Step into the Tower. Rise to the next level.
The UK’s most exciting live event for tutors and tuition companies who want serious business growth, powerful inspiration and the kind of connections that change everything.
Blackpool Tower
Friday July 10th 2026
9am-6pm
Welcome To TutorFest!
This is where ambition meets our trademark friendly community energy and where tutors come together to learn, grow and be inspired.
Expect expert guidance, powerful stories, seaside-themed surprises, lowkey glamour in the Tower Ballroom and networking that feels energising rather than awkward.
You come for the inspiration. You leave with momentum.
What is TutorFest?
TutorFest is all about connection, inspiration, and business growth. Founded by Richard Cowell of Tutors Who Thrive and Vicki Gilby, this event brings tutors and tuition companies together for a full day of learning, celebration and genuine community. Whether you are brand new to tutoring or running a growing team, TutorFEST is your place to feel valued, supported and fired up for your next step.
Learn from the best
Hear from award winning tutors and business leaders who understand this industry inside out. They share real stories, real challenges and real strategies you can put into practice immediately.
Expand your network
Meet people who get what you do. Build meaningful relationships with like minded tutors and tuition business owners and enjoy conversations that spark breakthroughs.
Boost your business
Leave with practical ideas for marketing, social media, systems, mindset and growth. Every session is designed to help you level up with confidence.
Feel inspired
TutorFEST reminds you why you started. It fills you with new ideas, fresh motivation and the belief that your next level is absolutely within reach.
Who Is TutorFest for?
Ambitious tutors
Tuition companies ready to scale
Educators who want visibility, confidence and a stronger strategy
Action takers who want to finally build momentum
Who Is TutorFest NOT for?
Anyone expecting a cold, formal corporate experience
Anyone who prefers to hide in the corner and avoid speaking to another human
Anyone not open to inspiration or new ways of working
Speakers
Lisa Johnson
Global Business Strategist and Sunday Times bestselling author who is known for helping entrepreneurs build profitable businesses through passive and semi passive income streams.
After going from £30,000 in debt to building a business that now generates over £6 million a year, Lisa has helped thousands of people create sustainable online income.
Lisa is known for her straight talking, ethical approach to business and her belief that success should be possible for everyone, regardless of their background.
Lee Parkinson MBE
AKA Mr P ICT, one of the UK’s most recognisable voices in education. Through his hugely popular online platform, he shares practical ideas and training to help educators use technology creatively and effectively in the classroom.
Lee is also the best selling author of several books, including Put a Wet Paper Towel on It and Mr P’s ICT Handbook.
Known for his humour, honesty and practical approach, he champions teachers while sharing ideas that make teaching easier and more engaging.
Dan Meredith
Dan is the author of the best-selling books How To Be F*cking Awesome and How To Be F*cking Happy, which have sold over a million copies worldwide and reflect his passion for helping people build clarity, confidence, and momentum.
Dan is particularly known for his ability to simplify complex ideas, cut through overwhelm, and focus on the actions that create the biggest impact, both in business and in life. Dan’s coaching style is practical, motivating, and grounded in real-world experience.
Sophie Hughes
Sophie from Study Space Academy left teaching in 2024 to start tutoring.
She is our 'pick from the audience' of TutorFest 2025. We invited her to share her story because her journey is such an inspiring example of what is possible when tutors take the leap into building their own business.
Who knows? This could be you next year!
Sophie now has her own amazing tuition centre, a team of expert tutors and is providing both private tuition and alternate provision for children with SEND and home educated children.
Charlotte Bailey
Accredited Psychotherapist, speaker and podcast host who specialises in confidence, self-belief and the hidden internal patterns - like people-pleasing and overthinking - that hold people back in life and business.
With over 15 years’ clinical experience, she translates complex psychology into clear, relatable insights that help people understand why they doubt themselves and what they can do to move forward with genuine confidence.
Known for her warm, down-to-earth style, Charlotte draws on both her clinical expertise and lived experience to support women who’ve spent years feeling ‘too much’ or ‘not enough’, helping them break old internal narratives, trust themselves and finally feel safe to be seen.
Your Favourite Double-Act!
Of course it wouldn't be TutorFest without Richard and Vicki!
Not only are they hosting the day and organising everything behind the scenes, they'll also be on the stage to offer stories, expertise, inspiration and tangible takeaways to grow your business - whatever stage you may be at!
Outside of TutorFest and Tutors Who Thrive, Richard and Vicki run their own separate tuition businesses with face to face centres and a team of staff as well as starting a new, joint venture in Students Who Thrive: a national tuition provider with a huge team of tutors for private clients and alternative provision.
Plus our Expert Panel answering questions from the floor.
Where is TutorFest 2026?
TutorFEST 2026 is held inside the ICONIC Blackpool Tower, right on the seafront with brilliant transport links, plenty of parking and hotels within walking distance.
Getting here is much easier than people imagine...
🚆From London
Direct trains from Euston to Blackpool North: 3 hrs
🚆From Birmingham
2.5 hrs
🚆From Leeds and Yorkshire
1.5-2hrs
🚆From Scotland
Trains from Edinburgh or Glasgow: 3hrs
If you can get to a train station, you can get to TutorFEST. The Tower Ballroom alone is worth the trip.
Download a podcast, grab an Uppercrust baguette and enjoy your journey.
What To Expect
👋🏻Morning welcome and relaxed networking
💡Keynote sessions that set the tone and spark big ideas
💬Short focussed talks filled with practical strategies
🎤A live interview with honest insight into successful tuition businesses
🤓Expert panel with audience questions
🍰Afternoon tea in the Tower Ballroom
🪣Seaside themed challenges with prizes
❤️Plenty of chances to make real connections with peers (or piers 😂)
You leave clearer, stronger, more confident, bursting with ideas and carrying the kind of momentum that changes your business.
What does my ticket include?
What will I learn?
How many people are going?
Who is TutorFest for?
Is the venue accessible?
Special dietary requirements?
Will the talks be recorded?
Is this a business expense?
We would love to see you.
Signing up to attend TutorFest is just the beginning. We will invite you to attend an online pre-drinks event to give you the opportunity to meet others before the big day.
Expect to be set challenges with prizes up for grabs. Look out for more details to come.
If you have any questions please send them to [email protected]