We'll be joined by the newly elected Mayor of the West Midlands, to hear how Birmingham and wider region are grasping the opportunities for towns and cities of the future, and how businesses and BIDs support this vision. 

Be part of the official launch of a manifesto for towns and cities...

Towns and cities power the UK, as hubs of activity and centres for diverse industries and cultures. However, we know from recent data that communities risk falling out of love with their places, whether that be due to concerns over crime and safety, a lack of pride in the upkeep of the area, or a feeling that it no longer has anything relevant to offer them.

As a number of national priorities compete for investment, we recognise the need for pragmatism and innovation in delivering the local centres that people deserve. This is the defining context for Business Improvement Districts (BIDs), at the front line of place management, as they enter their 20th anniversary year. Despite economic challenges, the sector has gone from strength to strength, becoming a world-leader, with UK businesses voting to establish over 330 BIDs and investing in excess of £1billion since their inception, in England in 2004.

Drawing on the strength and expertise of our sector, The BID Foundation has produced ‘A Manifesto for Towns and Cities’ to provide learnings from two decades of managing some of the nation’s most complex and important places, and recommendations to meet the essential challenges in our modern urban centres.

Accomodations BIDs are increasingly a part of the UK BID and tourism landscape, with new proponents of the model already running in Manchester and Liverpool, and another being planned in Cambridge.

We'll be joined by leaders from all three cities to discuss the ABID model, it's potential and the learnings so far.

Naively labelled a 'tourist tax' in recent media coverage, this new model offers hotel and hospitality the chance to deliver a better environment, visitor numbers, and ultimately, customer experience. We've watched as European destinations have looked to innovative new ways to continue growing their tourism offer, and now is the time to shape the UK's own route, one that is appropriate for our towns and cities and works for people on all sides.

Join us for this timely and important debate.

We'll be joined by Alex Nicholson-Evans, City Curator for Birmingham, who has a remit to develop and commission new cultural projects and events in the city, working with local organisations.

Alex is best known as founder and director of Living For The Weekend, the company behind city-wide festivals such as Birmingham Cocktail Weekend and Birmingham Restaurant Festival. So, she is well placed to comment on how to create great experiences in town and city centres, for a new type of discerning consumer.

As part of the day, we'll be joined by local businesses that together contribute to local Business Improvement Districts in Birmingham, including our host Colmore Business District, and who will discuss businesses' priorities for the city centre, as wel as what working with a BID means in practice.

As we continue to focus on making places accomodating for new economic growth and existing businesses, this insight is crucial for everyone putting together local programmes..

Best practice profiles from BIDs around the UK - focusing on topics of: creating excellent public realm; supporting safe and secure town and city centres; and delivering exceptional places to live and grow - working with commercial businesses and offices.

We'll be joined by Ojay McDonald, Chief Executive of the Association of Town and City Managers, for a discussion on the evolution of our places during the 20 years.

What trends have shaped the places where we live and work, and which ones will determine how we experience towns and cities in the future?

Business Improvement Districts have adapted to continue delivering value for money during the 20 years that they have existed in the UK. What lies in store for the next 20 years and how should place and business leaders think about the next stages of local growth?