Bournemouth International Centre (BIC) and the Pavilion

Vascular Society Returns to BIC

The Vascular Society of Great Britain and Ireland is holding their Annual Conference at the Bournemouth International Centre (BIC) from Wednesday 12th November until Friday 14th November. Approximately 600 delegates are expected to flock to the three day event. The last time the event was held at the BIC was in 2005.

Meetings, including an educational course, and practical sessions, will take place on Tuesday 11th November but the event officially opens for delegates on Wednesday 12th November, with an exhibition in the Purbeck Hall, which will remain open until Friday 14th November. Over 50 exhibitors will be displaying their products and services, including international companies such as W L Gore, Vascutek and Maquet. There will be a Civic Reception on Wednesday evening in the Purbeck Hall, hosted by Bournemouth’s Mayor, Cllr Stephen Chappell.

The main conference sessions will take place in the Tregonwell Hall, including Scientific sessions, a Venous Forum and Hot Topic. There will also be seminars on The world in which we live and Optimising the peri-operative care of patients. Other conference sessions including workshops and master classes will take place in break out areas across the venue. The Society’s Annual Dinner will also be held at the BIC on Thursday 13th November. Friday 14th November will see the New President inaugurated.

The Annual Conference will see meetings of the Society of Vascular Nurses, the Society for Vascular Technology, the Rouleaux Club and the Joint Vascular Research Group. With an expected 600 delegates, the three day conference is estimated to inject just over £500,000 into Bournemouth’s economy through business tourism expenditure. Recent statistics value Bournemouth’s business tourism at £127.6m, of which the BIC and Pavilion contribute £73m annually through the conferences and exhibitions staged at the venue. The remaining £54.6m is a result of conferences, events and meetings at other venues in Bournemouth, often facilitated by the Bournemouth International Conference Bureau (BICB).

Jeanette Robey, Chief Executive of the Vascular Society said: “It’s great to be back at the award winning BIC. We have a great relationship with the team at the BIC which makes it a pleasure to return again and our delegates always enjoy the ‘Bournemouth’ experience.”

The Vascular Society represents vascular surgeons, radiologists, angiologists and others involved in independent vascular practice. The objectives of the Society are to relieve sickness and to preserve and protect health by advancing the science and art of vascular surgery.

Clive Tyers, Head of Conferences, Exhibitions and Events at the BIC and Pavilion added: “We’ve had a busy conference and exhibition season since it started back up again in September and it’s nice to see familiar faces back with us. We will see the Anglo European College of Chiropractic’s graduation ceremony at the Pavilion later this week and the new event Happiness and Angel Orbs Conference at the BIC the following week.”

The BICB acted as the accommodation agency for the event, assisting in booking hotels for the expected 600 delegates.