Lib Dems make it a Double Booking at the BIC

The Bournemouth International Centre (BIC) has made a 'double booking', with the announcement that the Liberal Democrat party conference is returning to Bournemouth in 2008 and 2009, ensuring that Bournemouth is host to a major party conference for four consecutive years.

Attracting some 6,000 people, it will be the Party's first experience of the redeveloped and expanded BIC, and, like the Conservative Party in 2006 and the Labour Party in 2007, will be taking over the entire building for the September event.

The booking has been made following a series of detailed planning meetings and site visits which have been taking place since last autumn. The flexibility of the facilities offered by the BIC and Pavilion to host the main conference itself was not the only reason the Party chose Bournemouth, explains Duncan Brack, Chair of the Federal Conference Committee for the Liberal Democrats.

"Lib Dem conference delegates regularly tell us that Bournemouth is one of their favourite destinations and we're always made to feel extremely welcome by the team at the BIC. We're therefore delighted to be returning to the town in 2008 and 2009 for what will be our key party conferences in the run up to the next general election," he said.

Cllr Michael Filer, Bournemouth's Cabinet Member with the Portfolio for Economy and Tourism added:

"This is wonderful news and a tremendous boost for our tourism and conference business. It means that the BIC and Bournemouth will have hosted 4 consecutive years of party conferences with the Conservatives in 2006, Labour this year and the Liberal Democrats now confirmed for 2008 and 2009. This is a real coup for our top conference team, as securing conferences of this nature is no easy business".

Acclaimed by conference and event industry professionals as one of the UK's number one destinations, Bournemouth's attraction for organisers is a subtle balance of having a flexible, suitable venue together with a high quality environment. Peter Gunn, managing director BIC / Pavilion explained:

"The LibDems choice is especially welcome as it helps to ensure that Bournemouth remains firmly in the frame as the professionals' favourite, delivering an all round high quality business and leisure experience that cannot be found anywhere else in the UK."

Bournemouth's location, transport links, selection of hotels within walking distance of the BIC and facilities for partners of delegates were reviewed by the Liberal Democrat Party conference organisers during the meetings and site visits. The Bournemouth International Conference Bureau (BICB) also played a major role in helping to secure the conference booking, by providing tours and information on ancillary services and meeting facilities that are demanded by larger conferences. And the conference's demand for the hotel bookings will be fulfilled by Bournemouth's Delegate Reservations Service.