Social events
VetEd Fringe, Wednesday 8 July
This year, we are excited to introduce the VetEd Fringe Festival as an integrated, informal and social part of the conference programme.
Adapted from the ‘fringe’ abstract stream now established as part of the AMEE conference, we are inviting submissions for short thought-provoking and inspiring abstracts to be delivered as part of the fringe festival. Think comedy, poetry, music, dance, drama, film. PowerPoint is strictly prohibited!
This will be set amongst our street-food festival with different international cuisine, including local Staffordshire fayre, an outdoor bar and a variety of entertainment to enjoy, as part of all conference packages.
If you have an idea for a fringe abstract presentation, make sure you head over to the submission pages before 25th February 2026.
Keynote Plenary and Murder Mystery Evening, Thursday 9 July
The Thursday evening entertainment will kick off with our Keynote Plenary in the Westminster Auditorium. After an inspiring talk, we will then make our way over to the historic Keele Hall for the main social event.
This beautiful Grade II listed mansion is one of Staffordshire’s finest stately homes, previously owned by the Sneyd family. In 1949, the estate became the home of the newly created University College of North Staffordshire, later to become the University of Keele.
From housing troops during World War II, to the backdrop of a love story that resulted in the exile of a Russian Grand Duke, you will be able to immerse yourself within the history of Keele during our themed Murder Mystery evening.
After an arrival drink, teams will set out to explore the venue, gather evidence, interrogate witnesses and solve the puzzle in this bespoke and interactive event. A smokehouse menu will be served throughout the evening in the lush parkland and gardens outside Keele Hall. Don’t worry, if the English summer weather doesn’t quite materialise, an indoor option is planned!
The evening will be informal and relaxed. Participation in the murder mystery is not mandatory. Those looking for a quieter evening may want to have a chat in the Old Library or enjoy an evening stroll around the estate grounds, whereas those wanting to keep the party going will be able to enjoy a drink in the Common Room and dance the night away in the Great Hall. Either way, the evening will provide plenty of time to catch up with colleagues against this beautiful backdrop.
Catering
All of the food provided for the conference, including the Street Food Festival and the Smokehouse BBQ, will be sourced locally and prepared onsite, with traceability and sustainability embedded across catering practices.
Keele Hall, Keele University
The Great Hall, Keele Hall
University Common Room, Keele Hall
Managed and payment processed by:
KC Jones conference&events Ltd
Telephone: +44 (0)1332 227772
Email: VetEd@kc-jones.co.uk