On Saturday 11th May 2026, I had the pleasure of attending the Club Hub Awards 2026 in Birmingham and as always, it was a day not to be missed in the children’s activity provider calendar. Hosted by the wonderful Tessa Day, the event brought together over 250 passionate, inspiring business owners from across the industry for a day full of learning, networking, and celebration.
The day began with a fantastic networking opportunity as everyone arrived and caught up with familiar faces while meeting new people too. One of the things I love most about Club Hub events is the sense of community, everyone is so supportive and genuinely interested in helping each other grow.
We then kicked off the day with an energetic icebreaker from GKR Karate. We had so much fun practising some karate skills and it was the perfect way to warm everyone up for the exciting day ahead.
One of the fantastic things about Club Hub is the variety of workshops available throughout the day. Attendees get to choose three sessions from a choice of nine, meaning there is something valuable for everyone, no matter what stage they are at in business.
My first workshop was with Carrie Anne Booth from The Science Booth, focusing on why being seen matters more than being the best. It was such an engaging session, complete with science experiments that really helped bring the concepts to life. I took away some brilliant insights that I can share with my team and put into action within our business.
The second workshop I attended was led by Sarah Gittins from The Den and focused on managing and hiring a team. It was incredibly interesting to hear about different processes and approaches, while also reflecting on what we already do within our own business. There were definitely some useful ideas and reminders that I’ll be taking back to the team.
After a delicious lunch and more networking opportunities, it was time for the third workshop. I attended a session with Nicole Bateman, which focused on creating a calm and inclusive first five minutes for neurodivergent children. Nicole has supported our business in the past, so it was lovely to hear her speak and listen to her valuable insights. Inclusivity is such an important part of children’s activities, and there was so much in the session that really resonated.
We then moved into the keynote speaker sessions, which are always one of the highlights of Club Hub. This year’s keynote speakers were Jodine Boothby and Francesca Gubbay. Their conversation was incredibly inspiring as they shared how they have supported each other throughout their business journeys over the last 10 years after meeting through the SBS community, which we are proud to be part of too.
It was so lovely to hear them speak with such passion about each other’s businesses, the challenges they’ve faced, and the importance of friendship and community in entrepreneurship. Their story really reflected what so many of us experience within the children’s activity industry, the power of supporting one another and building strong relationships that help both people and businesses grow.
Then came the awards ceremony itself. I was absolutely thrilled to once again be a finalist in the Leader of the Year category. This was my second consecutive year as a finalist, and I felt incredibly proud to be recognised alongside so many amazing business owners in the industry.
Although I didn’t take home the title this year, being named a finalist for two years running is such an incredible achievement, and I’m genuinely so proud of that recognition.
Throughout the day, Club Hub also announced the Top 100 Children’s Activity Providers, and I was beyond delighted that Boogie Beat Music and Movement Aldershot came in at number 45! To be included in the Top 100 for the second year running is such an amazing accomplishment and something I’m incredibly proud of.
We finished the evening with drinks, celebrations, and lots of conversations reflecting on such a brilliant day. Club Hub continues to be one of the most inspiring and supportive events in the children’s activity industry, and I’m already looking forward to next year!
Find out more about Club Hub at www.clubhub.co.uk
