The British Association of Conference Destinations (BACD) will be presenting a seminar on ‘Destination Solutions’ at this year’s National Venue Show which is being held at the NEC, Birmingham from 14-16th September 2004.

The seminar will be presented by the new BACD chair, George Brookes, and Tony Rogers, executive director of the Association. George Brookes is the principal tourism development officer for Conwy County Borough Council and was appointed BACD chair last month.

BACD is also co-ordinating a BACD Pavilion at the exhibition which will showcase many of the members of the Association. Buyers responsible for organising meetings, conferences and events will be able to meet BACD’s destination members which represent many of the leading conference venues throughout the UK.

The ‘Destination Solutions’ seminar will focus on providing a practical approach to working effectively with destination marketing organisations to ensure the success of any conference or event. The date and time of the seminar are yet to be confirmed by the show organiser, Waypoint Exhibitions.

Said Tony Rogers, BACD executive director: “We will be examining the role of conference bureaux and how best to make use of their services in finding suitable venues for conferences and events. In particular, we will be looking at how to obtain a full picture on the venue options for a particular destination; where to turn for advice on social programme activities, or pre- and post-conference tours; how to seek assistance in booking delegate accommodation, or arranging local transport services; and how to source financial assistance from the chosen destination.”

Some 50 BACD members will be exhibiting at the National Venue Show, each representing a different area of the UK.

Each member is the official voice of the destination in their area and members exhibiting cover many regions of the UK from Bath Tourism in the South West and Jersey in the Channel Islands to Blackpool Conference Bureau in the North West, Tees Valley Tourism Bureau in the North East, Marketing Birmingham in the Midlands and the Belfast Visitor and Convention Bureau in Northern Ireland.