Members of the British Association of Conference Destinations (BACD) recently voted to merge with events industry association Eventia. The unanimous vote took place at the BACD’s Annual General Meeting.

Eventia has grown rapidly since its formation in 2006 through a merger by two other trade associations: the Incentive Travel and Meetings Association and the Corporate Events Association. It now has more than 270 member companies and organisations and, with the advent of 50 BACD destination members from 1 January 2009, membership is set to increase by a further 20%.

The addition of British destinations will also strengthen the lobbying remit of Eventia, creating a more cohesive and representative body for the sector and giving Eventia a stronger voice on behalf of the industry.

"I am really delighted about the BACD decision to merge,” said Patrick Collins of Universal CIT, the new Eventia chair. “I have felt for a long time that our sector is too fragmented, which naturally dilutes the strength and authority that could be lobbying for and supporting our industry. We see many synergies with BACD and, collectively, we will have better communication, better understanding, better education, and a stronger, better informed voice."

Eventia's executive director Izania Downie added: "I am thrilled and excited by the potential of the Eventia and BACD merger. We have already been developing close links with the BACD executive office team, who have been providing an association management service to Eventia since April. There are now great opportunities to cement our relationship with the wider BACD membership and to create additional benefits and services for them and for the existing Eventia members."