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Panellist information

Introduction

Thank you for agreeing to participate as a panellist at International Women’s Day Banbury. We’re so pleased to have you on board!

The following guidelines will provide you with important information and instructions.

Session information

The online programme on our website regularly updated and contains details of all sessions, speakers and panellists.

Please check the preliminary programme for the time of the session in which you are joining. If this changes, we will try our best to inform you as soon as possible.

Each session will have a host. They will be responsible for introducing the speakers and panellists, controlling the timing of the sessions and facilitating questions.  

The venue floor plan will be available on the website ahead of the event.

Session timings

Each session will commence with a themed talk which should last 15 minutes.

Two additional panellists will then join the stage for 20 minutes (that's you!).

The audience will then be encouraged to join the conversation for 10 minutes.

In order to keep the sessions running to schedule and allow questions from the audience, it is very important to we keep our discussions within the allotted time. You may be cut short if your session overruns the allotted time.

Health and safety

There will be a number of qualified First Aiders on site at all times. In the event of an emergency please alert the nearest member of Team IWD Banbury, who will be wearing purple sashes, or head straight to the Information Point on the ground floor.

There are no fire alarm tests scheduled for Tuesday 8th March. In the event of an alarm please head towards the nearest fire exit. Do not delay or take your belongings with you. Once outside please assembly to the Chamberlain Court car park and follow instructions from The Mill staff.

Conversation guidelines

  • In order for our event to be recognised as part of the global International Women’s Day movement, we must not use the IWD name or logo to generate commercial gain or sale of products. Your contribution isn’t just an advert for your business. Of course, you can refer to what you do in the context of your comments, however, you must not give us a 15-minute sales pitch!

  • Whilst we welcome opinion and encourage you to share your experiences, please avoid any overtly controversial topics including religious and political matters. The International Women’s Day brand must not be used in association with any form of harmful, violent or illegal activity

  • Avoid using gendered language to describe professions (e.g. “actress” for “actor”), gendered honourifics (“Ms.”, “Mr.”, etc.), and assigning gender to otherwise genderless things wherever possible

  • We also wish to avoid the collective term “guys” for a group of people. Try to should use gender-neutral collectives such as “folks” or “team” instead

Graphics and imagery

  • Please ensure that any imagery and graphics subject to copyright or trademarks are used appropriately and with clear attribution if used as part of your participation promotion

  • Please do not use the global International Women’s Day logo without having signed the relevant agreement with the originator

  • Please use inclusive imagery and language, including gender- and race-neutral emojis (i.e. yellow variants)

  • If you would like to use the IWD Banbury branding please contact us in advance and let us know how you would like to use our branding. We will then send you artwork files and brand guidelines to follow. The IWD Banbury branding is the product of a lot of love, sweat and creative ideas so we ask you to use it tastefully!

Substitutions

Panellist substitutions are obviously not encouraged - we've picked you for a good reason! However if something changes and you can no longer take part please let us know as soon as possible and ensure that you provide a recommendation for a replacement. The IWD Banbury curators have the final decision on who the replacement should be.

Dress code

There is no dress code for IWD Banbury! We don't believe that you need to be suited and booted to be a brilliant panellist. Wear whatever you feel confident in, whether that's sparkly trainers and jeans or heels and a tailored suit.

Attendance FAQs

Can I bring little ones to IWD Banbury?

Yes - of course. We aren't offering official childcare, but it is safe to say they'll be plenty of willing babysitters within the IWD Banbury community. All we ask is that if they are in the theatre area with you they are happy to sit quietly.

Can men attend?

Yes. IWD Banbury is for everyone, regardless of how you identify. We don't believe that gender parity will be possible without having all types of people around the metaphorical table.

Getting to The Mill

Wherever possible we recommend using public transport to get to IWD Banbury. The Mill is conveniently located next door to the main Banbury bus station, and a very short walk from the town centre stops. Banbury train station is a five-minute walk away, via the Oxford Canal pathway or through the Bridge Street entrance to Spiceball Park.

Banbury Town Council provide secure railings for cyclists on the canal front.

If you’re driving to The Mill, please use the postcode: OX16 5QE

  • Operated by Cherwell District Council, The Mill Car Park and Chamberlaine Court Car Park are adjacent to The Mill. Both car parks offer open-air pay and display parking for up to three hours (with no return), with free parking after 7pm.

  • Long-stay car parks are located as you turn into Spiceball Park Road.

  • Castle Quay multi-storey parking pay on return. Open until 8pm.

