BPEx 2023 Programme
The UK’s leading trade association conference is back! Join 200 people from across the sector on 22nd June 2023.
Countdown to BPEx 2023
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Conference Zones
There are four zones across the conference offering association professionals different types of content and focuses:
| Exhibiton area |
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Meet leading suppliers to the sector, network with fellow association professionals and grab a coffee or something to eat.
| Main stage |
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The main plenaries happen here – big picture sessions on the economy, skills andthe role associations can play in policy.
| Best Practice Zone |
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Learn best practice across a range of key areas for associations, hear from experts and ask question!
| Masterclass Studio |
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Learn from expert speakers about how to approach key professional skills, from data and analytics to events!
The Programme
09:15 - 10:00
| Exhibiton area |
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Exhibition opens, Arrivals, Coffees & Networking
10:00 - 10:10
| Main stage |
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Welcome and introduction
Gaynor Pates
Chair of the Trade Association Forum
10:10 - 10:40
| Main stage |
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Keynote speech and Q&A
Carl Cresswell
Director, Business Resilience, Department for Business and Trade.
10:40 - 11:30
| Main stage |
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Economy Panel Discussion: Delivering Growth
To start the day, this session will provide an overview of the challenges facing the UK Economy, providing associations with a way to contextualise the issues being faced in their sectors.
Speakers:
Andy Silvester
Editor,
City AM (Chair)
Emma Reynolds
Managing Director of Public Affairs, TheCityUK
Alex Veitch
Director of Public Affairs,
British Chamber of Commerce
Roger Barker
Director of Policy and Governance,
Institute of Directors
11:30 - 11:40
| Exhibiton area |
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Coffees & Networking
11:45 - 12:25
| Main stage |
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Skills Panel Discussion: Addressing the UK skills & productivity puzzle
The UK Skills and productivity challenge. How can we ensure that we have the skills we need to support businesses? What is the role of trade associations in delivering the skills pipeline? How can we better use the apprenticeship levy?
Speakers:
Jane Dawson
Head of Communications and Public Affairs,
Electrical Contractors' Association (Chair)
Jessica Levy
Director of Communications, Federation of Master Builders
Tony Wilson
Director,
Institute for Employment Studies
Rob Nitsch
Delivery Director,
Institute of Apprenticeships
Lance Harris
National Sector Lead,
Ministry of Justice, New Futures Network
| Best Practice Zone |
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Best Practice: Consultation Responses
Associations spend a lot of time responding to consultations from regulators and policymakers. What do good consultations look like? How are they assessed? Does a submission from an association count for more than an individual business?
Speakers:
Tom Reynolds
Chief Executive,
Bathroom Manufacturers Association (Chair)
Brett Amphlett
Policy and Public Affairs Manager, Builders Merchants Federation
Alex Thomas
Programme Director, Institute for Government
Matthew Davies
Deputy Director Trade Negotiations, Department of Business and Trade
David Park
Public Affairs Manager, British Coatings Federation
| Masterclass Studio |
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How to use insights to represent your sector
How can associations can use big data, social listening and other tools to develop messages and data points about their sector.
Speakers:
Amy Chappell
Head of Insights ,
Vuelio
Holly Parry
Insights Marketing Manager, Vuelio
12:30 - 13:15
| Main Stage |
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International Trade and Export Panel Discussion: Supporting UK businesses abroad
The panel aims to explore the UK’s changing relationship with the world, especially the EU, in the wake of Brexit. How can Associations support their members to grow into new markets? How can the UK Government support Associations?
Speakers:
Tim Doggett
CEO,
Chemical Business Association (Chair)
Georgina Metcalfe
Head of International Engagement and Delivery,
Export Support Service
David Johnstone
Head of Policy and Engagement
FTA Utilisation
Tiziana Dorigo
Membership & Communications Manager British Aerosol Manufacturers' Association
| Best Practice Zone |
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Best practice in recruitment and retention in 2023
How has recruitment changed over the last year? What is happening in the UK labour market? How is this impacting on the association recruitment market? What should associations be doing to support their sectors and how can we recruit the workforce the sector needs for the future?
Speakers:
Kate Shoesmith
Deputy Chief Executive Officer, Recruitment & Employment Confederation (Chair)
Dennis Howes
Co-Founder, Membership Bespoke
Emily Wallace
CEO, TAF
Daniel Goddard
Co-Founder, Membership Bespoke
| Masterclass Studio |
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Revolutionising Member Engagement with Innovative Techniques
A dynamic and interactive session designed to empower you to revolutionise your member engagement strategies using cutting-edge techniques. The session brings together industry experts who will share their insights, success stories and practical tips for engaging members effectively in the digital age.
