This year’s EEF National Manufacturing Conference and Manufacturers’ Dinner was such a proud and successful occasion that we will repeat both in 2013.
The collective voice of industry rang out loud in the corridorsof power as a ‘who’s who’ of manufacturing, politics and media gathered in London on 6 March 2012 for the first ever EEF National Manufacturing Conference, followed by our biennial Manufacturers’ Dinner at the Dorchester Hotel.
Live broadcasts from Sky TV, BBC News and national radio captured the conference highlights, while vigorous tweeting from inside the hall meant that the event trended on twitter. Most of the business and industry editors from the nationals and newswires were in attendance at both the conference and dinner - meaning that manufacturing had the attention it deserves for 24 hours and beyond, with plenty of media goodwill and contacts ‘banked’ for the future.
Ed Miliband, Leader of the Opposition, praised manufacturing for its success ‘against the odds’. He called for renewed “pride and patriotism”, urging the government to support a Made in Britain mark for products. Business Secretary Vince Cable expressed a need for a properly articulated industrial strategy and a more proactive policy towards British industry.
These views chimed with EEF's budget submission, launched on the day and given attention by Chancellor George Osborne at the Manufacturers’ Dinner in his opening address. Keynote Conference speaker Dick Olver, Chairman of BAE Systems, urged the government to apply a key ‘growth test’ to all policy initiatives and major procurement decisions, with those failing to promote growth being subject to review.
Terry Scuoler, EEF Chief Executive, said: “The conference, timed just ahead of the Budget, provided the opportunity to remind government that manufacturing requires help, not hindrance, to fulfil its pivotal role in leading the UK through economic recovery.
Our members were able to make their voices heard at the highest levels of government – demanding new measures to champion industrial-led growth and to set a new compass to seize opportunities in expanding international markets.”
The conference was supported by headline sponsor Lombard and delivered in association with The Manufacturer.
Register your interest in attending our next conference
The date for next year’s EEF National Manufacturing Conference and Manufacturers’ Dinner is set for Tuesday 5 March 2013. Reserve this key date in your calendar. It’s your opportunity to challenge leading political decision-makers, share best practice, stimulate debate, solve problems together, gain industry insights and make connections.
The programme will be released in the early autumn. In the meantime, this is your conference, so let us know your views. What issues do you believe are important to discuss and debate at the next EEF National Manufacturing Conference?
To register your early interest, or to feedback your views, contact Jo Britton at jbritton@eef.org.uk