The Pharmaceutical Journal Vol 265 No 7105 p105
July 15, 2000 The Conference

BPC 2000: Birmingham

Looking to the future in practice and science

This year's meeting of the British Pharmaceutical Conference is to be held at the International Convention Centre in Birmingham from September 10 to 13. To mark the beginning of the new millennium, the conference theme is "Medicines: the future horizon". This six-page feature, compiled from information provided by the conference organisers, sets out the highlights of the conference programme and gives booking details and other conference information

For both practising pharmacists and pharmaceutical scientists, the 2000 British Pharmaceutical Conference in Birmingham takes a look into the future.
The programme of events for pharmacy practitioners will examine the impact of the Government's plans for modernising health care and the need for professional self-regulation to reflect the changing requirements of the politicians and the public. The packed science programme will concentrate on areas that will have a substantial impact on scientific methods and drug therapies over the next decade. On the final day of the conference, practice and science will come together to explore the topic of genetic modification.
Research in the pharmaceutical sciences and pharmacy practice will be well represented at the conference, with more than 400 science communications and 70-plus practice research presentations.
As well as a wide choice of conference sessions, participants will have access to a trade exhibition and a science fair, plus traditional evening social events ranging from a formal banquet to the casual conference club.

The venue

The conference takes place in Birmingham's International Convention Centre, which lies at the heart of the city centre's newest development but is only minutes away from reminders of its industrial past.
Those who attended the British Pharmaceutical Conference during its last visit to Birmingham, in 1992, will notice the transformation that has taken place in the city. Brindley Place, which abuts the ICC, celebrates the city's industrial heritage while at the same time offering modern, canal-side café life, restaurants and galleries.
The ICC itself provides a cultural resource for the city and its visitors. It houses not only conference facilities - claimed to be the best in England - but also Symphony Hall, home of the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra. Having played host to world leaders at the G8 summit in 1998, the ICC is an ideal venue for the forward-looking programme of BPC 2000.

The main frontage of Birmingham's International Convention Centre, this year's conference venue

Getting there

Located in the heart of England, Britain's second city has excellent access from all parts of Britain. It is often said that Birmingham was built around the motor car, and those travelling by road will find that nowadays the city lies at the hub of England's motorway system. The M1, M6, M40 and M5 motorways all feed into Birmingham's outer ring road, the M42, which gives rapid direct access to the city centre via "Spaghetti Junction".
For those who prefer travelling by rail, Birmingham New Street station has high speed services from London, Glasgow and Edinburgh and from a range of major centres served by the inter-city routes that link the south-west with the north-east and the south coast with the north-west. The ICC is only five minutes from Birmingham New Street by taxi - and not much more on foot.
Those travelling by air are served by Birmingham International Airport, which has scheduled flights on more than 50 routes, including links with major European and North American hub airports. The airport is only eight miles or so from the city centre. The city can be reached by a 10-minute train journey into Birmingham New Street station or a 30-minute taxi ride.

Staying there

Accommodation has been reserved in a wide variety of hotels and university halls of residence within walking distance of the ICC. The cost per person per night, including full English breakfast, ranges from £120 in a top-of-the-range hotel to £38 in university hall of residence accommodation. Information about booking accommodation appears on p107.