News Releases

News Releases

The BCPC Conference and Exhibition to relocate to Glasgow

1 November 2002

After many years of successful growth and following extensive market research, the British Crop Production Council (BCPC) has decided to radically alter the format and location of its annual conference and exhibition. Commencing in 2003, the event will be held at the Scottish Exhibition and Conference Centre (SECC) in Glasgow. Also to change is the conference programme which will address all aspects of crop production, rather than running alternate years on the crop protection themes of Weeds and Pests & Diseases. The event will be called Crop Science & Technology 2003 - The BCPC International Congress.

This change is very significant for BCPC, yet one which reflects an overall shift in the emphasis of membership and the activities of BCPC, and mirrors the substantial changes which have been underway within the world-wide crop protection industry during the last ten years.

After over 30 years in Brighton, this innovation comes as a result of numerous factors, not the least of which were the views expressed by conference delegates, exhibitors and those commercial organisations who make up the significant 'fringe' activities when surveyed in 1999 and 2000. Over 65% of those questioned indicated that the geographic location of the event had little significance on their decision to participate. However, interviewees firmly expressed the opinion that one centralised venue to accommodate all aspects of the gathering was paramount, along with reasonably priced hotel accommodation and good access to international travel facilities.

Facilities at Glasgow first class
Commenting on the move, Chris Todd, managing director of BCPE said, "We undertook an extensive review of potential locations, but without exception all those who visited the facilities offered by the SECC in Glasgow have been very impressed. The Greater Glasgow & Clyde Valley Tourist Board who has facilitated the move could not have been more helpful. Air, train and road links to Glasgow are first class, and with 12,500 beds in the city there are hotels to suit every taste and pocket. Glasgow International Airport is just seven miles from the city centre and offers not only a wide range of European and trans-Atlantic flights, but also flights from several of the low-cost UK carriers. The conference facilities are state-of-the-art and the amount of space available for the exhibition, hospitality suites and meeting facilities means that all aspects of the BCPC event and the satellite 'fringe' activities can be accommodated within one single location. In addition, Glasgow boasts a cosmopolitan array of both large and small, traditional and fashionable restaurants and wine bars, so delegates will not be disappointed in the choice of establishments on offer and should have great fun in establishing their favourites."

The programme for the Congress will also be radically amended, including its length. In 2003, the Congress programme will commence after lunch on Monday 10 November and will close following the last session on Wednesday 12 November. The Crop Science & Technology 2003 Congress will address crop production in its broadest sense. It will be centred around three key themes: crop production and protection; the food chain; and environment and regulation. The programme will be constructed so as to allow delegates to be able to follow their chosen themes. Again, reflecting the views expressed within the market research, an increased allocation of time will be built into the arrangements to allow for delegate participation in discussion sessions and fora.

Glasgow facilities unveiled at Brighton

Whilst all those involved with the traditional event held at Brighton will, no doubt, be excited by this news, the first-class programme for the 2002 event remains totally unchanged and should not be overlooked.

However, at the 2002 conference in Brighton, BCPC will be mounting a large-scale display of their plans and the facilities available. Representatives from the Greater Glasgow & Clyde Valley Tourist Board will also be present to assist with travel and accommodation queries. Over the last two years, the BCPC conference website has become the fundamental source of up-to-date information concerning the Conference and Exhibition. The site will build upon this reputation and will carry extensive details concerning the relocation which will be linked to other relevant websites, including the Glasgow & Clyde Valley Tourist Board's site at www.seeglasgow.com.

Any immediate queries concerning these plans should be referred to Chris Todd, BCPE managing director at email: md@bcpc.org or Tel: +44 (0)1420 593 209.

For further information contact:
Frances McKim,
BCPC Press Manager
Tel: +44 (0) 1509 233219, Fax: +44 (0) 1509 211932.
Email: edpress@bcpc.org