The successful bid was announced yesterday by NSW leader of the Nationals, Andrew Stoner, Tamworth-based Nationals MLC Trevor Khan and Tourism Tamworth general manager Rebel Thomson at the Tamworth Regional Entertainment and Conference Centre.

The conference, to be held in June next year, will entail between 300 and 400 Nationals delegates spending a minimum of three nights in the city while they debate policy leading up to the 2011 State election.

Mr Stoner denied the awarding of the bid was a political move to lay the foundations for a Nationals campaign to oust the current independent member, Peter Draper.

“It is a happy coincidence the conference will be held in Tamworth the year before the State election,” Mr Stoner said.

“The Coalition will of course be trying to win every country seat, as the State desperately needs a change of government and Tamworth is crucial in the Nationals’ campaign.”

Mr Khan said one of the factors that influenced the Nationals’ decision was the strength of membership in the area.

“We have the people on the ground and the organisational skills to put this conference together in Tamworth,” he said.

“This is an opportunity for grassroots members to have their say and contribute to the policies that are developed and that will lead us into this next election.”

Mr Thomson said the Nationals coup was part of a long-term strategy of Tourism Tamworth to attract major conferences and events to the region.

“Tamworth is extremely pleased to be hosting this event, which will see between $130,000 and $150,000 over three days,” Ms Thomson said.

“We have hosted these types of political conferences before and will this October host the Local Government Association

conference.”

Ms Thomson said the bidding process for these types of events was very competitive.

“We now have a dedicated business development manager whose sole responsibility is to attract more major conferences and events to the city,” she said.

“We look forward to welcoming the delegates of the Nationals Conference to Tamworth in 2010.”