11 March 2000

Croeso i Gymru Welcome to Wales
Croeso i Gaerdydd Welcome to Cardiff

The 66th SI/GBI Federation Conference takes place in Cardiff in the International Arena Conference Centre 26-29 October 2000

On behalf of Federation President Elizabeth Harrison and the conference committee, Chairman Lesley Barthorpe conveys their welcome to the Conference in the Spring 2000 issue of The Soroptimist magazine. The article also contains practical information and details of the city sights.

Members of the 25 clubs in Wales South want to remind you of the warm hospitality for which our country is famous. You will find many of us as Stewards around the Conference Centre where we will be happy to answer questions about what to see and do while you are staying in our beautiful capital city. Our Regional President, Pat Rodway and President-Elect, Sadie Morton will also be on hand to say 'Croeso'.

The Conference Theme is -"Forward with Optimism", a feeling which will be echoed in the daily programmes.

Thursday 26 October Evening: Opening Ceremony in the Cardiff International Arena

Friday 27 October Morning: Speaker, Australian Allan Pease, best-selling author and expert on communication speaking on "Men Don't Listen and Women Can't Read Maps". Followed by Sue Cammish of Time Management Institute looking at how to get the best from yourself in everyday life and the working environment.

Friday 27 October Afternoon: Reporting on achievements on the SI/GBI Street Children Project. Followed by discussion on the impact of the United Nations' International Year of the Culture of Peace 2000 which sets the scene for the International Decade of the Culture of Peace and non-violence to Children of the World 2001-2010.

Friday 27 October Evening: Entertainment from a Welsh Dance Group and a Ladies Barbershop Choir.

Saturday 28 October Morning: Annual General Meeting

Saturday 28 October Afternoon: Group workshops covering Programme Action areas. Or a chance to go shopping and sightseeing.

Saturday 28 October Evening: Change of Insignia Ceremony in the main arena followed by a Celebratory Dinner.

Sunday 29 October Morning Service at St John's Church in the city centre at 11am . Conference closes.

Conference Venue - getting there

The Cardiff International Arena is within walking distance of the City Centre.

By Road: 5 miles south of the M4 Motorway.
Access from Junction 30 to the East, Junction 32 to the North. Junction 33 from the West.

By Rail/Coach: 4 minutes walk from Central Bus and Rail Stations
Paddington Station to Cardiff in 2 hours with InterCity
Direct services available from Liverpool, Manchester, Nottingham, Birmingham and from the South East

By Air: Cardiff International Airport 20 minutes drive from the City Centre
Scheduled flights from UK and European cities

Cardiff City Website

There are twenty-eight excellent photographs of interesting places to visit on Cardiff City Council's website under the Images section.