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Delivering the Future City 2025

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The event aims to report annually on Sunderland's regeneration journey and provide opportunities for sharing knowledge and best practice with other cities and regions as part of the two-day programme every October.

Mark Easton, Home Editor at the BBC expertly guides the event with some 20 keynote speakers and panellists to a conference audience of 150+ industry leaders each day.

They debate Sunderland’s transformation in the context of Government’s growth ambitions and particularly commitment to housing delivery, planning reform, community building, infrastructure and the skills needed for the future workforce.

Delivering the Future City first took place in October 2023 to set the bar for professional business events in a city that's reinventing itself, Sunderland.

A showcase of the regeneration journey in a series of vibrant panel sessions, led by industry, stakeholder and government voices.

Bringing the audience together to discuss Sunderland’s incredible re-invention story, in and amongst heightened levels of staging and conference hospitality.

Visit 2023 event

 

On 15-16 October 2024, an enhanced  agenda demonstrated the progress made and focussed on the key challenges that have arisen, set in the context of a new Government policy landscape, devolution and social and economic circumstances.  

Major projects include Riverside Sunderland which comprises high profile developments such as the Eye Hospital, Maker & Faber, the Sheepfolds Stables leisure venue, and the upcoming new wear footbridge, all transforming the cityscape.

Devolution is seen as vital to unlocking growth across the North East, with £9.8 million from the Brownfield Land Release Fund supporting further regeneration. Sunderland's collaborative approach, working with partners and residents, is key to driving the city’s continued transformation and success.

Our host, Mark Easton, perfectly captured the essence of what Expo Sunderland is all about in his 2024 closing remarks, concluding:

“The whole point is not to listen to speeches or to network, it’s not even to identify problems and risks, as important as those things are, the point is to make a real positive difference and to help write the next chapter in Sunderland’s story.

“Through the round tables, Q&As and speeches, we’ve produced vital thinking which will be invaluable to this city as it overcomes the inevitable bumps in the road ahead.

“Now, we must take what we’ve discussed, and turn it into a narrative that makes people from Sunderland say they are even more proud to say they are from Sunderland.”

Visit 2024 event

Louise

Plenary Sessions

Speakers from across the region and UK are invited to join the key stakeholders in the regeneration of Sunderland on stage in October 2025 to contribute their knowledge and expertise and showcase their best practise on how to: -

  • Amplify economic growth and get building
  • Accelerate infrastructure and housing supply
  • Implement devolution at the heart of economic growth
  • Integrate climate change and technology
  • Raise educational standards

Supplemented with walking tours of the city centre to aid better understanding of achievements and challenges ahead in delivering a future city.

Round Table

Breakout Sessions

The event audience will break out into groups after plenary session scene setting to activate full participation and be summarised in panel discussions, led by the chair of each group.

The discussions are free ranging but aiming for:

  • Practical recommendations related to the project
  • A proposition to address a local or regional issue
  • A proposition for national policy

2024 themes included how to bring more life to the city centre, accelerate housing delivery, build new cohesive communities, advance technological innovation, further address climate change and develop new skills.

Sunniside

Networking & Side Events

An unrivalled platform regionally for fostering business engagement and inviting combined appetite for the rising infrastructure and regeneration of the Northeast.

Additional activities will be scheduled around the two days to maximise the itinerary for key stakeholders attending from across the UK.

In 2024, the Stables @ Sheepfolds hosted our delegates on the evening after Day 1. This historic building and courtyard setting is now home to a vibrant and eclectic mix of independent bars, restaurants, events, live entertainment and leisure operators, all coming together to create a unique and energetic venue on the banks of the River Wear.

The event was rounded off on Day 2 with a showcase of Sunniside, an informal insight into the 10-year regeneration programme for this new neighbourhood, at the core of urban Sunderland, with light refreshments and networking at Mackie's Corner.

 

Speakers and Panellists 2024

Expo Sunderland Digital Partner 

Boldyn

2024 Event Partners

BDNPlacefirstEtexVelux

Future City Regeneration Board

Please click on the profile to find out more about each of our advisors.

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If you would like to find out more about the advisory board, please get in touch hello@exposunderland.com

 

2024 Speakers and Panellists

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