Helping you put the pizzazz into your place 2025
When it comes to Place Pizzazz 2025 don’t get left at the post!
Wednesday 12th November, 9.30 – 4pm, Chester Racecourse.
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9.30: Refreshments and networking
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Panel discussions
Is keeping us safe a much needed dividend for many places?
The Strategic Defence Review and other initiatives have put resilience and future proofing the UK at the top of the agenda, creating major investment in places. What challenges and opportunities is this creating?
Karen Edwards, Executive Director, Rushmoor Borough Council
Sean Anstee, Director of Operations, Devon and Torbay Combined County Authority
Are the blinkers off for New Towns following the Taskforce report?
Following the much-anticipated New Towns Taskforce report and recommendations of 12 new towns, what a fantastic opportunity to create quality led communities with great spaces, plenty of enlivenment and strong stewardship. To reflect on best practice and what will be important for these new towns going forward.
Kevin McGeough, Head of Strategy and Placemaking, Ebbsfleet Development Corporation
Johanne Thomas, Regional Director – Communications, Communities and Partnerships, Urban&Civic
Sarah Greenwood, Assistant Director, Sustainable Placemaking and New Towns, Homes England
Can you hear the roar of your crowd? … places doing things differently
Lots of places talk a good story about how they’re promoting themselves but few deliver. Hear from some who are really making waves and getting their voice heard.
Catherine Price, Place Brand Manager, Bolton Council
Cristian Marcucci, Managing Director, Marketing Cheshire
Sarah Johnson, Marketing and Communications Manager, Visit County Durham
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Lunch and networking
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Breakout sessions
Choose two of the fantastic breakout sessions, which will run simultaneously for 40 minutes each.
Borrowing brilliance: lessons from today’s towns and cities for tomorrow’s places
Emma Drake, Associate Director, thinkingplace and Founder and Director, Henbe Communication
Lights, camera, action! … Film Offices, place fad or feature?
Jonny Shelton, Film Office Manager, We Are Staffordshire
Louisa Shaw, Head of Place Marketing, We Are Staffordshire
Seeing your place through different eyes: the importance of visual storytelling
Peter Anderson, Creative Director, thinkingplace and Founder and Owner, Peter Anderson Studio
Future Generations: why we must be good ancestors?
Saeed Atcha MBE DL, Chief Executive Officer, Youth Leads UK
The Great North: will it be a game changer?
Daniel Wright, Assistant Director, The Great North
Creating a place led economic proposition in the heart of Cheshire and how BIDS contribute to placemaking
Jane Hough, Deputy Director for Business Improvement Districts and Business Services, Groundwork Cheshire, Lancashire & Merseyside
Hayley Owen, Head of Economic Growth, Cheshire West and Chester Council
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Panel discussion
Devolution and Local Government Reorganisation: place risk or revolution?
Is the most significant transformation of English local government in three decades going to reap the economic rewards it is seeking to achieve?
Andrea Newman, Director of Communications and Engagement, LGA
Amy Harhoff, Chief Executive, East Midlands Combined County Authority
Martin Reeves, Chief Executive, Oxfordshire County Council
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16.00: Event closes, followed by a free drinks reception.
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