Raising the standard

The Plain English Foundation was delighted to host the 7th biennial Plain Language Association InterNational (PLAIN) conference.

When: Thursday 15 October to Saturday 17 October 2009.

Where: Four Points by Sheraton, Darling Harbour, Sydney, Australia.

Who: Government, industry and plain language practitioners from Australia and around the world.

Why: To learn how plain language is improving services and saving money in government, industry, the law, medicine, engineering and finance.

PLAIN 2009 retrospective

Over 300 people from 14 countries attended the seventh PLAIN conference in Sydney in October 2009.

Our first highlight was the opening address by the Hon. Nathan Rees MP, in which he announced three initiatives that will raise the standard of plain English in all NSW government departments. 

Then our 80 speakers took over, presenting 45 sessions of panels, workshops, roundtables conversations and showcases. You can read the final program, presenter biographies and session abstracts here.

PLAIN 2009 attracted considerable media interest, with more than 40 interviews through print, radio and online outlets, including national coverage on Australian television and radio news. 
 
The conference climax was a splendid dinner at which former High Court judge Michael Kirby gave such an entertaining speech. We also recognised all former PLAIN conference organisers and gave formal recognition awards to previous PLAIN President Christine Mowat of Canada and to Peter Butt and Robert Eagleson of Australia.

Thank you to everyone who helped make PLAIN 2009 such a resounding success.