Award winning branding expert Chris Sands to deliver the closing address next week as we ‘Bring the Industry Back Together’.
The MIA is very pleased to be able to confirm that Chris will be part of the programme and share his insights and experience. In his 20 year career, he has worked with everything from arts organisations to local government, the music business to regional parks, from big corporate organisations to community-led projects.
He’s perhaps best known for starting Totally Locally, a free, grass-roots open source marketing kit for towns to help keep the independent high streets of the UK (and now the world!) alive and thriving. Totally Locally has been taken up by over 100 towns in the UK and many across the world have joined in from Australia & New Zealand to France, Ireland, Italy and more. Many towns reported huge changes in the shopping habits and businesses collaborating; creating strong local economies. The Totally Locally Fiver Fest (supported by Visa) sees over 100 towns and thousands of independent businesses across the UK join together twice a year to put on a big event & campaign, to increase footfall and engage with shoppers – with huge results.
Chris received an Honorary Doctorate from Staffordshire University for his work helping in the grass-roots led regeneration of towns across the world.
In 2021 he was listed on THE INDEPENDENT’s ‘Happy List’ Top 10 Covid Heroes, and THE BIG ISSUE’s ‘Top 100 UK Changemakers, 2021”.
Chris has spoken at many events and conferences, including in Australia, France & New Zealand, on local distinctiveness, high streets, engaging communities, branding & ‘just doing it!’.
As well as UK projects, he has a long working relationship with Regional Development Australia in the Barossa Valley, helping to highlight the uniqueness of the incredible landscapes and communities of the region.
His motto is “Love where you live, you might just make it better”.
If you haven’t already booked your tickets there’s only 8 days to go, and they’re selling fast! Secure yours now on our Eventbrite page: www.eventbrite.co.uk/mia-annual-conference-2021-tickets
We look forward to seeing you on 23rd September.
