Kevin Hollinrake MP is Chairman of the Conservative Party.

There has been an even greater energy around the Conservative Party over the past week or so.

Of course, a succession of good polls (not that I ever look at polls…) and some stunning council by-election wins including, the most recent ones in South Staffordshire and the Cotswolds, have given us cause to have a bigger spring in our step. But there is another reason for that energy too. We are about to come together for Conference.

As a member, as a Member of Parliament and now as Chairman of the Party, I have attended plenty of Conservative Party conferences over the years. But I can tell you that this one in Birmingham is going to be different.

That is not to say there will be any shortage of tepid white wine or bleary-eyed early morning attendees this year. Rather, it is because we have listened to the feedback from you, our members and put you at the forefront of the changes we have made to Conference this year.

You will still be able to enjoy the plentiful fringe events, talks and receptions that make Conference what it is. But there will also be additional opportunities to engage directly with CCHQ through our Campaign Academy sessions and a brand-new Members’ Lounge.

The Members’ Lounge will be exclusively accessible to Party members and will host pop-up sessions with colleagues from the CCHQ campaigns team, finance, Member Services and all the other teams you need to engage with and build relationships across the Party to help your association flourish.

And yes, there will be refreshments provided… and yes, they are alcoholic after 4pm in the lounge.

Whether this is your first Conference or you are a seasoned Conference veteran, the Members’ Lounge will be a great place to network, meet fellow members and contribute to the festival of ideas we are building around Conservative Party Conference.

Because Conference is about you.

It is an opportunity to feed into our policy priorities, to share your ideas and to make a difference.

You’ll be able to speak to me and my Shadow Cabinet colleagues, whilst enjoying the host of exclusive panel discussions.

Elsewhere there will be many new sessions, including an opportunity to meet some of the next generation of Conservative candidates.

But that’s not all.

While we’re back in Birmingham and the ICC, we’re taking the opportunity to return to Symphony Hall, the site of many a memorable Conference speech, for some of our Main Stage speeches.

The main Agenda sessions will take place every day throughout Conference on stages across the venue, with different collectives from across the Party  and externally taking part. I would encourage you to attend, pick up a special CPC26 souvenir or two, and make the most of everything that is on offer.

And on Monday night, we have the hustings for the election of our new Young Conservatives Chairman. We now have the final three candidates, with the role being elected for the first time in 30 years. With a 50 per cent increase in the number of Young Conservatives attending Conference, I know it will be a lively debate, with the preferences of Conference contributing to the festival of ideas that we are building.

On Tuesday, some of you will join me and my Shadow Cabinet colleagues at our sell-out, biggest ever Your Voice for Small Business event. The speaking line up features some of the UK’s top entrepreneurs including Richard Harpin, Luke Johnson, Tom Beahon and Louise Hill.

The point I’m making is that Conference is going to be very different this year.

There will be live music, pop-up events and food trucks. There will be a buzz and an energy around Conference that has sometimes been lacking.

And that reflects the fact that the Conservative Party you will see in Birmingham is not the same Conservative Party that lost the last General Election.

We have listened to what voters across the country told us. We have listened to what our members told us and we have done things differently.

The Conservatives under Kemi Badenoch’s leadership are focused on winning back the trust of the British people and are unashamedly making the case for our Conservative values.

You will see that change in Birmingham. You will see it in the people attending Conference, in the ideas being debated and in the energy around the Party. Most importantly, this conference will show a Conservative Party that is determined to learn from the past and build a Stronger Economy and a Stronger Country.

Finally, before we get to Birmingham, I want to take the opportunity to put on record my thanks to the West Midlands Police, Ambulance and Fire Services, as well as the staff in the G4S team, for keeping us safe while we’re in Birmingham.

I’d also like to thank the staff at the ICC Birmingham and the Hyatt Regency Birmingham for keeping us fed and watered during what will be a busy few days.

And the wonderful team at CCHQ who are still working night and day to make the finishing touches to make this Conference extra special.

But most importantly, I’m looking forward to seeing in Birmingham this coming weekend.

Let’s make CPC26 our best ever Conference.