Speakers:
Lisa Collins
Managing Director, Dovetail Creative
Michelle Goodall
Chief Marketing Officer, Guild
Raisa McNab
Chief Executive Officer,
The Association of Translation Companies
Antonio Mugica
Founder,
Folio
13:15 - 14:10
| Exhibiton area |
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Lunch
14:15 - 14:35
| Main stage |
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Keynote speech and Q&A
Rt Hon Baroness Angela Smith
Labour Leader in the House of Lords
14:35 - 15:15
| Main Stage |
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Effective engagement with the Opposition Panel discussion
Panel discussion about engagement with the main opposition party ahead of a General Election.
Speakers:
Jon Gerlis
Head of PR and Policy,
CIPR (Chair)
Angela Smith
Labour Leader in the House of Lords
Liz Minns
Labour Business Relations
Melanie Onn
Former MP and PPC for Grimsby
Chris Curtis
Head of Polling at Opinium and PPC for Milton Keynes North
15:20 - 15:30
| Exhibiton area |
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Coffees & Networking
15:35 - 16:15
| Main Stage |
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Delivering Regional Growth: Embracing devolution
Navigating the ongoing trend of devolution, looking at how to work with Metro Mayors, Combined Authorities and Local Government.
Speakers:
Andrew Carter
Chief Executive, Centre for Cities
Will Mapplebeck
Public Affairs Manager,
Core Cities
Cathy Owens
Director, Deryn
Celia Charlwood
Head of Government Affairs Make UK
| Best Practice Zone |
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Best Practice complaint handling and dispute resolution
All associations have to deal with complaints about members. What are the key components of a best-in-class complaints process?
Speakers:
Katie Gillespie
Compliance and Policy Manager, National Association of Jewellers
Ashleigh Howells
Scheme Development Manager, TrustMark
Matthew Smith
Public Law Partner,
Bates Wells
16:20 - 17:00
| Main Stage |
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Small Business Panel Discussion: supporting SMEs to grow
Small businesses make up three-fifths of the employment and around half of turnover in the UK private sector. Ensuring they are well represented and supported to grow is key to delivering UK economic growth.
Speakers:
Rosina Robson
Director of Policy & Public Affairs, National Hair and Beauty Foundation (Chair)
Martin McTague
Policy & Advocacy Chairman, Federation of Small Businesses
Andy Chamberlain
Director of Policy, Association of Independent Professionals and the Self-Employed
| Best Practice Zone |
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Best practice: Taking Climate Leadership
Can associations achieve net zero and influence members to do the same?
Speakers:
Alison Heppenstall
CEO,
Climate Action for Associations
John Cunningham
CEO,
Food Equipment Association
Nicki Hunt
Project Manager Climate Action,
British Retail Consortium
Tessa Vincent
Policy and Engagement Lead,
Race to Zero
17:00 - 18:00
| Exhibiton area |
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Drinks reception
Our sponsors
Find out more about our sponsors, some of the leading suppliers and supporters of the UK trade association sector
Why attend
BPEx is the leading conference for UK trade associations
Hear from experts
Our programmes features leading figures from the worlds of politics, business and trade associations
Learning & Development
Attend masterclasses on key themes and learn from best-in-class & award-winning associations
Develop your network
Build your professional network amongst other trade associations, government officials and thoughts leaders
Meet leading suppliers
Our exhibition features leading suppliers to UK associations, find out about the latest tech & what other associations are doing to drive performance
Hear why others attend
“The Best Practice Exchange is a must-attend event in the trade association calendar, a chance to meet with hundreds of people from across the sector and learn about the latest trends in the association best practice.”
"I always look forward to attending TAF’s Best Practice Exchange, to find out how my colleagues in other trade associations are dealing with the same challenges that I face – It’s a great environment to meet new contacts, share my experiences and ideas, listen to and learn from the huge variety of amazing associations working in so many sectors; BPEX is focused only on trade associations, so I learn something useful from every person I chat to!"
"As trade association professionals we need a network around us to share experiences and to learn from others how they have overcome similar, if not the very same, challenges. TAF’s Best Practice Exchange delivers a professional forum where I can foster relationships that continue to support me each and every day."
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See our speakers
Last year we hd an incredible range of speakers, from Government ministers to member of the Shadow Cabinet, trade association leaders and more!