Hi everyone<div><br></div><div>As agreed at our October meeting - here's a proposed text for inclusion on the UK SOTM bid wiki page. Thoughts/amendments appreciated before it's published. Ignore the formatting it's a cut and paste from Word. I've ignored the issue of timing as that's common to wherever the UK community decides on who should bid,</div>
<div><br></div><div>Regards</div><div><br></div><div>Brian</div><div><br></div><div><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt"><b><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:'Times New Roman',serif">SOTM 2013 Birmingham’s the Place</span></b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:'Times New Roman',serif"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt"><b><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:'Times New Roman',serif">Organising Team:</span></b><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:'Times New Roman',serif"></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:'Times New Roman',serif"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt"><b><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:'Times New Roman',serif">Team Leader</span></b><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:'Times New Roman',serif">: Brian Prangle (availability full time in run-up to Conference)</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt"><b><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:'Times New Roman',serif">Local support (confirmed)</span></b><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:'Times New Roman',serif">: Andy Robinson, Rob Nickerson, Mike
Duffy, Matt Williams, Rob Nickerson, Andy Mabbett, Andrew McKenzie</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:'Times New Roman',serif">Team has academic, public sector and commercial experience with a range
of contacts and possessing technical skills from awesome to normal (skewed
towards the latter)</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:'Times New Roman',serif"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt"><b><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:'Times New Roman',serif">Other local support</span></b><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:'Times New Roman',serif">: 7 people to be
contacted</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:'Times New Roman',serif"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt"><b><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:'Times New Roman',serif">Other Support: </span></b><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:'Times New Roman',serif">Not excluded – all assistance
welcome from whoever has already indicated they’re willing to assist with a function that can be done
remotely.<b></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:'Times New Roman',serif"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:'Times New Roman',serif"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt"><b><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:'Times New Roman',serif">Venues:</span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:'Times New Roman',serif">3 Universities with multiple campuses </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:'Times New Roman',serif">20 Conference Venues (excluding ICC and NEC
which would be too expensive)</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:'Times New Roman',serif">2 Football Grounds and 1 Cricket Ground with
conference facilities</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:'Times New Roman',serif"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt"><b><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:'Times New Roman',serif">Organisation Assistance:</span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt"><b><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:'Times New Roman',serif"> </span></b></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:'Times New Roman',serif">1.<span style="font-size:7pt;font-family:'Times New Roman'">
</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:'Times New Roman',serif">Birmingham Convention Bureau has the following
FREE services</span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Symbol">·<span style="font-size:7pt;font-family:'Times New Roman'">
</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:'Times New Roman',serif">Venue Location</span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Symbol">·<span style="font-size:7pt;font-family:'Times New Roman'">
</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:'Times New Roman',serif">Social Programme Planning</span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Symbol">·<span style="font-size:7pt;font-family:'Times New Roman'">
</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:'Times New Roman',serif">Sourcing Hotel Accommodation</span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Symbol">·<span style="font-size:7pt;font-family:'Times New Roman'">
</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:'Times New Roman',serif">Allocation of bedrooms held specifically for
the event</span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Symbol">·<span style="font-size:7pt;font-family:'Times New Roman'">
