The UK Speechwriters’ Guild has announced details of its third annual conference.

Taking place on 16 September at the Executive Business Centre, Bournemouth University, the conference welcomes speakers including David Murray, editor of US publication Vital Speeches of the Day and Wendy Cherwinski from the Washington Speechwriters’ Roundtable.

Professor Max Atkinson, a world authority on rhetoric, will be speaking about the presentation of political speeches in the media; Charles Crawford, a former British Ambassador, will be discussing diplomatic speechwriting; and Stuart Mole will be talking about his experiences working for top people in Government and business.

“This is our third annual conference, which is a sort of Davos for in-house wordsmiths,” said conference organiser Brian Jenner. “The spoken word is essential for politicians, senior civil servants, captains of industry and diplomats. Their speeches provide a crucial opportunity to showcase their organisations. It’s short-sighted to invest in advertising, hospitality, websites and neglect the pinnacle of communications.”

For more information, visit www.ukspeechwritersguild.co.uk.