Summer School 2011/12

The 2011 Annual Convention was held on 7th & 8th October 2011 at The Oxford Belfry, Thame, Oxfordshire and was a huge success.

So Much More Than Just CPD!

The 2011 BCPA Annual Convention took place this year at the Oxford Belfry Hotel in Thame, Oxfordshire and, as always, was a huge success. This new venue not only had easy access due to its location but also had a large lecture theatre, and the ability to accommodate everyone within the same zone of exhibition area and thus proved to be a fantastic event for everyone, from the important delegates to the growing number trade exhibitors.

This year we started the convention early on Friday morning, thereby giving the delegates two full days of lectures, trade exhibitions and refreshments. These two full days included some exceptional speakers giving lectures on a wide range of subjects for covering all abilities, in addition this year there were live demonstrations on Biomechanics and Nail Reconstruction and therefore we express our sincere thanks to all the speakers.

As you are aware, we sold out of the ‘Accommodation/Two day option package’ within the first few months of advertising the 2011 Convention (they were all gone by March!) which was quickly followed with booking for the ‘Two Day – No accommodation option’ being filled rapidly afterwards. We were extremely pleased with the response from delegates wanting to attend this year’s event and we believe this is due to even more people realizing how important CPD is and what great value for money this CPD event is. With more and more members now attending the Annual Convention than ever before, we now have more traders lining up to attend the event and offer fantastic products relating to the profession.

The SMAE Institute also introduced two great prize draws for the 2011 convention. The first being the ‘Early Bird Discount Draw’ which entered all those delegates who booked to attend the convention by the 1st July 2011 into the prize draw to win a Royal Windsor Carry Case. The winning number was picked by the students attending their Practical Training at The Institute in Maidenhead during September and the lucky winner was Jane Petts MSSCh MBChA from Northampton. Congratulations Jane!

The Grand Prize Draw consisted of three prizes. The first prize was ‘One years free Membership & Insurance’, the second prize was ‘Free Online CPD’ and the third prize was a ‘Podiacare Goody Bag’. All delegates attending the convention were entered into the draw for which the winners were selected randomly by members of the audience during the convention on Saturday.

The first prize went to Anne Richards from Oxfordshire who is currently a student waiting to undertake her Practical Training. This was the first event Anne had attended run by The Institute and was thoroughly delighted to win the Free one years Membership & Insurance.

The second prize went to Susan Grimwade MSSCh MBChA from Oxfordshire and the third prize went to Anne Bingham MSSCh MBChA from Berkshire. Congratulations to both the Anne’s and Susan!

Those who attended the Friday evening dinner were served a very delicious menu of Pumpkin & Vine Tomato Soup, Pan Fried Chicken with braised leeks and potato gratin followed by a very sharp Lemon & Almond Tart with Lemon Posset. It was all washed down nicely with several glasses of wine. After the dinner an entertaining general knowledge quiz was held with a variety of interesting questions, which included “name that song” and identifying objects photographed from some very strange angles! The winners of the quiz, scoring 27/28, were awarded a bottle of wine, whilst the losing table were presented with a rather “happy looking” wooden spoon!

Each year during the convention, the BCPA Benevolent fund sells raffle tickets for prizes generously donated by the attending trade exhibitors. All proceeds from the raffle go to the Benevolent Fund, who are an independent registered charity, to assist those BCPA members who fall on hard times. The amount raised at this year’s convention was an amazing £860.

We must say a big thank you to the Trade Exhibitors for donating the fantastic prizes they gave this year, because if it was not for their wonderful generosity, the BCPA Benevolent would not have gained the help of the sale proceeds for their work.
The feedback we received from this event has been highly positive and we shall take on your comments and strive to make next years event even better!

The Annual Convention is so much more than just a CPD event, with it allowing delegates to socialize and network with fellow practitioners, catch up with old friends, browse new and exciting products from the extensive trade exhibition as well as seeing live demonstrations on post diploma courses offered.

Our next exciting event to be held is our Summer School on the 22nd and 23rd June 2012. With live demonstrations, prize draw, extensive trade exhibition and exceptional lecturers – you would be crazy to miss this! Watch this space…