- Fri 18 Jul 2008 – BIC is the Only English Resort Venue to Make Finals of the World’s Best Congress Centre Award – Up against international city venues, the Bournemouth International Centre (BIC) was the only English resort venue to make the finals of the 2008 International Association of Congress Centre’s (AIPC) Apex Award for World’s Best Congress Centre.
- Tue 08 Jul 2008 – Bournemouth Hotels Voted Best Value in the World – Bournemouth hotels have been voted the best value hotels in the world, by a survey of guests who use website hotel.info.
- Thu 03 Jul 2008 – Come and Tour Behind the Scenes the BIC and Pavilion – The Bournemouth International Centre and Pavilion Theatre and Ballroom are going to be open to the public, for behind the scenes tours, every Friday from July to September this year.
- Wed 25 Jun 2008 – Busy Times Ahead for the BIC – The Bournemouth International Centre (BIC) has a busy couple of weeks ahead what with hosting the Consumer Affairs and Trading Standards (TSI) Conference and Exhibition and welcoming back the Local Government Association (LGA) for the ninth time!
- Tue 17 Jun 2008 – BIC has Just the Ticket! – The Bournemouth International Centre (BIC) has launched an innovative parking scheme that offers visitors a guaranteed parking space in the BIC multi-storey car park, as its website sees major growth in ticket sales!
- Thu 05 Jun 2008 – New Marketing Face at the BIC and Pavilion – There is a new face in the Bournemouth International Centre (BIC) and Pavilion Theatre’s Conferences and Exhibitions team.
- Fri 18 Apr 2008 – Ideal Home Exhibition Touches Down in Bournemouth – Bournemouth will be all action from Thursday 28th until Sunday 31st August as the popular Ideal Home Exhibition lands at the Bournemouth International Centre, on the same weekend as the new Bournemouth Airshow.
- Thu 21 Feb 2008 – BIC Bride of the Year – Hundreds of brides-to-be recently attended the successful Wedding Show at the BIC which saw Rachel Bunce from Salisbury scoop the Bride of the Year title
BIC has "Six Appeal" for First Timers
The Bournemouth International Centre (BIC) has a "first in six appeal" as six major events have opted to bring their business to the BIC and Bournemouth for the first time.
The latest series of business wins have been confirmed following the BIC's attendance at last month's international industry show, CONFEX at London's Earls Court, which attracted a record number of 8,000-plus conference and event professionals.
First time visitors to Bournemouth will include an international barbershop singing event in 2010 organised by the Ladies Association of British Barbershop Singers, attracting visitors from around the world. And thousands of delegates and visitors will also be attending events in Bournemouth for the first time this year, with the confirmation of bookings for the University and College Union, new union Amicus (June) and the Fabulous at Fifty Exhibition in September.
The "first time" bookings list also includes events for medical professionals with the British Association for Surgery to the Knee in 2008 and the British Geriatrics Society conference and exhibition in 2009.
Balancing the range, size and variety of events is key to the future growth and success of business at the BIC and securing bookings for events looking at Bournemouth for the first time is one of the most challenging aspects for the BIC, says Clive Tyers, head of conference, exhibitions and events.
"We have to ensure that we keep the variety and business momentum by bringing in first time events but this is often more challenging as clients have to be convinced that the BIC really will deliver what we promise. Our new business programme is ongoing but to secure six first time clients in such a short space of time is very good news indeed and we�re working on securing more of the same as well as more repeat bookings," he explains.
As well as conferences and exhibitions, the expansion of the BIC's facilities means that it is now the largest capacity venue in the south, attracting national and international concerts and tours which are proving attractive for local residents as well as an additional attraction for organisers, adds Mr Tyers.
"The size and scale of the BIC now means that we�re a regular on the lists of major events, bringing leading attractions such as Westlife, Holsten Premier League Darts, Harlem Globetrotters, Girls Aloud and G4. There are also hospitality packages to wine and dine during and pre the show which are proving a big hit for event organisers looking for that extra special way to reward or entertain valuable clients," he says.