The British Association of Conference Destinations (BACD) Affiliate Programme has been given a boost with the recruitment of its 100^th member - The Wellcome Trust Conference Centre in Cambridge.

BACD’s Affiliate Programme was established two years ago. The programme is open to individuals and organisations associated with the conference and business tourism industry and provides access to valuable market research data, resources and marketing support. Members include venues, consultants, universities running business tourism courses and suppliers to the conference industry.

Nicky Clarkson, business development co-ordinator, The Wellcome Trust Conference Centre, said: "We've joined the BACD Affiliate Programme as the result of a strategic marketing decision. The Wellcome Trust Conference Centre has historically been utilised purely by scientific and academic organisations.

However, the Conference Centre has now been opened to a much wider audience and we hope, by linking with BACD, to heighten our exposure within the conference and meetings market and to benefit from BACD's comprehensive industry knowledge and experience."

Simon Forrester, BACD operations manager, said: “The Affiliate Programme is designed to provide additional information and resources to companies involved in business tourism. 

“We have tried to ensure the affiliate pack gives up-to-date and valuable data, and the growth of the programme is testament to the success of that goal.

“While the Affiliate programme is not a membership of BACD, it does allow organisations to access some of the services we offer to member destinations, such as our presence at trade shows.”