HELP AND SUPPORT
If you require any assistance, please visit the registration desk at the entrance to the Hilton Newcastle Gateshead or find a member of HA staff, who will be happy to help you with any questions or issues.
You can also visit the HA team situated at the entrance to the Gateshead Foyer, if you have any queries about your membership, support or projects from the HA.
Will I get a printed programme?
Please note we will not be producing tote bags or a hard copy programme in an effort to be more sustainable. Instead, you can view our digital delegate bags and access the online programme. A limited number of printed programme grids will be available at the registration desk for those with access needs.
How do I connect to the Wi-Fi?
Free WiFi is available to all exhibitors and delegates. Please enter the promotional code Hilton26 on the Hilton landing page.
SESSIONS
Where do we meet for the walks and visits?
Please meet outside the Hilton Newcastle Gateshead hotel entrance at the time listed below. Please ensure that you have weather-appropriate clothing and wear comfortable shoes.
Thursday, 14:30-21:30: Visit to Lindisfarne
Please note that food will be served in the bar area of the Hilton Gateshead until 21:30. After this time, room service is available until 23:00. Catering outlets are available on Holy Island and you may also bring your own picnic.
Thursday, 18:00-19:00: Early bird walking tour of Newcastle
Friday, 10:45–13:00: Visit to the Quayside and Baltic Centre for Contemporary Art
Saturday, 11:00–13:15: Walking Tour - Trade and empire
How do I find out which sessions I have booked?
Please check your joining information email for a full list of your pre-booked sessions. Session lists will also be on display in the exhibition area.
Can I change sessions?
We kindly ask delegates to stick to the sessions that you have chosen as crammed or empty rooms make for unsatisfactory learning experiences.
If you would like to change or add any workshop sessions, please check the session boards and, only if there is a space available, write your name in the space and attend.
FRINGE SESSIONS
When is the fringe meeting and can I attend?
A fringe session will be taking place as below. You do not need book in advance but are encouraged to attend and bring your lunch.
Friday 13:10-13:50 Using the History Quality Mark experience to evaluate and improve the standards of history - Oakwellgate Suite
Saturday 13:25-14:05 Our journey to becoming a local Heritage School - Pipewellgate Suite
Saturday 13:25-14:05 How do we make history meaningful for young people? - Oakwellgate Suite
View the full list of fringe sessions.
NEW TO HA CONFERENCE?
If you are new to the conference or attending on your own, some of our committees will be hosting welcome meetings during the Friday and Saturday mid-morning coffee break which are open to all. Meet fellow delegates and find out how to make the most of your experience. These will take place as below:
Friday 10:15–10:45 and Saturday 10:15-10:45 Primary welcome meeting – Meeting Room 1
Friday 10:15–10:45 and Saturday 10:15-10:45 Secondary welcome meeting – Meeting Room 2
If you are attending the welcome meetings, please help yourself to a beverage from one of the refreshment stations and take this into the meeting room with you.
RESOURCES
How can I access resources shared by the presenters?
Where presenters have shared their resources, within your joining instructions you will be given details on how to access the digital delegate bag and all resources will be accessible from here.
RECORDINGS
Will recordings be made available after the conference?
The sessions highlighted within the virtual programme will be recorded. Access to the recorded content is included as part of your ticket at no additional cost.
How do I access the recordings?
Details of how to access this content will be emailed to registered delegates shortly after the conference. All content will be available to watch on demand from Monday 18 May until Sunday 30 August 2026.
FOOD AND DRINK
Is lunch included within my conference ticket?
Lunch and refreshments are included in your conference package and will be served in the exhibition area which is the Gateshead foyer area.
If you have outlined dietary requirements when signing up these will be catered for, if you would like to inform us of a specific dietary and haven’t already please email conference@history.org.uk.
Can I attend the drinks reception?
The HA Conference drinks reception is a free event and open to all. We would be delighted if you join us for a glass of wine or soft drink. It’s a great opportunity to network with delegates and speakers in an informal and relaxed setting.
