Your Guide to Labour Business Day – Powered by the Port of Dover
As Labour strengthens its ties with business, the Port of Dover helps you navigate the inaugural Business Leaders’ Summit at this year’s Labour Party Conference – from what to expect and where to go, including the Great British Trade Reception and Dover Soul.
The upcoming Labour Party Conference, due to take place from Sunday September 22nd to Wednesday September 25th, is an opportunity for the party to set its agenda and engage with key stakeholders. Every year, thousands descend on the four-day event – from party members and members of the press, to charities and big business – hoping to engage with the party on policy.
Last year’s conference offered one of the first chances to engage with the new government – and it was the biggest to date, with over 20,000 delegates attending. This year’s conference comes a year after the party returned to government, and all eyes will once again be on Liverpool. This year, expectations are high. With pressure on the government to set out concrete plans for growth, ministers are under the spotlight to move beyond words and offer businesses clarity on the policy framework ahead.
It’s no surprise, then, that this year’s Labour Party Conference is set to be its most business-focused yet – with Monday 29th September at the centre. With a sold-out business day, high-profile ministerial speeches, and flagship business networking and trade events by the Port of Dover, this is a crucial day for business at conference.
If Labour is to achieve its number one mission for government – economic growth – they know they need the support of business. This year’s summit will therefore have big stakes, and the party will hope to deepen its relationship with key industries, and crucially signal stability to the markets.
Last year, 500 executives – from big banks, energy companies and tech firms – attended its biggest ever business event at conference, all hoping to catch the ear of the new government.
As Labour looks to rebuild its relationship with this crucial support base, the party has revamped its annual Business Day, including reducing capacity and extending the agenda. The first of its kind, the Business Leaders' Summit, taking place on Monday 29 September, will be an opportunity for executives to network, hear from, and talk to a range of Labour officials, including senior ministers.
Agenda for the day
- Breakfast networking event
- Guaranteed seat in The Chancellor's speech
- In Conversation and Q&A events
- Roundtable sessions and panel events, likely covering:
- Green investment
- Industrial strategy
- Public-private partnerships
- Tax, regulation, and economic growth
- Networking business lunch with key Labour politicians (e.g. Jonathan Reynolds, Darren Jones, possibly Keir Starmer).
- Access to the Business and International Drinks Reception
- Access to fringe events and wider Conference activities
- Opportunity to attend Conference keynote speeches
- Access to the Conference Business Lounge
Who’s attending?
The summit will be attended by a number of C-suite leaders, investors, and major employers. Previous attendees include senior figures from banking, energy, pharmaceuticals, infrastructure.
When to arrive
Set your alarms early, doors open at 8am with breakfast events and networking starting around 8.30. You'll need photo ID, your conference pass and a business card to get through the door. If you need a break from mingling with ministers and talking policy, don’t forget that Business Summit delegates also have access to the Business Lounge at the ACC.
Tips for escorting a CEO
Make sure you plan your route into the secure zone, as getting through security and into the ACC may take up to 30 mins at peak times.
Book transport and restaurants early – executive cars are in high demand and local restaurants can get booked up quick as conference attendees go in search for more than a free sandwich or coffee.
Whilst the agenda is set to be jam packed, make space in the day for:
- One-to-one meetings (Business Lounge or the Pullman Hotel are ideal)
- Informal stops for coffee and snacks
- Breaks to regroup or prepare for high-stakes meetings and speeches
Labour’s inaugural Business Leaders’ Summit is set to be a defining moment for the party’s relationship with business – but the conversation doesn’t end when the formal agenda wraps up. As Britain’s busiest port, the Port of Dover has an ambitious vision that business leaders and politicians can find out more about at their evening events. From the Great British Trade Reception to Dover Soul, the Port is bringing people together in the spirit of trade, collaboration and celebration. Both events are open to all conference pass holders – no registration or invitation required – making them the perfect way to round off Labour’s most business-focused day yet.
The Great British Trade Reception – Room 4A – 7.30-8.45pm
The Port of Dover is closing the gap between the UK and the world by connecting trade, travel, visitors and communities, collaborating with local and international partners to create a more seamless, sustainable and tech-enabled port.
In the year of the UK-EU reset, the Anglo-French Summit and huge opportunities to turbocharge trade growth through delivery of the Port of Dover 2050 masterplan and collaboration on the Short Straits, this reception will explore how we build a prosperous trading future. From tackling barriers, investing in skills and infrastructure, and ensuring trade delivers for communities across Britain, join us to help shape a smart, seamless, and sustainable future for UK trade.
Expect high-quality networking, strategic dialogue, and meaningful visibility for key sectors.
Dover Soul – Room 12 – from 9.30pm onwards
The Port is committed to working together, looking after everyone and everything, empowering each other, and exchanging ideas and innovating for a brighter future.
As the historic ‘key to England’ and gateway to the UK, it hopes that these values present an opportunity for business leaders, special guests, and conference attendees to celebrate and drive shared values that are the very soul of the nation and a positive vision for the future with a night of Live Soul Music and evening drinks.
If you want to wind down with business colleagues over some smooth soul music or wind up to celebrate a successful business day as the music ramps up a notch, this is the place to be!
This unofficial Business Day after party is open to everyone who would like to give a nod to both the spirit of British trade and the human relationships that make it possible.
