As in previous years, leading industrialists from the Confederation of Passenger Transport – the UK’s operator trade body – will also be hosting presentations.
Mark Fowles, head of Nottingham City Transport since 2001, will be joined by John Birtwistle, CPT president and head of policy at FirstGroup UK's Bus Division, to discuss ‘Making partnerships work’ on the opening day.
NCT and Reading Buses are award-winning examples of how strong partnerships between operators and local authorities can provide high quality bus services, improve frequency, and help increase passenger numbers.
Jeff Counsell, managing director of East Midlands-based Trentbarton, will be at the show on day two discussing how ‘Marketing your business effectively’ can reap long-term rewards.
And Martijn Gilbert, CEO of Reading Buses (2 November) will be speaking on ‘Attracting the best talent’.
Gilbert, who joined Reading Buses in 2014, will be sharing some of the initiatives that Reading Buses uses to engage, retain and develop its staff – from the introduction of ‘Improvement Champions’ across the business to more casual uniforms.
“The seminars at the Master Class Theatre offer the ideal way to keep in touch with the industry and find out more about the latest legislation, business developments and innovations happening right now,” states event director Helen Conway.
“It’s the best opportunity of the year to hear first-hand what other operators are doing – what works and what doesn’t, what can work and what can’t,” she adds.