The CIPR Annual Conference is back for 2024 and Early Bird tickets are on sale now. Fees increase at 17:00 BST on Friday 27 September so book yours today.
When and where?
Date: Thursday 21 November 2024
Location: etc.venues, County Hall, Belvedere Road, London SE1 7PB
Time: 09:00 – 17:30
Conference overview
Around the world, governments have an impact on every industry. So, in a year where almost half the world’s population will be taking part in national elections, we will be focusing our conference around the impact this has on PR and communications as well as, as you would expect, public affairs.
We’ll be joined by Broadcaster, Journalist, Presenter and Author, Clive Myrie as the Headline Speaker.
Book your place and join us for thought-provoking conversations, tangible takeaways to implement in your working day, and networking with 300 practitioners from across the industry.
Conference agenda
09:00 - Conference registration and networking
Rachael Clamp Chart.PR, FCIPR
CIPR President 2024
welcome
Clive Myrie
Broadcaster, Journalist, Presenter and Author
thriving in a shifting media landscape
Clive will offer a unique perspective as he dives into the whirlwind of this global election year and its seismic impact on the PR profession. Discover how to navigate the chaotic news cycle and master the art of covering ‘the sensible’ amidst the noise. Clive will also explore whether there are more opportunities for pitching stories during such turbulent times and share his top-notch strategies to make your stories stand out, whether targeting local or national media. Don’t miss this chance to supercharge your PR skills and stay ahead in a rapidly evolving media landscape.
Prof. Juergen Maier CBE, FRS, FREng, FIET, FCGI
Industrialist, Chair of Great British Energy, Co-founder of vocL and former Chief Executive of Siemens UK
business responsibility in driving transformative societal change
Join Juergen to explore strategies to engage multiple stakeholders across the political spectrum, emphasising the importance of inclusive dialogue and collaborative decision-making. He will discuss how businesses can effectively align with a new mission-based government, leveraging commitments to drive innovation and sustainable growth. Hear Juergen’s vision for the future of UK business working in partnership with Governments in addressing societal challenges.
break
Morning Breakout sessions
Session A - Caroline Hole-Jones, Katie Oliver and Georgia Nixon
apetito Public Relations team
Navigating Successful Public Affairs Campaign: An Award-Winning Case Study
In this session, we’ll explore apetito’s award-winning public affairs campaign case study. From covering the initial challenge and motivation that sparked the campaign, the team’s mobilisation, and activities, as well as the measurement and results. All the details will be disclosed! Learn the approach of the apetito team, as first-time public affairs campaigners, and their top tips for successful public affairs campaign. Join us for practical insights and takeaways.
Session B - Rebecca Deegan
Founder of I have a voice
creating an inclusive culture
Join Rebecca to learn how to build an inclusive workplace culture within your organisation. This session is for anyone who is passionate about creating a supportive and equitable work environment. It will help you to understand how different protected characteristics impact someone's career and it will provide you with insight into Gen Z perspectives of the workplace. You’ll hear about the new Worker Protection Act and how you can be proactive in harassment prevention through the power of allyship and the roles both individuals and organisations play in creating a culture where everyone is empowered to speak up.
Session C
More session information coming soon.
Iain Anderson FCIPR, FRSA
Founding and Executive Chairman at H/Advisors Cicero
working together: building credibility and effective government partnerships
In the opening session Iain Anderson will set the stage for the day and lead the discussion on engaging with a new government and building lasting relationships with policy makers. Learn how to establish credibility, stand out to officials, and adapt your public affairs strategies. Hear about successful campaigns and Iain’s thoughts into what made them work. Gain insights on networking, maintaining consistency and defining your identity as well as avoiding the pitfalls of being a ‘pop-up’ presence.
lunch
Tilly McAuliffe
Party Treasurer, Liberal Democrats, and Business Owner
the rise of the liberal democrats and the power of comms
Join Tilly for a fascinating session as she shares the strategy behind the Liberal Democrats’ creative and successful 2024 election campaign. From the planning to the execution of Ed Davey’s headline-grabbing, ingenious stunts. Tilly will compare the historic and 2024 election results revealing how unique PR strategy and tactics played a pivotal role in this success story. Don’t miss this opportunity to explore a ground-breaking political campaign like never before and take the learnings to drive success in your business or teams.
Main stage session
More session information coming soon.
break
Afternoon Breakout sessions
Session A - Peter Heneghan
Founder of The Future Communicator and former Chief Digital Communicator for the UK Government
the AI halo effect: transforming public affairs strategies
Join Peter Heneghan, former UK Government Chief Digital Communicator and Founder of The Future Communicator, as he explores the macro AI landscape and its transformative impact on politics, government, and wider sectors. Peter will introduce the AI Halo framework and demonstrate how technology can handle up to 60% of campaign work—including research, planning, and content—freeing professionals to focus on creativity and strategic decision-making. He will also cover sector-specific AI applications and practical integration strategies, offering insights on how public affairs professionals can leverage AI to stay ahead in a rapidly evolving world.
Session B
More session information coming soon.
Session C
More session information coming soon.
Mark Earls
HERDmeister, award-winning writer and consultant on human behaviour, contemporary communications and behaviour change.
herd vs habit: how behavioural science can help you engage better with behaviour change programmes and policy makers
Join us for an insightful session on understanding and influencing behaviour change and behaviour change programmes. From the basis of understanding humans (as they really are) to tracing the complexities of human behaviour at scale (for example how do political ideas spread), Mark will share a simple, usable map of human behaviour to help you diagnose what kind of behaviour you’ve been asked to change and help you prescribe better solutions. Gain practical insights and an invaluable tool to engage policymakers more effectively.
The Rt Hon Stephen McPartland
Former Member of Parliament (2010-2024) Author: McPartland Review into CyberSecurity. Founder GreenCyber® Research.
strategic engagement: navigating the political landscape for PR professionals
Join us for an enlightening session where PR professionals will unlock the secrets to engaging with MPs and mastering the political landscape. Discover how to align with MPs’ routines and priorities and learn the art of being both responsive and strategic. We’ll delve into the nuances of political processes, the power of strategic relationship-building, and how MPs shape policy through formal responses and media engagement. Avoid common pitfalls and perfect you’re timing to make the most impactful connections. This session is your gateway to becoming a political engagement maestro!
17:30 - Summary and Conference close
17:45 - 19:30 - The Muck Rack After Party
Continue conversations and discuss all your learnings and insights from the day with drinks and nibbles, hosted by our wonderful After Party sponsor, Muck Rack. The After Party takes place immediately after the conference in the same venue and ends at 19:30. You will need a conference ticket to attend.