A Champagne and Canapés launch event took place at the Centre on Thursday, 22nd September, 2011, from 5-8pm. Visitors had the opportunity to tour the conference space, engage with our staff, and even tried out their sign language skills. As well, a special guest speaker, Martina Irwin, from Aims Direct, ran a short workshop on the effectiveness of using QR (Quick Response) Codes, an exciting new application that can be used to engage with customers in a fresh and original way.

The Conference Centre opened in September 2007 and provides a unique experience to those looking for a high quality conference venue.  It offers a choice of inspiring meeting spaces, designer furniture, high levels of customer care, great food and a light and spacious setting that gets people talking.  The centre deliberately strives to break down communications barriers between deaf and hearing people, whilst at the same time allowing visitors to gain an appreciation of the heritage and history embedded in deaf culture.

Visitors coming to the centre are able to engage with the centre’s deaf staff in a fun and friendly way.  Simple British Sign Language signs are displayed in the café, and if visitors want to, they can practice the signs they see by trying them out on the staff. For instance, they could order a sandwich, ask for a cup of tea, or even say a simple ‘thank-you’ in sign language when ordering their food from the café staff. These gestures are much appreciated and do much to break down communications barriers between the deaf and hearing world.

Jeannette Harper, Head of Operations and Marketing at BID Services said: The name change marks an important milestone for the conference centre because the new name strongly identifies with our history of working with deaf people. We also want to attract new business sectors to the centre, such as the corporate sector, which traditionally use hotels and private conference venues. By using our conference centre, which is a social enterprise, Corporates and other users can positively impact society and support their own corporate social responsibility aims without making any sacrifices in terms of quality.”

 

Published 27th September 2011