This year’s Association for Cultural Enterprises (ACE) Convention & Trade Show comes to Bournemouth for the first time. The show opens on Tuesday 3 March 2015, the day after it was officially awarded £359,985 of funding as part of the latest round of awards made by Arts Council England’s museum resilience fund.
The success of arts, culture and heritage sites is all about creating a unique and memorable visitor experience. It’s a competitive market that relies on constant innovation, creativity and enterprise to keep destinations fresh and original with themed events and tours, branded gifts and classy coffee shops and restaurants.Cultural destinations have a major impact on local and national economies, of which, according to Arts Council England, £1.45 billion is generated by more than 2,700 museum sites throughout England. And research also shows that as much as 17% of a destination’s total revenue is generated from its retail activities.
To help these enterprises innovate, grow and prosper, the Association for Cultural Enterprises (ACE) works to create a platform and network for the sharing of ideas across the sector. ACE is the UK’s only organisation for professionals in the field of cultural and heritage commerce. A registered charity run by and for cultural and heritage trading professionals, ACE helps museums, galleries and cultural heritage organisations across the UK to maximise their commercial potential, by sharing best practices and building links with other bodies in the sector.Every year, the members get together at the annual ACE Convention & Trade Show to discuss and debate the latest challenges and opportunities in the industry, and seek out new products to boost income and visitor appeal.
“We’re delighted to be welcoming ACE to Bournemouth International Centre (BIC) on 3-4 March 2015,” says Pat Coyne, BH Live Director of Venues. “This is one of the first major conferences and exhibitions to be brought to Bournemouth by the town’s new venue finding and delegate reservations service, Business Events Bournemouth and, with around 300 delegates expected (16% up on last year’s convention), the event will bring an estimated £200,000 into the local economy.”
There’s an exciting programme of speaker sessions, topical keynotes, and their biggest trade show so far, with over 80 stands. The main events for the convention will be held at Bournemouth International Centre, with the conference in the Tregonwell Hall and trade exhibition in the Purbeck Hall.
There will also be informal meetings in the venue, along with get togethers and social events, including a reception, awards ceremony and gala dinner, and hotel accommodation in nearby venues, all within 5-10 minutes walking distance of the convention.
“Bournemouth is a great location for this year’s ACE Convention” says Jill Fenwick, Managing Director of Cultural Enterprises (Trading) Ltd. “Bournemouth International Centre has the stunning backdrop of the Dorset coastline and cliffs, and the transport links by road, rail and air could not be more convenient, making the event a must-do destination for anyone working in the heritage sector.”
The seminar programme features many big names in the industry, including New Tate Modern, RNLI, Historic England Publishing and the Mary Rose Museum — and closes with a magical presentation from Rosemary Dunn, Director of Brand and Image at the Disney Store EMEA and Visual Merchandiser, Diane Powell.
The full programme and list of exhibitors can be viewed at: www.acenterprises.org.uk
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Notes to the editor
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 over 2.5 million visits a year and over £31 million turnover, the organisation is changing lives – placing it at the heart of the UK’s growing social economy. In 2013/14, BH Live hosted 423 shows, sold over half a million cultural, sporting and entertainment tickets, clocked up 1.8 million leisure centre visits and welcomed 88,000 conference and exhibition delegates which contributed over £45 million to the local economy.
About Bournemouth International Centre (BIC)
Bournemouth International Centre is managed and operated by BH Live in partnership with Bournemouth Borough Council. Hosting over 45 conferences and exhibitions a year and with licensed capacity for 10,000 delegates, it is the South Coast’s largest and most versatile event venue. The centre 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 further press information:
Elizabeth Symmons
PR & Corporate Communications Executive, BH Live
Elizabeth.Symmons@bhlive.co.uk
01202 451866