A NATIONAL conference for the LGBTQ+ community is set to take place in Gloucestershire.

Pride in Gloucestershire and Cheltenham Racecourse won their bid to host the 2020 UK Pride Organisers Network (UKPON) annual general meeting and conference between October 9 and 11.

JayJay Potter-Peachey, Pride in Gloucestershire chairperson, said: “I'm thrilled and excited to be bringing the UK Pride Network to Gloucestershire.

“We are a proud county and we cannot wait to throw our arms open to Pride organisers from all over the network to come and help strengthen the knowledge and skills of the UK's volunteer Pride organisers.

“Cheltenham is a perfect setting for the conference and we look forward to showing the network what our county has to offer.

“Well done to the team at Pride in Gloucestershire and we look forward to a huge year in 2020.”

UKPON brings together the LGBT+ organisers of Pride events in the UK, the Channel Islands, the Isle of Man and Republic of Ireland.

Each autumn, UKPON partners with a Pride organisation to host the AGM and conference to provide members with an opportunity to contribute to the running of the network and for the sharing of ideas and experiences, networking and workshops.

Lee Moulson, regional head of sales at Cheltenham Racecourse, Jockey Club Racecourses, added: “We are extremely honoured to be hosting the UKPON AGM and conference next year.

“We started working with Pride in Gloucestershire on the bid in May so to have that hard work pay off is wonderful news.

“Our success in hosting the conference is extremely significant because compared to other Pride events hosted by the likes of Pride in London and Birmingham Pride, Pride in Gloucestershire is so small in comparison and run by a handful of dedicated volunteers so it is such a coup.

“We are looking forward to working with the Pride in Gloucestershire team to stage a fantastic event for everyone involved.”

The Pride in Gloucestershire team has already received backing for next year’s UKPON AGM and conference in the shape of sponsorship from EDF Energy, but more sponsorship is needed and businesses are being called upon to support the event.

For more information about the 2020 UKPON AGM and conference at Cheltenham Racecourse and sponsorship opportunities, email info@prideinglos.org.uk