Bournemouth

Introduction

Bournemouth was the winner of the Best UK Resort at the 2009 Group Leisure Awards; it is a jewel on England’s south coast and one of the UK’s leading conference destinations.

With its idyllic location, seven miles of award-winning beaches, acres of luscious Green Flag gardens and bustling cosmopolitan bars and restaurants, it is the perfect choice for event organisers. Be it an intimate team building day or a 4,000 plus delegate conference and exhibition, nothing is ever too big or too small.

Economic & academic specialisms

Management of the BIC & Pavilion maintain good links with Bournemouth, Southampton and Portsmouth Universities. Good relations also extend to the Anglo-European College of Chiropractic in Bournemouth, as well as Bournemouth & Poole Hospitals.

Bournemouth continues to attract new Association clients through marketing the BIC in relevant publications – for example, recent new Association business confirming their events at the BIC includes the Association of British Neurologists, World Council of Enterostomal Therapists and the British Council of Shopping Centres.

Unlike the popular adage you can’t be all things to all people, Bournemouth certainly provides a wealth of facilities to suit all budgets and requirements to the discerning business traveller.

With Day Delegate Rates ranging from £25 per delegate and 24-hour rates starting at £80 per delegate you can see why Bournemouth hotels have been voted the best value in the UK, for the second year running, by visitors using the website hotel.

Key venue

The South Coast’s largest venue, the purpose built Bournemouth International Centre (BIC), is one of the U.K’s premier conference, exhibition and entertainment venues. Its stunning location and ability to cater for up to 10,000 people with the flexibility of four distinctive halls which can be booked together for multi-hall conferences or separately for individual events, you’ll find each hall within the BIC has its own character.

The Windsor Hall is the impressive main auditorium – 2025 m2
The Solent Hall is modern and versatile – 1250 m2
The Purbeck Hall is a welcoming space with a timber domed roof – 1800 m2
The Tregonwell Hall is a more intimate space – 723 m2

With Wi-Fi throughout and 25-years technical experience of hosting international conferences and exhibitions the BIC can also offer outside broadcasting support.

Accommodation

Millions of pounds are being invested every year to make sure that the town’s facilities are top-notch. Big hotel brands like the De Vere’s Royal Bath and the Hotel du Vin in neighbouring Poole, will comfort the most luxurious of delegates, whilst there are contemporary and chic boutique hotels, like the Luminiere in desirable hotspot Sandbanks, Poole, for the more adventurous. And plenty of options for those on more of a budget including an art deco Premier Inn which feature seas views and a prime position on the town’s desirable Westover Road.

Unique venues for gala dinners and receptions

The Pavilion Theatre & Ballroom – An elegant venue with 1920’s style, providing an exquisite backdrop with sea views, the Ballroom can cater for banquets of up to 660 delegates or receptions up to 900.

AFC Bournemouth - The Dean Court Stadium, home to AFC Bournemouth offers seven main suites and 13 smaller rooms for exclusive hire for social occasions or corporate events for 2 or 400 people.

Athelhampton House & Gardens - one of England's great medieval houses and the most beautiful and historic in the south. The gardens are inspiring, dating from 1891, they are full of vistas. From a reception for 150 persons in the Conservatory to an 80 person banquet in the Long Hall.