We don’t have to tell you that most conference and event organisers are so immersed in the day-to-day planning and running of events that they have little time to focus on and add value to their own continued professional growth.
Well, here’s where all that can easily change.
On a daily or weekly basis – however you choose to network - you can learn from and share your expertise with almost 1000 UK conference and event managers who are just like you. You can stay current with event management trends and developments, go on a learning mission with your peers, you can feel rewarded through helping others and discover hundreds of their secrets to successful conference and event management.
On top of all this knowledge sharing and best practice development you can save your company time and money by seeking scores of good quality recommendations of the best suppliers in the business from other event professionals whose high standards mirror your own.
Knowledge sharing is a powerful thing.
What is The BNC?
The BNC is the country’s leading online and offline community of conference and event managers. We offer unrivalled opportunities for networking, career development and knowledge sharing. Members are leading professionals in the corporate conference and events industry who want to help each other streamline their event management processes; pioneer best practice models; find the best suppliers in the business and empower themselves within their own organisations.
Who can join The BNC?
Membership to The BNC is open to corporate conference and event professionals who enjoy working in events and who deal on a regular basis with venues, destinations, marketing, exhibitions, presentations, meetings, conferences, parties, seminars, agencies, speakers, incentives, gifts, travel and more.
Whether you are a Marketing Manager, Conference Manager, Events Assistant, PA, Incentives & Rewards Manager or a Meetings Planner joining The BNC will be a rewarding choice; the support from and networking with almost 1000 other event professionals will increase your knowledge, your contact base, enhance your expertise and reflect the amazing work you already do in conferences and events.
Freelance Event Professionals can join at a slightly discounted rate. We have many Freelances as members. Becoming a BNC member is a great way to stay connected to a dynamic and growing industry.
Where does the networking take place?
Online, three times a week in our email question and answer forum (one email only)
Every two months at our Networking Evenings
Periodically at receptions, new venue openings and presentations
Five times a year at industry trade shows (through hosted buyer programmes, at networking breakfasts, lunches, dinners and at drinks receptions during shows or afterwards)
Several times a year on Fam trips to UK properties or overseas destinations
Once a year at our Networking Forum (a two-day event).
How long does my membership last?
Membership is for one year and covers you and your colleagues for 12 months. Full BNC members have access to a Members’ Centre (which is a private events industry portal full of useful resources to help you with the day-to-day planning of events) plus full BNC members are also entitled to exclusive invitations and Preferred Supplier Special Offers.
Why join the BNC?
Because The BNC is where you can:
Express yourself…..listen to others
Discover trends…..create trends
Share…..seek experiences and knowledge
Get inspired…..be an inspiration
Look for ideas…..offer your creative solutions
Give advice…..take advice
Meet the challenges of conference and event management together
The benefits of joining The BNC:
? Superior networking and learning opportunities
The BNC offers opportunities to join ranks and network with senior-level professionals in different organisations by providing a forum for the exchange of non-competitive information across several different formats: emails, networking receptions, lunches and meetings and during two-day discussion Forums where you can engage in stimulating discussions about leading-edge business ideas and explore and enhance your understanding of complex industry issues
? Save money and time - share tried and tested recommendations
The BNC is the first point of contact for corporate conference and event mangers seeking impartial guidance on supplier selection. By becoming a member of The BNC not only are you broadening your contact base, bouncing ideas off of others, sharing your experiences and getting recognition of your excellence you are also saving time and money by doing your venue, supplier, product or destination search through the group where – it is guaranteed – someone else will have been there, done that and can tell you all about it
? Make a difference
The BNC can put views of corporate conference and event mangers to Parliament, the European Commission and other relevant bodies, institutions and organisations
? Online resources
The BNC’s ‘members only’ website enables the sharing of knowledge and experiences, best practices and supplier recommendations plus a Library of checklists, a member notice board, a review section, salary information, and How-to advice
? Feel part of a community
Being in events can be a demanding, stressful yet fulfilling job. Very often, professionals like you feel very isolated in the job that they do. When you join The BNC you will immediately become part of a conference and events community that will support you and help you feel connected to the industry
? Recruitment
Our expert recruitment division provides career enhancing opportunities and advice to BNC members seeking to change jobs. Those looking to hire are privy to certain discounts
How to Join:
If you are a corporate event manager you can try the club completely free of charge for one month!
