DeepThought

First Impressions – Harrogate International Centre – BSA Conference

Well I attended the BSA conference this weekend at the Harrogate International Centre. I enjoyed the conference (more on my paper later), and Harrogate is still as beautiful as ever, but I’m not sure about the venue:

To me it seemed far too large for the number of people there, so it had an empty feel to it. The décor is super stainless steel and chrome with black glass walls around a curving central foyer that is probably 2-300 feet across. It felt a long way when I was trying to find the ladies! My problem here was the black glass walls – and my rapidly deteriorating eyesight. The signs were actually very small – and quite high up – when I finally found my way in I couldn’t find my way out again. Mind you all the staff I had dealings with were very helpful.

I particularly missed the opportunity to sit and have a proper lunch at proper tables – usually an excellent opportunity to eat, drink, renew old acquaintances and make new ones. BUT…all we had were bag meals and a few chairs and tables around the foyer and exhibition area. As a result people dispersed all over to find somewhere comfortable to sit and eat.

Because I went alone it was quite an isolating experience.

posted by Denise Carter @ 3:03 PM