The Liberal Democrats Autumn Conference opens in Bournemouth at 12.30pm on Saturday 19 September 2015 with a wide agenda, many new members attending for the first time and the launch of a vigorous fightback campaign.
“Party conferences mean huge numbers of people moving around the venue and the town over several days,”
says BH Live Director of Venues, Pat Coyne,
“It’s great to be welcoming the Liberal Democrats again and we’ve been working closely with the organisers to deliver the best possible experience for the 4,000 or so delegates who’ll be visiting us.”
The conference, which runs until 1pm on Wednesday, 23 September 2015, marks the beginning of the party’s journey towards the General Election in 2020 and is the first to be led by Tim Farron MP.
The Federal Executive and the Federal Policy Committee will hold key sessions in the auditorium, debating a number of interesting motions on a wide range of issues. Delegates will also be able to take part in a Q&A session with the new leader and question party committees about what they have been doing.
“Bournemouth has always been an incredibly popular annual conference destination for our party members and we’re looking forward to being back again,”
says Liberal Democrat Leader Tim Farron MP.
“We have always found the staff friendly, the town welcoming and personally I cannot think of a better place to host my first conference as leader.”
With a record number of first time attendees, there’s a full programme to help newcomers to understand how conference and the wider party works, and encourage them to play a full part in the event.
A special, two-day, corporate fringe event has been organised, focusing on issues of interest to a corporate audience, Supporting Small Business, a Green Summit, Keeping Britain in the EU, a Housing Summit and an evening Business Reception at the nearby Highcliff Marriott Hotel,
Tickets for the event are available to conference pass holders for £150 plus VAT (one day) or £250 plus VAT (two days).
The party’s International Office will also be running two, informal evening events, led by political and industry pundits on the subjects of The Battle for a Better Europe (Hermitage Hotel) and International Perspectives on Rebuilding a Liberal Party (Trouville Hotel).
Youth members are to take part in a Sunday beach clean, to be rewarded afterwards by a delicious picnic, prepared by BH Live. On Tuesday afternoon, delegates will mark the passing of their friend and colleague, the late Charles Kennedy, in a tribute highlighting his work as an MP and party leader.
For more information on registration and the conference programme, visit http://www.libdems.org.uk/autumn_conference
-Ends-
Notes to the editor
Bournemouth International Centre is managed by BH Live in partnership with Bournemouth Borough Council.
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.
For further press information:
Elizabeth Symmons
PR & Corporate Communications Executive, BH Live
Elizabeth.Symmons@bhlive.co.uk
01202 451866
Tim Hobden, Head of Press
E: tim.hobden@libdems.org.uk
T: 020 7227 1270