  • Cherwell Distirct Council long stay parking at Spiceball North and Riverside open-air pay and display car parks.

Please see the Cherwell District Council website for more information.

Arrival at IWD Banbury

Please go to the Information Desk on the ground floor upon arrival to collect your badge in order to access the theatre and Collaborators areas.

More information about the venue

Collaborators area

A Collaborators area will be available for you during the event. You will be directed there after you have checked in.

In case you have any questions whilst on site, please do not hesitate to ask one of the IWD Banbury representatives (wearing purple sashes), The Mill staff or pop to Information Desk on the ground floor for assistance.

Speakers’ briefing

Where possible we ask that you attend the speakers’ briefing, however, we understand that not all collaborators may be able to do so. This meeting will give you a chance to meet other speakers and panellists, discuss the format and expectations of your session.

The briefing will take place on Tuesday 8th March in the Ada Theatre at 08:30

The audiovisual technicians and an IWD Banbury curator will be on hand to assist with all your queries.

Room set-up and audiovisual equipment

“Ada” will be set out as a 200 seat theatre with raked seating.  It will be equipped with wireless microphones, projector, screen, remote control, and computer.

There will be a technician supporting us all day and an IWD Banbury representative assigned to the space to manage the audiovisual equipment, hold the roaming microphones for audience participants and assist with any queries that you may have.

There will be a row of reserved seating for speakers and panellists at the front of the theatre. Feel free to use these throughout the day.

Accessibility

Making our events accessible and inclusive to all is really important to us, but we’re honest enough to say it is a work in progress. The Mill, as our primary venue, is able to support many physical accessibility requirements. We’re working hard to make our brand and digital presence as accessible and easy to use as possible too. 

If you, or any of your guests, have any access requirements please do let us know.

If you have any suggestions or ideas about how to make our events more accessible please do share them with us. We’re all ears!

Data sharing

Privacy is really important to us at IWD Banbury.

View our privacy policy

Post-event

The day will be captured by a professional photographer. Once the images have been edited and uploaded we will make sure you have access to them. If you plan to use them, please credit the IWD Banbury and the photographer.

We will be capturing images during IWD Banbury. By attending we'll assume given permission to use any photography or video taken on the day. We reserve the right to use any event-related social media posts, quotes or feedback you might give in future material; We'll make sure we credit you wherever possible.

All attendees at our ticketed events can use one of our "No photography" stickers to mark their badge or wear in a visible position. Our official photographer will avoid any close shots in such cases, and we will do our very best to avoid publicly sharing photos containing anyone wearing a sticker.

We’ll also send you a short survey to find out your thoughts about the event and how we can improve it for future editions.

Sample social media captions

We need your help promoting IWD Banbury. As a first-time event we need to harness your networks to make sure as many people as possible know about it. We know you are busy so feel free to use these sample captions:

I'm part of an insightful panel discussion at the #International WomensDay Banbury celebration on Tuesday 8th March at The Mill Arts Centre. By bringing a globally recognised event to #Banbury we're doing our bit to #BreakTheBias. Find out more about #iwdbanbury: https://www.iwdbanbury.com/

The lives of women today are busier than ever. #InternationalWomensDay Banbury, held on Tuesday 8th March, is presenting a series of inspirational talks and insightful discussions to help us #BreakTheBias. I'm taking part in these discussions at The Mill Arts Centre and would love for you to join us. Have you got your ticket?

#InternationalWomensDay encourages us all to #BreakTheBias by thinking globally and acting locally. The Cherwell celebration of International Women’s Day is taking place during March 2022. On Tuesday 8th March I'll be joining the conversation at The Mill Arts Centre, Banbury as part of a series of inspirational talks and interesting discussions. There are lots of free and ticketed arts, community and business activities to get involved in with through March. Visit https://www.iwdbanbury.com/ to find out more.

Make sure you include #iwdbanbury and #BreakTheBias (the official theme for global IWD activities in 2022).

Your checklist

  • Help us promote the event on social media and within your own personal and professional networks

  • Pack notes to refer to if you think it might help you convey your message

  • Pick up your badge from the Information Desk upon arrival

  • Check-in at the Collaborators area and use this space as your cloakroom, rehearsal space, and nap spot

  • Attend the speakers’ briefing in Ada (Theatre) at 08:30 if you can

  • Make sure you are in Ada a few minutes before your session starts

  • Throughout the day feel free to take photos, post them to social media and tag IWD Banbury and #iwdbanbury

  • Have an awesome, inspiring day! Thank you again for taking part

Contact

If you have any questions or need additional information about IWD Banbury please get in touch