Information Hub

FAQs

About Ideas Fest

01/ What is Ideas Fest?

Ideas Fest is a two-day outdoor festival for business leaders and entrepreneurs, held in the grounds of Champneys, Tring, Hertfordshire. It brings together 6,000+ entrepreneurs for talks, panels, networking and evening entertainment. The next Ideas Fest is 8th & 9th September 2027.

02/ When and where is Ideas Fest 2027?

8th & 9th September 2027 at Champneys, Tring, Hertfordshire, HP23 6HY. Two days, one field, about 40 minutes from London.

03/ Who is Ideas Fest for?

Business leaders and entrepreneurs at every stage - from people thinking of starting a business to founders growing a team and leaders of established companies. Talks and panels cover starting, growing and leading a business, so you can pick the sessions that fit where you are now.

04/ Is Ideas Fest worth it if I already run an established business?

Yes. Past speakers include Greg Jackson, Daniel Priestley, Richard Harpin and Simon Squibb, and one in five attendees left with a new client, partnership, hire or funding conversation. The Exit Zone also brings together smaller gatherings for founders who are scaling fast, preparing to exit or have already exited.

05/ Can I come on my own?

Absolutely. Networking is woven throughout the entire festival, and many people come on their own and leave connected to incredible people.

06/ How much is an Ideas Fest 2027 Pass?

Passes are £199 until 31st December 2026. The price rises to £299 on 1st January 2027. Get your Passes here.

07/ Can I stay onsite?

Yes. Hotel rooms, glamping, camping and campervan pitches are all available on the festival grounds. See onsite stays.

08/ Who runs Ideas Fest?

Ideas Fest is produced by Ideas Community, the team behind the Great British Entrepreneur Awards and the UK StartUp Awards.

Accommodation

01/ Is accommodation included in my ticket?

No - accommodation is booked separately.

02/ What accommodation options are available on-site?

Camping pitch, campervan pitch (inc. roof boxes), glamping (bell tents and yurts), and hotel rooms at Champneys Tring. All options are on the festival grounds.

03/ Do glamping and hotel guests get any extras?

Yes - Premium Glamping and Champney's Hotel guests receive a Premium ticket upgrade worth £300 per named occupant.

04/ What time is camping/glamping check-in and check-out?

Check-in from 2pm on Tuesday 7th. Check-out by 11am on Friday 10th.

05/ What time is hotel check-in and check-out?

Check-in from 2pm on Tuesday 7th. Check-out by 11am on Friday 10th.

06/ What's the booking policy for accommodation?

Accommodation Cancellation, Changes & Transfers

1) No cancellation / non-refundable
All accommodation bookings are non-refundable once confirmed.
2) Resale / swap (no guarantee)
We expect accommodation to be oversubscribed and may be able to reallocate your accommodation to another attendee if demand allows. However:
we do not guarantee we can resell or swap your accommodation, and
any reallocation is at our discretion and subject to demand and timings.
3) If we successfully re-allocate your accommodation
1 If we are able to reallocate your accommodation, we will refund the amount paid less a £25 administration fee (and any unrecoverable costs, if applicable).
4) Name changes
You may request a name change so another attendee can take your accommodation, provided we receive the request at least 14 days before check-in. No fee applies for name changes.

07/ I've booked accommodation - do I still need a festival ticket?

Yes - a valid Ideas Fest ticket is required for festival access. Accommodation and tickets are sold separately.

08/ I'VE BOOKED A CAMPING PITCH - DO I STILL NEED TO BOOK PARKING?

Parking details for 2027 are coming soon.

09/ Is access to Champneys spa included in my booking?

If you are staying within the hotel, yes it is included. If you are glamping or camping you can book spa access with Champneys directly. Email corporate.bookings@champneys.com to book.

For Businesses & Sponsors

01/ How do I become a sponsor or exhibitor?

Get in touch at annabelle@ideasforums.com to explore our Trading Post and Festival Partner opportunities.

02/ Can I host a session or workshop?

Yes, we offer the opportunity to run a branded session within your space. Get in touch to learn more.

03/ Who do I contact about partnerships?

Email annabelle@ideasforums.com for partnership enquiries.

