In collaboration with Culturapedia, we’re taking over Blackpool and nearby Poulton-le-Fylde for three days of Linguistic Illuminations. Together we’ll traverse the landscapes of language, artistic expression, and have big conversations about the challenges and opportunities we face as a sector.
We have a jampacked 3-day programme of showcasing, ballyhoos, workshops, talks and networking. You can view the full programme below.
If you’d like to get involved, we have opened applications for our 2024 Ballyoo artists. Please see the Conference Schedule and click on the Artists Opportunity: Ballyhoo events to apply.
Accommodation included in the ticket this year. We will be staying at the brand-new Holiday Inn Blackpool, which is next door to Blackpool North train station. Single occupancy (allocated in either twin or King room by us) is assumed unless you indicate you WHO you be sharing with at the point of booking.
If you would like to request an invoice then please email events@ruraltouring.org.uk so we can send you the delegate form.
If you require a companion ticket for a Personal Assistant please email events@ruraltouring.org.uk and we will add this to your booking manually.
We can’t wait to see you in Blackpool from 12-14 June 2024!
3 Day Tickets include:
- Conference admission
- Accommodation at the Holiday Inn Blackpool North*
- Evening meal on Wednesday 12 June
- Lunch and Evening meal on Thurs 13 June
- Lunch on Friday
- Train travel from Blackpool North to Poulton-Le-Fylde
*The cost of accommodation is non-refundable after the point of booking.
Artists Callouts:
Ballyhoo
Ballyhoo: Originally (at a carnival, etc.): a showperson’s touting speech, or a performance advertising a show. Hence (as mass noun): bombastic nonsense; extravagant or brash publicity; noisy fuss.
Roll, up, roll up and ballyhoo at the NRTF Conference 2024! Ballyhoos are NRTF’s own brand of mini-showcase. We provide an audience, an exciting performance space and a microphone and you provide the rest! We invite you to make a bombastic speech or performance, touting a project to NRTF Members. Following your Ballyhoo, delegates will ask you questions about your the work you’re pitching and how it might work in their venues.
Who
4 successful applicants will be invited to present their work at the NRTF Conference in Blackpool
What
A 20 min ‘elevator pitch’ of work you are excited to share with NRTF Conference Delegates in the hope that they will programme your work
Where
Inspiring spaces across Blackpool
When
12, 13, 14 JUNE 2024
Fee:
NRTF offers a fee of £150 plus a Conference Day ticket, 1 night of accommodation at the Conference hotel and travel allowance. We have an access budget should you require support to attend the Conference.
Three things to consider when deciding if a Ballyhoo is the right way to showcase your work:
1. You have researched what it is to rural tour: Are You New To Rural Touring?
2. Your show will be ready to be programmed into RT seasons Spring 25, Autumn 25
3. You have a solid idea in terms of space, tech, length, wrap-around for the presentation – Delegates will have questions for you following your pitch so you’ll need to have a good sense of how this will make sense in rural venues.
If you’re unsure if a ballyhoo is right for you, please feel free to contact Beth (NRTF Conference Manager) events@NRTF.org.uk.
Successful applicants will be sent a Ballyhoo Performance Guide and be invited to a 60 min online session prior to the Conference.
Artists Showcase applications
(TBC)
FAQs
- What is it?
- When is it?
- Where is it?
- If I buy a full conference ticket, what does that include?
- Are there bursaries available this year?
- What is the accommodation like?
- Is there parking available?
- What access provisions will there be?
If you cannot find the information you need, please contact Hattie on membership@nrtf.org.uk
What is it?
The NRTF annual conference is a 3 day event, open to everyone who is involved in, or interested in, Rural Touring in the UK. It includes panel discussions, workshops, showcases, Ballyhoos, entertainment and lots more besides.
When is it?
Weds 12th, Thurs 13th, Fri 14th June.
We encourage you to attend the full conference, however shorter tickets are available.
Where is it?
This year, the NRTF Conference is taking place in Blackpool and Poulton-le-Fylde.
The first 2 days will be in Blackpool, and on the morning of the 3rd day, we will travel the short journey to Poulton-le-Fylde. There will be a group train booking, or you can travel independently if you prefer.
If I buy a full conference ticket, what does that include?
A full conference ticket, Weds – Fri, includes:
> accommodation for Weds and Thurs nights
> all meals, (Weds dinner, Thurs breakfast, lunch and dinner, Fri breakfast and lunch).
Are there bursaries available this year?
Yes, we have conference bursaries available for Scheme members, Artists and Promoters. You can find out more about these, and apply via this link.
What is the accommodation like?
The accommodation is in a brand new Holiday Inn hotel, right next to Blackpool North station, (85 Talbot Rd, Blackpool FY1 1LL). There are King rooms, King accessible rooms and twin rooms.
You can choose to share a room with a friend who is attending the conference when you buy your tickets, otherwise you will be allocated your own room for the 2 nights.
If you require an accessible room, or have any specific access requirements around your accommodation, please let us know.
Is there parking available?
Parking for the accommodation and first 2 days of the conference is at the multi-storey which is opposite the hotel. You collect a token at the car park, and then have it validated at reception.
The cost is £10 for 24 hrs and £12 for 48 hrs.
This can be found at:
Talbot Road multi-storey car park, Deansgate, Blackpool FY1 1AU
Here is a Google Map Link
Parking for Friday, near Poulton-Le-Fylde Community Hall can be found at:
Wyre Civic Centre Car Park, Rough Lea Road, Poulton-le-Fylde, FY6 7PU
Here is a Google Map Link
What access provisions will there be?
We are working hard to improve accessibility at the NRTF Conference, and this year we have:
> Easy read guides for all Conference venues, including step free access (links below)
> Easy read Schedule for all Conference events (links below)
> Chill Out, (Quiet spaces), at each venue
> Clear signage at venues
> Live captioning for larger events (excluding showcases)
> Venue guided tours available, before events begin.
When you purchase your ticket, there is a space in the booking form for you to let us know your access requirements. If there is something you feel we have missed that would enable you to attend, please let us know.
If you want to talk to someone directly about your access requirements, please contact Hattie on membership@nrtf.org.uk
Easy Read Guides
Easy Read Guide for The Holiday Inn – Download
Easy Read Guide for the Old Electric – General Access – Download
Easy Read Guide for the Old Electric – Step Free Access – Download
Easy Read Guide for Poulton-Le-Fylde Community Hall – Download
Easy Read Schedules
Please note: These are live documents, and will be updated if/when information changes.
Easy Read Schedule Day 1
Easy Read Schedule Day 2
Easy Read Schedule Day 3
Ready to Book? Click here
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