In November 2024, Huntingdonshire District Council hosted Huntingdonshire Pride in Place, a one-day conference at Burgess Hall, St Ives, bringing together national and local experts to explore the district’s visitor economy, investment opportunities, and cultural development.

BID Huntingdon was proud to take part in this important event alongside partners including Neotists, VisitBritain, and Urban Movement. The day highlighted the strength of collaboration between business, culture, and local government in shaping Huntingdonshire’s future.

Our BID Manager, Paul Sweeney, joined a panel of industry leaders including Dr Nik Johnson (Mayor of Cambridgeshire and Peterborough), Andrew Stokes (VisitBritain), Amy Priestley (Urban Movement), and Richard Slade (Neotists) to discuss how arts, culture, and place-based investment can drive regeneration and economic growth across our market towns.

Paul shared the BID’s ongoing work to revitalise Huntingdon town centre through branding initiatives, cultural events, and projects that enhance the visitor experience – from sound installations to seasonal campaigns that celebrate local businesses.

Arts and culture at the heart of growth
Neotists co-founder Richard Slade spoke about the vital role creativity plays in shaping identity, pride, and prosperity. “When a place has a strong cultural identity, it becomes more than just a location—it becomes an experience,” he said, reinforcing the idea that investing in culture helps attract visitors, boost confidence, and strengthen communities.

Over the past decade, Neotists have championed cultural development across the district, from public art and film screenings to festivals and strategic placemaking projects that connect creativity with economic opportunity.

Collaboration for a thriving Huntingdonshire
Conference speakers shared a collective ambition: to position Huntingdonshire as a thriving, creative, and economically resilient destination.

VisitBritain’s Andrew Stokes encouraged local partners to engage with the Local Visitor Economy Partnership (LVEP)programme—an initiative designed to strengthen collaboration between destinations across England and drive sustainable growth through joined-up tourism planning.

The event also featured a vibrant business showcase, with local organisations including Keystone Marketing, Holt Island Nature Reserve, National Trust (Houghton Mill), Glebe Farm, and Cambridge Regional College, among others, highlighting their community impact and sustainability initiatives.

Looking ahead
The Pride in Place conference reinforced the power of partnership in shaping our district’s future. Together with creative organisations like Neotists and the support of Huntingdonshire District Council, BID Huntingdon remains committed to promoting our town centres, championing local enterprise, and ensuring Huntingdonshire continues to grow as a place people want to visit, live in, and invest in.