Getting There

01/ Where is Champneys Tring?

Champneys, Tring, Hertfordshire, HP23 6HY. Approximately 40 minutes from London.

02/ Is there parking on-site?

Parking details for 2027 are coming soon.

03/ What are the nearest train stations?

Tring station (approximately 3 miles) has direct services from London Euston. Berkhamsted station is also nearby.

04/ Is there a shuttle service from the station?

Yes - details will be announced closer to the time.

05/ Can I arrive the day before?

Yes, if you've booked on-site accommodation, check-in begins from 2pm on Tuesday 7th September.

06/ Can I arrive by campervan?

Yes, campervan pitches are available on-site. Book your campervan pitch here.

On-Site

01/ What time do gates open each day?

Gates open at 9am on Wednesday 8th and Thursday 9th September.

02/ What time does the festival close each day?

The festival site closes at 11pm each evening.

03/ Is there food and drink on-site?

Yes, a range of food and drink options are available throughout both days covering.

04/ Is there Wi-Fi throughout the festival?

No, we are in a country field.

05/ Is the festival accessible for guests with disabilities?

Ideas Fest is held in a country field. We also provide seating with back rests, disabled toilets, access for carers (please get in touch directly) and space for wheelchairs, and are happy to work with individuals who have specific needs to try and make Ideas Fest as enjoyable as possible for everyone. A chill-out space and access to Champneys will allow people to take a break if needed.

Accessible parking details for 2027 are coming soon. If you want to discuss specific accessibility requests, please get in contact.

See you in the field!

06/ What's the dress code?

It's a business festival in a spa resort; wear what makes you feel like yourself and ready for anything. But remember this is the UK so warm clothes, good shoes and maybe a raincoat and sunnies to cover all eventualities.

07/ Can I bring children?

Ideas Fest is designed for adults. That's not to say there's anything not child friendly about it, but they may get bored :-)

08/ Will sessions be recorded?

Yes, we're hoping to have more stages covered this year. Sign up to the mailing list for updates.

09/ Want to get involved?

Volunteering for 2027 is not open yet. Join the mailing list and we will let you know when applications open.

10/ Is there somewhere to leave my bags?

Yes. There is a free bag drop next to registration, so you can arrive straight from the train and drop your things. Space is limited, so travel light where you can and only bring what you need for the day.

Speakers & Programme

01/ When will the full schedule be announced?

We're announcing speakers and sessions on a rolling basis. Sign up for our newsletter to be first to hear about lineup announcements.

02/ How do I suggest a speaker?

We'd love to hear your suggestions. Email fest@ideasforums.com with a brief note on who you'd recommend and why.

03/ Will there be networking sessions?

Networking is woven throughout the entire festival, not just in dedicated sessions. Ideas fest is very much about connecting you to incredible people.

Tickets & Booking

01/ What's included in General Admission?

Full festival access (all stages & zones), all keynotes & panel discussions, exhibitor village, networking sessions & mixers, evening entertainment, access to on-site catering and our festival app.

02/ What's included in Premium?

Everything in General, plus premium lounge access, fast-track entry (skip the queues), exclusive Ideas Fest merchandise, use of Champneys facilities and access to drinks reception & private networking with speakers.

03/ Can I transfer my ticket to someone else?

Yes. Passes are not named, so there is nothing to transfer. If you are booking more than one, just make sure each person coming has their Pass. Any questions, email fest@ideasforums.com.

04/ Is there a group discount?

Yes - teams of 5 or more save £50 per person with a Team Pass. See ticket options to book.

05/ Are payment plans available?

Payment plans are available on glamping accommodation. For festival Passes, you can spread the cost with PayPal Pay Later at checkout.

06/ Will there be tickets on the door?

No, all ticket sales must be made online so we strongly recommend booking in advance. Ticket prices increase as the event approaches.

07/ I have a discount code — where do I enter it?

Right at the end of the Ticket Tailor checkout, look for "Add promo code" and enter your code there before you complete your purchase.

08/ Can I buy a ticket as a gift?

Yes, purchase as normal and forward the confirmation to the recipient. They'll need to log in to update their details before the event.