President’s Column

The winning BID

Bournemouth Coastal BID has scooped two awards, including the coveted ‘Place Management’ title at the British BID Awards.

The huge projector in Boscombe was the initiative that impressed the judges and saw off 19 other BIDs which made it through to the short-list. It was the country’s first permanent 3D projection mapping system on a UK high street and burst into life earlier this year.

Moving images are sent from the top of the Sovereign Centre to the building opposite, a surface area of almost 200 square metres (650 square feet). The facility is used to promote events and also give exposure to local artists and schools. It was supported by the Bournemouth Towns Fund and has become a fixture in the centre of Boscombe.

Business Improvement Districts (BIDs) are a defined area within which businesses are required to pay an additional levy in order to fund projects. Earlier this year levypayers voted for the Bournemouth Coastal BID to operate for another five years.

The second award the BID has recently picked up was a ‘silver’ award in the Industry Support category at the DMB Tourism Awards 2022 for Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole.

Fiona McArthur, BID manager, said: “To pick up the trophy at the British BID Awards was the result of hard work by our team and all our levy-payers. We beat large places including Leicester and Wolverhampton and every BID in the country was able to enter – and there are almost 300 of them.

“We represent the coastal area between Pokesdown and Westbourne and our aim is to improve all these places with a variety of projects. The projector was one such initiative and it really stands out and has become a talking point in Boscombe and attracted many visitors.

“Look out for more displays on the giant screen as we move towards Christmas.

“It was also a real delight to win a silver award in the Industry Support category at the DMB Tourism Awards 2022 for Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole.

“We have been granted another five years to help our levy-payers and the places in which they operate and will do just that.”

by Caron Khan

It’s Party Time!

The season to be jolly is fast approaching but if you’re the host how do you make sure your event goes with a bang?

It may seem a scary and overwhelming task, but with good planning it needn’t be, and the rewards of a successful event will far outweigh the efforts involved. Here are some of my top tips to consider when planning your next launch, awards ceremony, or corporate gig: 1. AIM FOR THE GOAL When in the planning stages never lose sight of the main reason for your event, how you want your guests to feel and the impression you need to make. 2. TO THEME OR NOT TO THEME? Themes can be a useful tool to help pull an event together but be mindful of getting too carried away, especially if developing an annual event. Your theme must have relevance, or it could run the risk of being naff. 3. FOOD & DRINK This is such an important topic, and the list could go on. The basics are. • If you serve drink, you MUST have something to soak it up even if that’s just olives and nibbles. • Don’t play it safe to please the masses so banish Chicken Supreme forever.

Even budget chefs are keen to show their culinary prowess so let them get creative. • Buy the best alcohol your budget will allow and make sure you order plenty, so you don’t run out. 4. ENTERTAINMENT Like food and drink, entertainment can make or break an event. Whether it’s a DJ, live band or performers keep it fresh, exciting, and as superior as you can afford. Stay clear of pulling in favours from well-meaning friends and always use professionals who are used to working the crowd. 5. RESOURCES Don’t underestimate the time it takes to organise an event.

So, it might be worth considering using the services of events planners.

Not only will they shoulder the stress but have the expertise, creativity, and contacts to elevate your event to the spectacular!