Over 1,500 Rotarians from across Great Britain and Ireland are gathering at Bournemouth International Centre, 1-3 April 2016, to enjoy a weekend of inspiring speaker presentations, friendly discussion and exciting entertainment, with plenty of social activities going on in and around the venue.
“Our national conference is a major event in the Rotary calendar,”
says Peter Davey, Rotary International in Great Britain & Ireland President for 2015/16.
“With so many people doing wonderful activities to support communities at home and overseas, it’s vital that we are able to all get together and share our success stories and plan future life-changing projects. Bournemouth is a wonderful location for our event and I’m sure the bracing sea air will energise Rotarians for the year ahead.
“I’d like to invite people new to our organisation to take up the challenge and get involved with their local Rotary club. We’d be delighted if they also find the time to come along to the conference and meet us.”
“Rotary is hugely influential in improving the health and wellbeing of communities across the world and we’re delighted to be hosting their flagship event for the British Isles,”
says Sarah Stainer, Conference and Exhibitions Manager at Bournemouth International Centre.
“Their event will contribute more than £2 million to the local economy, and in return, we’ll be making sure they experience the best of our venue and Bournemouth’s thriving arts, culture and entertainment scene.”
Rotary International in Great Britain & Ireland’s 91st annual conference programme has plenty to inspire, educate, motivate and entertain, including celebrity speakers such as Paralympian and Team GB Wheelchair Rugby captain Steve Brown, broadcaster John Humphrys, actress Jenny Agutter, former England cricketer Geoff Miller and ex-Communards pianist, the Rev. Richard Coles.
For the first time at conference delegates can opt to attend more leisurely sessions running parallel to the Saturday afternoon Business Session, covering a wide range of subjects from poetry and dance to antiques, mouth and foot painting and classic TV comedy clips. There’s also an exhibition featuring over 80 exhibitors, including partner charities and Rotary committees, with the annual 18-30s Rotaract conference running alongside the main plenary sessions.
WHO envoy for Polio Eradication Sir Liam Donaldson, will also speak about the Global Polio Eradication Initiative and Rotary’s part in it. In 1979, Rotary clubs decided that the world had seen enough of the incurable, disabling polio virus that was then paralysing around 350,000 children a year in more than 120 countries. Since making this remarkable pledge to achieve polio eradication, Rotary clubs have so far donated over US$ 1.4 billion (2014), protecting 2.5 billion children across the world from the risk of growing up with irreversible paralysis and earning them a Nobel Peace Prize nomination. Polio has been wiped out in all but two countries of the world, and the commitment of Rotary clubs and members across the world is unrelenting.
Rotary clubs are frequently active closer to home in their own local areas, meeting the needs of their communities through various activities and partnerships. Events include partnering with the Stroke Association to provide free blood pressure checks, and the Rotary Ride, a series of cycling events taking place across Great Britain and Ireland every June to raise money and awareness for prostate cancer.
The Rotary Conference is also famous among members for its diverse and exciting social events. This year’s lively entertainment schedule has all functions conveniently held inside Bournemouth International Centre, including a big band concert, foundation lunch, gala dinner and cabaret, and a nostalgic, music-through-the-decades dance night.
“We won’t have to venture too far to have a good time,”
says Rotary International in Great Britain & Ireland Conference and Events Manager, Louise Smith.
“And with BH Live’s award-winning hospitality in charge of the catering, I think we can look forward to interesting menus and some excellent food and drink choices from Dorset’s larder.”
Delegates who haven’t already registered online can join the conference for just £40 per day. Conference opens at 2pm Friday 1 April 2016. Friday night’s Big Band Concert at 8.30pm is free to delegates and open to the public for £15 a head.
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For more information, please contact:
Elizabeth Symmons, BH Live PR & Corporate Communications Executive
E: elizabeth.symmons@bhlive.org.uk
Notes to Editors:
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 and has a licensed capacity for 10,000 delegates. 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 more visit bic.co.uk
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-sized 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 nearly three million visits a year and £35 million turnover, the organisation is changing lives – and is at the heart of the UK’s growing social economy.
In 2014/15, BH Live hosted 400 shows, sold over half a million cultural, sporting and entertainment tickets, clocked up 2.2 million leisure centre visits and welcomed 93,000 conference and exhibition delegates which contributed an estimated £37 million to the local economy.