Download: Draft Delegate's Agenda (Adobe PDF - 321 KB)

Download: ADA Conference and Gala Dinner Booking Form (Microsoft Word - 173 KB)

This year's Conference will be part of the first day of Flood Risk Management 2010 providing delegates with opportunities to view exhibits and presentations from leading manufacturers, suppliers, contractors and consultants. The Conference will begin with a buffet lunch for delegates at 12.30pm.

New for this year's ADA Conference will be a 'Question Time' session with Henry Cator (ADA's Chairman) acting as our David Dimbleby, directing questions from delegates to a panel of four representatives from across the drainage and flood risk management sector.

Laura Nola the International Representative of the Associazione Nazionale Bonifiche Irrigazioni will be describing the activities of Italian Drainage Boards for renewable energy and sustainable irrigation. Innovations in these areas could have extensive use in the UK with changing climates affecting seasonal water levels.

ADA Gala Dinner 2010

In the evening ADA will host a reception and Gala Dinner for conference delegates, and exhibitors at Flood Risk Management 2010 with their guests. We are delighted to have the company of Lord Chris Smith as our Chief Guest. Lord Smith is the Chairman of the Environment Agency and will be giving a pre-dinner speech on his reflections on the Environment Agency's new flooding overview role and a National Strategy for Flood Risk Management.

Reception for the dinner will take place from 7pm before dining in the Cambridge Suite; dress code for both the Conference and Gala Dinner is lounge suits.

To book a place at the ADA Gala Dinner 2010 please download and complete the booking form (Microsoft Word - 173 KB).

Please contact the ADA Office for further details on 0844 209 0089 or admin@ada.org.uk.

Conference Location

The ADA Conference 2010 will be held at the East of England Showground (www.exec.org.uk) inside the Peterborough Suite, Peterborough, PE2 6XE - ideally situated off the A1.

The Showground is also only a ten minute drive from Peterborough Railway station, which is on the east coast main line between King's Cross and Scotland and the north – only a 55 minute train ride from London.

How to find us: location map, directions and public transport information below.

By Road

A1 Southbound Turn left off the A1 at the signpost stating: - Alwalton Business Park Showground Chesterton Go through the thatched village of Alwalton. At the T-junction turn left, 50 yards to roundabout, turn right onto the Showground. Follow internal signs to your destination.

A1 (M) North-bound Go past Junction 17. Turn left off the A1 (immediately after the garage) at the signpost stating:- Showground Chesterton Alwalton Elton At the T-junction turn left towards Peterborough, over the flyover, turn right at the roundabout onto the Showground. Follow internal signs to your destination.

A14 Take A605, bypass Oundle and Elton. Join A1 North-bound at Junction 17 A1 (M) at the signpost stating: - A1 North-bound Stamford Follow instructions as A1(M) North-bound.
From Peterborough A605 West-bound or use Parkway system - Showground fully sign posted.

By Public Transport

Rail - Rail passengers should travel to Peterborough station, located approximately 6 miles from the Showground. Telephone 08457 484950 for National Rail Enquiries. Taxi ranks are located outside the station. The Peterborough Bus Station is located opposite the railway station (see below).

Bus - Peterborough Bus Station is located at the Queensgate Shopping Centre only a short walk from Peterborough Rail Station and Peterborough City Centre. Services 14 and X14 leave from Bay 15 at Queensgate regularly and stop in Oundle Road opposite the East of England Showground. Service 14 leaves Queensgate at 15 minutes past the hour and Service X14 leaves at 40 minutes past the hour. For more timetable information, telephone Traveline on 0871 200 22 33.

ADA Conference 2009

In 2009, the ADA Conference focused on issues surrounding the draft Flood and Water Management Bill and its likely implications for ADA's membership. Huw Irranca-Davies MP (Minister of State for Marine and Natural Environment) was ADA’s chief guest. Robert Runcie (EA Director of Flood and Coastal Risk Management) called for closer working between IDBs and the Environment Agency. Richard Will (Director for Development, Lincolnshire County Council) described the development of the Lincolnshire Flood Risk and Drainage Management Framework. Prof Joe Morris (Professor of Resource Economics & Management, Cranfield University) discussed ways of providing integrated floodplains through an ecosystem approach, matching land use with drainage needs.

ADA Conference 2008

The 2008 Annual Conference of the Association of Drainage Authorities was held on Thursday 18 September 2008 as part of the Catchment '08 Exhibition at the East of England Showground.

In 2008, conference speakers included Roger Hargreaves (Head of the Pitt Review) who discussed the Government's direction following the Pitt Review into the floods of Summer 2007, Tim Farr (Chairman to the Severn Trent Regional Flood Defence Committee) who looked at the implication of Defra’s Review of IDBs, Chris De Grouchy (Head of Water Management, Defra) and Prof. Laura Nola (Chief Executive of the Associazione Nazionale Bonifiche Irrigazioni, Italy) who described the role of water level management and irrigation in Italy. These speakers presented to a gathering of over 300 delegates. Anne McIntosh MP for the Vale of York and Shadow Minister of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs gave the Keynote Address at the Conference.

ADA Conference 2007

The 2007 ADA Conference was held at the East of England Showground, Peterborough for the first time on 31st October 2007. Phil Woolas MP for Oldham East and Saddleworth and Minister of State for the Environment gave the annual address focusing on the importance of long sighted governance and the need for greater use of water collection, reuse and permeable paving to reduce rapid run-off from heavy rainfall.