14-16 OCTOBERSURGEONS’ HALL,EDINBURGH

CIPR LOCAL PUBLIC SERVICES ANNUAL CONFERENCE 2009

SURVIVING &THRIVING

THE CONFERENCE FOR LOCAL PUBLIC SECTORCOMMUNICATORS

CONFERENCE PROGRAMME

WEDNESDAY 14 OCTOBER

2.30pm – 5.00pm Registration at the Surgeons’ Hall

6.30pm Welcome reception at the Scottish Parliament

Thanks to Edinburgh MSP Shirley-Anne Somerville who has kindly arranged for us to visit the Parliament. Edinburgh’s Council Leader, Councillor Jenny Dawe will also welcome delegates to the city.

THURSDAY 15 OCTOBER

9.15am Registration and coffee at the Surgeons’ HallRegister and visit the sponsors’ stands and fi nd out what services they have to offer.

9.45am Introduction by the chair of the CIPR Local Public Services group, Ashley Wilcox, MCIPR

10.00am Welcome to Edinburgh, Isabell Reid, Head of Communications at Edinburgh City Council

10.15am Keynote speaker, Michael WhiteVoted Print Journalist of the Year by MPs and Peers in the House Magazine/BBC Parliamentary Awards, Michael White is Associate Editor of The Guardian.

11.00am Coffee and sponsor exhibition

11.20am Kevin Taylor, FCIPR, CIPR President Kevin will talk about professionalism in the industry and how the CIPR is supporting local public services communicators.

11.40am Andy Green – The upturn: your part in its riseIn an entertaining yet practical talk you will go away with at least three new ideas and strategies of what you can do differently to be more resourceful in the current economic climate.

12.30pm Lunch and sponsor exhibition

1.30pm Trade secretsIn these popular sessions you can learn more about shortlisted Excellence Awards entries with an opportunity to hear from and learn from the best in our fi eld.

2.00pm WorkshopsChoose a workshop from the following:

Workshop 1 – What’s it like where you are? Liza Greaves, Public PRThis workshop will look at the results of the attitude survey and work on

developing an action plan to change.

Workshop 2 – Are you measuring up? John Shewell, Brighton and Hove City Council Building evidence-based communications campaigns.

Workshop 3 – Working with two mastersWendy Knight, Worthing and Adur Councils Looking at the experience of the communicator who has one management team and two local authorities.

3.00pm Coffee and sponsor exhibition

3.30pm Trade secretsAnother chance to learn more about shortlisted Excellence Awards entries with an opportunity to hear from and learn from the best in our fi eld.

4.00pm The trouble with Children’s ServicesIt often seems that you can’t win in the world of child protection. We’ve seen what happens when things go wrong but can we learn the lessons of others?

The City of Edinburgh Council’s Media Manager, Stewart Argo will take us through the challenges, how they were managed and the lessons we can all learn.

The theme this year is surviving and thriving. This will explore the important role local communicators are undertaking at this time and how to show value for your excellent work.

THE CONFERENCE FOR ALL LOCAL PUBLIC SERVICES COMMUNICATORS

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Stewart will be joined by Daniel Lombard (pictured) from Community Care Magazine who has recently produced guidelines on effective social work PR.

5.00pm Return to hotels

7.30pm Enjoy Edinburgh in true Scottish style and join us for a traditional CeilidhSouth Hall, Pollock Hall.

Dress: Comfortable. Jeans fi ne, tartan perfect and don’t forget your dancing shoes. Located in the Pollock Halls just off Dalkeith Road it is only a 10 minute walk from the conference venue and is well served by buses (2, 14, 30 or 33) for those who wish to save their energy for dancing.

FRIDAY 16 OCTOBER

9.00am Coffee at the Surgeons’ Hall

9.15am The Council who cancelled Christmas We’ve all been there _ those ‘couldn’t make it up moments’ come along when you least expect it and remain with you forever.

The session will be chaired by Councillor Ewan Aitken (pictured), former Leader of Edinburgh Council who found himself at the centre of a nativity play storm a few years ago. Ewan will be joined by Anya

Richards, Senior Communications Manager for Powys County Council and Scotland on Sunday journalist Martin Hannan.

10.00am Is the public sector destroying local newspapers?The public sector has been accused of competing unfairly with local newspapers and bringing about their demise in an already challenging economic climate – so who is to blame?

Our panel comprises Bob Bounds (pictured), Managing Editor, Kent Messenger Newspapers, Alan Pickstock, Communications Consultant and Chris Payne, Head of Commercial Operations at Tower Hamlets Council.

11.00am Coffee and sponsor exhibition

11.15am Trade secretsLearn more about our shortlisted Excellence Awards entries with an opportunity to hear from the best in our fi eld.

11.45am Changing attitudes to alcoholPartnership working across the public sector is increasingly being seen as the way ahead. Using the theme ‘Changing attitudes to Alcohol’ we’ll hear about different campaigns/initiatives to tackle one of today’s priority issues. Presentations from Dr Donna McKinnon, Head of Alcohol Misuse Delivery Team at the Scottish Government’s Alcohol Awareness Week and Brighton & Hove City Council’s Kevin Kingston.

12.45pm Second stepsHow was it for you? Gordon Lyon from Aberdeenshire Council was a delegate on the fi rst ever Second Steps course – hear from him why it was so valuable.

1.00pm Lunch and sponsor exhibition

1.45pm WorkshopsChoose a workshop from the following:

Workshop 1 – Surviving and thriving in a lead communication roleCarol GrantThis practical, interactive session will look at how you can get on and move up as a communications leader.

Workshop 2 – Closing schools - keeping the public onside Joyce Nisbet and Tina Sutherland of Edinburgh City CouncilThe City of Edinburgh Council has recently embarked on a fresh round of school closures. Joyce Nisbet and Tina Sutherland will outline some of the challenges they faced and their top tips on managing a major consultation programme.

Workshop 3 – Unlocking your creative potential is easy and painlessAndy Green Top creativity expert Andy Green will show you how!

2.45pm New media Simon Wakeman and Will McInnesWill returns to talk through the latest social media innovations. Have local public services caught up or fallen further behind? Simon will talk about what other public sector organisations are doing giving you the chance to learn from Medway Council’s experiences.

3.45pm Free time and return to hotels

7.00pm Pre dinner drinks at Our Dynamic Earth

7.30pm Dinner followed by the Excellence AwardsYou’ll receive red carpet treatment and enjoy a three course dinner and entertainment. Find out who the winners are and celebrate in style. Dress: Black tie.

1.00am Carriages

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Edinburgh images provided by Edinburgh Inspiring Capital www.edinburgh-inspiringcapital.com

Our 2009 conference is kindly sponsored by:

HOW TO BOOKYou will fi nd a booking form at

www.cipr.co.uk/lps or call Karen Cameron on 0131 529 4423, e-mail karen.cameron@edinburgh.gov.uk

PR NEWSEssential reading for all communicators – Are you getting your copy of PR News – the ezine of the CIPR group? Register by visiting www.prnews.org.uk

Follow us on Twitter – @ciprlps, join our Facebook group or our Linkedin group.

THANKS TO ALL OUR SPONSORS.