A "new look" Federation of Licensed Victuallers has recorded a 50% increase in membership over the past year, newly-elected association president Nigel Williams has revealed.
The group now has around 750 members. It follows a major recruitment drive which has seen the association pursue a range of methods to attract members.
The FLVA has also completed a fundamental review of its business, which has seen major changes in the way it is run.
One of the major initiatives on the association's agenda will see the setting up of new tenant liaison groups which the FLVA hopes to launch with some of the big pub operators.
The membership base, currently drawn predominantly from the north, will also see its traditional boundaries extended to other parts of the country.
"We hope to go back to the days of tenant stream committees which saw most brewers and their licensees meeting on a regular basis.
"The aim is to establish a unique pubco licensee forum which we see acting as a vital safety valve," Williams told the association's annual banquet in Blackpool.
He added: "We are aiming to target key Government personnel and have already established an important dialogue with a number of key figures at Westminster."
Williams, Enterprise Inns lessee of Sheffield's Ranmoor Inn, takes over as FLVA president from retiring president Dennis Griffiths.
Williams said: "The trade is being hit from all corners but we will be entering the new year from a position of strength."
New senior vice president is David Hawksworth, licensee of the Fox & Hounds, Northallerton, North Yorkshire.
Newly elected junior vice president is multiple lessee Michelle Dwan who operates three leased pubs including the Magnet at Castleford, West Yorkshire.
Dwan is in line to become the association's first lady president in four years' time.