Bournemouth is gearing up to welcome a succession of conferences, trade and consumer shows at Bournemouth International Centre and Bournemouth Pavilion throughout 2017.
Venue operator and social enterprise BH Live estimates this will bring around 44,000 delegates to the region, worth at least £37 million to the local economy through business tourism – and more events are in the pipeline.
The programme also includes more than 400 additional events spanning the arts, sport, ballet, opera, comedy, variety, rock and pop, expected to contribute an extra £10 million to the local economy though cultural tourism.
This supports in the region of 4,000 local jobs.
BH Live has reported another big growth year for 2016/2017 and is forecasting similar performance throughout 2017 and beyond. “We are working closely with partners and businesses throughout the region to create yet more reasons for event organisers to choose Bournemouth,“ says BH Live Director of Venues, Pat Coyne. “Innovative delegate experience packages, teambuilding opportunities, a new destination app, creative tech and street food stations are among the many extra services being offered to clients this year.”
Events already confirmed include:
UK Dance Championships and Exhibition: 17-19 January 2017
An annual event where the dance world’s rising stars and professional Latin and Ballroom couples compete for top national prizes. The UK Dance Shopping Mall has a lavish display of couture Latin and Ballroom dancewear and accessories.
Association of British Orchestras (ABO) Annual Conference: 25-27 January 2017
The ABO’s primary annual event will bring over 350 delegates from orchestras across the UK and abroad, along with representatives of funding agencies, venues, agents, publishers and suppliers. It’s the country’s largest classical music gathering with Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra (BSO) hosting, supported by Classic FM and Rhinegold Publishing. Celebrating 120 years of music making in the UK, Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra entertains thousands of concertgoers a year in venues across the south of England, under the stellar leadership of Kirill Karabits.
Bournemouth International Centre (BIC) Wedding Show: 17-19 February 2017
Hundreds of fresh ideas and inspiration from more than 100 experts for that special day will be under one roof for this much anticipated annual event. Visitors get to browse everything from gorgeous bridal wear to entertainers, photographers and vintage coffee carts. There’s also a fabulous catwalk show, performances from wedding entertainers, and a Groom Zone for visitors to stop off for a break and a little flutter in the pop-up casino.
Unison Higher Education Conference: 2 March 2017 and Unison Community conference: 3-5 March 2017
The Higher Education and Community service groups are holding their 2017 conferences back to back at Bournemouth International Centre next March. UNISON is one of the UK’s largest trade unions, serving more than 1.3 million members employed in the public and private sectors in seven service categories.
Association of Surgeons in Training (ASiT): 31 March-2 April 2017
ASiT will bring around 700 delegates to attend a weekend of educational courses, lectures and topical debate on all aspects of surgery and surgical training. Run by trainees for trainees, ASiT works to promote the highest standards in surgical training independently of the Surgical Royal Colleges and other professional medical organisations. ASiT is the UK’s second largest surgical specialty association with over 2,700 members.
CAMRA Members’ Weekend: 7-9 April 2017
Hosted by East Dorset CAMRA, the next CAMRA Members’ Weekend is expected to attract around 1,500 members. The weekend includes the National AGM and Conference to discuss policy and direction, workshops, meet the brewer and tasting events, and tours of local breweries and pubs. There’ll also be a members-only Dorset Beer Festival in the Purbeck Hall.
Communication Workers’ Union (CWU): 23-27 April 2017
The biggest union for the communications industry in the UK will be back next spring with another well-supported event to air and debate issues. This is expected to bring around 1,000 attendees representing the wide spectrum of views held by managers and employees in the communications sector.
Westover Motor Showcase: 29-30 April 2017
Westover Group’s free-to-attend Motor Showcase is returning. Over 150 of the newest cars currently available in the UK will come together under one roof. Alongside will be an exciting array of ‘halo’ cars, not yet in Westover’s showrooms but released early by the manufacturers early to give local people a sneak preview of wheels to come.
