Each year, the Big Tent Ideas Festival attracts delegates from all backgrounds, sectors and beliefs to take part in well informed civilised debate which Big Tent believe is key to renewing democracy and demonstrating how technology can drive change for the good.
This innovative event provides a platform for equality of voice across the biggest questions we all face today.
The Big Tent Ideas Festivals are the antidote to our broken politics: non- partisan, collaborative, pioneering and participative events, organised by a not-for-profit organisation with the intention of promoting delegate deliberation, collaboration and interactive discussions about the big issues facing communities, the UK and the world.
In a time where change is inevitable, we knew that people were going to be hungrier than ever to contribute their opinion towards the future of the UK. Being Big Tent’s third year and TCFCs’ first year working alongside them, it was our mission to produce an event that delegates would find engaging.
We wanted to ensure that we created an environment they could take away a lot of learning and use as a platform to discuss first-hand, the subjects that mattered to them with some of the UK’s most influential leaders and each other in one of the eight debating tents.
With our tagline “dare to be different”, we wanted to place the event in a festival environment, with the backdrop of London’s business district – Canary Wharf. Fundamentally to encourage the concept that it is perfectly healthy to debate on a subject matter that they felt passionate about, but then could come together in a joyful environment to share a drink.
In summary, it’s perfectly acceptable to disagree, but varying opinions should not create long term divides.
Over 200 speakers and 1,500 attendees met at Mudchute Park & Farm and left with a re-gained hope in Britain and our futures. The site saw nine structures across the two paddocks for each hot topic of discussion- politics, environment, society, arts & culture, economy, global, communities, innovation, and health, ensuring that there was something for every attendee.
We had an incredible turnout of big names attend, to partake in the discussions, including MP’s Lisa Nandy, Matt Hancock, Penny Mordaunt and musicians Rizzle Kicks.
Combining the thought-provoking debate with a festival element, with music and entertainment, meant that delegates left potentially still divided by opinion, but united as people.
Bringing The Big Tent Ideas Festival home to London was of course a huge step for us, but a step that we believe was the right decision to make. Previously, all of the organisation had been facilitated internally and this year we had the pleasure of working alongside of The Corporate Festival Company as our production house.
From an event point of view. this enabled us to concentrate on our efforts on the programme content rather than having the burden of the set-up of a fully-fledged festival. We were delighted with the efforts of the team – from a production point of view there were never any issues that we needed to be concerned about.
One thing that stood out was their passion and drive to achieve excellence. They are incredibly devoted, highly professional and you can tell that they are all doing a job they enjoy! We felt in safe hands from the moment we engaged with them and would not hesitate in recommending them for other major productions.
Units 3-4, Trade City
Avro Way
Brooklands Industrial Estate
Weybridge
Surrey
KT13 0YF
Units 1 & 2, Greenway Farm
Winslow Road
Great Horwood
Buckinghamshire
MK17 0NY
Company Registration: 03209530
VAT Number: 700 521 494