Please register on the site and email kimpaulden@thebnc.co.uk to register your interest in joining
Hi Kim
I found your website somewhere at the net..
Please could you ask the group if anybody could recommend a nice hotel in Istanbul, I have an event in May for approximately 50 people and need to arrange hotels and meeting rooms etc.
I am just coming back from Shanghai and have held several work dinners at 'M on the Bund' - ideally drinks outside on balcony first as it has spectacular views over across to Pudong and great light show, best views in the city. Inside very hip and chic with classic fusion/ European food.
I emailed the group to ask for restaurants in Barcelona which I received a good response.
Hope you're well. 
In response to Vicky's request for a dinner location in Rome I would suggest Villa Miani which is on the hill next to the Hilton Cavalieri (sp).
I have a question for the network, hoping I will be able to get some great advices (again!).
Please can you pass the following information onto Claire re venue in Philadelphia. We held a conference in Philadelphia this June and used the Historic Landmark Building at the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts for our formal conference dinner. 
Please can you thank everyone who replied re: Restaurant in Berlin. This has helped me out of a tight spot and we now have a fab sounding restaurant booked. 
How are you? I've managed to find a job now in the Netherlands and this is my new work email address, please use this one as well. Please could you ask the group the following question?
Firstly thanks for the replies on Toronto.
Venue in Boston, I think it was XV (15 hotel) and it has a restaurant / private dining called Mooo! (steak restaurant - AMAZING). The private dining room is their wine cellar - no view, but it's a quirky space and we had a fantastic evening there in Oct - Executive level dinner.
I would like to ask the group whether anyone has organised events in Moscow. I'm looking for suggestions on venues or events agencies people have tried in the past.
I hope you are well. 
Have a wonderful suggestion for the Hotel Request for Munich: The Bayerischer Hof. www.bayerischerhof.de
Happy New Year! Please can you ask the group if they know any good DMCs or coach companies in Casablanca Morocco?
Hope you are well....
Dear Jo
I have one question for the network.
Hope your well. 
This is for Lynn:
We have some bedroom cancellations at the Hilton Cavalieri hotel in Rome for the nights of 5th and 6th of November.
Please could you ask the group if they have any recommendations for venues in India - Mumbai or New Delhi? We are look for a conference venue / hotel to cater for between 600 - 700 delegates in Feb for two days.
Regarding the Istanbul hotel request I would like to recommend the Four Seasons Hotel - which is located in the heart of the historic quarter (close to the Blue Mosque). Alternatively, the Ciragan Palace, which is a Kempinski property located on the shores of the Bosphorous. I held an event for the same number of people at this hotel last year and it was truly memorable. The Ritz Carlton is also very good. I do know that Istanbul is very popular at this time of year so this member would need to get in touch with the venues as soon as possible. 


Kim - a recommendation for Jeremy in your email below for 300 bed conf in Europe - I have used the Rome Marriott for 600 people and they have great meeting space.
Thank you for arranging the wonderful stay at Grande Real Villa Italia, Cascais, Portugal organised by Vega. The hotel is a wonderful venue, overlooking the sea and just 30 mins. from Lisbon. It is well located with an amazing spa, good meeting space and the bedrooms are superbly appointed. My special thanks to Rosario Morais from Vega for her warm hospitality, great organisation and looking after us so well. I look forward to the opportunity of bringing our groups here and working with Vega!
Hope you are well. 
I am looking for a restaurant in Bangkok for 15 - 20 people and was wondering if the club could recommend any and if possible with a private room?
