In Exeter the hot topics included support for members moving into juniors markets, the role of special interest groups and whether registration should be required for all English language centres. It was also the first outing for Richard Day as interim chief executive of English UK.

Richard Day emphasised the importance of regional groups and explained that he and late CEO Eddie Byers had both felt it was important to do more for them.

In response to growing interest, Annie talked about specific sessions on the junior market at the English UK Marketing Conference and plans to help members prepare for PON, once it is confirmed that funding will be available this year.

Whether or not to stay in Tier 4 was discussed in depth in Huan's breakout session, as well as "making more noise on regulations and what we require of members," and how the association is evaluating the current membership model and how it should evolve. 

In the second breakout session, Jodie outlined the English is GREAT campaign, a multi-channel campaign that reached an estimate 18 million people in Brazil

"We're competing with other big competitor destinations: we want to make sure our profile is high, creating the best possible environment for you guys to go to these countries and sell your products," she said. "It is "probably our most successful student-facing campaign to date - we're hoping to do it again."

Susan Brearey of Suzanne Sparrow Language School, one of 16 centres represented, said: "I think it's a brilliant idea and I like this new approach, that you're more proactive. We have been lacking a voice and in the dark about what's going on in Government and it's felt like a door opening and that we're being listened to."

• Not attended a Roadshow yet? Upcoming dates are in Oxford, Bournemouth, Belfast, Edinburgh, Manchester and London - keep an eye out for our email inviting you to attend.