DUBLIN – May 19, 2008 -  Today, The Convention Centre, Dublin, confirmed The Association of Coloproctology of Great Britain and Ireland will host their annual conference in July 2012. Over 900 delegates are expected to attend the 4-day conference. The association has a thriving membership in Ireland and it is the third time that it has been able to take the meeting to the Irish members in its 18-year history.

The association joins a growing list of UK associations that have confirmed their conferences at The CCD - others include the British Orthopaedic Association and Rotary International. The Convention Centre, Dublin, is managed by the same team as The ICC, Birmingham, who have an unrivalled reputation nationally and internationally as a prestigious conference venue.

Ann O’Mara, Administrator, The Association of Coloproctology of GB and Ireland said, “I am very excited about the new conference venue in Dublin as we have waited a long time to return to Ireland.

We chose the venue because of the destination and the reputation of The ICC’s management team. We have staged our annual conference at The ICC and we have been very impressed with the team, their positive ’can do’ attitude and tremendous support that they give us at all stages. This was very influential in our decision-making process to bring our conference to Dublin.

Dublin is an attractive destination for both UK and overseas delegates and we are optimistic that this will help us attract even more delegates to our conference than usual.”

Nick Waight, Chief Executive, The CCD, said, “UK associations now have another choice of venue and city when planning their annual conferences. The CCD is a modern, purpose-built conference centre in the heart of Dublin city. As The ICC, Birmingham, we have worked with many UK associations over the last 17 years and listened to what they have said they expect from a conference venue. The lessons that we have learnt have been included in the design of our new conference centre in Dublin and we are looking forward to welcoming many UK associations to The CCD.”

ENDS

Notes to editors:

The Convention Centre, Dublin (The CCD) is scheduled to open on 1 September, 2010. It is located on the banks of the River Liffey and is within easy walking distance of the vibrant city of Dublin.

The CCD can accommodate conferences from 8 to 8,000 in its 22 purpose-built meeting rooms including a state-of-the-art 2,000-seater auditorium and exhibition space of 4,500sqm.

The UK’s leading conference centre, The ICC, Birmingham, part of the NEC Group, is responsible for the sales, marketing and operation of The CCD.

The Association of Coloproctology of Great Britain and Ireland is a professional society representing more than 1000 Colon and Rectal specialists dedicated to advancing and promoting the science and practice of the treatment of patients with diseases and disorders affecting the colon, rectum, and anus. It is also known as The Association of Bowel Specialists. www.acpgbi.org.uk