BH Live is a unique case study of how a charitable trust operates a venue business, ploughing back profits to support both itself and local social enterprises. We take a closer look at the trust’s Bournemouth International Centre (BIC), flagship venue for association business, and find an active player in the local south coast business and social enterprise ecosystem.
The Bournemouth International Centre (BIC) is one of three venues operated by BH Live in the UK, alongside Fairfield Halls in Croydon and the Art Deco Bournemouth Pavilion Theatre & Ballroom. While each venue offers a distinct character, it is the BIC which is the meeting industry jewel, sitting proud in the southern English coastal crown.
BIC is a key venue for the UK association conference market, and management tells CMW there has been notable growth in corporate clients in recent years, with organisations increasingly choosing the venue for AGMs and regional conferences.
BH Live operates a distinct and interesting business model, being structured as a registered charity and social enterprise. The Conference & Meetings division represents the commercial arm of the organisation and sends all profits generated to the Trust, which ensures that every pound earned is reinvested to enhance facilities and deliver public benefit.
Investing in technology and sustainability
As the new generation leads demands for businesses to demonstrate a social conscience, the BH Live model balances commercial success with social responsibility. Doing so requires careful management to sustain profitability while fulfilling charitable objectives.
The BIC programme of investment has seen major technology enhancements across the venue, with installation of state-of-the-art digital screens, new projectors, improved wireless connectivity, upgraded lighting rigs, and energy-efficient LED fixtures.
Spaces have been refurbished, with the meetings hub, business lounge, and breakout areas across the board redesigned to provide flexible, modern environments.
The Bourne Lounge at BIC is now transformed into a versatile event space with panoramic sea views and capacity for 200 delegates, while the Elevate Brasserie & Bar has been remodelled into a premium hospitality area with outdoor decking overlooking Bournemouth’s sweeping seafront.
The Purbeck Foyer & Lounge has been modernised with new glazing, signage, bathroom facilities, and sea-facing windows. Capacity has been increased to cater for up to 280 delegates (theatre style).
Sustainability features are also top of mind, with the installation of a living roof and energy-efficient systems.
Refurbished and modernised spaces
These investments, supported by £1.8m from Bournemouth Christchurch and Poole (BCP) Council and over £1m from BH Live, have been made while BIC holds prices consistent, allowing for the most flexible options tailored to client budgets.
Delegate engagement and partnerships
BIC recognises that events are more than transactional – they are experiences – and the venue has a strategy of successful collaboration with organisations in the locality that help enhance delegate journeys. The list of partners in areas from travel and hospitality to leisure and wellness includes:
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Business Events Bournemouth – the in-house bureau provides accommodation bookings through a bespoke website and can make off-site venue bookings for private dining, social gatherings and fringe meetings.
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The Intershell Group knows the venue inside out and provides clients with a range of technical and operational services, including floor plans, electrics, furniture hire and shell scheme stands to suit a variety of event needs.
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South West Trains, the rail carrier, offers discounted rates to and from Bournemouth, which is just one hour, 45 minutes from London.
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BH Live Active is a unit that packages tailor-made experiences for delegates, pre- and post-conference. These include yoga on the beach and Nordic walking wind-down sessions.
Associations and industry organisations
Bournemouth International Centre is not just a partner to local businesses and organisations but plays an active role as a member of several meetings and events industry organisations in the UK, including the Association of Event Venues, the Meeting Industry Association (the BIC is MIA accredited) and the National Arenas Association (NAA).
The management team believes that actively participating in the work of these organisations allows all teams across the spectrum of the customer journey – from sales, to event planning, to venue operations and technical, to hospitality – to exchange knowledge and experience with their peers in this specialist sector. Memberships are also vital for keeping up-to-date with current industry legislation and having access to top research and resources, as well as playing a part in advocating for the events industry which drives so much economically and socially in society.
Event mix and market trends
BIC reports that its event portfolio continues to diversify, with a noticeable rise in charity dinners and medical conferences and exhibitions in 2025.
The team tells CMW that, due to an increase in shorter lead-time enquiries (three to six months), they have introduced a Day Delegate Rate for the newly refurbished Purbeck Lounge & Bar. It is now open to the smaller meetings market of 40–120 delegates and offers value as well as new levels of comfort.
So what do the clients say?
The conference manager for The Green Party praised the BIC’s “wonderful location by the beach, combined with the accessibility of the venue spaces and warm welcome from the venue staff, make Bournemouth a very popular conference destination with our members.”
From the centre of the political spectrum, the head of conferences and events for the Liberal Democrats added: “We have been working with the BIC for our conference for many years. The events team are very professional, supportive and flexible to our requests. The variety of event space means that our auditorium, exhibition, smaller events and dinners can all be catered for under the same roof. We could not run such a complicated multi-day event without their great team.”
With National Health Service organisations providing a large client pool for the venue, the CEO of the British Society of Echocardiography, Joanne Sopala, says: “Working in, and in support of, the NHS can feel relentless, which is why coming together to give people the time and space to think and reignite their passions for echocardiography is so important. Bournemouth provided the breath of fresh air we all needed.”
As well as being part of a charity trust itself, the BIC also welcomes charity conferences. “We were delighted to host our Farewell Weekend at the BIC. The space allowed us to welcome over 2,000 visitors and run additional fundraising activities in support of the children’s hospice,” is the endorsement from the events manager at Julia’s House Charity.
Sustainability in action
Another key focus for BIC’s investment effort is sustainability, where BH Live has achieved Green Mark certification, demonstrating a strong adherence to internationally recognised environmental standards.
A robust Environmental Strategy Management Plan underpins all operations and initiatives include reducing carbon footprint, minimising material use, and improving recycling and waste management.
BH Live’s target is to be net zero carbon by 2030 and carbon neutral by 2035.
More than 5,000 honey bees have been rehomed in two hives on BIC’s rooftop thanks to local charity Bee Mission 500. The bees share half of the BIC’s roof space with solar panels and all the energy generated by them feeds back into the building, thanks to a partnership with Empower. All other BIC grid electricity comes from renewable sources.