Since its launch in November 2014, Business Events Bournemouth, the region’s conference destination marketing, venue finding and delegate booking hub, has been leveraging the town’s growing status as a major business destination to encourage more organisations to host meetings and events in Bournemouth’s purpose-built venues and hotels.
Free to anyone planning, running and attending major events, the service has been praised by organisers for providing a single point of contact and source of expertise in building unique and engaging delegate programmes. By taking the legwork out of planning a successful event, the team’s expert know-how and established links with venues, hotels, retailers, transport and other service providers ensure the best organiser and delegate experience.
Business Events Bournemouth is the appointed accommodation agent for a number of major conferences and exhibitions coming to Bournemouth, including UK Serials Group (UKSG), Local Government Association (LGA), Green Party, Liberal Democrats, GMB, Solace, Ladies Association of Barbershop Singers and Vascular Society.
It is also helping event organisers to take full advantage of Bournemouth’s coastal vibe and attractions, to create a more engaging event and a unique delegate experience.
Business Events Bournemouth worked, for example, with the Association of Cultural Enterprises (ACE), the UK’s only organisation for professionals in the field of cultural and heritage commerce, to source venues and accommodation to fit its profile as a major force in helping the UK’s museums, galleries and cultural heritage organisations to boost income and visitor appeal. In March, the ACE Convention and Trade Show arrived in Bournemouth for the first time, offering a rich and engaging business, cultural and social experience for around 300 delegates.
“The Russell-Cotes Art Gallery and Museum was ideal for the Chairman’s champagne welcome reception,”
says Pat Coyne, BH Live Director of Venues and spokesperson for the Business Events Bournemouth partnership.
“It echoed the romantic, intimate settings of many of the cultural and heritage destinations run by ACE delegates and provided a warm and friendly start to the proceedings.”
Business Events Bournemouth also helped ACE plan and configure other venues and spaces for a variety of get togethers and social events, including an awards ceremony and gala dinner, and hotel accommodation in nearby venues, all within 5-10 minutes walking distance of the convention. The event audience was up 16 per cent on the previous year and brought an estimated £200,000 into the local economy.
In June, the Royal College of Nursing hosts its Annual Congress at Bournemouth International Centre, bringing close to 4,000 visitors to the town and around £5.6 million into the local economy through business tourism.
Business Events Bournemouth is working with the organisers to add something extra and very relevant for delegates, with a great start and end to a busy day in congress. By incorporating physical activity into their four-day programme, including wake-up and wind-down seafront walks, sunrise yoga, body flow balance, stretch and core exercises, attendees can unwind, refresh and invigorate before, during and after conference sessions.
“Organisers are looking for added value through extra special experiences to get the most out of the event destination,”
says Pat Coyne.
“By looking beyond the traditional footprint of venue finding and harnessing activities unique to the region, we are adding an extra spark to each event which, in turn, boosts Bournemouth’s reputation as a major event destination.”
Finally, in September, Bournemouth adds The Green Party to its party conference clients. The Autumn conference, which takes place for the first time at Bournemouth International Centre, 25-28 September 2015, and just a week after the Liberal Democrat Party Conference, is expected to generate at least 4,500 nights in local accommodation and £1.5 million in direct economic benefit. Delegates will be able to book accommodation online, choosing from a variety of rooms reserved for the Green Party’s exclusive use and all within walking distance of the venue.
“We are delighted that the Green Party has chosen to come to Bournemouth this time,”
says Pat Coyne.
“We’re looking forward to giving their members the warm, inspiring, feel-good delegate experience for which Bournemouth is famous.”
To find out more call 01202 456545 or visit BusinessEventsBournemouth.org.uk
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Notes to the editor
About Business Events Bournemouth
Business Events Bournemouth is the official conference destination marketing, venue finding and delegate booking hub for businesses and groups organising conferences, exhibitions, seminars, workshops and meetings.
BH Live, Bournemouth Borough Council, and the Bournemouth Coastal Business Improvement District (BID), supported by BAHA, work in partnership to promote Bournemouth as a business event destination and provide a single point of contact for venue finding and delegate reservations.
Twitter @B2BBournemouth
For more information about Business Events Bournemouth, please contact:
Elizabeth Symmons, PR & Corporate Communications Executive
E: elizabeth.symmons@bhlive.co.uk
T: (01202) 451866