BSAVA celebrates 25 years at the ICC

For its 25th consecutive year, it’s revealed that it has generated a total of £364million* for the regional economy during this period.  

The British Small Animal Veterinary Association (BSAVA) was the first client to stage its Congress at the ICC when the venue first opened on 2 April, 1991 when it attracted 1,800 delegates. Today it has grown to be one of the largest association conferences staged in the UK welcoming over 8,000 delegates, exhibitors and speakers, from across the veterinary profession to Birmingham for the four day scientific programme.

It’s estimated that since the first event in 1991, BSAVA Congress has generated £364million* for the regional economy thanks to delegate expenditure in hotels, restaurants, shops, entertainment, and transport around the city. 

Catherine Newhall-Caiger, Business Development Director for the ICC said: “We are absolutely delighted to welcome the BSAVA back to the ICC and to Birmingham for its 25th congress. The fact they’ve returned year after year is testament not only to the great partnership that we have with them, but to the experience they have in our venue and city too.

“There are 6,200 hotel bedrooms and over 200 restaurants, bars and nightclubs all within  easy walking distance of the ICC, so not only is our venue an attractive proposition for conference organisers it’s an ideal choice for delegates too as everything is on the doorstep and it all contributes to giving them the best possible experience.”

Amanda Stranack, Head of Congress for BSAVA, cites the central location, flexible space and level of service as key factors in returning to the ICC and Barclaycard Arena time and time again. She says: “The ICC provides high quality conference space and an exceptional level of service and they’ve been able to accommodate our growing number of delegates each year. Coupled with its central location in Birmingham and the fantastic transport links to air, road and rail it’s always been an easy and obvious choice for us to return – in fact we’ve already booked for the next three years taking us to 2018.”

The BSAVA Congress takes place from 9th to 12th April and uses all of the ICC and 5,000sqm of the Barclaycard Arena for an exhibition featuring over 250 exhibitors.

*Source: Marketing Birmingham. Figure based on number of delegates and number of days in Birmingham from 1991 through to 2014.