A season of national conferences aimed at enhancing architects' skills and business prospects has been announced today by the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA).

Commencing in September, the RIBA Conferences 2011 will focus upon key areas of practice, including conservation, housing, planning and localism, low carbon design, as well as business skills. The programmes will provide a platform for senior Government spokespersons, public figures, forward thinking experts and respected practitioners in their field to share their knowledge and expertise, whilst workshops on specific technical, legislative and specialist topics with additional linked ‘fringe’ and awards events provide further opportunities for delegates to engage, broaden their networks and prospects.

Speaking today, RIBA Chief Executive Harry Rich said:

'I am delighted to announce the RIBA's forthcoming programme of national conferences, which look at some of the biggest challenges and opportunities facing the profession and the UK today. I hope that many architects and related professionals will be able to join in what promises to be a valuable and insightful series of events.'

The full conference programme is outlined below:

• Conservation: 29 September, Birmingham
  With 70% of practitioners reporting that they have no formal training and development strategy in place to assist them when working on pre-1919 projects, the

  'A future for the past?' conference in Birmingham will emphasise the need for expertise in conservation and will ask how the challenge of adapting, enhancing and securing Britain’s considerable legacy of built heritage can offer opportunities in making our past fit for the future. Minister for tourism and heritage John Penrose MP, Ingvar Maxwell from Historic Scotland, and Dawson Stelfox from Consarc Design Group will feature at Birmingham’s listed CBSO Centre.
• Housing: 13 October, Cambridge
  Housing Minister Grant Shapps says he wants developers to think outside of identikit Legoland homes. On 13 October, 'Creating designs for life' debates how we can deliver better quality new homes and looks at the role of architects in that vision by drawing together new opinion, research and policy. Speakers including Richard McCarthy from the Department of Communities and Local Government (DCLG), Jane Briginshaw from HCA and author of Ground Control Anna Minton examine how housing policy affects us all, and the role architects can play in delivering quality, creativity and sustainability in the housing sector.
• Planning and Localism: 4 November, Newcastle
  The live issue of Planning and Localism will be debated on 4 November, where we outline how architects can grasp the opportunities that local engagement can offer. 'Whose design is it anyway?' considers the big society and localism agendas and how practitioners can take a lead in community consultation and engage closely with local stakeholders. Speakers include Government chief planner Steve Quartermain, Raoul Bunschoten from Chora and RTPI president elect Colin Haylock.
• Guerilla Tactics: 9-10 November, London
  The ever popular Guerilla Tactics – the RIBA’s small practice event – will be held once again at 66 Portland Place on 10 November. The packed programme will include presentations and panel discussions with leading names from the profession and . In addition, the event includes a full day of CPD training sessions.
• Low Carbon Design: 22 November, Bristol
  Concluding this year’s national programme is an examination of Low Carbon Design on 22 November, which will cover how to empower architects to deliver the coalition government’s green agenda through retrofit, Passivhaus and zero carbon design. Speakers include Peter Madden from Forum for the Future, Patrick Brown of the British Property Federation and RIBA president elect Angela Brady. Exemplary case studies, research driven and evidence based design provide specific skills to delegates.