Conference to drive the TVU dream.

REGENERATION work spearheaded by Tees Valley Unlimited is being highlighted at a major conference.

Local Government Minister John Healey will be the headline speaker at the TVU conference, which is being sponsored by Gazette Media Company.

Around 200 people from the public, private and independent sectors across the Tees Valley and beyond are expected to attend the event at Wynyard Hall on Monday, February 16.

The conference is being held to celebrate early successes of Tees Valley Unlimited which became a fully fledged organisation last April.

TVU brings together representatives of the five local authorities and the private sector, to drive forward the economic fortunes of the area.

The Multi Agency Agreement between the Government and the Tees Valley, which aims to give more power and flexibility to take the area forward, will be on the agenda for the conference.

The activities and aims of TVU will be explained further to the conference audience.

Investment opportunities in the Tees Valley will be demonstrated and promoted at the event which also aims to share with other areas TVU's experience of developing a successful MAA.

TVU chairman Hugh Lang said TVU was delighted the Minister had agreed to speak at the conference.

The event is being seen as a really important step forward in explaining to the key players involved in driving forward the area's economy how the developing role of TVU was seen.

"In particular we want to highlight the potential impact of the Multi Area Agreement and the chance it offers for greater local freedom and flexibility over the way in which public money can be spent," he said.

Mr Lang said the conference would also hear how the awarding to the Tees Valley of Growth Point status would provide millions of pounds of extra funding to improve the supply and quality of housing - a vital element in making the Tees Valley a place where people want to work, invest and live."