Bournemouth International Centre Hire

The Bournemouth International Centre handles conferences, exhibitions, concerts, and awards events on the South Coast. Expo Hire delivers furniture, tableware, glassware, and catering equipment direct to the BIC for organisers, exhibitors, and outside caterers.

Why hire from Expo Hire

• The only hire company in the UK that delivers and collects on Sundays. Most competitors stop at Saturday. We cover every day of the week.
• Live order tracking on every delivery and collection. Track your driver in real time by order number and postcode. No other hire company in the UK offers this for both delivery and collection.
• Every order 100% guaranteed before you pay. We check live stock and logistics at the point of booking. No substitutions, no shortfalls, no calls the week before.
• Choose morning or afternoon for delivery and collection. No other hire company gives you this choice. Your venue, your schedule.
• No security deposit. No damage deposit. Ever. Expo Hire never holds your money.
• Free Minor Damage Waiver on every order. Accidental scratches and minor wear covered at no charge. Other companies charge 2–3% of your order total for the same cover.
• The widest product range in the event hire industry. Chairs, tables, catering, glassware, linen, heating, gazebos, staging, and more from a single supplier.
• The only hire company in the UK with live chat support seven days a week, 8am to 8pm. Every competitor closes at 5pm on weekdays. Get answers when you are planning, not just during office hours.

The sheer scale and flexibility of the BIC means it’s a magnet for diverse events. You might be an exhibitor setting up a polished corporate stand, a conference organiser arranging seating for hundreds of delegates, or perhaps a company hosting a large staff party. Each scenario demands specific pieces. For exhibitions, a clean, professional look is key. Think about simple, sturdy exhibition furniture like basic trestle tables for displays, or comfortable seating areas if you want delegates to linger. We offer practical options that get the job done without fuss.

Conferences and larger corporate gatherings often require more formal seating. Our banqueting chairs are a popular choice – they are comfortable for longer periods and offer a smart appearance. For a more relaxed or modern feel, consider our stackable chairs. Round tables are great for banquets, encouraging conversation. Our 6ft circular banqueting tables seat around 8-10 people comfortably, making them ideal for dinners. For smaller, more intimate settings or breakout areas, rectangular or café-style tables might be more suitable. The key is matching the table and chair combination to the event’s flow and atmosphere.

If your event involves drinks receptions, networking, or a more social element, then bar furniture comes into play. Poseur tables paired with bar stools create a lively, standing-friendly environment. We have a range of styles, from sleek, modern poseur tables that work well in contemporary spaces, to more classic options. And of course, you’ll need a bar itself. We can supply various bar units, complete with essential bar equipment like ice buckets and bottle coolers. Don’t forget the glassware – we have everything from wine glasses to pint glasses, all delivered clean and ready for use.

For those looking for a more relaxed vibe, or perhaps an area for attendees to unwind, our sofa and lounge furniture can create comfortable breakout zones. Bean bags can add a fun, informal touch, particularly for younger audiences or more casual events. It’s about providing different zones and comfort levels within the larger venue.

When it comes to catering, even if you’re bringing in external caterers, you might need supplementary items. We offer a range of fridges and freezers to keep drinks and food chilled, and warming equipment like bain-maries for keeping food at the right temperature. If you’re planning an outdoor component or a specific catering setup, we have BBQ hire and outdoor catering options too. Remember to consider serving accessories – platters, bowls, and utensils are all part of the practical setup.

Table settings are crucial for sit-down meals, awards dinners, or any event where dining is a focus. Clean, crisp tablecloths in a range of colours and sizes provide the foundation. We supply standard rectangular and circular cloths to fit most table sizes. Complementing these are napkins, and for chairs, chair covers can add a touch of formality or colour coordination. Don't overlook the tableware itself: plates, bowls, and cutlery are all essential. We deliver these in ready-to-use condition.

Outdoor spaces adjacent to the BIC, or perhaps for specific event elements, might require different considerations. Our outdoor furniture is robust and designed for open-air use. If the weather is unpredictable, gazebo hire offers shelter, and patio heaters can extend the usability of outdoor areas well into the evening, especially during cooler months. These are great for creating welcoming entrances or separate zones.

For exhibitors, the setup needs to be efficient. We understand that time on site is often limited. That’s why our delivery service is designed for direct-to-room or direct-to-stand provision. When you book with us, simply let us know your specific delivery point within the BIC, along with the date and time slot. Our team will unload the items precisely where you need them, whether that’s inside your exhibition shell, within a conference room, or by the service entrance. This avoids the need for you or your team to transport hired items across the venue. We coordinate with BIC logistics to ensure smooth access.

Collection is just as straightforward. Once your event concludes, or at a pre-arranged time, we return to collect all the hired items. There’s no need for you to pack everything up and move it to a central point; we handle the retrieval from your specific location, again minimising your workload. It’s a simple, efficient process designed to fit around your event schedule.

When planning for the BIC, consider the flow of your event and how different areas will be used. Are there specific zones for networking, presentations, catering, or quiet reflection? Each of these might benefit from different types of furniture or equipment. For example, a product launch might need high tables and stools for a modern feel, while a gala dinner will require classic round tables and banquet seating. Thinking about these distinct areas helps ensure you have all the necessary components.

Our range of exhibition accessories can also be useful. Things like barrier hire can help manage queues or designate areas, and display cabinets are suited to showcasing valuable items or promotional materials securely.

The BIC is a venue that hosts significant events, and we're geared up to support them. From providing the foundational furniture for a trade show to the glassware for a corporate banquet, our direct delivery and collection service for the Bournemouth International Centre aims to make your event planning smoother and more efficient.