As the UK experiences the worst economic downturn in almost a hundred years the impact on organisations, businesses and consumers has been far reaching. This conference will examine how the recession is affecting public relations and how communicators can adapt to achieve more with less. Speakers include some of the biggest names in the industry who will be delivering viewpoints, case studies and advice on everything from creativity to new media to help you remain competitive, focused and ready to meet the challenges ahead.

The Don't Panic Guide To Recession-Proof PR is a one day conference taking place on Thursday 2 July at the Radisson Edwardian Hotel in Manchester city centre. Refreshments, lunch and access to presentations are included in the ticket price.

Confirmed speakers include:

· David Brain, CEO, Edelman Europe
· Rob Brown, MD, (UK) Staniforth
· Stuart Bruce, MD, Wolfstar
· Colin Byrne, CEO, Weber Shandwick UK & Europe
· Andy Green, Partner, GREEN Communications
· Cormac Smith, Head of Communications, London Borough of Richmond Upon Thames
· Beverley Tricker, Founder, Tricker PR
· Paul Willis, Director of the Centre for Public Relations Studies, Leeds Business School, Leeds Metropolitan University
· Sally Sykes, Director of Communications, Health and Safety Executive

Delegate tickets are £195 + VAT or £175 + VAT early booking by 5 June / charity rate

To download a PDF conference brochure for the event please visit the Don't Panic website events page

Last week we were at York Racecourse for the National Skills Conference 2009. It's been a year in the planning working closely with our client The National Skills Academy Process Industries to co-ordinate a conference and dinner for 250 delegates and manage an exhibition area highlighting the best in skills training and the opportunities and excellence the UK offers in the industry.

I was never particularly scientific at school and chemistry and physics were a kind of double Dutch to me but I do appreciate the importance of investing in science and industry and the fact that we're all end users of the products of the Chemical, Pharmaceutical and Polymer industries.

We'd highly recommend York Racecourse as a national venue and their events team were amongst the most helpful we've ever worked with. It's worth noting that there are plenty of good hotels near the racecourse and the venue also provides ample free parking. We used various levels of the the Knavesmire Stand for our exhibition, breakout rooms and main conference and delegates unanimously scored the venue and catering very highly.

Big thanks go out to the NSAPI team for being a great client to deal with, everyone at Formula Exhibitions for their smooth and reliable shell scheme build, Giles Rocholl for these cool photos which put my own efforts to shame, Chris and Marco at LAS for all their seamless conference tech (and for once again driving through the night from one end of the country to the other to be with us), Gandini Juggling for a breathtaking finale, and last but not least everyone at York Racecourse who helped make it a special day for our delegates.

Here's a bit of Morcheeba for everyone.