Dear Member, We are delighted to invite you to the BALPPA 2015 Autumn Conference. This year's Autumn Conference will be based in and around Blackpool Pleasure Beach - our very own Member attraction! The itinerary includes the traditional Charity Golf Day, a visit to Blackpool Tower, dinner, Blackpool Illuminations tram tour and overnight stay. On day two we will hold a Member meeting, have a tour of the Pleasure Beach and lunch - another BALPPA event full of informative fun! Tuesday 22nd September Overnight accommodation is arranged at the Big Blue Hotel for the night of Tuesday 22nd September on bed and breakfast basis. Owned by the Pleasure Beach, the hotel enjoys the spectacular backdrop to Europe's tallest and fastest rollercoaster, The Pepsi Max Big One. With many rooms overlooking the rollercoaster, guests can truly experience the fun and excitement of staying at the Pleasure Beach. Charity Golf Day Our Charity Golf Day kicks off the Autumn Conference and as is tradition, it will be aid of our Chairman's chosen charity, Help For Heroes. The Golf Day will take place at Fairhaven Golf Club. This is a group event for teams of 4 players who will play 18 holes. Don't worry if you don't have a team - we will arrange this for you!
Tuesday 22nd September - Attraction visit The Autumn Conference itinerary begins with a visit to The Blackpool Tower, where we will make our way up to visit the incredible 4-D cinema which brings the history of The Blackpool Tower to life. We will then take a trip 380ft into the sky to the top of The Blackpool Tower to experience the thrilling SkyWalk! If you dare, walk out onto the 5cm thick glass viewing platform where you can look out into the Irish Sea and see the famous Blackpool Promenade below. Our journey doesn't end there! Our guests will then step into the sensationally stylish Blackpool Tower Ballroom - prepare to be lost in a world of elegant charm and refined beauty. Dating back to 1894, The Blackpool Tower Ballroom is world famous for its spectacular architecture and remains to this day a destination for dance fans across the globe - for the 'Strictly' fans among you, this is the Holy Grail! Grab a partner and dance the afternoon away. For those with two left feet, dancing is not compulsory and we will be taking in our surroundings with a delicious afternoon tea before returning back to our hotel to get ready for the main event!
Tuesday 22nd September - Autumn Conference Dinner After we've rested our dancing feet for a few minutes, it will be time to get our glad rags on and head to a drinks reception in the Pleasure Beach's Attic bar before we settle down for a sumptuous three-course dinner in the White Tower restaurant. Of course a visit to Blackpool would not be complete without seeing Britain's most famous light show and one of the most iconic sights in British Culture. We will be taking in the sights of Blackpool Illuminations. At 10 kilometres long and using over 1 million bulbs the Blackpool illuminations are an awesome spectacle. We will be taking a tour of the illuminations via tram - the only way to view this historic and magnificent show. Guests will also enjoy a beverage or two on board!
Wednesday 23rd September - Member Meeting After a hearty breakfast at The Big Blue Hotel, we will begin day two of the conference with a Members' meeting where we will update you on BALPPA's activity in terms of political lobbying, legislation and events, seminars and sub-groups. This is also an opportunity for Members to raise any questions they have. After our meeting, we are lucky enough that Blackpool Pleasure Beach's very own David Cam will be giving us a personal tour of the fantastic and iconic attraction that is Blackpool Pleasure Beach. You will see and hear about the history of some of the world's oldest rides, including The Big One and the Big Dipper which celebrated its 90th birthday in 2013. Take a walk through Nickelodeon Land and see the Wallace and Gromit ride. We will also experience a fast track ride on Skyforce - the attraction's newest ride. Skyforce opened in May 2015 and is the world's first Red Arrows Ride! After the tour, guests will be treated to lunch at the Pleasure Beach and at this point, the conference will officially end but guests are welcome to enjoy the many attractions at the Pleasure Beach at their leisure throughout the remainder of the afternoon.
You can book your space at this most enjoyable event for just 220 per person, based on single occupancy (includes a double bed) or 185 based on double occupancy (double or twin beds available). This all inclusive package includes accommodation on Tuesday 22nd September, attraction entry, meals and travel during the conference schedule. A full itinerary is attached to your invitation. Bookings can be made via our website by clicking the link below (please note that you must be logged in as a Member in order to book). Booking for this event closes on 31st July 2015 and we advise booking early to avoid disappointment. http://www.balppa.org/events/conferences-regional-meetings/autumn-conference-2015/ If you wish to participate in the Charity Golf Day, we are offering an inclusive package, which includes an overnight stay at the Big Blue Hotel on Monday 21st September and 18 holes of golf at Fairhaven Golf Club on Tuesday 22nd September. This package is charged at 150.00 per person. Please follow the link above to the booking form and complete this to register for the Charity Golf Day. Don't forget to give us your handicap please. Booking for this event closes on 31st July 2015. As the Autumn Conference package and golf package fall under the TOMS scheme so there is no VAT to pay. Please note that some timings are approximate at this stage and will be confirmed nearer the time. For queries please contact us - events@balppa.org / 0207 403 4455 / 07442 493091. Exclusive sponsorship options are available for our Trade Associate Members and these will be sent out directly. If you would like register interest in sponsorship for this event or have any queries please contact us using the contact details above. We look forward to seeing you in Blackpool! The BALPPA Team
With thanks to our host venues: BALPPA AUTUMN CONFERENCE 2015 FULL ITINERARY AND INFORMATION Date Activity Location Approximate Timings * Travel Dress code Information 22nd September Accommodation The Big Blue Hotel N/A N/A N/A Check in / conference registration from Pleasure Beach 12pm Blackpool, Lancashire. FY4 1ND Check out by 11am www.bigbluehotel.com 0871 222 4000 22nd September Charity Golf day ** Fairhaven Golf Club Arrival time - 8.30am Not provided Golfing attire Team event - 4 players per team Oakwood Avenue (breakfast at Big Blue In aid of Chairman's charity - Lytham. FY8 4JU Hotel before leaving) Help For Heroes 22nd September Attraction visit Blackpool Tower Coach leaves hotel at 2pm Provided Casual Includes 4D Cinema Experience, Tower Eye 4D Cinema / Tower Eye 2.15pm / 2.30pm & afternoon tea in the Tower Ballroom Tower Ballroom - afternoon tea 3pm - 4pm Coach leaves Tower at 4.15pm for hotel Return to hotel at 4.30pm 22nd September Autumn Conference dinner Depart hotel to drinks reception 6.15pm N/A Smart / casual Short distance from hotel on foot Attic Bar - drinks reception 6.30pm White Tower Restaurant - dinner 7.15pm Depart White Tower for tram 9.15pm Short distance from restaurant on foot Blackpool Illuminations tour 9.30pm - 10.30pm Includes drinks 23rd September Member meeting The Star 10am N/A Casual Just outside hotel entrance Pleasure Beach visit Tour with David Cam 11am Includes fast track ride on Skyforce Lunch Big Pizza Kitchen - Pleasure Beach 1pm Conference officially ends at 2pm. Guest are welcome to enjoy the attractions at the Pleasure Beach for the remainder of the day. * Timings are approximate. You will be notified of any change to these in advance. ** The Charity Golf Day is separate to the main conference itinerary and requires advance booking.