Bournemouth International Centre (BIC) was proud to recently host the Institute of Health Visiting’s (iHV) Evidence-based Practice Conference 2026, bringing together hundreds of delegates from across the UK for a day of learning, collaboration and inspiration.

Held under the theme “From Evidence to Action: Getting it right from the start”, the conference attracted a full auditorium, with attendees travelling from across the UK and overseas. A wider audience also joined the event online, further extending its reach.

The venue’s conferences, exhibitions, and operations team created a vibrant and engaging atmosphere throughout the venue, with delegates participating in iHV’s comprehensive programme that highlighted the latest research, innovations and best practice in health visiting.

More than 80 speakers and presenters contributed to the day, delivering a dynamic mix of keynote sessions, panel discussions and interactive Q&As. Other attendees at the event included sector leaders, frontline practitioners, researchers and iHV Fellows, who contributed to discussions on improving outcomes for babies, children and families.

Delegates benefited from expert talks, panels, and workshops covering key public health priorities, including safeguarding, health equity, perinatal mental health, infant feeding and support for children with SEND. Additional breakout sessions and poster presentations provided a platform for practitioners and researchers to showcase their work and share best practices.

The event also enabled valuable networking opportunities, with attendees connecting with peers, partners and exhibitors throughout the day in the BIC’s flexible event spaces. Feedback from attendees highlighted not only the quality of the programme, but also the seamless delivery of the event:

“I found it to be very inspiring and interesting. I also loved how organised, succinct and smooth it all was.”

“The conference was a well-oiled machine – everything worked, everyone knew what they were doing and it all was slick.”

The success of the conference reflects the BIC’s capability to host large-scale, multi-stream events that combine in-person and hybrid elements.

Bournemouth International Centre is operated by registered charity and social enterprise BH Live in partnership with BCP Council.

On behalf of BH Live, Sarah Stainer, Conference and Exhibitions Manager, shared;

“It was a pleasure to host the iHV Evidence-based Practice Conference at Bournemouth International Centre. The energy across the venue was incredible, with so many professionals coming together to collaborate, learn and exchange ideas. Events like this highlight our teams’ ability to deliver impactful events while creating a welcoming and engaging experience for delegates.”

As a key driver of business tourism, Bournemouth International Centre plays an important role in attracting visitors to the region for conferences and exhibitions. This delivers significant economic benefit through increased footfall and local spending.

Events of this scale showcase the area as a destination of choice for business events while also supporting local employment, sustaining jobs across hospitality, retail, and the wider visitor economy.

Upcoming conferences, exhibitions, and events include Bournemouth Creed Comic Con, Royal Statistical Society, European Conference on Visual Perception, Festival of Humanism, LGA (Local Government Association) 2026, and many more.

The venue also welcomes a diverse programme of live entertainment and events, including gigs, concerts, stand-up shows, screenings, exhibitions, and more. Upcoming events include Zuffa Boxing 07, Future Cheer competitions, the South Coast Darts Showdown, plus performances from UB40, Westlife, Miriam Margolyes, and much more.

For more information about conferences, exhibitions, and events at the BIC, visit bic.co.uk/conference.

More information about the BIC, including What’s On, is available online at bic.co.uk.