Leeds Conference 2008 - Final information

Leeds Conference is almost upon us, so here is (hopefully) all the information you will need before you arrive.

Registration

The Conference registration desk will open in the foyer of the Queens Hotel (HQ) on Thursday 8th May at 11am. The opening times and locations will then be as follows.

DateLocationOpening timeClosing time
Thursday 8thQueens Hotel Foyer11am8pm
Friday 9thQueens Hotel Foyer10am4pm
 Armouries Saviles Hall Foyer5pm8pm
Saturday 10thArmouries Saviles Hall Foyer8.30am12noon

If you are attending an evening function and are likely to arrive late, you will still need a Conference Pass to gain entry. One of the registration team will be on call throughout the function - call the conference hotline and they will be able to contact a team member to come and issue your pass (providing there isn't an outstanding balance, of course).

When you register, it will be useful if you have your booking number with you to help speed up the process.

Stewarding of Events

There are a large number of conference committee members around at the events wearing dark blue blazers with harlequin waistcoats. There are also dozens of stewards in medieval tabards. We're here to help you all we can, but please remember we're all Tablers and Circlers too.

Door stewards are, as is required by law, employed by the venues and they simply will not let you in without the appropriate pass. Please wear yours at all times to avoid embarassment and aggravation.

If you damage your conference pass during the weekend, bring it to registration and it will be replaced free of charge. If it is lost, however, a full charge will be made for its replacement.

Timetable of Events

Thursday 8th May
 11:00Registration opens (Queens Hotel)
 18:30Transport commences
 19:30International Late Lunch (Leeds Town Hall - lounge suits)
 20:00Registration closes
 01:00Last bus departs Leeds Town Hall
Friday 9th May
 08:00Transport commences
 09:00RTBI National Council Meeting (Ark Royal Suite, Queens Hotel - casual dress)
 10:00Registration opens (Queens Hotel)
 11:00RTBI National Quiz Final (Ark Royal Suite, Queens Hotel)
 13:00NALC National Council Meeting (Ark Royal Suite, Queens Hotel - casual dress)
 14:00Mosaic Forum (John Charles Suite, Queens Hotel)
 16:00Registration closes (Queens Hotel)
 17:00Registration re-opens (Saviles Hall, Royal Armouries)
 17:30RTBI National Sports Presentations (Queens Hotel)
 18:00Transport to function commences
 19:00Joint Presidents' Banquet (Saviles Hall, Royal Armouries - black tie)
 21:45Conference Pass Entertainment begins
 22:00Registration desk closes
 02:15Last bus departs Royal Armouries
Saturday 10th May
 08:00Transport commences
 08:30Conference registration opens (Saviles Hall, Royal Armouries)
 08:30RTBI AGM Registration opens (Saviles Hall, Royal Armouries)
 08:30NALC AGM Registration opens (Bury Theatre, Royal Armouries)
 09:00RTBI AGM (Saviles Hall, Royal Armouries)
 09:30NALC AGM (Bury Theatre, Royal Armouries)
 11:00Bar opens (Saviles Hall, Royal Armouries)
 12:00RTBI AGM Registration closes
 12:00Conference registration closes
 18:30Jousting commences (Royal Armouries Tiltyard - sponsored by Napoleons Casino and Restaurant Leeds)
 19:30Saturday Night Feast
 21:30Conference Pass Entertainment begins
 01:30Bar closes
 02:15Last bus departs Royal Armouries

Transport

We have arranged for buses to run between the Royal Armouries and the Queens Hotel. The Royal Armouries is next to the Holiday Inn Express, the Queens Hotel is on City Square in the heart of Leeds. The Park Plaza and Comfort Inn are both very close to the Queens Hotel, so the Queens Hotel will be the pick up point for both these hotels.

On Thursday 8th May transport will commence at 18:30 from the Holiday Inn Express, calling at the Queens Hotel on the way to Leeds Town Hall for the International Late lunch. Transport will be available up to 1am for the return journey.

On Friday 9th May the transport service will commence at 8am from the Holiday Inn Express travelling to the Queens Hotel and back periodically throughout the day. At 18:30 transport from the Queens Hotel to the Royal Armouries will commence. Transport back to the Queens Hotel after the function will stop at 2:15 on Saturday morning.

On Saturday 10th May transport will begin from the Queens Hotel at 08:00 to take people to the AGMs at the Royal Armouries. Transport will continue in both directions during the day until 2:15 on Sunday morning.

No transport is scheduled for Sunday 11th May.

Please note that bus drivers are not Tablers (or Circlers) and have been instructed to tolerate no inappropriate behaviour.

If you are not wearing your conference pass you will not be able to use the transport system.

Conference Hotline

The conference hotline is 07510 872099.

Please note that this phone will be switched off between 02.30 and 07.30 each night.

AGM Registration

Pre-registration for both AGMs will also be possible at the Conference Registration desk during Thursday and Friday. There will be separate registration desks on Saturday, one at each venue.

AGM Venues

The RTBI AGM is to be held in Saviles Hall at the Royal Armouries. This is the same room as the Friday and Saturday night functions, and is in a separate building opposite the main museum.

The NALC AGM is to be held in the Bury Theatre at the Royal Armouries. This is in the museum itself - enter the museum through the main entrance and follow the signs/stewards.

Function Dress Code

The Joint Presidents' Party on Friday night is a black tie dinner, the Final Night Party on Saturday is fancy dress. For the International Late Lunch, lounge suits should be worn.

Drinks at the International Late Lunch

Please note that the drinks at the International Late Lunch can be bought using cash ONLY. The venue is unable to accept cheques, credit or debit cards.