The ups and downs of conference exhibitors and their giveaways

Exhibiting at political party conferences is an occupational hazard for many charities, non-governmental organisations and even unions.

Like a miniature Ideal Home Exhibition, party members, delegates and hangers on prowl around the stands searching out pet causes, free pens and cloth bags (for the day that the plastic bag tax is finally made law).

Opportunity Youth played a blinder today with their yellow yoyos. Coloured yellow - convenient for an Alliance conference! - they appealed to the Coca Cola spinner generation.

Like school children, big kids wandered around the conference with an extra spring in their step ...

You can read more about the Alliance conference and listen to the speeches over on a post on Slugger O'Toole.