As school work experience placements become harder to secure, Business Studies teachers face a growing challenge: how to give students meaningful exposure to the real world of business.
Business Studies student conventions can help bridge that gap, offering insight into how organisations operate and the chance to hear directly from those making decisions.
Voyager surveyed more than 130 Business Studies educators and found that 70% already organised trips for their students, mostly within the UK. When asked to help design a learning event specifically for Business Studies, teachers said they wanted real case studies, speakers from recognisable brands and content clearly linked to classroom topics. That feedback directly shaped Voyager’s Business Studies Convention.
The annual event, held at Disneyland Paris, combines live conference sessions from industry speakers - including practitioners in digital marketing, branding and finance - with independent learning in the park itself.
- In-park assignments guide students to analyse Disneyland Paris as a working business, applying tools such as PEST analysis and the marketing mix (4Ps).
- These themes are then explored further during live presentations and Q&A session with speakers from the Disney corporation.
For students, this approach turns abstract theory into something tangible. For teachers, it delivers structured, curriculum-linked learning beyond the classroom.
Why hold the convention at Disneyland Paris?
Beyond the appeal of a world-famous destination, studying the resort in situ allows learners to explore the operations of a multinational organisation in a way that simply isn’t possible from the classroom.
There is also a wider pastoral benefit to an overseas Business Studies trip, particularly for secondary students who missed out on Year 6 residentials during the COVID years. An overseas visit can help build confidence, resilience, teamwork and cultural awareness — all vital skills as students move towards higher education or employment.
A Business Studies teacher from Simon Balle School noted that his students developed organisation skills on the Paris trip, explaining that some had never managed their own money or coped with early starts before. For students who had never travelled abroad, “it was a cultural experience, as well as a Business Studies trip”.
Practical tips for an overseas trip
- Avoid the summer term. Over half of educational trips take place between May and July, making travel busier and more expensive. Earlier trips are often easier to run and help consolidate learning ahead of mocks.
- Beware of going it alone. DIY trips may look cost-effective, but if something goes wrong, you are on your own. A specialist provider such as Voyager School Travel offers audited accommodation, risk assessments and 24-hour support.
- Don’t leave it too late. Planning at least 12 months ahead for better deals and to give families more time to budget.
Free Business Studies Assignments: Case Study on Disneyland Paris
Voyager is making its Business of Disneyland Paris assignments available as a free resource for teachers, whether or not they plan to attend the convention. Download here www.voyagerschooltravel.com/student-convention-resource-packs/
Find out more about Voyager’s Business Studies Convention 2027 at www.voyagerschooltravel.com/conventions