A social experiment: BCS event held at aql’s conference auditorium

aql’s new 370-seat, city centre conference auditorium was the setting for the BCS (the Chartered Institute for IT) West Yorkshire’s ‘Social Media – the path to social success’ event on 23 April 2013.

Delegates from across West Yorkshire’s IT industries came together to hear presentations from two companies who are successfully using social media to improve corporate communication and engage their client base.

Following a welcome and introduction by Dr Adam Beaumont, aql’s CEO, some of the first speakers to present in aql’s brand new venue were Yorkshire Water’s Phil Mayo, who gave an account of how social media plays a part in customer relations for a large utility company; and Chris Allen from Leeds-based solicitors Blacks, who have embraced social media, particularly Twitter, as an alternative way of engaging with clients and promoting their business. During the talk, many members of the audience were actually tweeting about the talk about tweeting!

Melissa Hendry, aql Operations Director, was excited that aql were able to support such an event:
“The event has been a great success from aql’s point of view. 50 delegates attended this, our second event and it was a good test of our AV systems. We’ve tried to accommodate the needs of tech events, with a plug socket next to each seat to allow users to bring mobile devices“.

aql’s CEO, Adam Beaumont also commented:
“The idea of the auditorium is to host events which are for the good of the internet. Events such as this for the BCS, RIPE training, UKNOF and others, we have pledged to host without charge“.

“BCS West Yorkshire event is exactly the kind of partner we’re looking to work with as we’re looking to serve the Internet and Datacentre industries, and we will be hosting further regular events for their community.”

Chris Allen, Managing Partner, Blacks Solicitors LLP, who presented at the event said: “I was delighted to be asked to present a lecture at the aql Salem Chapel in Leeds. I was expecting a spacious but spartan church hall; I got a state-of-the-art brand new auditorium with all mod cons. Just amazing. It has to be the best kept secret in Leeds! Go and see yourself. Well done aql!”