Earlier this week we got in touch to ask those who have booked places at this years conference to complete and send back

• Delegate Information
• Meal Choice for the Gala Dinner

The first is quite simply because we need to know who is coming from your organisation so we can inform the hotel and of any dietary or disability needs. We also need to know if you require car parking or if you require transport to and from the hotel from Stratford Station.

The second is new this year (although we’d hoped to do it last year) and asks you to choose a starter/main/dessert. We do, however, require this to be returned by 23rd May 2025 in order that to hotel can cater to the choices made. Please note that if we do not receive this back by 23rd May then you will receive the set menu of

Starter – Grilled asparagus, tenderstem broccoli, toasted almonds (VE,GF)

Main – Wild mushroom and spinach potato gnocchi (V)

Dessert – Chocolate and orange torte (VE,GF)

If you ask to change the delegate attending after 23rd May they will receive the menu chosen by the original delegate.

You’ll receive a menu card at the conference to confirm your choices.

Nominations are coming in for this ears Annual Awards but it’s not too late to enter!

The closing date for this years Awards is 31st May 2025 and we’d love to hear about the wonderful work  being undertaken by TMOs across the country. There are a number of categories that you can enter and you’re not restricted to just one. We’d love you to enter as many categories as you wish and we’ll publicise the winners at conference and in our communications so everyone gets to hear about what happens when communities do it themselves.

Categories

• Community Champion
• Board Member of the Year
• Manager of the Year
• Project of the Year
• Impressive Support to TMOs
• Outstanding contribution by a Young Person under 25
• Lifetime Achievement (to be awarded by the NFTMO Executive)

Nomination forms and further detail can be found here

We’re often approached by Members asking us to recommend a consultant to help them with a range of issues and, whilst we don’t make any recommendations, we do provide a list of those organisations who have worked with other TMOs. If you do want to use one of those listed below we suggest you ask for details of other TMOs they’ve worked with and approaching them directly for a recommendation.

It’s also worth bearing in mind this advice “Yes, consultants can be valuable members of a company, particularly if you engage with them properly. They can contribute immensely, especially in scenarios where hiring a full time employee for a particular position might be an overkill. On the flip side, you can waste a lot of time and money using consultants, causing you to miss key internal opportunities. Study all of your options before you come to a final decision. Evaluate each scenario and what each option brings to the table. Then take a step back and determine what’s ultimately going to not only move the needle, but help you meet your long-term goals and objectives.”

A more flippant statement is that a consultant is someone who saves you enough money to pay their fee!

If you do need help then ensure that you are clear about what you want, how long you want it for (if they are to cover a particular role) and, if they are bringing training and skills development that you learn the skills and spread them across your TMO. That said listed below are those who we are aware of who have worked with TMOs in the past

 

• Jacqui Gordon
• Kay Kelleher
• Liz Michael (check if currently taking on work)
• Newman Francis
• Open Communities
• PPCR
• Asari St.Hill
• Annelie Sernevall (Springboard Enterprises)

We’d be delighted to hear of any other consultants who members have worked with and who they have found helpful.