In response to Nat's question on South Africa I would thoroughly recommend the Vineyard Hotel & Spa in Cape Town for her event in July. I held an event there in November and the location, service and value for money was absolutely outstanding - not to mention backdrop of table mountain and tortoises roaming the grounds. They have two large function rooms and pre-function areas on the ground and first floor which, depending on the set-up required (e.g. classroom/cinema) could probably manage 200 seated. Here is a link to their conference brochure http://www.vineyard.co.za/pages/conference_brouche.htm 
I was wondering if you could help with the below! 
Thank you for this email I find these updates, ideas and questions really interesting.


An answer for Daniela regarding restaurants in Athens. We had an event in March last year and went to; 
Vienna DMC
Could you just post this on the members please:
Following on form our conversation I would like to give you an idea to what hotel we are using for executive retreats and high level meetings and dinners.
I hope you are well. 
I am looking for a top DMC in Rio?
Barcelona: Can recommend Mirabe restaurant situated on side of Mont Tibidabo with excellent views of the city. Two floors available for private dinners.
Kim, please extend my thanks to the team for the info on Paris events.


I would like to ask members if they can recommend a DMC in Athens. I am holding an event at the Cape Sounio resort in October and whilst I have booked the venue I need help with off-site events.
Just to say a big thank you for organising the Hosted Buyer trip to EIBTM last week.
I've got a question - can anyone recommend any good dinner entertainment in Shanghai. It needs to be something quite unique to Shanghai / China. It's a dinner for c 200 pax
Hi,
Hi there, I've used Concorde Lafayette in Paris for a large conference with plenary/general sessions and lots of breakouts - they're attached to the Convention Centre, so lots of options here and the hotel is comfortable too. Hope this helps,
I am looking for a venue for a Chairman's Dinner 50 pax in Rio de Janeiro. Could you ask the network if there are any recommendations? 
I hope you're well!
Thanks for the fabulous feedback. I will be going out to view hotels in a couple of weeks and the feedback has really lifted my spirits that we are on the right track. The Hotel Palace Berlin stays top of the list. 
We are looking at a few hotels in Berlin for a customer event and I would like to know if any of the members have had experience of these hotels, good and bad. The hotels are: Hotel Palace Berlin, Hotel Adlon Kempinski, and Hotel Berlin. At present the Hotel Palace Berlin appears to best meet our requirements. 
Feedback for Emma re: Gundel 
Hi Kim,
Kim, this is very interesting and thanks very much for sending. What we have done in the past was very small and it worked ok but will take into consideration for the bigger event. 
Click here to see all the benefits
Prue
Thanks again
Jessica
Alice
Good luck.
Carole
Apologies and many thanks,
Bahar
Look forward to meeting you all.
Kind regards,
Kate
Many thanks. Kind regards, Clare
Regards,
Claire
Thanks a lot, Elke
With kind regards
Yvonne
PS What a treat to have my nails done at the same time!!
Many thanks,
Finola
Many thanks!
Sylvia
Thanks
Cristobal
Sam
Kate
Kind regards,
Emma
Best wishes, Joanna
Clare
What a great service! Could you send through to me some details regarding membership and cost to The BNC.
Many thanks,
Chloe
Shelly
Many thanks
Prue
Annie
Alison
Regards
Monica
To Lesley - re interactive entertainment: I have lots of friends who are lawyers who regularly go bowling on their networking events so you know it will probably be popular but won't be anything new for the clients. Other suggestions are quizzes, treasure hunts, wine tasting, chocolate making, sporting events (races, rugby, tennis etc), city/walking/ghost tours.
Have fun, Kind Regards, Emma
Kind regards
Jackie
Hope all is well with you.
Alice
Thanks for all your help!
Regards,
Candice
Many thanks,
Catherine
Susie
Many thanks,
Diane
Thanks
Carol
Thanks
Claire
Thanks
Charlotte
The information I received is extremely useful and it is saving me a lot of time!
Celine
Thank you for coming back to me. This is really useful and I will try and have a look at the website later on.
Julie
Annie
Good luck.
Regards
Carole
Talk soon
Rita
Jenny
Regards,
Allison
Thank you very much.
Monica
Many thanks and kind regards
Jackie
Kind regards
Andrea
Regards,
Jenny
Best wishes
Jackie
Best wishes, Emma
Can you thank everybody for their replies.
