking page.
Contact Sponsorship for other branding options.

Sponsorship and Exhibition Opportunities: Sponsorship Team

T: +44 (0)20 7973 1309   E: sponsorship@imeche.org

Event Enquiries: Event Enquiries

T: +44 (0)207 973 1251   E: eventenquiries@imeche.org