</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:'Times New Roman',serif">Real-time 24/7 online booking facility</span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Symbol">·<span style="font-size:7pt;font-family:'Times New Roman'">
</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:'Times New Roman',serif">Telephone, fax and email booking also available</span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Symbol">·<span style="font-size:7pt;font-family:'Times New Roman'">
</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:'Times New Roman',serif">Sourcing conference infrastructure</span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Symbol">·<span style="font-size:7pt;font-family:'Times New Roman'">
</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:'Times New Roman',serif">Online booking for local attractions, events
and restaurants</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:'Times New Roman',serif"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:'Times New Roman',serif">2.<span style="font-size:7pt;font-family:'Times New Roman'">
</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:'Times New Roman',serif">There are also other services which are
chargeable such as:</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 36pt"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:'Times New Roman',serif">PR support, visitor literature, welcome branding around the city,
exclusive discounts for restaurants and clubs.</span></p>
<p style="margin-top:18.0pt;margin-right:0cm;margin-bottom:18.0pt;margin-left:0cm;line-height:18.0pt;background:white;vertical-align:baseline"><strong>Bid Preparation:</strong></p>
<p style="margin-top:18.0pt;margin-right:0cm;margin-bottom:18.0pt;margin-left:0cm;line-height:18.0pt;background:white;vertical-align:baseline"><strong><span style="font-weight:normal">Meet
Birmingham has a bidding system for conferences
and events providing bespoke web based proposals.</span></strong><b> </b>The Digital Bid System allows users to create and submit
bids electronically with the inclusion of image, film, audio, maps and other
interactive elements. Event organisers receiving the bid will be sent a link
and access details allowing them to view the proposal securely via the
internet. The system can also translate the bid into a <span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><span class="caps">PDF</span><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>document.</p>
<p style="margin-top:18.0pt;margin-right:0cm;margin-bottom:18.0pt;margin-left:0cm;line-height:18.0pt;background:white;vertical-align:baseline"><b>Accommodation:</b></p>
<p style="margin-top:18.0pt;margin-right:0cm;margin-bottom:18.0pt;margin-left:0cm;line-height:18.0pt;background:white;vertical-align:baseline">Loads of capacity with every type from University student
accommodation, 2 backpacker hostels, budget hotels, luxury hotels, guest
houses, B&Bs</p>
<p style="margin-top:18.0pt;margin-right:0cm;margin-bottom:18.0pt;margin-left:0cm;line-height:18.0pt;background:white;vertical-align:baseline"><b>Transport:</b></p>
<p style="margin-top:18.0pt;margin-right:0cm;margin-bottom:18.0pt;margin-left:36.0pt;line-height:18.0pt;background:white;vertical-align:baseline">1.<span style="font-size:7pt;line-height:normal;font-family:'Times New Roman'">
</span>Central for most of UK, with good motorway and rail
links (80 mins London Euston and 90 mins Manchester Picadilly). Canal links for
those who want to arrive by boat. National Cycle Routes 5 & 54. If you want
to walk here the European E2 route
passes close by ( Heart of England Way and Staffordshire Way) or the Grand
Union Canal Walk gets you here from London</p>
<p style="margin-top:18.0pt;margin-right:0cm;margin-bottom:18.0pt;margin-left:36.0pt;line-height:18.0pt;background:white;vertical-align:baseline">2.<span style="font-size:7pt;line-height:normal;font-family:'Times New Roman'">
</span>Birmingham Airport has
direct links to most of Europe and US (Newark), Islamabad, Turkmenistan(!), and
Dubai via Emirates Airlines for Africa, Asia and Australia. Budget Airlines are
Ryanair and Flybe.</p>
<p style="margin-top:18.0pt;margin-right:0cm;margin-bottom:18.0pt;margin-left:36.0pt;background:white;vertical-align:baseline">3.<span style="font-size:7pt;font-family:'Times New Roman'">
</span>Regular internal public
transport by numerous bus providers, Metro, black cabs and London Midland
trains with services until late at night.</p>
<p style="margin-top:18.0pt;margin-right:0cm;margin-bottom:18.0pt;margin-left:0cm;line-height:18.0pt;background:white;vertical-align:baseline"><b>Cultural/Entertainment
Attractions:</b></p>
<p style="margin-top:18.0pt;margin-right:0cm;margin-bottom:18.0pt;margin-left:36.0pt;line-height:18.0pt;background:white;vertical-align:baseline"><span style="font-family:Symbol">·<span style="font-size:7pt;line-height:normal;font-family:'Times New Roman'">
</span></span>Day visits to the “Shakespeare Experience” at Stratford on
Avon or to the UNESCO World Heritage Site at Ironbridge or to Bletchley Park ( all
probably more attractive to international visitors) </p>
<p style="margin-top:18.0pt;margin-right:0cm;margin-bottom:18.0pt;margin-left:36.0pt;line-height:18.0pt;background:white;vertical-align:baseline"><span style="font-family:Symbol">·<span style="font-size:7pt;line-height:normal;font-family:'Times New Roman'">
