Social programme
BVA Congress 2009 offers an excellent social programme for delegates and guests
Thursday 24th September
Welcome Reception (sponsored by Lloyd & Whyte) – Cardiff Castle Interpretation Centre - 18.30 to 20.30
The BVA President, Nicky Paull, will welcome delegates and guests to Congress in the surroundings of Cardiff Castle’s Interpretation Centre, which opened in June 2008. Built around a recently exposed Roman wall, the Interpretation Centre has magnificent views of the Castle and Cardiff city skyline.
Attendance is free of charge and places at the reception are limited so book early to reserve your place. Drinks and canapés will be served. Dress: lounge suits
Friday 25th September
Full Day Trip to The Big Pit and Penderyn Distillery – 09.30 to 16.30
Experience what it was like to work in a South Wales coalfield at the Big Pit Mining Museum. Accompanied by an ex-miner this tour will take you 300 feet underground and show you what like was like for thousands of men who worked at the coal face. In the afternoon you will be taken to the Welsh Whisky Distillery at Penderyn to sample their award winning products, including whisky, gin and cream liqueur.
£30 per ticket, which includes coach, tour guide and entrance fees. Time will be included in the tour for lunch and refreshments but these are not included in the ticket price.
Exhibition Hall Drinks – Mercure Holland House Hotel - 18.00 to 19.30
Enjoy drinks with exhibitors, sponsors and fellow delegates in the exhibition halls at the end of the day's sessions. This is your chance to have a closer look at the exhibition stands and meet face to face with some key suppliers.
Tickets are free of charge to all delegates and exhibitors.
Party Night – Mercure Holland House Hotel - 19.30 to 00.00
If you are staying in the hotel you won’t have to stagger far to join us for this fun evening, immediately after the exhibition drinks reception. For the amazing ticket price of £15 per person for delegates and £20 for exhibitors you can enjoy a buffet meal, try your hand at the casino and dance the evening away to the Cardiff based and popular Fraser Lawson Band.
£15 per ticket for delegates, £20 per ticket for exhibitors and accompanying persons. Ticket price includes buffet meal and entertainment. Dress: smart casual
Saturday 26th September
Half-Day Trip to Castle Coch and Caerphilly Castle – 09.30 to 13.00
This half day tour starts just outside the city at Castell Coch, a Victorian fairytale castle, nestling in the hillside. The tour will move on to one of the largest concentric castles in Europe, Caerphilly Castle, complete with it's own leaning tower, before heading back to the city.
£25 per ticket, which includes coach, tour guide and entrance fees. Time will be included in the tour for refreshments but these are not included in the ticket price.
Congress Banquet (sponsored by Norbrook) – National Museum Cardiff - 19.45 to 00.00
This year the Congress banquet will be held at the National Museum in the heart of Cardiff. The drinks reception will be held in one of the exhibition galleries, followed by a three-course meal and wine in the classical marbled Grand Hall, a stunning and prestigious venue and a perfect way to end the Congress. During the meal you will be entertained by the Cardiff Male Choir, founded in 1898.
This year's guest speaker for the event is Dr. Phil Hammond. Dr. Hammond is a well known entertainer, writer and radio personality.He has been described by The Guardian newspaper as "One of the most entertaining subversive people on the planet." Find out more
£70 per ticket which includes pre-dinner drinks, three-course meal, wine and entertainment. This is a black-tie event.
Tickets
Please note that tickets for pre-booked social events will be given to delegates at registration at the Congress venue, the Mercure Holland House Hotel.
Tickets for the Welcome Reception on the Thursday evening will be posted well in advance.
Register for BVA Congress
You can now register online for the 2009 Congress