BICM CONFERENCE

Like any business, clubs need professional and business acumen to ensure their future growth.

The BICM, born out of the RMA (Recreational Managers Association), was launched to drive clubs forward and with sponsor and business partner Route, the inaugural BICM conference made it clear that the route to success for clubs is as demanding as it is for any other licensed premises - if not more so.

As a result, the first Conference in 2007 saw the BII (British Institute of Innkeeping) running a BII accreditation training programme. At the end of the session, attendees took the exam, and to the credit of both trainer and trainees, there was a 100% pass rate.

In October 2008 the second BICM Conference was held at Stratford at the excellent venue of the Stratford Manor Hotel where the programme for delegates was geared to 'Leadership in Club Management'                                                  The 2008 Conference had two one day themes – Licensing and Club Management where leading key industry speakers once again shared their vast experience with delegates and new initiatives requested by some of our previous Conference attendees were introduced. In addition there was a new education session on Leadership Skills & Mentoring to help meet the growing need for increased professionalism.

The 2009 Conference was held at the Hough End Centre, the Greater Manchester Police Sports Club, an excellent venue and a previous winner of the prestigious Club Mirror Awards as both "Catering Club" and "Family Club of the Year " Developing Skills and Riding the Recession were key issues during this Conference in an effort to encourage Managers to refocus, to make excellence a habit and to raise standards and awareness so that they emerge from this current recession stronger and better prepared to compete in their marketplace.