Theme: Route Setting
A discussion of the current BMC membership offer to climbers, and your ideas for what should be included in the future.
Host: Dan Middleton, BMC Climbing Development Manager
Guy will discuss how walls can recruit and develop their coaching and instructional staff, in a cost-effective way, to deliver excellent sessions with happy, sticky customers. He will also give some early insights into Mountain Training’s coaching scheme review and the launch of the Bouldering Wall Instructor.
Host: Guy Jarvis, Executive Officer, Mountain Training England
This panel will explore how routesetting can be recognised as a professional, creative discipline with clear career pathways. The discussion will cover what is needed to professionalise the role, including qualifications, apprenticeship schemes, mentoring, and improving working conditions. The debate will also include key issues including attracting and training new setters, the responsibilities walls have to their teams, and the pros and cons of employing permanent versus freelance routesetters as well as examining industry support measures to protect these valuable professionals. The discussion will also address equality, diversity, and inclusion in routesetting—ensuring setter teams reflect the diversity of their communities and membership.
Moderator: Mary-Ann Ochota, Broadcaster
Panellists:
Ros Beveridge, Freelance routesetter and Senior National Routesetter (youth)
Mike Clevedon, Freelance routesetter
Carol Ng, Freelance Routesetter, Climbing coach & Marketing Manager, The Climbing Works
Dan Knight, Director of Climbing, The Climbing Hangar Group
Discussion about the challenges and opportunities facing this important part of the indoor climbing ecosystem and how professionalising it can help keep everyone safer and develop rewarding careers in the sector.
Hosts:
Joe Lewis, Rock UK & ABC board lead for Route Setting Development
Naomi Hatto, ABC Route Setting Development Coordinator
Join the ABC team and board members for an insight into the work of the ABC over the last year.
We’ll also be launching our bi-annual market research report, sharing the key themes and trends in the sector for 2025.
Join industry leaders for a discussion on the evolving indoor climbing sector. The discussion will explore the current landscape of the indoor climbing industry and its future trajectory. The panel will discuss key macroeconomic trends and the latest insights from ABC industry research. Is the market still on the rise, or hitting a plateau? The expert panel will explore the impact of private equity and venture capital, the realities of competing in saturated markets, and what this means for growth opportunities. The session will close with a look ahead — where is the industry going, and how can businesses stay ahead of the curve?
Moderator: Hannah Mitchell
Panel:
Rich Emerson, Chief Executive, The Climbing Academy
Emily Vermont, Founder & CEO, Indirock
Antoine Paulhac, Co-Founder & CEO, Climbing District
Melanie Bonney, Chief Executive Officer, Coast and Vale Community Action
As artificial intelligence reshapes industries worldwide, this session explores how indoor climbing businesses can harness its power to drive efficiency, growth, and innovation. This session will tackle the pressing question: are we overlooking AI at our peril? From streamlining operations and enhancing marketing to making better, data-driven decisions, this presentation will showcase how AI—when used with intention and a clear strategy—can become a valuable business partner.
Learn how to balance automation with human insight, test and integrate tools effectively, and future-proof your operations without losing the personal touch.
