Everything you need to know about Conference 2024
Essential information for in-person delegates at MA Conference 2024 in Leeds (guide for online delegates to follow).
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Getting to the venue
- The closest mainline train station to the Royal Armouries is Leeds Station. It has step-free access to all platforms and provides free toilets including accessible toilets.
- You can get a water taxi from Leeds Station to the Royal Armouries – you need to leave the station via Granary Wharf (South Entrance) and disembark at Leeds Dock, where the museum is located. The water taxis run every 15 minutes from either stop between 10.00am and 6.00pm, Monday to Sunday, and cost £2 per person per journey.
- The Royal Armouries is 0.9 miles from the station. Visit Leeds has produced a map that shows the two quickest routes if you exit from Leeds Station using the Southern Entrance.
- Three alternative routes to the venue from Leeds Station front entrance can be followed via Google Maps:
- Please note that many roads and pavements in Leeds city centre are cobbled or made of Victorian Yorkshire Stone.
- Leeds Bus Station, which is served by Arriva, First and megabus among other operators, is about a 13-minute walk (Google Maps) to the Royal Armouries.
- The closest airport is Leeds-Bradford – this is approximately four miles away from the Royal Armouries and does not have a station attached. It is served by taxis, or you can get the A1 bus to Leeds. We recommend you disembark on Boar Lane.
- If you drive to the Royal Armouries, the closest car park is CitiPark in Leeds Dock. There are about 40 Blue Badge parking bays in this multi-storey but charges apply. Blue Badge parking bays are situated on all levels from level 2 upwards (all floors have lift access). The car park lifts exit onto a boulevard that provides a paved and step-free route to the museum entrance about 100 metres (approximately 110 yards) away.
- Alternatively, the Royal Armouries has five accessible parking spaces provided for visitors with disabilities in its coach park area.
- Visit Leeds has produced a map that shows all the Blue Badge parking in the city centre with access and exit routes.
- The venue also has 20 cycle parking bays available for use free of charge as well as a cycle repair kit on Armouries Drive.
- Disabled passengers arriving by taxis or alternative vehicles may disembark on museum square.
- If you need assistance planning your route to the venue from a hotel or similar, please get in touch with us at events@museumsassociation.org.
Taxis
- Leeds is well served by Uber.
- Leeds station’s taxi rank is situated in Princes Square via the station’s Aire Street Entrance, next to Wetherspoons. This is served by city-licensed Hackney cabs.
- There are a number of private taxi companies operating across Leeds. One of the best known is Amber Cars which can be booked via its app or by calling 0113 202 2112.
Hotels
Information coming soon.
Social events
Information coming soon.
Tours
Information coming soon.
Accessibility
Below is a non-exhaustive list of what we will offer online and in-person delegates.
- All sessions will be captioned for in-person and online delegates.
- Reserved seating in all rooms.
- A dedicated quiet room for in-person delegates. Please do not use this space for conversations with others or phone calls. If you use electronic equipment, please ensure the volume is turned off or use headphones with the volume turned down to ensure you don’t disturb others.
- We welcome assistance dogs at our events – please let us know in advance so we can ensure they are fully accommodated.
- Speakers are briefed to ensure that slides follow good accessibility guidance, based on advice from VocalEyes.
- Our Code of Conduct, which was created to ensure our spaces are safe, welcoming and inclusive.
If you require further accommodations, or someone to attend the event with you to provide support, or have any questions about the above, please email events@museumsassociation.org.
Royal Armouries provides detailed accessibility guidance on its website – we have pulled some of the main points out here, but please do check with the venue or with us if you have any questions.
- Its main entrance, Armouries Square, is an open and level paved area and sliding glass doors are automatic.
- Floors one to four are accessible via four lifts. The gold-coloured lift goes to floor five.
- Lifts are fitted with handrails; operation buttons with braille labels; and audio announcements.
- The maximum load for each lift is 16 persons/1,250 kilogrammes (approximately 2,755 pounds). Lift controls are at the rear of the car at a height suitable for wheelchair users.
- Lift dimensions: 1.45m (width), 2m (height), 1.63m (length), 1.10m (door width), 2m (door height).
- Accessible toilets can be found in the ground floor cafe next to the main entrance, and on floors one, two and four (close to the lift areas). Please note that these toilets are 200 millimetres (approximately 8 inches) shorter than recommended in the current accessibility standards. They feature Braille door labels, grab rails and an emergency alarm.
- A Changing Places Toilet is located on the ground floor of the museum, approximately 36 metres (120 feet) from the main entrance. Access is by Radar key, which is available from the reception desk nearby.
- The museum has produced a 3D virtual tour of its spaces which is available on its website. A subtitled version of the tour is available on YouTube:
Sustainability
We are committed to reducing our impact on the environment.
Below is a non-exhaustive list of ways we are working to improve the environmental sustainability of MA Conference 2024.
Catering
- Lunch and any food served at social events will be a mix of vegetarian and vegan food.
- Non-dairy milk alternatives are offered during coffee breaks. Coffee and tea are Fairtrade.
- Delegates are asked to bring their own reusable hot drink cups and water bottles.
- Drinking water will be provided to delegates throughout the event. It serves One Water mineral water, all the profits of which go to funding better access to clean water in African countries.
- Royal Armouries uses seasonable and local produce where possible and uses energy-efficient catering equipment. It has reduced packaging where possible (for example, milk is served in jugs and containers).
- The venue has eliminated single-use plastic (such as straws and cups) and replaced plastic bottles with resealable and recyclable aluminium cans.
Printed materials and plastic
- We provide a digital programme and delegate list and no longer publish printed versions of these (apart from in cases where delegates with access needs request them).
- We print badges on sustainable paper. Lanyards are reusable and made from bamboo. We do not provide plastic wallets for badges.
- We no longer provide delegate bags with printed material inside.
- Signage is only printed when the venue is unable to offer digital signage.
Travel
- We encourage delegates and speakers to travel by public transport where possible.
- We provide international and some UK-based speakers the opportunity to join via Zoom.
- Museums Association staff travel by train or other modes of public transport, apart from when access requirements require car travel.
- Our hybrid approach to conference means more people can access conference without the need for travel.
- There is a Santander Cycle Docking Station opposite the Royal Armouries.
Venue
We work with partners who share our commitment to environmental sustainability.
The Royal Armouries undertakes and promotes the highest standards of environmental practice to ensure it is operating as a socially responsible organisation both locally and globally. It has received silver accreditations from Green Tourism and Greengage Solutions, and has been working closely with both organisations to continue to deliver improvements and innovations. A full sustainability statement from the venue can be found on its website – this includes the following points:
- Using biodegradable cleaning products.
- All tissues and paper towels are made from recycled paper.
- Smart taps and motion sensitive lighting used in the building.
- LED lighting in place throughout the venue.
Visit Leeds provides a sustainability statement on its website that outlines the city’s commitment to the environment.
Filming and photography
Filming and photography will take place throughout the conference venue (Royal Armouries Museum) and at the social events on Monday 11, Tuesday 12 and Wednesday 13 November 2024.
The films and photographs will be used by the Museums Association for the purpose of promoting its activities and may be published on the Museums Association’s website, in print publications and on social media channels.
If you do not wish to appear in the films or photographs, please make yourself known to the camera operators.
Thank you for your cooperation.