Publican Conference line-up announced
In many circles the very mention of the word conference can bring people out in hives.
The idea that anyone running a busy pub business, be they an individual freetrader or a chief executive, should want to spend a day away from the sharp end, the making money end, to listen to the "experts" drone on about management techniques appears, at first, to be ludicrous.
And it is with this in mind that I began my search at the start of the year for a line-up for The Publican Conference 2006 that would not only tempt people into delegating the difficult role of running a pub business for the day in order to spend time listening, but also leave them with the feeling that they had actually learnt something that could be taken back to their businesses and used.
And to make my task that bit harder, I also wanted to hear some new people speak to get a fresh angle on the trade.
Finally, in the interests of waking delegates up and getting them going in the difficult after-lunch spot (we all know what a glass of wine and a plate of albeit delicious buffet food can do for one's ability to stay focussed…) I wanted fun. Whatever happened to good old-fashioned fun at conferences, eh? People seem to have been too busy "thinking outside the (toy) box" to look inside it.
And I promise that is my one and only reference to any sort of management speak. The Publican Conference 2006 is not about conventional management clichés and David Brent definitely need not apply. It is about hearing from some exciting and high-profile speakers, taking away something
useful for your business, and having a bit of fun into the bargain.
So. There was my task. God I do set myself up sometimes, I thought.
But on reflection it immediately became clear that the theme for the day's event had to revolve around the image that the pub trade has been trying to shake off for the last 18 months - the Daily Mail headlines still shouting at me even now from before last year's reforms went through. BINGE-DRINKING BRITAIN! They screamed.
And something like that is hard to climb back up from.
But, I thought to myself, who better to spin things round for us than the King of Spin himself - Alastair Campbell.
It is notable that since Mr Campbell's departure from his position the government has come in for an awful lot of flack… and not enjoyed quite the same Teflon-style ability to shrug off bad publicity.
Coincidence? I don't think so.
And when Mr Campbell agreed to do the conference I was absolutely over the moon - not least because he was fresh from a sell-out series of one-man shows that I had tried but failed to get tickets for. His take on turning the pub-trade's fortunes around is one not to miss.
To lead in to this I was also delighted to get not only a top rate chairman on board in the form of James Naughtie from Radio 4's Today Programme (who will ask those tricky questions you have always wanted to but never dared!), but to face him in a head-to-head interview with David Blunkett. Not known for being soft on the pub sector, his no-doubt forthright stance on social policy should make for an interesting question and answer session at the very least.
And these two huge names are bolstered by a top line-up of panellists and guests from outside the industry to debate the key issues affecting all pubs in today's tough market.
And finally, don't think I had forgotten fun.
Oh no.
The Have I Got Booze for You! slot after lunch will feature (and I hope I don't live to regret this) yours truly hosting one team, with our (game for a laugh) City Editor Hamish Champ captaining an opposing side battling it out in a pub and drink-themed version of the hit TV quiz.
May the best man, or rather woman in this case, win!
SPEAKER INFORMATION
Alastair Campbell - Media guru and former government advisor
The best known media guru in the country takes a look at where it all went wrong for the pub sector in terms of its own PR and offers some thoughts on how we can turn it around. This should be industry changing stuff!
James Naughtie - The voice of Radio 4's Today Programme
Every good conference needs a top questionmaster to keep speakers and delegates on their toes and The Today Programme's Mr Naughtie is no stranger to reaching the answers other presenters can't.
David Blunkett - Former Home Secretary
While he was at the Home Office Mr Blunkett certainly didn't shy away from tough legislative moves that hit pubs hard. Is his hard-line approach a long-term solution or a short-term fix? Ask him yourself at this year's conference…
Brian Paddick - Deputy Assistant Commissioner, Metropolitan Police
The police have more direct contact with pub businesses than they have ever had before - so should they adopt the softly-softly approach or is there a partnership approach that can solve our problems? Police chief Brian Paddick has had a very liberal attitude to issues including the legalisation of cannabis in the past… but does this stretch to alcohol too? Find out during our headline panel debate.
Nick Grant - head of legal services, J Sainsbury Plc
The off-trade has escaped the swing of the big tar brush thus far. Can it continue to keep its head down while the on-trade takes the flack? Or has it simply been better at running a socially responsible operation? Nick Grant will share his knowledge from a retail perspective.
Alison Carter - licensee of The Publican's Freehouse of the Year 2006
Chief executives certainly don't know it all, and in a brand new panel concept for this year's event a group of five top licensees will give their side of the story in a frank exchange that should help delegates get a feel for the sharp end of the pub trade. Among the panel is current Publican Awards Freehouse of the Year winner Alison Carter, who recently turned around a struggling freehouse in Cornwall.
For the full programme see www.publicanconference.co.uk
SPECIAL OFFER!
The first 25 licensees to book
for this year's conference get a special one-off discounted rate of £70 plus VAT.
To book tickets email angiew@publicanconference.co.uk or call 07714 106072.
