The Festival Story: using a whole city as a venue, and a playground!
The B Corp community is committed to redefining what business looks like.
“After extensive research into numerous large-scale events, we’ve come to realise that while many have opted for trendier venues, they often maintain a factory-farm approach in presenting content to the masses. We firmly believe that a shift towards a free-range, organic alternative, is a much better concept”
Emma Wellstead, Warwick Events
With the goal of maximising positive impact on all stakeholders, we are enthusiastic about the prospect of hosting a Fringe/Literary Festival-style programme, using multiple venues and spaces.
Community and giving back are two key values of B Lab UK and B Corps.
With a fringe festival framework, you get to support the wonderful work of charity and arts venues, social enterprises, B Corps, non-profits and independents. And they benefit from your business! The majority of our event suppliers fall into these categories.
Do you think change happens in big or small moments?
This programme offers both. Purposefully giving time to talk and walk between venues, ruminating over what you’ve heard or done; giving space in the programme for relationships to form and build.
WHY OXFORD?
The B Corp community is part of a growing movement of leaders who know that business as usual doesn’t work for all. At Louder Than Words we’ll be bringing this extraordinary group together for the first time in one city.
Welcome to Oxford, a city that defies stereotypes and invites you to explore beyond its iconic dreaming spires and renowned academia. While the intellectual background of this historic city is undeniable, Oxford is a vibrant tapestry of cultures and experiences and shows a commitment to inclusivity that extends far beyond the walls of its prestigious institutions.
Oxford is a compact city with a rich historical and diverse background. Our programme is spread across a huge variety of spaces: from small independent coffee shops and cafes to contemporary university meeting spaces to a large-capacity 1920s theatre with lots of quirky, characterful places in between.
Multiple venues give flexibility to evolving content. They are also, the building blocks for an inclusive, neurodivergent programme. So, participants can choose sessions based on their interests and the size of the group they are comfortable working in.
We have provided our advice and recommendations for travel and accommodation below.
Did you know the UK’s first Zero Emission Zone (ZEZ) started in Oxford in 2022?
THE SUPER SEVEN
Louder than Words is made possible by the collaboration of these 7 super B Corps working with B Lab UK
OUR SPONSORS
At the largest-ever gathering of B Corps, you can:
- See fresh content, delivered differently, with headline moments on the Main Stage at Oxford’s New Theatre
- Participate in exciting pop-up sessions at more than 40 venues across Oxford
- Forge connections to create the change we need right now, together.
See below for the different ticket options, and scroll down to the bottom of the page for the full descriptions of each ticket type.
USEFUL TIMINGS
Tuesday 10th September: Please arrive in Oxford at 9.00am so you have time to collect your badge and take your seat. Morning sessions take place on the main stage. In the afternoon, you’re able to choose from over 40 fringe activities running from 1.30pm-5pm. Organise or join pop-up community-led events and dinners in the evening.
Wednesday 11th September: Please arrive in Oxford for 9.30am in time to take your seat for the morning agenda. Afternoon sessions finish at 4.30pm.
TICKET INFORMATION
THE VIRTUAL EXPERIENCE from £65
Can’t make it in person to Oxford?
- Be part of the festival via your computer, tablet or phone.
- Watch, vote, ask and answer questions during the live-streamed headline speakers from the main stage at the New Theatre in Oxford
- Connect with our online and in-person community through our event platform. You can join the event chat; make new connections; organise a one-to-one video meeting, plus much more!
Live-stream times: Tuesday 10th Sept, 10.30-12.30 (GMT+1) and Wednesday 11th Sept, 10.00-12.00 (GMT+1). Plus bonus afternoon segments, times TBC.
THE CINEMA EXPERIENCE from £315
- Experience the headline speakers from the main stage, live-broadcasted on five screens in the luxury Curzon cinema*.
- Engage with speakers in real-time through our event app (through polls, Q&A and surveys) and connect with those online and in the theatre.
With the cinema experience, you also have the option to book ‘The Quiet Zone — an 82 seat cinema, perfect for those seeking less stimulation. Attendees in this screen will be asked to keep noise levels to a minimum (gentle clapping, rather than cheering and whooping). The doors will open 10 minutes before the main group.
- Choose from over 40 fringe activities bookable through the app.
*The Curzon cinema is approx. 10 minutes’ walk from New Theatre
THE THEATRE EXPERIENCE from £395
- Experience the big topic talks from the main stage, New Theatre Oxford.
- Engage with speakers in real-time through our event app (through polls, Q&A and surveys) and connect with those online and in the Curzon cinema.
- Choose from over 40 fringe activities bookable through the app.
THE SUPER SUPPORTER from £1,850
The ultimate Theatre Experience,
- Have the best seats in the house, by having the option to reserve your seat
- Early access to the theatre
- Join us in the hospitality lounge for morning coffees, juices and a light breakfast on both days, alongside our speakers and the B Lab UK leadership team. Enjoy exclusive speaker lunches at the Ashmolean Rooftop Restaurant on both days.
- By purchasing the super supporter ticket, you’re also enabling someone whose financial circumstances otherwise prevent them from participating, also known as our ‘Pay it Forward’ ticket.
Please note there are only 60 Super Supporter tickets in total. So make sure you secure yours!
