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 The Bournemouth International Centre (BIC) and Pavilion have been shortlisted for the finals of the 2008 South West’s Tourism Excellence Awards in the Business Tourism category. The winners will be announced by celebrity Dr Phil Hammond – alongside a representative from the awards’ sponsor, Agency Space – at a gala evening on 24 November at the Cadbury House Hotel, Health Club & Spa in Somerset.
In order to enter the awards, businesses had to complete and submit an application along with supporting evidence. Questions ranged from customer care to investment in staff training and development, and from accessibility to innovative marketing. The finalists are also required to undergo an interview process and site visit with the judges.
Five entrants made it through to the finals this year, from a total of 200 entries in 15 categories. The South West gold winners will go on to represent the region at the national Enjoy England Awards for Excellence in 2009.
 ‘To be shortlisted and in the finals for this award is great recognition of our contribution to business tourism,’ says Peter Gunn, managing director of the BIC and Pavilion. ‘It’s an area that can often be underestimated or overlooked, but the figures speak from themselves: the BIC and Pavilion directly contributed £73million into the local economy in the last financial year, and many millions more indirectly by bringing business to Bournemouth. To win will be the icing on the cake of what has been a very successful year!’
Councillor Beverley Dunlop, cabinet member for economy and tourism, adds: ‘It’s fantastic to see the BIC and Pavilion making the finals of yet another award and being recognised as a key business centre in the south west. They bring significant business to Bournemouth every year and are a big contributor to our vital visitor economy; they put the town on the map as the place to do business.’
Earlier this year the BIC was shortlisted for the International Association of Congress Centres Apex Award for the World’s Best Congress Centre, and was the only UK resort venue to make the finals of this international award. The BIC has won several industry ‘Oscars’, having been voted Number One Town Convention Centre in a national poll by Conference and Incentive Travel magazine last year. In 2007 the centre was also awarded the Outstanding Contribution to Tourism Award at the Bournemouth Tourism Awards.
Contact
Telephone: +44 (0)1202 456400
Email: conference.bic@bournemouth.gov.uk
Website: www.bic.co.uk
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