Do companies and organisations really get value from attending the party conference?   As Corporate Affairs Director, one of Matt Young's tasks every year was to set the departmental budget. That would include the annual discussion about whether to attend the political party conferences. Would it prove good value, in both time and money? Will the cost be worth it for the hotel, the travel, that expensive bar bill? Well, it was more fundamental. Why would we subsidise the Westminster Village on tour? To build relationships with people we could meet with them on home ground during the rest of the year? That said, Matt always signed off the budget. Members of the team would disappear to towns and cities around the UK for large parts of the year.    Now Matt no longer has to devote time, energy and budget to party conferences. He can contemplate things with a certain detached mindset with the benefit of hindsight and experience. To dicuss how to get the best out of conference season and if the cost is really worth it, Apella's Matt Young is joined by Liz Lynch (previous Head of Public Affairs at TSB) and James Kirkup. James has joined Apella very recently, but he has attended many party conferences in his previous incarnations as Director of the Social Market Foundation and as the Political Editor of the Telegraph.   This episode of the Little Questions Podcast is hosted by Matt Young. Matt has 25 years of experience across media relations, public affairs, regulatory development, employee engagement, brand development, competition and CSR. Group corporate affairs director at Lloyds Banking Group, part of the senior team which rescued the bank and rebuilt its reputation following the financial crisis. Formerly communications director at Santander UK and board member of the BBA.   Liz Lynch is experienced in corporate communications; public affairs and policy; regulatory affairs and risk; industrial relations; crisis and complex issues management; reputation turnarounds; campaigns, competition; and ESG. Former Head of Public Affairs and Public Policy at TSB Bank. Previously a Partner at a global communications agency and has worked in the media and politics.   New to Apella Advisors, James Kirkup has over 20 years in high-profile Westminster roles including Political Editor of the Daily Telegraph and Director of the Social Market Foundation. Extensive experience of thought leadership and advocacy work, with a particular focus on the relationship between business, politics and public policy. Continues to contribute regularly to national media outlets as a columnist at the Times and Spectator.   Find out more about Apella Advisors at www.apellaadvisors.com and you can get in touch by emailing [email protected]   This episode was produced by The Podcast Coach.