Conference Review - Summer 2007 Jim Riley reports on two highly successful and ground-breaking Business and Economics teacher conferences during the summer of 2007. Exchanging Ideas at the LSE Economics Teacher National Conference 2007 26 June 2007 Over 100 Economics teachers attended the National Economics In his talk entitled “The Heartbeat Economy” Peter argued Teacher Conference 2007 at the London Stock Exchange Media that, increasingly, consumers will shift their purchasing Centre to enjoy possibly the best speaker programme ever power to businesses that can successfully lower our “collective assembled for an Economics teacher event. heartbeat”. Like many delegates, I was heartened to hear Peter predict that the age of the queue is coming to an end First up was broadcaster and author Philippe Legrain, who and businesses that don’t meet higher expectations of argued the economic case for freer migration of people around consumers will eventually fail. the world economy. Not surprisingly, there was a lively debate about the issues raised in Philippe’s excellent presentation. David Smith, the economics editor of the Sunday Times then took the floor to cast his expert eye over the current health Currency economist Mike Metcalfe proved a terrific of the British economy. In a very fluent talk, he offered quite communicator on exchange rates, managing with skill and a generous evaluation of the macroeconomic record of the humour to guide the audience through some of the Blair government, whilst hinting at many deeper underlying complexities of exchange rate valuation and explaining the weaknesses. rapid growth of the “carry trade” in Japan. For the final session, the DTI’s Vicky Pryce provided a positive Stephen King, Chief Economist of HSBC, provided a very special view on the recent economic record of the UK – rising talk, rich with entertaining anecdotes and insights into the productivity, a successful shift into sectors with real growth economics of globalisation. potential and strong data on overall competitiveness. Vicky, BBC Radio 4’s Peter Day opened the post-lunch sessions. David & Peter then led a stimulating Q&A session with the Peter has a wealth of experience and a canny eye for emerging audience before drawing the programme to a close. trends and changing business climate in an age of flux. latte 46 A Library Visit with a Difference Business Teacher National Conference 2007 Delegates came to the conference with a desire to catch up on the latest developments in business teaching. Mark 6 July 2007 Mitchell (Greenhead College) took them through some superb examples of how to liven up business lessons. Richard Young Over 200 Business teachers packed into the stunning British from Wood Green School presented a practical guide to the Library Conference Auditorium for the Business Teacher] delivery of personalised learning. National Conference 2007. A specialist workshop for teachers delivering the BTEC Retail Top billing at the Conference went to Lord Karan Bilimoria course was also hugely popular. Ian Marcouse was also on (CEO of Cobra Beer) and Levi Roots (star of Dragon's Den), hand to provide his unique insights into the new 2008 business both of whom gave inspirational presentations, full of energy, specifications - a very useful and timely session. humour and real insight into enterprise. Lord Bilimoria has won numerous awards for his entrepreneurial endeavours. His presentation identified the Dates for the Diary key reasons for the success of Cobra Beer and outlined his The dates and venues for the 2008 National Conferences plans for further rapid growth. A great Q&A session with have now been confirmed: Karan provided some outstanding material for teachers wanting to use the Cobra Beer case study with their students. Economics Teacher National Conference 2008 Friday 27 June 2008 – Levi Roots was on top form - the ideal post-lunch session for British Library Auditorium, London an audience of avid Dragon’s Den viewers. With great humour and spirit, mixed with some audience participation, Levi told Business Teacher National Conference 2008 the story of how he managed to get two Dragons to invest Friday 4 July 2008 – in Reggae Reggae Sauce. In a compelling Q&A session Levi British Library Auditorium, London described business life after the Den. He left to a thunderous ovation. To book your places call 0844 800 0085 47 latte.