The conference looks at both the current economic and demographic context for the south coast, likely future trends, how the towns have benefited or not from wider government and regional development and strategy and how they have endeavoured to regenerate themselves using a variety of physical, social and economic interventions. It will consider success stories at both a strategic and project-specific level driven by public policy, private enterprise and community organisations, offering models for wider application.

Speakers include: Pam Alexander, Chief Exec, SEEDA; Martin Tugwell, Hd of Regional Transport Planning, SEERA; Alastair Fairley, Co-founder, Hastings Arts Forum; Charles Freeman, Exec. Dir, Sth East England Cultural Consortium; Thurstan Crockett, Economic Development Manager, Brighton & Hove City Council; Peter Burns, Professor of International Tourism & Development & Director of the Centre for Tourism Policy Studies, University of Brighton; Simon Ward, Hd of Research Consultancy, Vail Williams Property Consultants; Andy Roberts, Dir of Transport and SEWS, GOSE; Victoria Pomery, Dir, Turner Contemporary; Emily Mottram, Regeneration Mgr, Newhaven Strategic Network; Polly Thornton, Learning Skills and Enterprise Mgr, Sea Space; Trudi George, Project Manager, www.festivalsfestivals.org; Bill Startin, SE Regional Director, English Heritage; Nick Ewbank, Dir, The Creation Foundation and Eddie Gadd, Ramsgate Brewery. Chairs: Peter Stonham, Editorial Director, New Urban Futures & Nigel Walmsley, Chairman, Tourism South East.