Kind regards
Yvonne
Thanks & regards, Fiona
Thanks in advance
Emma
Kate
Regards......Claire
Kind regards
Gail
Kind regards
Gail and Denise
Thanks, Emma
Thank you, Jocelyn
Lovely to see you again
Annie
Many thanks
Sylvia
Cheers,
Nina
Many thanks,
Colleen
Regards
Angela
Thank you for hosting last night. I had an excellent time - the catering was fabulous and the mind game was a bonus! And the refurbishment on the cruise is very impressive.
Thanks again
Simone
Kind regards, Caroline
I would like to join The BNC as I feel that membership would be of great interest to me and my firm. My colleague, Victoria, is already a member.
Sam
I'll be going on maternity leave soon and I'd still like to receive BNC mails. Could you send them to my hotmail account please?
Sophia
I have had a look on the internet and have found a whole host of information. However, I am unsure if this is a US-only based qualification. Has anyone in The BNC had any experience with this, being based in the UK? If not, do you or anyone else know if there is a UK equivalent? Any information anyone has would be most helpful.
Thanks Kim
Kelly
Also, our team is quite keen to network with other event managers, swap ideas etc. When is the next BNC networking event and do you know of any other events or networks we could join in order to meet other events professionals?
Thanks, Claire
Exhibition
Marketing cost - ?15 a delegate
Overall cost - ?95 a delegate
Conference
Marketing cost - ?10 a delegate
Overall cost - ?60 a delegate
Elizabeth
Kind regards, Clare
Many thanks. Kind regards, Clare
Clare
Kind regards, Emma
Best wishes, Andy
Naomi
Thanks for your help as always. Have a great bank holiday weekend.
Charlotte
Regards
Monica
Best wishes
toni
Kristina
Many thanks,
Have a good weekend, Susan
Agi
Many thanks
Linda
Many thanks
Sophie
Love the idea of that!!
Greetings!
Cassander
Please say a big thank you to The BNC. I'll let you know who we end up going for and how the event goes.
Kind Regards
Prue
Thanks
Shirley
Anne
Kate
I hope you are well? Apologies for not being in touch for some time but it has been completely hectic with events which is really good news considering the current climate.
regards,
Yvonne
Jo
Many thanks,
Emma
Kind regards,
Lucy
Thanks Kim, Kind regards, Emma
Good luck with your search! Clare
I hope that Darlene enjoyed the chocolate Pizza!
Thanks,
Agi
The suggestions were enormously helpful as always.
Best wishes
Claire
Is there such a training?
Best regards and have a good weekend,
Andrea
Thanks
Christina
Thank you
Karen
Would you mind asking the club member who lives in the area if there is also a good curry house or Chinese?!
Candice
Thanks
Rebecca
Regards,
Carole
I just wanted to say thank you very much for an excellent evening on Monday night aboard the Silver Sturgeon. It was lovely to finally meet you and also to network with other members of The BNC. I found the evening really enjoyable as well as extremely useful. I made some really good contacts and went away with my head buzzing with ideas and have since heard back from many of the suppliers I met on the night. It is really useful to have the opportunity to meet other event professionals to exchange ideas and find out what is out there! The food was delicious and the service excellent and I look forward to using the Silver Sturgeon as a venue for future events.
Regards
Yvonne
Many thanks
Claire
On behalf of Debi and myself we'd just like to say a huge thank you for the incredible evening at the Priscilla Queen of the Desert show last Thursday. The hospitality from the Steigenberger Hotel Group was out of this world!
Many, many thanks Debi and Candice
Annie
Regards
Helen
Thanks
Chantal
Sarah
Kind regards
Bridget
Many thanks,
Luci
Many thanks!
Jackie
Regards,
Claire
Hilary
Regards,
Monica
Regards
Judy
Thank you thank you thank you...
Annie
Many thanks
Helen
Alice
Many thanks
Claire
Thanks
Susan
Many thanks,
Claire
Charlotte
Look forward to hearing any suggestions.
Kind Regards,
Claire