International Conference Centre, Wales
Conference Dinner – Thursday 9 June 2022
Conference – Friday 10 June 2022
I hope that, like me, you are excited by the prospect of finally having the chance to see everyone again.
The focus this year is very much on providing an engaging face-to-face conference and dinner; a reunion for some, and an inaugural outing for others.
It is an honour to welcome you to Newport, in the Gwent LDC region, where I have practised for the past 13 years.
The International Convention Centre Wales is surrounded by fresh air and woodland yet is only a stone’s throw from the M4. You’ll find we have consciously opted for large plentiful event space; a space that uniquely provides us with access to outdoor terraces adjacent to woodland too.
The dinner will take place the evening before the conference; an ideal opportunity to get reacquainted, welcome newcomers and celebrate our Unsung Heroes – we have a couple of years of catching up to do!
Acknowledging that some may be prevented from attending in person this year, we are looking to offer live-stream access to the conference as a test component. Those viewing by live-stream will have the opportunity to keep abreast of the discussions taking place on the main stage and view presentations but will not be able to participate in debate, present or respond to motions. The dynamic and interactive nature of the conference does, however, require those selected by their LDCs as Representatives to attend in person. This will ensure they can debate and challenge, agree and disagree, and have the voice of the LDC heard.
MOTIONS
The heart of conference is always the debate of motions, your opportunity to put your proposals before your colleagues so that these may (hopefully) be approved and carried forward to the GDPC. Please start discussions in your LDC now and submit as early as possible. Always remember that a motion carried by a strong majority gives our negotiators authority when they meet the other side.
The LDC Conference website provides lots of advice on composing motions and how to make an active contribution to this year’s conference. Don’t miss the opportunity to exercise your right to speak out!
We will be continuing with the format used in recent years for submitting motions with a narrative. The intention being to provide delegates with enough information to form a view and be prepared in advance if they wish to speak for or against on the day.
Because motions are intended to give direction for GDPC policy please find here a list of existing GDPC polices. This outlines how GDPC has acted on motions carried at previous conferences and how much they have achieved on our behalf.
Motions should be submitted using the online form by 12 noon on Friday 8 April.
ELECTIONS OF MEMBERS DURING CONFERENCE – Nominations in advance
To help ensure a smooth running of the event nominations for the positions outlined below are once again required in advance. Nominations must be submitted in advance (by 8 April) using the online nomination forms available on the website. It will not be possible to nominate ‘from the floor’.
Elections (where necessary) will take place for the following positions:
- Chair elect of conference (to chair conference in 2024)
- Honorary treasurer
- Two honorary auditors
- One representative to GDPC
- One representative to the board of managers of the British Dental Guild
- One member of Agenda Committee.
Information about what each of the roles entails can be found on the website here.
DO YOU HAVE AN UNSUNG HERO?
We all have members in our LDCs who have worked tirelessly during their professional lives, often in the background never seeking the limelight, giving up many evenings for LDC business, taking valuable time out of their practising careers.
If you have someone like this on your committee who you feel deserves recognition, please consider nominating them for an Unsung Hero Award this year. Further details can be found online here and the closing date for nominations is also Friday 8 April.
SPECIAL OBSERVER PLACES – for newcomers to conference
In addition to the normal allocation of conference places each LDC is permitted to register one ‘Special LDC Observer’ place.
This is an opportunity for newcomers to immerse themselves in dental politics and hopefully launch a career-long interest. These special observer places are reserved for those who are new to dental representation or first-time conference goers.
If an LDC has someone who meets this criterion, they can be registered online selecting ‘Special LDC Observer’ as delegate type.
The LDC Conference website provides lots more advice on how to contribute.
REGISTRATION, DINNER TICKETS, TRAVEL AND HOTEL
HOW TO REGISTER FOR THE EVENT
As usual the Conference is open to nominated LDC representatives and members of the BDA General Dental Practice Committee. Once LDCs have agreed who will attend to represent them delegates must register in advance for the event.
All conference places (including live-stream access) and dinner tickets should be booked online by Friday 8 April
Individual email addresses and GDC numbers are required at point of registration for all attendees.
How many people can my LDC send?
If you are unsure how many people your LDC can register for the Conference, you can check the list of permitted attendees for each LDC here.
Where an LDC is entitled to send a sole Representative, they are also permitted to send an accompanying Observer. The conference fees for this permitted Observer will be covered, however the LDC is responsible for funding dinner tickets, travel and accommodation expenses.
Plus, as highlighted earlier. in addition to the usual allocation of places we have some places reserved for Special LDC Observers – (this special ticket type must be approved by LDC Secretaries and is for those who are first time conference goers).
- closing date Friday 8 April.CONFERENCE DINNER
The black-tie dinner will take place the evening before the conference, also in the Woodland Suite at the ICC Wales. Dinner tickets are funded for those registering as LDC Representatives and are available for £85 per person for all other attendees. Additional tickets for guests can be booked online too.
Drinks reception from 19:15 with dinner served at 19:45.
HOTEL BOOKINGS
We have allocations of bedrooms available at nearby hotels and reservations are being managed by our appointed accommodation agent MICE Concierge.
You will be prompted to book accommodation online as part of the event registration process.
Accommodation will be assigned from our rooming blocks on a first-come-first-served basis.
Please note the release date for all un-allocated bedrooms is Friday 8 April so please ensure you reserve your room before this date to guarantee availability and discounted rates.
Further information about hotel booking is available here.
TRAVEL AND EXPENSE CLAIMING
Information about travel arrangements and expense claiming can be also found on the website.
FURTHER ASSISTANCE OR QUESTIONS
If you have a question regarding your motion submission or nomination please contact Alexandra Cenic This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
If you require assistance regarding your registration and the logistical arrangements for the event please contact Fiona Feltham (Events Manager) This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
I very much look forward to welcoming you all to Newport!
Best wishes
Dan Cook
2022 LDC Conference Chair