This year our programme of social events includes an opening party, drinks reception, live music, silk act from acclaimed aerial artist, private museum visit and exclusive access to venues around Leicester.

The 2009 social events are hosted with Cultivate.

7.15 pm : the conference kicks off with a drinks reception at Curve Theatre (make sure you collect your free drink voucher at registration) accompanied by a vibraphone, doublebass and clarinet players from the Nottingham-based classical chamber orchestra Sinfonia ViVA.

8.00 pm : seated gourmet buffet with a South Asian flavour provided by Sanjay Foods (menu available soon).

9.15 pm : described by The Guardian as 'the future of British circus' and as 'vividly entertaining' by The Times, the critically-acclaimed NoFit State Circus will join us with a performance of a silk act by one of their artists.

After dinner: Curve Theatre's bars will remain open until 11.45pm, so you can relax and catch up with old friends, or come and make some new ones at this evening's speed-networking event.

By 10.00pm the registration area will have transformed into a speed-networking area. Turn up, take a seat, pick up your prompt card, and for two minutes get to know your fellow conference delegate sitting opposite you. We will explain in full on the night but in short, you should get your conference off to a flying start by meeting with fifteen new contacts. Once you've completed the speed-networking circuit, put your name and organisation on the back of your prompt card for the chance to win a bottle of fizz.

Sessions will run from 10.00pm – 10.30pm and 10.30pm – 11.30pm, perhaps even later, subject to demand ...

5.00 pm : exclusive late night opening at the New Walk Museum and Art Gallery. Leicester's oldest museum, it has wide-ranging collections spanning the natural and cultural world, including Egyptians, Dinosaurs, Natural History, World Arts and Fine Art collections. The museum’s café bar will be open too – treat yourself to a nice hot chocolate or splash out on a prezzie from the museum shop. And if you feel like getting active, why not visit the popular LoveSport interactive exhibition and have a slam-dunk contest before dinner?

7.00 pm : finger buffet at Curve Theatre.

9.00 pm : out on the town – explore Leicester on your own or head off to one of our two conference bars, where you will be able to exchange your voucher for a free drink, courtesy of the AMA.

• The Terrace. Set over two floors in a Victorian factory, The Terrace retains many of its original nineteenth-century features. AMA delegates will have exclusive access to the venue – choose this if you don’t want to miss out on the main action.


• Vin Quatre. Leicester’s premier ale bar and January 2009 pub of the month. Choose this if you would prefer a quiet(er) night with a pint of real ale from Vin Quatre's extensive portfolio.

Florita's images by James Cummings, Cut and Sussed Records (www.cutandsussed.com)

You will need the latest version of Adobe Flash Player to see the slideshow. To download it for free from the Adobe website, click here.