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So another CIH Harrogate bunfight draws to a close and I for one am absolutely exhausted.

24dash took a different approach this year, rather than standing around being ignored on a ridiculously expensive stand in a half empty exhibition hall, we decided to be proactive and go and talk to people - whether they wanted to talk to us or not.

Aside from the worthy (but dull) policy discussions and best practice conversations I had during the event, one of the most illuminating experiences this year was the remarkable transformation of Sunderland Housing Group from mere housing association into an organisation that looks set to revolutionise the way the sector works.

Listening to the concept behind Gentoo (it’s such a shame about the name), you have to say that if it takes off every HA in the country will be following in their footsteps.

Essentially the idea is to use the group’s existing expertise in other areas (private sector projects) with a view to playing a role in every aspect of the communities it is helping to build, including health and education provision.

The beauty of it, however, is that because Gentoo remains a social enterprise, all the money it makes is reinvested back into the sector.

The construction companies that currently make millions from the social housing sector had better beware, their days could be numbered!

Another project I ought to give a quick mention is the Housing Stories website set up by Pinnacle’s Business Development Director Jan Taranczuk.

The idea is to get as many housing professionals as possible to tell an interesting or humorous story about their line of work. The results are already impressive, but that’s mainly down to the fact that Jan is such an infectious character you can’t help but want to get involved.

Anyone interested should check out the website www.housingstories.co.uk

In no particular order, other highlights this year included: counting how many copies of Inside Housing had been deposited in bins around the town (Ocean Media’s dominance of the event - and the sector in general - is absolutely astonishing); Connaught’s truly inspirational ‘Less is More’ stand; meeting Julie Cowans for the first time; watching Bob Lawrence in action at a drinks reception; trying to spot a National Housing Federation representative; the great curry we had at Spice 4 U in Wetherby.

Roll on 2008!

Check out the exclusive 24dash CIH Harrogate podcast at: www.24dash.com/podcasts