The SoE is decamping to Bristol this weekend for the annual conference. Look out for regular updates on the website from the evening of Sunday November 9, when Paul Dacre, Editor of the Daily Mail and Editor in Chief of Associated Newspapers, will deliver the Society of Editors lecture on board Brunel's SS Great Britain. 

Society members are editors and senior editorial executives in national, regional and local newspapers, magazines,  broadcasting and digital media and this will be their first conference in the South West.

Other key speakers over the next two days will be Sly Bailey, chief executive of the Daily Mirror group, Guardian Media’s Carolyn McCall, the BBC’s much-in-demand business editor Robert Peston and Andrew Marr.

Sir Jock Stirrup, chief of the defence staff will deliver a keynote speech on Monday November 10 and Marr, television historian and former BBC political editor, will speak at the annual gala dinner where he will also present the new ‘Rat up a Drainpipe’ award for journalism that has rocked the boat.

Conference sessions will include Guardian editor Alan Rusbridger, Pete Clifton of the BBC, Jon Godel of  ITN, Sun Online editor Pete Picton, former CBS News producer turned video journalist pioneer Michael Rosenblum,   Malcolm Pheby of  the Nottingham Evening Post, Martin Clarke of the Daily Mail on line, who also started in Bristol, George Brock of The Times and Financial Times’ executive editor Hugh Carnegy.

Information Commissioner Richard Thomas  and PCC chairman Sir Christopher Meyer, who step down in the Spring, will deliver swan song addresses. Clarence Mitchell will discuss the McCanns saga and incoming president Nigel Pickover of the Evening Star, Ipswich will close the conference.

Sessions will be chaired by some of the country’s top broadcasters, including Channel 4 News veteran Jon Snow, Kevin Marsh of the BBC, Alastair Stewart of ITN, who has an honourary degree from Bristol University,  Martin Stanford of Sky News, along with former Guardian editor Peter Preston.

Simon Bucks associate editor of Sky News, and the SoE’s first president from broadcasting,was at school at Clifton College and started his journalism and television careers in Bristol.
He said: “I am delighted that we are holding this year’s conference in Bristol where I started my career. Bristol has long been a thriving and dynamic city, strong on enterprise, with a vibrant news community.

“Bristol is a dynamic centre for media and other high tech businesses with a rejuvenated residential and leisure orientated docklands area littered with attractions based on its history as a major port, and a state-of-the-art shopping mall that has just been opened.
“The Society of Editors conference is now firmly established as the key event for senior newsroom figures from all branches of the media. Bristol has attracted a powerful line up that cannot be matched by any other media event. It includes rare speaking appearances by top names in the media.

“The conference will focus on the most pressing topic facing every editor: how to manage the twin demands of the digital revolution while maintaining growth in “old media” operations.  It will tap into  the experience of editors across all sectors of the media, explore best practice and the best ways of winning new audiences and encouraging the revenue that goes with them.”
The conference is attended by editors and senior executives from across the UK and beyond.  Monday 10 November will be given over to working sessions on numerous topics and the annual gala dinner will follow in the evening at @Bristol. It will be an impressive occasion for hundreds of media guests.

Closing with the now traditional 20:20 Vision breakfast seminar on the morning of Tuesday 11 November, the conference sets the agenda for media debate throughout the year.
The conference, which will be based at the Marriott Royal Hotel is supported by Camelot, the South West Regional Development Agency, Bristol City Council, Destination Bristol, GWE Business West, Rolls Royce, Foot Anstey, Press Association, Bristol International Airport, IFRA, the BBC, ITV and Sky News.
 
Bristol City Council leader Helen Holland said: “As one of the UK’s leading centres for the creative industries, with particular strengths in the print and broadcast media, Bristol is delighted to have been chosen to host this year's Society of Editors' annual conference.

We are home to two of the country's leading regional daily newspapers, several lifestyle and specialist trade magazines, the regional news operations of the BBC and ITV and a number of thriving commercial radio stations. We look forward to working alongside the Society of Editors to secure the shared ambitions of your industry and our city.”

Jane Henderson, Chief Executive of the South West RDA, said: “South West England is a powerhouse of innovation and creativity and Bristol is its engine room. We believe that the delegates to this year’s Society of Editors conference will be impressed with what they learn about our region during their visit.”

Briefing will be sent out at the end of next week.

Another great conference!

The 2009 conference was reported via a range of mediums this year. Student reporters wrote up each session, Press Association provided video and audio clips and Nick Turner of CN Group provided real time comment using the Cover It Live system. Not to mention the coverage the conference received in the national news and press.

Provisional dates for 2010 Conference: Glasgow 14,15,16 November

Bob Satchwell, right, welcomes new President
Donald Martin, Editor, Sunday Post

The Society of Editors works to protect the freedom of all sectors of the media to report on behalf of the public.

Society members share the values that matter:

• The universal right to freedom of expression
• The importance of the vitality of the news media in a democratic society
• The promotion of press and broadcasting freedom and the public’s right to know
• The commitment to high editorial standards