The Association of British Theatre Technicians (ABTT) is delighted to announce the fourth edition of its proactive annual event: the MAKE A DiFFERENCE Conference, returning in 2026 with a focus on bridging the gap between formal training and ongoing professional development in the theatre and live performance industry.

The 2026 MAKE A DiFFERENCE conference will be held on:

Date: Thursday 16^th April 2026
Venue: Bathway Theatre, University of Greenwich,
Bathway, Woolwich, London SE18 6QX
Theme: Continuing to Learn Beyond Education

The year’s theme will focus on the employment sector as we explore how we can improve learning and development outside our formal higher education training schemes.

By bringing together both sides of our industry, those that teach and train, together with employers we will break down the discourse between the two sides, and work together to improve the career journey of our future backstage workers.

Unlike traditional conferences, the MAKE A DiFFERENCE conference  is fully participatory. Attendees are not passive listeners—they are active contributors. Delegates are invited to share views, shape strategies, and commit to real actions that help address the challenges discussed.

The day is structured to nurture communication, encourage joined-up thinking, and maintain the vital link between training providers and the workplace—ensuring our industry evolves with the needs of both new entrants and established professionals.

The conference will address five key areas of development:

• Rethinking Workplace Inductions – looking beyond health and safety to foster long-term integration
• Supporting Continued Personal Development – helping skills transfer across venues and sectors (e.g. music, live events)
• Understanding Generational Dynamics – exploring intergenerational learning challenges and opportunities
• Establishing and Evolving Industry Standards – building shared understanding across employers and educators
• Envisioning Lifelong Learning – redefining training as an ongoing journey, not a destination

This year’s event is supported by academic staff from Guildford School of Acting (GSA) and the Centre for Creative Futures at University of Greenwich, guiding  and facilitating discussions that will lead to practical outcomes for the industry.

MAKE A DiFFERENCE Founder and Senior Lecturer at Guildford School of Acting, Mig Walsh commented:

“Another great topic being explored at this year’s MAKE A DiFFERENCE Conference.  I can’t wait to host and get stuck into this provocative title.  As a teacher it’s my job to train our next generation of backstage workers, but I can’t possibly train the nuances and specifics of your venue, job or role; that’s the job of the employer.  Come to this year’s event where we can work together to develop a lifelong approach to training and development.”

Liz Sillett, ABTT Chief Executive, stated:

“It’s fantastic to be presenting the fourth edition of the MAKE A DiFFERENCE Conference. I’m grateful to the University of Greenwich for partnering with ABTT and GSA to deliver this event. Past conferences have proven to be truly impactful, and I hope the 2026 event will help even more delegates make meaningful progress in shaping the future of backstage learning.”

David Hockham SFHEA, NTF – Associate Professor in Higher Education and Scenography at University of Greenwich added:

“I am delighted to be co-hosting this event at the University of Greenwich’s Bathway Theatre, sharing provocations which supports us to rethink continued learning within our industry.”

Get Involved – Register Your Interest

Spaces are limited, and the ABTT encourages businesses, employers, educators, and training providers to express their interest early.

Register your interest on the MAKE A DiFFERENCE Conference 2026 Expressions of Interest Form here.

As part of the registration process, attendees will be asked to commit to the MAKE A DiFFERENCE Participation Agreement, which encourages everyone to leave the event with a clear, feasible action plan to improve recruitment, retention, and professional development across the industry.

They will also be invited to attend an online pre-conference meeting which is scheduled for the 1^st April 2026 12:30pm – 1.30pm to let them know what to expect on the day of the event.

To learn more about previous conferences and outcomes—including discussions on “Rethinking backstage technical teaching and apprenticeships”, “Solving Our Industry’s Recruitment & Retention Crisis” and “Bridging the Gap Between Education and Employment”—visit here.

The MAKE A DiFFERENCE Conference is more than an event—it’s a campaign for change. This year’s conference is brought to you with the support of GSA and The Centre for Creative Futures in the Institute of Inclusive Communities and Environments at the University of Greenwich who are collaborating with ABTT towards a sustainable and ethical future for the theatre industry.  Join us as we work collaboratively to shape the future of our industry.