British Barbershop Convention: 26-29 May 2017
Returning to Bournemouth for more amazing acapella, the 43rd Annual Barbershop Convention offers 60 hours of singing, entertainment, competition, participation and fun for more than 2,000 members. Friday and Sunday show nights are headlined by Sweden’s Lemon Squeezy, with the popular King’s Singers taking to the stage on Saturday.
Association of Coloproctology for Great Britain and Ireland (ACPGBI) Annual Meeting: 3-5 July 2017
ACPGBI is teaming up with its colleagues from Sweden, Norway and Denmark for a three-day conference featuring pre-conference teaching courses and nine plenary sessions. The association includes over 1,000 surgeons, nurses and allied professionals advancing the knowledge and treatment of bowel diseases in the British Isles. One of the organisation’s main aims is to break down the taboo and embarrassment of talking about bowel disease and encourage more people to come forward for diagnosis.
Liberal Democrats Autumn Conference: 16-20 September 2017
After a successful event in 2015, the Liberal Democrats Autumn Conference returns to Bournemouth with lively debates, speeches, policy discussions, fringe events and a range of social events. Conference is open to party members, supporters and observers who want to find out more and engage with the party.
National Children and Adult Services: 11-13 October 2017
The National Children and Adult Services (NCAS) conference is regularly attended by more than 1,000 delegates who come along to share, engage, network and participate with their peers. A rich mix of conference, exhibition and fringe events covers the major mainstream issues affecting adults and children in UK society, and the innovative approaches taken to improve their health and wellbeing.
European Barbershop Singers Convention: 26-29 October 2017
The event will be hosted by Barbershop in Harmony (BinH), an organisation comprising the three Barbershop groups in the – UK LABBS, BABS (British Association of Barbershop Singers) and Sweet Adeline Region 31. The weekend programme includes nine competitions, performances from the new European and LABBS champions and a world showcase featuring quartets and choruses nominated by barbershop organisations around the world.
British Academy of Audiology (BAA): 16-17 November 2017
The BAA returns to Bournemouth International Centre in 2017 to welcome around 700 delegates from all over the UK to its 14th Annual Conference, worth more than £500,000 to the local economy. Attracting inspiring, international speakers and over 600, it is the largest audiology conference in the UK where delegates receive the latest in audiology research, education and expertise. An integral part of the event is the opportunity for members to create share best practice and research with their colleagues through white papers and poster displays.
For a complete what’s on list, visit bhlivetickets.co.uk or bic.co.uk
Ends
Notes to editor
For further press information:
Elizabeth Symmons, PR & Corporate Communications Executive, BH Live
01202 055562
About Bournemouth International Centre (BIC)
Bournemouth International Centre is managed and operated by BH Live in partnership with Bournemouth Borough Council. It is the south coast’s largest and most versatile event venue with multiple auditorium and a licensed capacity for 10,000 delegates. The venue attracts major players in the public and private sector, bringing millions of pounds into the local economy through employment, business tourism and partner organisations. For more visit bhlive.org.uk/business
About Bournemouth Pavilion
Bournemouth Pavilion is managed and operated by BH Live in partnership with Bournemouth Borough Council. This Grade II listed, Art Deco venue has a 1500-seat theatre and full-size ballroom hosting musicals, opera, ballet, pantomime, comedy, gala dinners, banquets, receptions, fairs, dances, fashion shows and small-scale conferences and exhibitions. For more visit bournemouthpavilion.co.uk
About BH Live
BH Live is the south coast’s leading operator of leisure and event venues; a social enterprise that designs and builds engaging experiences to inspire people and enrich lives.
With more than three million visits a year and over £36.5 million turnover, the organisation is changing lives – placing it at the heart of the UK’s growing social economy.
In 2015/16 BH Live hosted more than 500 events, sold over half a million cultural, sporting and entertainment tickets. They welcomed 2.6 million leisure centres visits and 118,000 conference and exhibition delegates into its venues.
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