The Pontignano Conference, established in 1993, is the premiere annual bilateral event between the UK and Italy. It is attended by key politicians, academics, journalists, entrepreneurs, opinion-formers and business leaders from both countries. The themes under discussion at the Conference are the key issues facing Britain and Italy in Europe today.
The event is chaired by Lord Patten and Giuliano Amato and takes place every year in September.
It is organised by the British Council and the British Embassy in Rome in collaboration with the Italian Embassy in London, the University of Siena and St Antony's College, Oxford.

The Conference offers an excellent opportunity for networking. It is a place where surprising friendships are forged, alliances are strengthened, and stimulating ideas are formulated. It is also a place where our sponsors can actively participate in the debate and help shape emerging policy.

This year the Conference celebrates its 20th anniversary and returns to the Certosa di Pontignano, near Siena, from 21 to 23 September.

Over the course of the years, the conference has received support from numerous businesses and institutions, enabling it to become an opportunity for developing new and often unanticipated alliances which cross professional, politican and national boundaries.

This year we can offer you a range of possibilities with regard to becoming  a sponsor:

•Pontignano Associates contributing €20,000 will be able to have three participants and will be given high visibility with their logo, website and contacts printed on conference material. You will also be able to provide an article or opinion piece for the programme that confirms your organisation as a thought leader. Moreover you will be able to distribute your material on the day, and benefit from a dedicated press team. Associates will have the chance to play a formal role in one of the sessions and free participation in some cultural events over the year.

•Pontignano Partners contributing €15,000 will be able to have two participants and will be given high visibility with their logo, website and contacts printed on conference material. Partners will be able to distribute any brochures or reports

•Pontignano Sponsors contributing €10,000 will be able to have one participant and will be profiled for visibility with their logo, website and contacts printed on conference material. Sponsors will be able to distribute any brochures or reports.

The Conference is held under the Chatham House Rule, "when a meeting, or part thereof, is held under the Chatham House Rule, participants are free to use the information received, but neither the identity nor the affiliation of the speaker, nor that of any other participant, may be revealed".
Although the Chatham House Rule is followed, the conference includes occasions when the media is invited in and there is a dedicated team for communications and media relations so that a larger audience in both the UK and Italy are reached. With regard to the 2011 Conference, for example, it was estimated that an audience of over 50 million were reached through the media and especially through BBC World News, BBC Radio, RAI1 e Il Sole 24 Ore. This year's edition saw, in fact, two special debates: one on the BBC, held by Zeinab Badawi and a debate on the RAI TG1, held by Monica Maggioni.

If you are interested in partnering with us for this event, please contact Emanuela Sias, Marketing and Communications Manager