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Forty years after the grand opening, the Bournemouth International Centre (BIC) is thriving.
With the millions of pounds of transformation completed, the South Coast’s biggest conferences, exhibitions and entertainment venues are ready for a new era of world-class new events.
When the Bournemouth International Centre opened its doors in September 1984, it was welcomed as a game changer. Local leaders envisioned a venue that transforms sleepy season beach towns into a year-round destination filled with vibrant events, exhibitions and entertainment. mission? Bold and clear: Weave conferences, exhibitions and entertainment activities in Bournemouth fabrics.
Fast forward to 40 years ago, BIC has won its promise, welcoming more than 300,000 visitors each year, hosting everything from party and medical conferences to comic cons and concerts by global superstars.
Destinations with heritage and vision
Bournemouth’s transformation from a Victorian resort to a dynamic business tourism hub is inseparable from the BIC story. The venue, which costs £18 million to build, was a strategic investment in the town’s future. Today, Bournemouth is Dorset’s largest town, home to over 190,000 residents and visits over 5 million visitors per year to its beaches, culture and nightlife*.
At the heart of this appeal is a venue synonymous with BIC: famous events and economic impact. With its flexible and authorized capabilities of up to 10,000 representatives against the Jurassic Coast and its panoramic views, it is an outstanding choice in the UK conference and exposition maps.
From famous to big numbers
The conferences and exhibitions form the basis of the venue’s annual program. We bring together a wide range of clients, ranging from public sector associations and professional associations to national businesses and home brands. The events held here bring millions of pounds to the local economy and support thousands of jobs across Bournemouth’s hospitality, retail and services sectors.
But BIC is neither a glamor, charm nor a stranger. Over the years, the stage has hosted Tom Jones, Dolly Parton, Bob Dylan, One Direction, Barry Manillow and others. The 2025 Entertainment Calendar is already star-studded with stars, featuring Chase & Status, Sean Paul, Gary Barlow, Scissor Sisters, Ricky Gerve and Craig David.
New spaces, new standards
Since 2010, the venue has been run by BH Live (Social Enterprises and Registered Charities) in a partnership with the BCP Council. The venue has only undergone considerable millions of pounds renovations, solidifying its future as a world-class venue.
The recent improvements completed in 2024 include a wide range of infrastructure and technology upgrades. New digital signage, cutting-edge AV kits and energy-efficient lighting will bring a modern, sustainable edge to venue offers.
The meeting hub and business lounge have been completely renovated with stylish, flexible layouts and enhanced connectivity for workshops, media centres and breakouts. The Bone Lounge on the ground floor has been transformed into a seaside event space with capacity of 200 guests.
Elsewhere, two of the venue’s notable event spaces have been remodeled with floor-to-ceiling windows, a sophisticated new bar area and upgraded facilities. The entrance to Purbeck Hall is home to a live roof and a dramatically improved foyer complete with new glazing, signs and bathrooms.
Enhance your experience
Without a food draw card, the modern venue is not complete, and BIC will be streaming on Elevate Brasserie & Bar. Opened in July 2023, this stylish and sustainably designed restaurant serves indoor and outdoor dining and features small plates, pizza and a menu that shares platters that caters to casual and corporate crowds.
Looking ahead
The recent transformation of BIC is more than cosmetics. This reflects the long-term vision of positioning Bournemouth as a destination for large events and conferences on the UK circuit. With investments in technology, comfort, experience and team knowledgeable expertise, the venue is more equipped than ever to meet the demands of modern event organizers and inspire new audiences along the way.
For event experts whose capabilities, versatility, coastal appeal, and the team has invested in sustainable success, the Bournemouth International Centre offers an attractive proposition.
For more information, please see bic.co.uk
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