The Chartered Institute of Housing Annual Conference and Exhibition was held from the 16th to 18th of June 2009 at Harrogate International Conference Centre of the United Kingdom. The 3 days conference and exhibition is the largest and most influential Housing event in UK. The event is the biggest and best attended event in UK’s housing events calendar and attracted over 6,200 housing professionals together with 350 key suppliers to participate and attend.

This year, delegates heard how the biggest economic downturn since 1945 is impacting on the housing market, with a sharp decline in affordable housing and the rise in repossessions, and how the government, housing and community leaders responded to the issue. The conference focused on strategy, policy and delivery, and supported by distinguished speakers from business, the economy and the voluntary sector. John Healey, the newly appointed Housing Minister also participated and spoke at the conference on 17 June 09 afternoon.

Two members of the Executive Committee of CIHAPB, CIH Council Member Mr Edmond Chau, and Dr Jimmy Chen of Hwa Hsia Institute of Technology, Taiwan had attended the conference. Furthermore, Dr Chen delivered a talk in the session for international delegates on "Financial Crisis on Property in Taiwan".

Representatives of the Executive Committee had also attended the Annual General Meeting held on 18th of June. In the meeting, Mr Howard Farrand was elected as the new President of Chartered Institute of Housing for the next 12 months with effect from 1 July 2009.

By attending various activities of the conference including the Annual General Meeting of CIH, seminars, dinners and visit, members of CIHAPB established a close connection with various professionals and delegates in UK and overseas. Furthermore, delegates have also attended a housing study tour to Wakefield studying the recent housing development and training overthere.

All the delegates concluded the trip to Harrogate with a fruitful experience where they could get in touch with the housing experts across the border and establish a close link with them. Furthermore, they could be kept abreast of the latest housing innovations including building materials, IT and software support, finance and one-stop shop housing solution.