Rosie Paskins, the Observatory's Chief Executive, highlighted the Observatory's work over the last year and launched the State of the Region Report 2009.
Daniel Gidney, Chief Executive of the Ricoh Arena
Daniel gave a more local perspective to economic recovery, based on his experiences in Coventry. As one of the region's business leaders, he focused on issues including skills, culture and tourism (including the Olympic legacy).
Here's the audio of Daniel's speech: (mp3, 15.6mb)
Sir Roy McNulty, Joint Chair of the Shadow West Midlands Joint Strategy & Investment Board
Sir Roy McNulty made the link to the forthcoming regional strategy and how the evidence base to support it will be developed.
Here's the audio of Sir Roy's speech:
Cllr Roger Phillips, Joint Chair of the Shadow West Midlands Joint Strategy & Investment Board with Sir Roy, unfortunately could not attend the conference. Sir Roy read out Cllr Phillips' speech, which reflected a local authority view. We'll try and post a transcript of this speech shortly.
Workshops
There were five workshops, each providing delegates with opportunities to discuss and debate the issues raised in the Fit for the Future? book (PDF, 5.7mb) and influence development of the evidence base to inform the Single Regional Strategy.
We're summarising the workshop debates on our blog as they are written up, so you can continue the dialogue online:
Question and answer sessions
Following the speeches, delegates questioned the speakers on a range of issues.
Q and A with Richard Woolhouse and Rosie Paskins
Questions and answer session with Daniel Gidney and Sir Roy McNulty
Question and answers with Daniel Gidney and Sir Roy McNulty by wmro
Questions and answer session with panel
Question and answers with the panel by wmro