Fringe event FAQ

The deadline for Congress fringe event submissions has now passed. 

What is the Congress fringe?

When do fringe events take place?

Who can hold a fringe?
What kind of fringe events could be held?
What are the criteria for holding a fringe event?
What are the criteria for forum led fringes?
How is the programme approved?

How do I get my event accredited?
What support will I get to arrange my event?
When can I confirm details with speakers?
How do I get sponsorship for my event?
How do I arrange a venue?
How do I know what day my event will be held?
How do I order audiovisual equipment?
How do I distribute tickets for my event?
More help and information

What is the Congress fringe?

The fringe programme includes everything outside the Congress agenda. This can be events which provide training, learning or information gathering opportunities; launches; social or networking occasions; and activities such as Fit for Congress.

When do fringe events take place?

Fringe events take place outside the main business of Congress, between 12.45-2.15pm or after 5.30pm. This allows voting members to be in the main auditorium for policy debates.

Who can hold a fringe?

Groups eligible to hold fringe events are:


What kind of fringe events could be held?

Fringe events can be in a range of formats - for example:

The more creative the format, the better!

Likewise the subject for your fringe is up to you - as long as it is related to nursing, health and the RCN. You might want to pick a clinical or nursing practice topic, or something related to health and social care policy. Or you may want to focus on something local or you could go global.
Fringe events are a good way to celebrate successful work, or launch new initiatives, products and services. They are also a good way to share findings from research and network with others interested in your subject.  

What are the criteria for holding a fringe event?

Holding a fringe event is your opportunity to contribute to the aims of Congress. Use the criteria as a check list to ensure you're making the most of your chance to influence and promote an issue that matters to you.

Fringe events must contribute to:

There are further criteria for forum led fringes (see below).

What are the criteria for forum led fringes?

Fringe events can be a significant part of a forum's activity, to ensure the success of your proposal you should ensure that:

  1. the outcome of the event reflects the forum's aims and is agreed with the Nursing Department adviser
  2. the budget/funding is identified and any sponsorship funding sought independently has been agreed by the Events Team
  3. the event meets the overall criteria for the fringe
  4. Forum Governance Group and Council priorities are addressed in the aim of the session
  5. learning outcomes are listed e.g. at the the end of the session participants will be able to identify, explain, show, state, define, predict or criticise the issue your event covered.

How is the programme approved?

Once a draft programme has been drawn up from the event proposals it will be reviewed by the Agenda Committee in December 2009. Organisers will be contacted if more information is required or action needs to be taken to address a possible conflict of interest of reputational risk. It is only after this meeting organisers willl be informed whether their event is confirmed. Confirmed events, other than social or celebratory, will then be sent to the RCN Accreditation Unit for review.

How do I get my event accredited?

Congress is accredited for continuing professional development, and your fringe event is part of it. All confirmed events that have learning or training content (i.e. not social or celebratory) are automatically sent for review by the RCN Accreditation Unit. The unit checks that events meet required quality criteria and can advise on how to amend content if your proposal falls short.

What support will I get to arrange my event?

Fringe events are your events, which means you are in control of the arrangements. The RCN Events Team will book your room, but you are responsible for arranging catering and audiovisual requirements directly with the hotel or subcontractor. You should also make sure that you request any publications well in advance, so that there is time to order any necessary reprints.

When can I confirm details with speakers?

Do not confirm dates or venues with speakers until you have been contacted by the Events Team.

How do I get sponsorship for my event?

If you need help to get your event sponsored it must be clearly requested on your submission form. You can read the full sponsorship guidelines. The deadline for sponsorship requests is 18 November 2009.

How do I arrange a venue?

A limited number of rooms will be available in the Bournemouth International Centre (BIC). These will be allocated on a first come, first served basis subject to room capacity. Other rooms will be provided in the Royal Bath, the Marriott Highcliff, the Hermitage and the Trouville Hotel, which are less than 10 minutes' walk away from the BIC.

Your room will be allocated by the Events Team on basis of capacity.

Room hire costs are based on size and are charged at an hourly rate. They range from £50-£85 per hour and do not include audiovisual equipment or catering. Set up time is included in the length of time you hire the room for - so for example, if your event is two hours long, you will need to include time either side to set up and break down the room and include it in your budget.

How do I know what day my event will be held?

The Events Team will allocate you a date and time for your event based on the availability of suitable venues and relevant time slots.

How do I order audiovisual (AV) equipment?

We recommend booking AV equipment from the R&B Group as they are generally less expensive than ordering direct from the hotel. All orders should be emailed to congress@rbgroup.co.uk quoting RCN Congress 2010.

Please ensure that you include the following information:

You will receive a quote for costs which you must confirm.

How do I distribute tickets for my event?

Events don't have to be ticketed, but if you expect the event to draw a large crowd or are charging for entry, ticketing is sometimes necessary. Tickets should either be distributed in advance of Congress or via the RCN stand in the exhibition hall. The stand can distribute free tickets and also make cash sales. Further details about arranging your ticketing will be supplied when the Events Team confirms your venue. Information about how to obtain tickets will be included on your fringe guide web entry.

More help and information

If you can't find the information you need on this page, please call:
Jane Brant 020 7647 3848 or
Laura Benfield 020 7647 3591
Or email: congress.fringe@rcn.org.uk