We are delighted to report that the 2024 National Rural Conference was an incredible success! Over four transformative days, we welcomed 655 attendees from across the country, representing a wide array of sectors and organisations, all focused on advancing the future of our rural communities.

The diversity of our audience was one of the highlights of this year’s event. With 78% of our Local Authorities in membership attending, and 131 organisations participating, it was clear that the issues facing rural areas resonate deeply across different regions and sectors. Attendees spent over 1,329 collective hours engaging in dynamic sessions focused on key topics like rural service delivery, innovation, and fair funding. These weren’t just presentations and discussions—they were moments of shared learning and collaboration, helping to shape the future of rural policy and practice.

Our eight session topics covered a wide range of pressing issues, from the challenges of funding rural services to new opportunities in innovation and sustainable development. These conversations were enriched by the insights of our passionate speakers and the active engagement of our attendees.

A Special Thank You to Our Sponsors

We also want to extend a special thank you to the sponsors and supporters whose generous contributions made this event possible. The backing of the National Innovation Centre for Rural Enterprise, BT, the National Association of Local Councils, RABI, Go Cornwall Bus, the University of Lincoln, and Retrofit Information, Support, and Expertise (Turner & Townsend) was invaluable in ensuring the success of this year’s conference. Their commitment to rural issues is deeply appreciated.

Continuing the Conversation and Building Momentum

As we digest this year’s National Rural Conference, we are more determined than ever to keep the conversation alive. Rural communities face ongoing challenges, and together, we can drive meaningful change. Whether it’s continuing the dialogue online, working on collaborative projects, or pushing forward with new initiatives, we encourage you to stay engaged. The National Rural conference is a platform, but the real work happens in the weeks, months, and years ahead.

Once again, thank you to everyone who attended, contributed, and supported this year’s event. We look forward to working with you throughout the year as we continue to advocate for and innovate within rural communities. Keep an eye out for our confrence highlights, further updates, insights, and opportunities to engage as we build on the energy of the conference.  In the meantime, we thank you. 

We invite you to share what resonated most with you. What were your key takeaways or ideas for moving forward? We’d love to hear your thoughts and feedback, so please share your comments and insights with events@sparse.gov.uk