Party conference season is almost upon us – and this week’s episode of PRWeek’s Beyond the Noise podcast looks at why public affairs and comms professionals should get involved.

Joining PRWeek UK editor John Harrington are Nick Williams, executive chair of international and public affairs at Burson London; and Katherine Morgan, a partner at DGA Group who leads the London public affairs team and is head of Europe public affairs.

Beyond the Noise looks at some of the biggest issues affecting communications and PR. Download the podcast via Apple, Spotify, or listen on your favourite platform.

Our guests this week discuss why party conferences are important for public affairs and PR professionals, how they have evolved over recent years, and their expectations for the 2025 conference season.

They give their take on Reform UK’s conference on 5 and 6 September, which is expected to generate great interest amid a surge in support for the Nigel Farage-led party.

The opposite is expected to be true for the Conservative conference – although our guests explain why it’s still important to attend.

Williams and Morgan talk about their agencies’ plans for the different conferences. And they offer advice for newcomers about how to make the most of the ‘Glastonbury of the political calendar’.

The duo also offer their take on this week’s comms reshuffle at Downing Street, which has seen the return to No. 10 of Portland Communications founder Tim Allan.

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