Tag SOFest

SOFest: A learning festival where everything is an invitation

Outdoors in a wood, with log seats, fire pit, shepherds hut and trees in the background

Kirsty Lewis shares what makes SOFest different, from focused speaker sessions and practical workshops to silent discos, sound baths, business development and creative reflection. With everything framed as an invitation, delegates choose their own route through learning, connection, rest and…

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Why SoFest 2026 is more than a conference

SOFest with Kirsty Lewis, 2025

Kirsty Lewis outlines how SoFest is coming together, with its mix of workshops, shared experiences and outdoor setting. With thoughtful attention to accessibility, wellbeing and community, the event aims to create rich opportunities for learning, conversation and connection, while Impact…

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From vendor to value partner: Turning learning conversations into real impact

External training providers face cultural barriers, politics and self-doubt when pushing for real impact. This conversation uncovers how to secure supervisor buy in, differentiate your offer, harness digital nudges, and use AI as a practice partner so that learning translates…

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From four walls to open fields: What SOFest taught us about connection and curiosity

School of Facilitation Festival 2025 - a tent with people standing around in sunshine.

TJ Editor Jo Cook takes us inside SOFest — the joyful, curious, and beautifully unorthodox learning festival in a field. With sessions ranging from AI coaching to human design, wild swimming to silent discos, this is professional development done differently…

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Behind the scenes of planning a new learning event: Last update before the fun!

Summer festive colorful bunting and blue sky, summer event celebration

With just a couple of weeks to go, Kirsty Lewis shares the emotional highs, financial lows and last-minute wins as SOFest edges closer. From surprise sponsors to sparkly outfit dilemmas, here’s a raw and real behind-the-scenes glimpse at the planning,…

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Behind the scenes of planning a new learning event: The emotional rollercoaster is real

Woman with a distressed expression holds her head in frustration in front of screens showing stock market charts, symbolizing financial stress.

Kirsty Lewis has a meltdown about the numbers for her facilitation festival, despite amazing plans Well we have made it to March 1st and that date is exactly 100 days until the start of SOFest 2025. My name is Kirsty…

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Behind the scenes of planning a new learning event: Exploring ticket sales tactics

Conceptual hand writing showing Book Now. Concept meaning Make a reservation in hotel accommodation or airplane ticket

Kirsty Lewis on the ups, downs and wild ideas behind getting people to SOFest 2025 How are you? If you are new to this blog it is all about my crazy idea to put on a festival for 100-plus facilitators,…

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Behind the scenes of planning a new learning event: Show me the money

Different euro bills from 5 to 200 grow from the ground. Euro Money

How much does a new learning summit cost? Kirsty Lewis shares an eye watering amount This month I want to share the emotional rollercoaster that is creating a festival from scratch with NO financial backing. If you are discovering this…

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Behind the scenes of planning a new learning event: The workshops

A diverse group of people queuing in a sunlit green field exemplifying community and shared experiences

Kirsty Lewis focuses her new festival planning on the different themes and workshops we need For those of you who missed the previous blog, let me catch you up: Imagine walking through a glade of trees with a lake by…

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Behind the scenes of planning a new learning event: The journey begins 

Progress Bar Uninstalling with the text: Fear

An honest account of the roller coaster of creating a newconference, with Kirsty Lewis About five years ago I came up with an idea of an event whereby 100 facilitators, trainers, coaches and consultants would come together, in a field,…

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