Well, officially it is a reference to the conference theme of social housing interacting with services such as health and education, but those wags at the CIH might have been summing up what goes on outside the conference halls in June as you eat, drink and party your way round town.
It doesn't mean I ought to go to all the conference this year, does it?
Don't be silly. Northern Ireland first minister David Trimble will be worth hearing on Tuesday, but how many people do you know who make it to a breakout session? The real business of Harrogate has little to do with the line-up of speakers and everything to do with the schmoozing and networking that goes on everywhere else. And this year, delegates have the added distraction of the World Cup.
Which conference session is likely to be least well attended?
My money is on Wednesday morning's opening plenary session entitled "Planning for Tomorrow's Rural Communities". Nothing wrong with the subject, it's just that England play Nigeria at 7.30 that morning and England supporters will have to seize any opportunity for post-match debate before the team gets knocked out.
Where should I hang out, then?
You probably don't even need to leave your hotel. And if you are at the Majestic, you won't want to. Walk into the hotel bar at midnight and the place will be packed – although how much business gets talked in its alcohol-fuelled environment no one can ever remember.
If you are feeling energetic, you could sacrifice your sleep, digestive system and liver for your career and accept as many invitations to breakfast, lunch, cocktail parties and dinners as you can stand.
How much business gets talked in the alcohol-fuelled environment no one can ever remember
Whose exhibition stand should I make sure I visit?
Why, Housing Today's of course! This year, some stands may be using a particular tactic to try to tempt you to drop by.
Er, not the World Cup again?
Of course – it is all anybody is going to be interested in during June, isn't it? If you want to watch a match, then a stand is the place to do it, and expect to be deluged with footie freebies too.
How can I avoid the World Cup?
Don't go to Harrogate, go to the Hebrides. But if you have to be at the conference, you could take refuge at the Turkish Baths across the road from the conference centre. Or you could pay a visit to the Royal Pump Room Museum, but the free drink on offer there is pretty dire and neither of those options will help increase your alcohol consumption.
Bettys or Jimmy's, then
Oh you did have a wild time last year, didn't you? It has to be Harrogate's premier tea room, Bettys, doesn't it – it's the best place to get your take-home gifts and make friends with the local blue-rinse brigade. But tell us all, what were you doing at a pub like Jimmy's?
Source
Housing Today
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