Collaborative investment to revitalise Bournemouth International Centre (BIC), one of the south’s leading conference, exhibition, and entertainment venues, is underway.
Investment by BCP Council, with additional funding from the venue operator BH Live, will result in a significant upgrade to the BIC’s digital and AV technology. Furthermore, a smart new meetings hub with breakout areas, plus a premium sea-facing event and hospitality offer are being created.
Supporting the region’s provision for business events, exhibitions, and conferencing market, the investment will enhance Bournemouth’s offer as a vibrant location to host events.
State-of-the-art digital screens inside and outside the venue have been installed to provide clients with a fully branded event experience and support the event organiser’s needs for sponsorship and event advertising.
Audio and visual highlights include new projectors and screens, improved wireless connectivity, and lighting rig improvements, including energy-efficient LED fixtures.
The venue’s breakout spaces are being transformed into a brand-new dedicated Meetings Hub (313m2). Comprising modern, stylish, dedicated flexible spaces for workshops, breakouts, media hubs, and ancillary areas, this improved space will support conferences and exhibitions. Each room will have improved WiFi for better connectivity. Renewed energy-efficient conditioning, heating, and ventilation systems will provide optimum delegate comfort. A business lounge, ideal for networking and business downtime, will be available. Toilet facilities for the Hub are being replaced and upgraded too.
The BIC’s first-floor Bourne lounge (256m2) which has panoramic sea views is also being transformed. As a standalone event space, this can be converted as needed into a purpose-built breakout area complete with blackout functionality with a capacity of 200 theatre style for hosting private events, speakers, exhibitions, and hospitality.
Additionally, a major transformation of the venue’s hospitality offer is underway to complete this summer. Its retail café has been completely remodeled into a premium hospitality area with outdoor decking and stunning views across Bournemouth seafront. Designed by local architects and elegantly styled with natural and sustainable materials, a new casual dining menu will boast delicious food such as sharing platters, small plates, and snacks along with a full brasserie menu.
Landscaping works have improved the venue’s façade enhancing the welcome for delegates and visitors. In the future, the improved space will also be used to create a new outdoor location for receptions and networking.
Bournemouth International Centre is managed by registered charity BH Live in partnership with BCP Council.
On behalf of BH Live, Steve Turner, Associate Director of Venues said,
“Events hosted at Bournemouth International Centre generate millions of pounds for the local economy and supports hundreds of local businesses and jobs.
“It is vital we remain competitive to meet the demands of our conference, exhibition and business event clients which this year include the Liberal Democrats for their annual autumn conference, associations, and UNISON for several trade union events.
“This investment provides a much-needed upgrade for an improved delegate and visitor experience.”
Councillor Andy Martin, Portfolio Holder for Customer, Communications and Culture at BCP Council added,
“As one of the South Coast’s leading conference, exhibition, and entertainment venues, the Bournemouth International Centre is a huge asset to our area.
“This investment in its facilities, in line with other modern venues across the country, ensures that we will continue to attract top events to the venue, driving regeneration to Bournemouth town and helping create a place we are all proud of.
“Arts and culture are a powerful force for good in community health and wellbeing, and in revitalisation and regeneration. We are committed to putting it at the heart of what we want to achieve, and to improving access to leisure and culture for all our residents.”
Dedicated to being net carbon zero by 2035 and investing to save for the future, the BIC has recently been awarded the prestigious Green Mark accreditation. This acknowledges the venue’s commitment to reducing energy consumption and working on green initiatives and savings.
The resort itself also offers a host of sustainable and green activities for organisers to work into their conference programme. Corporate social responsibility (CSR) activities include beach cleaning, engaging with environmental education programmes, supporting the Leave Only Footprints initiative which launched in 2017, hiring Beryl Bikes to travel around the conurbation, collecting for local food banks, and supporting the venue’s recycling partners to reduce, reuse, repurpose or recycle event waste.
To minimise impact the investment is being phased around events.
Find out more about conferences and business events at bic.co.uk
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Notes to editors
About Bournemouth International Centre
Bournemouth International Centre is operated by BH Live in partnership with BCP Council. With flexible spaces and licensed capacity for 10,000 delegates, it is the south coast’s largest and most versatile event venue. The venue attracts major players in the public and private sector, bringing millions of pounds into the local economy through employment and business tourism.
For more visit bic.co.uk
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Twitter @BHLIVE_UK & @bhlivetickets
Facebook: @BournemouthInternationalCentre
About Bournemouth Pavilion – sister venue
Bournemouth Pavilion is operated by BH Live in partnership with BCP Council.
This Grade II listed venue opened in March 1929. It has a 1,500-seat theatre and full-sized ballroom. The venue hosts musicals, opera, ballet, pantomime, comedy, gala dinners, banquets, receptions, fairs, dances and fashion shows throughout the year.
Its facilities complement events at Bournemouth International Centre and for corporate presentations, product launches, and smaller conferences and exhibitions.
Bournemouth Pavilion is also home to Pavilion Dance South West and the Pavilion at AUB rehearsal and teaching space for the Arts University Bournemouth.
For more visit bournemouthpavilion.co.uk.
Get social with us: Twitter @BHLIVE_UK and @bhlivetickets
About BH Live
BH Live is a leading operator of leisure and event venues; a registered charity and social enterprise that designs and builds engaging experiences to inspire people and enrich lives. For more visit bhlive.org.uk.
Get social with us: LinkedIn, Twitter @BHLIVE_UK and Facebook @SocialEnterpriseBHLive
For more information about BH Live please contact:
E: press.office@bhlive.org.uk
T: (01202) 055562