The Chartered Institute of Housing Annual Conference and Exhibition was held from 22nd to 24th June 2010 at Harrogate International Conference Centre, Harrogate, United Kingdom. The 3-day conference and exhibition is the largest and most influential Housing event in the UK, attracting thousands of housing professionals and suppliers to participate and attend.

This year, discussions and seminars were mainly focused on the impact on housing market and provision of affordable housing during the current economic downturn; and how the government, community and housing professional response under stringent budget control. The Conference focused on strategy, policy and delivery, and supported by distinguished speakers from business, academic, media and housing, etc. The Rt Hon Grant Shapps MP, the newly appointed Minister for Housing and Local Government, also participated in the Conference meeting the delegates and delivering a speech. Our Chairman had chat with the Minister and taken photo with him. He was also presented with a "Housing PACT" – which was worked out in the Conference.

Three members of the Executive Committee of CIHAPB, and Dr Y F Yen, Dr Jimmy Chen and Dr R Y Chen of Hwa Hsia Institute of Technology, Taiwan, had also attended the conference.

Other than the conference, representatives of the Executive Committee also attended the Annual General Meeting held on 22nd of June. In the meeting, Prof Paddy Gray was elected as the new President of Chartered Institute of Housing to replace Mr Howard Farrand for the next 12 months. The meeting also noted that Ms Sarah Webb, CIH Chief Executive was awarded with title of CBE.

On 24th June afternoon, representative of Executive Committee together with Dr Jimmy Chen and Dr R Y Chen paid a visit to CIH Head Office at Octavia House, Coventry. Delegation was warmly received by Ms Carole Garner, Central Services Coordinator of CIH. After a brief introduction, delegates visited different departments at the Head Office meeting the staff and understanding their daily operation.

By attending various activities of the conference including the Annual General Meeting of CIH, seminars etc, members established a close linkage with various professionals and delegates in UK and overseas. Furthermore, delegates have chance visiting Head Office and meeting the staff over there.

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