Taking the voice of business to Party Conference Season 2026
Every autumn, the UK’s political party conferences bring together senior politicians, advisors, businesses, investors, civic leaders and think tanks. For Business West, they are an important opportunity to put the priorities of our members and our region directly in front of national decision-makers.
We take part because decisions made in Westminster affect the conditions in which businesses invest, recruit, innovate and grow. By creating focused opportunities to convene and discuss the regional agenda at conference, we can connect the experience of businesses across the West of England, Gloucestershire and Wiltshire with the people shaping policy, funding and delivery.
Turning access into value for our business community
At Conference Season, we convene the policy makers around the issues that matter to business, creating space for constructive conversations between political leaders, employers, investors and regional partners. This helps us to:
- Build influential relationships: connecting members and partners with ministers, advisers, parliamentarians, civic leaders and investors.
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Shape the policy conversation: bringing practical business insight into debates on devolution, long-term funding and sustainable economic growth.
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Strengthen our regional voice: presenting a coordinated, confident case for the West of England and the wider Western Counties.
For our members, this means better-informed advocacy, stronger connections, greater visibility for regional opportunities and a clearer route for business evidence to reach those taking decisions. These flagship policy events put our region in the heart of national discourse.
What we are doing in 2026
Building on last year’s programme, Business West will return to the Liberal Democrat and Labour Party Conferences with a series of events focused on regional growth, investment opportunities and policy priorities. Our programme will bring together political, business and civic leaders, investors and delivery partners.
Liberal Democrat Party Conference
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Western Counties Breakfast Reception — 21 September 2026, 8.30am–10.30am. A strategic gathering for regional stakeholders and Liberal Democrat representatives, focused on shared priorities across the West of England, Gloucestershire, Wiltshire, Dorset and Somerset.
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Growing Together Alliance panel — subject to confirmation. A discussion with leading regional business organisations on devolution, long-term investment and the role of regional leadership in accelerating sustainable growth.
Labour Party Conference
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West of England Breakfast Reception — 28 September 2026, 8.00am–10.00am. A convening point for regional political, business and civic leaders to align around the West of England’s growth agenda.
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Labour’s New Towns reception — 28 September 2026, 6.00pm–8.00pm. A reception spotlighting Brabazon and the West Innovation Arc as nationally significant examples of regeneration, housing delivery and innovation.
Attending conference? Join the conversation
If you are a Business West member or supporter attending either conference, we want to hear from you. Join one of our events, share the priorities you want us to raise and connect with our team on the ground. A strong regional presence depends on businesses contributing their experience, evidence and ambition.
Partner with us at Party Conference Season
We are also seeking a limited number of strategic partners to sponsor and help shape the programme. Packages can be tailored to support your organisation’s objectives while aligning your brand with nationally relevant conversations about growth, regeneration and regional investment.
Partners can benefit from prominent visibility across event invitations, registration pages, conference spaces and Business West communications; opportunities to speak, host, chair or contribute to content; access to regional and national stakeholder networks; and support from our events, communications, engagement and public affairs teams.
Interested in attending, collaborating or exploring sponsorship? Contact our team at policy@businesswest.co.uk to arrange a conversation.
Testimony from some of our key partners
“Business West helped to bring together two excellent sessions during last year's Party Conference season, which the University of Bath was pleased to support. Their insight, strong business and policy networks, and ability to convene the right people were instrumental in delivering a high-quality programme. Across research, innovation, and skills these provided an excellent platform at national events to highlight the University's contribution to tackling real-world challenges.”
– Andy Dunne, Head of Public Affairs at University of Bath
"Partnering with Business West for UKREiiF made a tremendous difference to our regional presence. What set their support apart was how quickly and thoroughly they grasped both the unique dynamics of the event and the specific strategic objectives of Swindon Borough Council and our local area. From facilitating valuable speaking opportunities for the local authority to actively engaging key stakeholders to profile our priority development schemes—including Knowledge Central and Kimmerfields—their proactive coordination ensured we maximised impact and drove real momentum for our economic growth agenda."
– Andrew Wells, Head of Inward Investment and Inclusive Economy at Swindon Borough Council
