3000 delegates network to their hearts' content at the biggest ever CIH conference
This year's Chartered Institute of Housing conference in Harrogate was the largest so far. A fixture on the housing calendar since 1985, this year's event offered impressive statistics: more than 3000 visitors; roughly 350 exhibitors; about 200 speakers.

Unlike previous years, there was no cabinet reshuffle to disrupt the speaker's list. Housing minister Keith Hill's address was a rare event in itself: with more than 12 months in the job, he's surely one of the longest serving housing ministers to address the conference for a number of years.

Ed Balls, chief economic adviser at the Treasury, was another high-profile speaker – his presence underlined the government's recognition of the interconnection between housing markets and the wider economy.

For those less interested in policy debates than networking, the event was, as usual, rich with opportunity: the conference prides itself on attracting the sector's 5000 key decision-makers to one place for at least a day or two each year.

Unsurprisingly, Harrogate's top hotels are booked up for the middle week of June years in advance.

So as the dust settles on yet another CIH conference, here's a final chance to savour the atmosphere…

Source

Housing Today