The attraction isn't the opportunity to lobby policy-makers, althoughthat certainly happens. What really motivates people to schlep toBrighton (or Blackpool or Bournemouth) is the knowledge that everyoneelse will be there. It's one of the best networking opportunities of theyear.
This year there were signs that those working for children'sorganisations have become among the most seasoned partyconference-goers. I counted at least 28 fringe meetings held to debatechildren's issues in the space of four days. Such is the level ofactivity at the conference that children's organisations are nowcompeting with each other to get an audience. If the number of fringeevents continues to grow at this pace, their impact will become diluted.It already feels like the time has come to explore a differentapproach.
Change feels overdue because the format of party conference fringemeetings has changed remarkably little over the years. The set formulaof Minister plus two or three speakers, questions and debate from thefloor is rarely departed from. Aside from the novelty of being offeredfish and chips or bangers and mash rather than vol-au-vents to eat, theonly recent innovation to emerge has been the themed hotel, typified atthis year's conference by 36 health organisations joining forces to runrelated fringe events in a single hotel close to the conferencecentre.
Next year's Labour Party conference will take place in Manchester.Having become familiar with Brighton, Blackpool and Bournemouth, beingrelocated to Manchester will give the party conference a very differentfeel. This will provide children's organisations with a good opportunityto test out a different approach to fringe events.
Is it time for a Children's Hotel? Or perhaps there are more novel waysof drawing attention to children's issues at party conferences thanbringing together a minister, a half-empty room of delegates and lots ofsoggy sandwiches?
