Charlotte Bray had never been to the VMG Congress previously, but attended this year accompanied by her young baby after winning tickets by completing the VMG Stakeholder survey.
We caught up with Charlotte to hear about her experience.
How did you feel attending VMG Congress for the first time, especially coming on your own?
I was excited rather than nervous. Having been involved in the online ShareSPACE community beforehand, I already felt that I would be meeting a welcoming, friendly and like-minded group of colleagues. I was particularly looking forward to the lectures and exploring topics that I find challenging in my own leadership journey.
How would you describe your overall experience at VMG Congress and what stood out to you the most?
It was a fantastic experience. The friendliness and openness of everyone I met stood out immediately, as did the beautiful venue and excellent food. I was impressed by both the quality and breadth of the programme. ShareSPACE was particularly valuable, providing practical answers to difficult leadership questions, a sense of solidarity and plenty of food for thought.
Did attending on your own effect your experience in any way, and how welcomed or connected did you feel throughout the event?
I felt extremely welcomed throughout. If anything, attending alone encouraged me to engage with more people than I might otherwise have done. The only aspect I participated in less was some of the social events, as I needed to prioritise rest for both myself and Ralph, but I never felt excluded or disconnected.
How valuable did you find the sessions, networking opportunities and overall atmosphere at VMG Congress?
Very valuable. The sessions were engaging, practical and thought-provoking, and I came away with several ideas that I can apply in practice. The networking opportunities were excellent and the overall atmosphere struck a great balance between professionalism, learning and support.
What was your experience with ShareSPACE, and how did it contribute to your first VMG Congress experience?
ShareSPACE was one of the highlights of the conference for me. It provided a safe and supportive environment to discuss leadership challenges, hear others’ experiences and gain different perspectives. It helped me feel connected and gave me practical takeaways, as well as reassurance that many of the challenges we face are shared by others.
You had a special Congress attendee who came with you – did he enjoy his experience?
Ralph certainly seemed to enjoy himself! He received a very warm welcome from everyone he met and was spoiled with attention throughout the conference. I am incredibly grateful for how accommodating and understanding everyone was in helping us both feel included.
Thank you Charlotte, we hope to see you at Congress in 2027.
