1. You can actually see and try what people keep talking about
We hear a lot of noise about AI, robotics, XR and digital tools. This is a chance to move past the hype. You can see what already exists, what is close, and what is still a long way off. You can ask awkward questions. You can start to work out what might realistically help your patients, your trainees and your team, rather than what just looks good in a keynote.
2. The speakers are meant to challenge you, not flatter you
There are excellent surgeons speaking, people who are already shaping how our profession is evolving. But we have deliberately brought in voices from outside surgery as well. A fighter jet pilot, a law professor working on emerging technologies, the Chief Scientific Officer for England. They look at risk, decision making, leadership and responsibility through a very different lens. That perspective matters more than we sometimes admit.
3. This is where useful connections happen
Surgery can feel isolating, even in busy departments. The Festival is designed to make it easy to meet new people, properly. Not just formal networking, but conversations over coffee, during the run, or in the evening. These are the moments where collaborations start and where you realise others are grappling with the same questions you are.
4. It is deliberately not a traditional conference
You will not spend two days sitting in a dark room watching slides. There are interactive demos, posters, wellbeing spaces and places built for discussion. The aim is to create space to think and to remember why you went into surgery in the first place, at a time when that can sometimes feel squashed by the day-to-day pressure.
5. You leave with something practical
Yes, there are over 11 RCS England accredited CPD points. More importantly, you leave with ideas you can use. Whether that is how you approach training, how you think about technology adoption, or how you plan the next stage of your career. The Professional Development Hub is there to support that thinking, not just tick a box.
For me, the Future of Surgery Festival is about stepping back for a moment and asking a simple question: if surgery is changing anyway, how do we want to shape that change? I hope you will come and I look forward to chatting over coffee.