This event takes place on Friday 15 May from 18:45 until 19:30 in the Gateshead foyer area, where the exhibition stands are situated, and will be followed by the dinner and quiz for those attending.
Can I attend the dinner and quiz on Friday 15 May?
If you have booked the Friday Dinner and Quiz, you will find a red dot on your badge, which will allow you access to the event at the Hilton Newcastle Gateshead. If you haven’t yet booked, we still have some tickets available: please email conference@history.org.uk if you would like to arrange a ticket. These are priced at £45 per person including VAT.
The evening will commence at 18:45, with drinks in the Gateshead Suite Foyer areas, and then a 3 course family-style dinner will be served from 19:30 in the Hillgate Suite.
The quiz, written and hosted by HA staff, offers a great opportunity to test your history and general knowledge in a fun and relaxed environment, whether you’re new and looking for a team or an established group of quizzers. The dress code is smart casual.
Please note the Hilton Newcastle Gateshead operates a cashless bar and all additional drinks must be paid for by card.
What will be the menu at the dinner on Friday 15 May?
Starter:
Selection of Cured and Smoked Meats, Olives, Sun Blushed Tomatoes and Piquante Peppers
Selection of Grilled and Marinated Vegetables, Salsa Verde and Vegan Feta
Artisan Bread Selection with Flavoured Butters and Oils
Main:
Slow cooked shredded beef chilli
Kidney bean and butternut squash chilli
Wild rice
Spicy potato wedges
Garlic flatbread
Sour cream
Mexican guacamole
Blue corn tortilla chips
Dessert:
New York Style Cheesecake, Apple Popcorn and Raspberry Coulis
SPEAKERS
Will there be any book signings?
There will be the opportunity to purchase our keynote speakers’ books from Roving Books and have them signed by the authors. On Friday evening, Adam Smith will be available to sign books during the drink’s reception. On Saturday morning, Emma Griffin will sign books immediately after her keynote in the Roving bookshop.
EXHIBITION
Where can I find out more about the exhibition?
The HA would like to thank the event sponsors and exhibitors for their support with the conference, as this helps to keep prices as low as possible for our members. Exhibition stands will be situated alongside the catering stations in the Gateshead foyer area. Please see a full list of exhibitors.
How do I enter the prize draw?
On arrival you will be given a bingo board with every exhibitor’s organisation listed. There will be a prize draw for cards submitted with ten or more stamps, with a chance for you to win a bundle of prizes including a £50 independent bookshop voucher and a year’s free membership of the HA.
To obtain a stamp, please visit the exhibitor stands and ask them to stamp your card. Once complete, there is a box at the registration desk for you to return your completed card. The winning card will be drawn on Saturday 16 May at 14:00 so please listen out for the announcement. If the winner of the prize only attends the conference on Friday, they will be notified by email.
EVALUATION
How do I give any feedback about the conference?
We hope that you have an enjoyable experience at the conference. Please take a few minutes to complete the online evaluation form to help us to continue to improve delegates’ conference experience; this will be emailed to you following the event. All delegates who complete the evaluation form will be entered into the prize draw to receive a £50 independent bookshop voucher.
If you would prefer to fill in a paper evaluation form, please visit the registration desk.
ACCOMMODATION
Please visit the accommodation page on the conference website for further information.
SOCIAL
Can I promote the event on social media and what is the hashtag for the event?
Yes, please feel free to post about the event using #HAConf26 and tag the HA: Bluesky | Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn
CPD CERTIFICATE
Will I receive a CPD certificate after the event?
CPD certificates will be provided for all attendees as a download within the post-event email.
ANYTHING ELSE
My question is not listed here. Who do I contact?
If you have any further questions please contact Mosaic Events at +44 (0) 1904 702165 or email conference@history.org.uk.
If you have any questions during the conference, please visit the registration desk at the entrance to the Hilton Newcastle Gateshead or speak to a member of the HA staff, who will be happy to help you with any questions or issues.
