LDC CONFERENCE 2023 – REGISTRATION NOW OPEN!
DoubleTree by Hilton Harrogate Majestic Hotel & Spa
Thursday 8 – Friday 9 June 2023
I am looking forward to welcoming you to the 2023 LDC Conference at the Majestic Hotel in Harrogate. Being born (South Yorkshire), educated (West Yorkshire) and live and work (North Yorkshire) the conference had to be in Yorkshire! Hardly well-travelled I hear you say, but when Yorkshire is so perfect why go anywhere else?
We return to a two-day format this year, running conference from lunchtime to lunchtime with the formal dinner in-between. The event provides an opportunity to get reacquainted, welcome newcomers to the LDC community and at the dinner celebrate our Unsung Heroes.
Conference will officially commence at 13:30 on the Thursday and conclude at 13:00 on the Friday (with lunch available either side).
We all appreciate how invaluable face-to-face interaction is but acknowledging that some may be prevented from attending in person, it will be possible to view and listen in to discussions taking place on the main stage via livestream link. Please note that virtual attendees will not be able to participate in debate, present or respond to motions, and the dynamic and interactive nature of the conference does 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.
I want this conference to truly reflect the thoughts and feelings of the attending delegates who represent dentists on the frontline and as such I’m asking for motions that will stimulate debate.
We will set aside appropriate time to thoroughly debate what we want the future to look like. So come prepared with your LDCs opinions. Nothing is off the table so to speak.
Please ask your LDCs to come with questions and if possible proposed solutions. This process starts with submitting motions so think hard about what you want this conference to achieve. Please do start submitting your motions as soon as possible.
MOTIONS
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 midnight on Tuesday 11 April.
ELECTIONS
To help ensure a smooth running of the event (and accommodate those who may be attending virtually) nominations in advance for the positions outlined below are encouraged. Except for the ‘Representative to GDPC’ position, in-person attendees will also have the opportunity to nominate from the floor.
Advance nominations can be submitted online up until midnight on Tuesday 11 April.
Elections (where necessary) will take place for the following positions:
- Chair elect of conference (to chair conference in 2025)
- Honorary treasurer
- Two honorary auditors
- One representative to GDPC* (*Nominations must be submitted in advance for this role)
- 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 Tuesday 11 April.
SPECIAL OBSERVER PLACES – for newcomers to conference
In addition to the normal allocation of conference places each LDC is once again permitted to register one ‘Special LDC Observer’ place this year.
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 Tuesday 11 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).
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER
Closing date Tuesday 11 April
CONFERENCE DINNER
The black-tie dinner will take place on the Thursday evening, also at the DoubleTree by Hilton Harrogate Majestic Hotel. Dinner tickets are funded for those registering as LDC Representatives and are available for £65 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 (all within walking distance) 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 Tuesday 11 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 Harrogate!
Best wishes
Mark Green
2023 LDC Conference Chair