The CIPD Annual National Conference and exhibition ran last week in Harrogate (billed as 'the largest management event in Europe').

This year's show has 'People Mean Business' as its theme (also the title of the CIPD's flagship research project). The conference brochure states that 'Building capacity through people is the key competitive advantage that can keep us ahead as markets, technologies and customers change.' It goes on to add that 'In the new economy, demand is high for people professionals who can work with their line colleages in designing and applying strategies for people that both align with the business strategies of today and create the capacity to drive the ever-rising ambitions tomorrow'.

The exhibition halls accommodated over 300 exhibitors showcasing their wares. A whole range of HR payroll and attendance software, staff benefits packages, legal services, government departments, recruitment assistance and staff development programmes were on offer.

The conference, as ever, brings some high-profile names to the podium over three days. Harrogate is your chance to hear Professor Robert Kaplan of the Harvard Business School, Don Tapscott, Chair of Itemus Inc, Steve Harvey, Deputy MD of Microsoft UK, Andrew Foster, Director of HR, NHS Executive, Mary Pooley, Head of the Work-Life Balance Unit at the DfES, Ricardo Semler, President of Semco S/A, Professor John Purcell, University of Bath School of Management, Professor David Guest, King's Collge London, and Lord Taylor of Warwick, among others.

People mean business: CIPD Research 2001
Success through organisational democracy
Extraordinary results from ordinary people
CIPD People Management Award Winner 2001: Vertex

Choose your own boss!
CIPD: People mean business
E-learning: Not just a cost-cutter

For more information about the conference and exhibition, see the website at