As Parliamentarians and media pundits speculate about what happens after the end of summer recess, attention turns next to the annual Party Conference season in September and October, and this year looks set to be a vintage one! Both the Conservatives and Liberal Democrats will be gathering for new leader honeymoon conferences, while Jeremy Corbyn will be trying to paper over the cracks in his Party and prepare it for a looming General Election.
Others, including the Brexit Party and the Greens are looking to find the opportunities to help them seize greater representation in a fractured political landscape.
Why attend?
Hundreds of fringe discussions, events and receptions will see senior ministers speak alongside business and charity leaders, think tanks, journalists and even political opponents to voice a plethora of ideas and beliefs – some of which may one day emerge into the policy landscape, while others will forever be consigned to remain on the fringe. No other event in the political calendar allows for such a concentration of discussion and differing opinion in one location.
For political enthusiasts attending conference is the most anticipated event of the year, a chance to see and hear from prominent political leaders and rising stars. For businesses however, it is a prime opportunity to engage and scan the horizon for emerging policy or a change in direction in the industry you are operating in.
How your business can participate
For businesses, charities and pressure groups, conference provides a unique opportunity to engage with the party political machine at every level – and you are just as likely to bump into the Chancellor of the Exchequer at the Conservative Party Conference with your morning coffee, as a councillor from an area of interest to your business. The conference also provides a chance to listen and participate in sector-specific discussion, to hear the views of political influencers and to contribute to relevant discussions. For the housing and development sector there are a number of events taking place providing a unique opportunity to hear directly from the new Secretary of State, The Rt Hon Robert Jenrick MP and his ministerial team set out their vision for the sector.
Crucially, you don’t need to think of giving up a week to attend, with all of the cost and time away from the office that is involved – visiting for a day or two will give you a chance to see what conference is about, spectate, participate and engage.
Of course, you may wish to make a bigger impact at conference and offer to sponsor your own fringe events, host a dinner or a reception and invite a range of guests you have been seeking to engage with. Before parting with large cheques, think through your business objectives of attending and align your events with those objectives – for all the good conference events, there are many poor ones and it is not good to be left with a four-figure drinks bill for an event where your key guests didn’t attend.
If you haven’t booked up yet, now is the time to reserve your pass, book your hotel and start to map out your conference visit. Newington Communications offers a series of Conference packages and our team would be delighted to discuss how we can help you plan your attendance and achieve your objectives.
If you have never attended before get in touch and we can guide you through the process and help you maximise the opportunity.
Conference dates this year are:
Brexit Party: UK Roadshow 2 – 27 September
Liberal Democrat: Bournemouth 14 – 17 September
Labour: Brighton 21 – 25 September
Conservative: Manchester 29 September - 2 October
Plaid Cymru: Swansea 4 – 5 October
Green: Newport 4 – 6 October
SNP: Aberdeen 13 – 15 October
CONFERENCE TIPS
Advance Planning
Once the conference agenda and fringe guide is published, you can look through and identify the events you would like to attend. There are so many competing ones at the same time, it is a good idea to pull out a shortlist, otherwise you’ll rush around and not make the best use of your time.
Flexibility
Advance planning shouldn’t be too rigorous. You might plan to try five fringe events or a series of one to one meetings but the first may be so good that it dominates the day. You may even bump into a Minister and seize your chance to promote your business objectives.
Stay in control
Maintaining professionalism is important at any conference, but for political ones remember you are never more than a few paces from one of the media pack. So use the opportunity to forge strategic, long lasting relationships and not become a newspaper headline!
Conference events are fuelled with hospitality so like any conference it is important to utilise this opportunity to network and engage. With a radical shake-up of the ministerial ranks by the new Prime Minister Boris Johnson, Conservative Party Conference will be packed with many newly appointed ministers and special advisers, all eager to make their mark in the pre-Brexit months ahead.
P.S. Don't forget business cards!
CONTACT US TO RECEIVE A PERSONALISED PARTY CONFERENCE PACKAGE
