A New Chapter in Member Engagement – by Joseph Cullis, President, Bacta

One of the most rewarding parts of being President of Bacta is meeting our members – not in a boardroom or online, but face-to-face, on the ground, in the towns and cities where this brilliant industry lives and breathes. There’s no substitute for that human connection – for hearing your ideas, your frustrations, and your ambitions for the future.

That’s why I’m especially proud to share with you a new initiative we’re rolling out: Bacta Regional Meetings.

Let me explain what’s changing and why.

Starting from September 2025, we’ll be hosting annual regional meetings in each major Bacta region – North West & North Wales, North East, Midlands, South West & South Wales, London & South East, and Scotland. These aren’t just calendar fillers. They’re designed to bring real, practical value to members, whether you operate a single site or manage venues across the country.

Each meeting will run for half a day and follow a consistent format. We’ll start with a welcome from myself, our Vice President, or a member of the Bacta executive team. Then we’ll dive into an Industry Update, where our team will brief you on everything from legislative changes to consumer trends and market insights.

But what I’m most excited about is the new Member Forum and Social Responsibility Briefings. These are sessions designed for you to speak up and shape what Bacta focuses on. We want to hear what’s working, what’s not, and where you need our support most. The social responsibility discussions will give us a clearer picture of what’s happening in your region – the challenges and the opportunities – so that our work is grounded in the real experiences of our members.

And of course, there’ll be time to network over lunch. We recognise that relationships across the industry are just as important as policy discussions, and these sessions are designed to support both.

We’ve also thought carefully about when and where these meetings happen. We’re avoiding the key national events like EAG, the AGM and Convention, so we don’t overload your diaries. We’ll also rotate the locations to make sure everyone gets a fair shot at attending without an arduous journey.

We want to achieve a stronger, more responsive Bacta. We’re doing this because we know the industry and political landscape is changing fast. The land-based sector has faced intense scrutiny, shifting regulation, and evolving player expectations. To stay ahead, we need to be smarter, nimbler, and more in touch with our members than ever before.

This programme isn’t a box-ticking exercise. It’s the start of a deeper, two-way conversation. So, when your regional meeting comes around, please do join us. Bring your views, your questions, and your voice.

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3 July 2025

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