Bournemouth International Centre (BIC) and the Pavilion

BIC Voted Best Evening Experience at Bournemouth Tourism Awards

The Bournemouth International Centre (BIC) won Best Evening Experience of the Year at the Bournemouth Tourism Awards last night, held at the Carrington House Hotel. A competitive category every year, the BIC won the title after beating of opposition from four other short listed candidates including Aruba, 1812, the Urban Beach Hotel and Funnybone. The BIC and Pavilion Theatre also received a Highly Commended in the Outstanding Customer Service of the Year category.

On average 350,000-400,000 walk through the BIC doors ready to be entertained, every year. Steve Turner, Entertainment Programming Manager at the BIC, who collected the award on the night said: “We work hard to provide a diverse and exciting entertainment offering that appeals to both local residents and visitors to our seaside resort. We know every person who walks through our doors is looking for an experience that they can be wowed by; that’s why we work so hard to make sure that everything from the performance through to our customer service is heads and shoulder above our competitors.”

With tours like X Factor and Disney’s High School Musical, comedy names like Ricky Gervais and Michael McIntyre, pop sensation Lily Allen and music legend Tom Jones, 2009 has been a great year for the BIC. It’s not over yet either as December will see a variety of popular acts from Madness to Will Young take to the stage.

And 2010 is looking to be just as exciting, with a line-up of big names including the hugely popular touring version of the TV show Strictly Come Dancing coming in July 2010, boy band JLS and heartthrob Peter Andre, American pop sensation Kelly Clarkson and Welsh superstar Katherine Jenkins, as well as sporting events like Premier League Darts and TNA Wrestling.

Gail Collins, Event Sales and Marketing Manager added: “This award is the icing on the cake this year after celebrating the BIC’s 25th birthday. Our entertainment offering is always incredibly strong and it’s great that we have been recognised in this way; we offer people a chance to see the big names, acts and performers in the entertainment world in an intimate environment.”

The BIC and Pavilion Theatre have launched a VIP membership scheme offering great savings, priority booking on many popular events and discounts at businesses in the area to cater for increased demand at the venues. Gail Collins says: “We talk to our customers and find out what they want. The VIP membership scheme is another way of making sure that our customers have the best experience, from the booking stage through to walking out of our doors after an event they have looked forward to for months. We strive to make ‘forever memories’ for our customers.”