Conferencing by the Sea
Our Conference English Riviera team have been planning ahead, with conference bookings for 2018 coming in already.
The popular destination has tempted the huge Rotary conference back to the Bay after years of frequenting larger cities like Birmingham and Belfast. Louise Smith, Conference & Events Manager said:
“Rotary International Great Britain & Ireland are so excited to be back in Torquay for 2018 to hold their 93rd annual conference at the Riviera International Conference Centre (RICC) from 6th – 8th April 2018.
RIBI held their 5th annual conference in Torquay at The Pavilion in 1924 complete with chars-a’-banc tours!”
With so much history in the English Riviera, it’s easy to see why the Rotary have decided to return. There’s also plenty of new developments, like the £14million refurbishment of Torre Abbey and the newly renovated Abbey Sands complex, both a few minutes from the RICC.
Louise went on to say:
“While there’ll be plenty of activities for up to 1,500 delegates from all over the UK and Ireland to enjoy, including trips to Torre Abbey and Kents Cavern, the Rotary Conference Team are riding the high tide already and are planning a fun-packed and awe-inspiring weekend.
You’ll certainly know when Rotary is on the Riviera!”
More recent bookings include a three-year commitment from the Evangelical Independent Churches starting in November 2017 for their annual leader’s conference to be held at the RICC. The National Federation of Young Farmers Clubs visit Torbay for their event every other year, using the RICC as a base and visiting many of the local attractions and bars.
The bay will also be welcoming new events in the coming year, recently confirmed is The Gin Festival, run by Gin Festival Ltd, which is earmarked to be a very notable occasion!
Recent Conferences
The British Deaf Association held their 125 year celebratory conference at the RICC in August 2016, Sue Barry commented:
The Riviera Centre was the perfect venue for our congress and exhibition - such a convenient location and the views were spectacular. I would have no hesitation in recommending your venue to anyone of my contacts or organisations.
At the end of September 700 International delegates visited Torbay for the UNESCO Global Geoparks conference. Delegates were from 120 global Geoparks, from 63 different countries and brought an estimated £1.6 million into the English Riviera, boosting the tourism industry and the resort as an international geological destination.
Attended by senior UNESCO officials, scientists, policy makers and government representatives from all over the globe, this was the first international Geopark conference under the UNESCO banner.
The conference was a huge success, from day trips to dinner and everything in between. Official events included General Assembly, Executive Board Meeting, Advisory Committee Meeting, EGN Advisory Committee, EGN Coordination Committee, APGN Advisory Meeting, APGN Coordination Committee Meeting and Geopark fair.
Some of the delegate events organised by the RICC were praised in a letter from Professor Nickolas Zouros, President of the Global Geoparks Network Executive Board:
“We are all impressed by the excellent organisation of the Conference, the outstanding opening event, the high quality events of the Gala dinner and opening and closing ceremonies”
Professor Zouros then went on to say:
“The 7th International Conference on UNESCO Global Geoparks is already recognized as the most successful ever!”
With such a successful conference under their belts, the English Riviera is in a better position than ever to offer their conferencing facilities to delegates from around the globe.
