Buddy Scheme

Please visit the main buddy scheme page


This year, for the first time, IWMW is offering a Buddy Scheme designed to introduce new IWMW delegates to more-seasoned IWMW attendees and active members of the HE web and digital community.

It is a timely addition to the already established IWMW activities as we have more than 50 first time attendees signed up this year!
The scheme is designed to:

  • demonstrate that the HE web and digital community is a welcoming one
  • make attending a conference for the first time less daunting and more accessible
  • foster inclusion across the event and the community thereafter
  • encourage old and new members of the community to share their expertise, contacts, and experiences both at the event and after it

How the Buddy Scheme works

  • Each first-timer will be ‘matched’ with an experienced IWMW attendee and introduced over email
  • We ask that each pair connect with each other in advance of the conference and have a chat (phone, face to face, skype, Whatsapp – we really don’t mind!) to determine what the first-timer would like to know about attending the conference and to give the experienced delegate an opportunity to share some IWMW top tips and advice about getting the most out of the event
  • During this chat we ask that you arrange a suitable time to meet at the conference, as near to the start of the event as possible – remember, there is a social activity on the Tuesday night as well as time on the Wednesday before Registration
  • Attend the conference dinner drinks reception on Wednesday night where further introductions can be made
  • And from here its really up to each Buddy Pair to agree the next steps, both at the conference and beyond

This could include:

  • Being introduced to other delegates in similar roles to you
  • Making contact with an expert who can help with a particular issue or opportunity
  • Organising a regional meet-up or similar event after the conference
  • Forming an informal mentoring arrangement after the event
  • Sharing each other’s conference reports once back in the office

We hope that everyone involved will find the Scheme beneficial and engaging and we welcome your feedback for future events.