It was more than business as usual at the annual Communication Directors’ Forum. The 100s of communicators aboard the Aurora last week, spent 72 hours networking, learning, debating about the latest trends and freshest thought in communications and floating just of the coast of Guernsey.

The Forum was comprised of two parts – a focus on networking as suppliers and delegates meet in one-to-one meetings and the conference in which speakers engage participants in case studies, theory and training. That makes for a grueling three days, though the experience is complemented by numerous three-course meals.

During one session on public affairs, led by the PRCA’s communications director Matt Cartmell, attendees discussed the challenges involved in lobbying and potential changes brought on by the lobbying bills. “It’s all about consistency of message,” was, according to a delegate,one of the key takeaways.

Delegates find the conference portion of the CDF helps them understand what’s going on in the industry at a given time. But the main event for the suppliers is the one-to-one meeting programme. From dawn til dusk these companies pitch their wares to delegates in the hopes of disembarking with new business. There were positive reviews all around, but only time will tell if that translates into client wins.

Keynote addresses mark the time throughout the Forum. This year, former Conservative MP Michael Portillo spoke about the EU, the economic crisis and his experience being the bearer of bad news to Margaret Thatcher.

See more comments about the CDF in last month's issue.