KBPR is experienced in event planning and has hosted events across the country, and online, for clients of all types and sizes. When Rock Pensions (the dedicated pension plan for the UK’s maritime industry) chose to outsource the organisation of their member forums for the Merchant Navy Officers Pension Fund (MNOPF), they approached us to help.
MNOPF required support to deliver their November member forum in central Edinburgh, with a clear focus on accessibility, comfort and ease for attendees.
Many members travel long distances and require straightforward transport links, clear communications and a venue that supports both the formal forum and social interaction around food.
Following feedback from previous events, MNOPF also wanted to improve the on-the-day experience, particularly around seating and catering, to ensure members could eat comfortably without needing to stand or move between rooms.
KBPR was appointed to manage the event end-to-end, from planning and venue liaison through to registration, communications and delivery on the day.
We treated the forum as a carefully paced project, with member experience guiding every decision.
Our focus was on:
A detailed event timeline was shared early on, ensuring there was sufficient lead-in time for invitations, responses and travel arrangements.
1. Venue research and liaison
We sourced and secured a centrally located Edinburgh venue that:
KBPR managed all correspondence with the venue, including room setup, catering requirements and final logistics.
2. Event setup and registration
KBPR:
This ensured MNOPF members had a single, consistent contact point throughout the process.
3. Seating and catering considerations
Based on feedback from previous forums, seating was arranged in banquet style rather than theatre style, allowing attendees to remain seated while eating and participating.
This small but important change significantly improved comfort and accessibility, particularly for members who had previously found standing or moving between rooms difficult.
4. On-the-day delivery
KBPR attended and supported the event on the day, overseeing:
The forum ran efficiently, comfortably and exactly as planned, delivering a positive experience for members and a successful outcome for MNOPF
For MNOPF, success meant more than simply delivering an event, it meant creating an environment where members felt comfortable, supported and able to engage.
By managing the full process, listening to previous feedback and focusing on practical details that matter to members, KBPR delivered a well-attended, well-run Edinburgh forum that met both logistical and human needs.
A straightforward, considered approach, delivered properly.