</span></span>More canals than
Venice!</p>
<p style="margin-top:18.0pt;margin-right:0cm;margin-bottom:18.0pt;margin-left:36.0pt;line-height:18.0pt;background:white;vertical-align:baseline"><span style="font-family:Symbol">·<span style="font-size:7pt;line-height:normal;font-family:'Times New Roman'">
</span></span>Jewellery Quarter (clubs, restaurants, great Victorian architecture and loads of Jewellery makers and shops)</p>
<p style="margin-top:18.0pt;margin-right:0cm;margin-bottom:18.0pt;margin-left:36.0pt;line-height:18.0pt;background:white;vertical-align:baseline"><span style="font-family:Symbol">·<span style="font-size:7pt;line-height:normal;font-family:'Times New Roman'">
</span></span>The Bullring ( for
those who have a shopping addiction)</p>
<p style="margin-top:18.0pt;margin-right:0cm;margin-bottom:18.0pt;margin-left:36.0pt;line-height:18.0pt;background:white;vertical-align:baseline"><span style="font-family:Symbol">·<span style="font-size:7pt;line-height:normal;font-family:'Times New Roman'">
</span></span>The Balti Triangle –
loads of cheap baltis!</p>
<p style="margin-top:18.0pt;margin-right:0cm;margin-bottom:18.0pt;margin-left:36.0pt;line-height:18.0pt;background:white;vertical-align:baseline"><span style="font-family:Symbol">·<span style="font-size:7pt;line-height:normal;font-family:'Times New Roman'">
</span></span>Entertainment districts
at Broad Street , China Town and Star City</p>
<p style="margin-top:18.0pt;margin-right:0cm;margin-bottom:18.0pt;margin-left:36.0pt;line-height:18.0pt;background:white;vertical-align:baseline"><span style="font-family:Symbol">·<span style="font-size:7pt;line-height:normal;font-family:'Times New Roman'">
</span></span>Endless pub crawls –
at least a dozen regional real ales with some really tasty ones from (or even
in!) the Black Country.</p>
<p style="margin-top:18.0pt;margin-right:0cm;margin-bottom:18.0pt;margin-left:36.0pt;line-height:18.0pt;background:white;vertical-align:baseline"><span style="font-family:Symbol">·<span style="font-size:7pt;line-height:normal;font-family:'Times New Roman'">
</span></span>Birthplace of Heavy Metal rock music - from Black Sabbath unquestionably the founding
fathers of heavy Metal and Judas Priest whose twin guitar attack paved the way
for multitudes of similar acts to Napalm Death who unleashed grindcore onto an
unsuspecting world.</p>
<p style="margin-top:18.0pt;margin-right:0cm;margin-bottom:18.0pt;margin-left:36.0pt;line-height:18.0pt;background:white;vertical-align:baseline"><span style="font-family:Symbol">·<span style="font-size:7pt;line-height:normal;font-family:'Times New Roman'">
</span></span>Mapping opportunities mostly
across the Black Country – could be a great opportunity to sample some of those
real ales!</p><p style="margin-top:18.0pt;margin-right:0cm;margin-bottom:18.0pt;margin-left:36.0pt;line-height:18.0pt;background:white;vertical-align:baseline">For those who have religious devotional duties most world religions have a place of worship somewhere in Birmingham or the greater West Midlands</p>
<p style="margin-top:18.0pt;margin-right:0cm;margin-bottom:18.0pt;margin-left:0cm;line-height:18.0pt;background:white;vertical-align:baseline"><b>Local Sponsor Opportunities:</b></p>
<p style="margin-top:18.0pt;margin-right:0cm;margin-bottom:18.0pt;margin-left:36.0pt;background:white;vertical-align:baseline"><span style="font-family:Symbol">·<span style="font-size:7pt;font-family:'Times New Roman'">
</span></span>National Express (Head
Office in Digbeth)</p>
<p style="margin-top:18.0pt;margin-right:0cm;margin-bottom:18.0pt;margin-left:36.0pt;background:white;vertical-align:baseline"><span style="font-family:Symbol">·<span style="font-size:7pt;font-family:'Times New Roman'">
</span></span><a href="http://www.digitalbirmingham.co.uk/">Digital Birmingham</a> ( sponsored
this year’s Young Rewired State Festival June 2012)</p>
<p style="margin-top:18.0pt;margin-right:0cm;margin-bottom:18.0pt;margin-left:36.0pt;background:white;vertical-align:baseline"><span style="font-family:Symbol">·<span style="font-size:7pt;font-family:'Times New Roman'">
</span></span>Walkit.com (located in
Custard Factory)</p>
<p style="margin-top:18.0pt;margin-right:0cm;margin-bottom:18.0pt;margin-left:36.0pt;background:white;vertical-align:baseline"><span style="font-family:Symbol">·<span style="font-size:7pt;font-family:'Times New Roman'">
</span></span><a href="http://birminghamsmc.com/" target="_blank">Birmingham Social Media Cafe</a> </p>
<p style="margin-top:18.0pt;margin-right:0cm;margin-bottom:18.0pt;margin-left:36.0pt;background:white;vertical-align:baseline"><span style="font-family:Symbol">·<span style="font-size:7pt;font-family:'Times New Roman'">
</span></span>Amey (outsourced
contractor for all of Birmingham’s roads)</p>
<p style="margin-top:18.0pt;margin-right:0cm;margin-bottom:18.0pt;margin-left:36.0pt;background:white;vertical-align:baseline"><span style="font-family:Symbol">·<span style="font-size:7pt;font-family:'Times New Roman'">
</span></span>London Midland Railway</p>
<p style="margin-top:18.0pt;margin-right:0cm;margin-bottom:18.0pt;margin-left:36.0pt;background:white;vertical-align:baseline"><span style="font-family:Symbol">·<span style="font-size:7pt;font-family:'Times New Roman'">
</span></span>Chiltern Railways</p></div>