Cardies’ Local meet-up checks out stunning venue for GCA’s annual conference – tickets now available
Enjoying a coffee with industry pals in Bristol saw 11 GCA members get together yesterday, 11 July, for the latest GCA Local get together – and a chance to check out the stunning venue for this year’s agm and conference.
There was plenty of chatter around the table as the meet-up coincided with the release of The Henries 2024 Awards shortlist, and GCA ceo Amanda Fergusson said: “There was lots of excitement about the number of nominations!”
And coffee was enjoyed in the room where lunch will be served at the association’s annual conference on Thursday, 19 September, while Amanda added: “It was also an opportunity for me, plus Sarah Jackson and David Nichols-Rice from the GCA conference sub-committee, to meet with the events manager at the Bristol Harbour Hotel and see the stunning room where we’ll hold the event.”
The grade II-listed building was built in 1856 and is modelled on Jacopo Sansovino’s 16th century library in St Mark’s Square, Venice, complete with an elaborate façade of angels, lions, ships and cherubs.
James Stevens, who runs publisher James Ellis, was on hand with tales of paying in cheques in the very fancy room when it was a branch of Lloyds Bank, and he got a feel for the venue in its current guise where he’ll be one of the speakers at the conference.
Also speaking at the conference will be James Taylor, commercial director at Cardzone, plus Royal Mail’s director of external affairs and policy David Gold, and Mark Callaby, md of Ohh Deer, and there will be the latest consumer insights by the Kantar team.
There’s will be the opportunity for some fun networking the night before with drinks, kindly sponsored by Ling Design and Emotional Rescue, next door to the venue at Dirty Martini Bristol from 6pm.
Tickets are only available to GCA members and both the conference and networking drinks have limited numbers and can be booked here.
Amanda said: “If you haven’t already booked, do so as soon as possible! It’s a stunning venue and I’m really looking forward to welcoming everyone to Bristol. We have a fantastic line up of speakers and it will be a great opportunity to share the latest industry insights, gear up for the all-important Christmas period and celebrate our wonderful industry.”
