Behçet’s UK 2026 Conference & AGM

Saturday 17 October 2026
Mercure Nottingham Sherwood Hotel | Online Webinar

We are delighted to invite you to our 2026 Annual Conference and AGM. To ensure our whole community can access vital information comfortably and safely, we are hosting a hybrid event this year.

This format gives you the complete flexibility to choose how you want to join us:

• In-Person attendance: Meet up face-to-face with fellow members to share experiences, find community support, and chat at the Mercure Nottingham Sherwood Hotel.
• Online attendance: Stream all the main-stage medical talks live from the comfort of home via Zoom Webinar, with the ability to submit questions to our speakers.

Attend online

Online registration opens in September; however, you can pre-register today to receive an email reminder when booking goes live.

Frequently asked questions

General Questions

What is the Behçet’s UK Conference and AGM?
Where is the Behçet’s UK Conference and AGM?
When is the Behçet’s UK 2026 Conference & AGM?
What is the programme for the day?
Who will be speaking?
What is a hybrid conference?
What is the cost?

Attending the conference in person

How do I book my place to attend in person?
Do I need to print my ticket(s)?
Can I just turn up on the day?
What if I need to cancel?
I use a wheelchair/ scooter or have mobility issues: do I need to let you know?
Where can I take a break?
What food and/or refreshments will there be?
Can I bring my children?
Can I bring my dog?
How do I get there?
I’d like to book overnight accommodation, where can I stay?
Where can I park?
Filming and photography

Attending the conference online

How do I book my place to watch online?
How can I watch the conference online?
Can other people see me watching online?
Can other people see my online questions?

We’ve tried to pre-empt many of the questions you may have, but please don’t hesitate to get in touch with us by phone 0345 130 7328 or email info@behcetsuk.org if you have any further questions.

What is the Behçet’s UK Conference and AGM?

As a registered charity, Behçet’s UK holds an Annual General Meeting (AGM) each year. While the formal business is only a brief part of the day, the whole conference serves as a vital space for our community to come together, support one another, and learn.

The conference is open to anyone affected by or interested in the condition, including patients, family members, carers, and medical professionals.

Throughout the day, attendees will have the chance to:

• Learn about Behçet’s UK, including our achievements over the past year and our priorities ahead.
• Hear from specialist clinicians and healthcare professionals involved in Behçet’s care.
• Listen to personal experiences shared by people living with Behçet’s and from Behçet’s support teams.
• Meet the trustees and staff from Behçet’s UK and Behçet’s Patient Centres.
• Take part in a medical panel question-and-answer session.
• Chat with fellow attendees, share experiences, and find mutual support (for those attending in-person).

Our 2025 conference received exceptional feedback, with 100% of attendees finding the sessions informative and 96% stating the content was relevant.

Where is the Behçet’s UK Conference and AGM?

For those attending in-person, it will be held at Mercure Nottingham Sherwood Hotel, 296 Mansfield Road, Nottingham, NG5 2BT.

For those watching online – pick your favourite spot and log in.

When is the Behçet’s UK 2026 Conference & AGM?

Saturday 17 October 2026
In-person: 09:30 – 16:30
Online: 10:30 – 16:30

What is the programme for the day/Who will be speaking?

Dr Situnayake, Clinical Lead at the Birmingham Behçet’s Centre of Excellence, and members of his specialist team will be supporting this year’s conference.

The full programme of presentations will be published here closer to the event.

Behçet’s UK reserves the right to make changes to the conference content or speakers at any time without prior notice.

What is a hybrid conference?

It means our annual conference takes place in two places at once! Following the success of our past online events, we learned how wonderful it is to reach a wider audience. However, we also know that meeting up and talking with others affected by Behçet’s face-to-face is a deeply valued part of our event.

A hybrid conference offers the best of both worlds by giving you the choice to join us in-person or watch live online via Zoom Webinar.

• If you join us in-person: You can hear the speakers live, chat with fellow attendees, and share experiences face-to-face.
• If you join us online: You can watch all the sessions and submit questions to our speakers.

This format offers the flexibility to access vital information and find community support from wherever you feel most comfortable.

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What is the cost?

To help as many people as possible attend, Behçet’s UK covers all or the majority of the cost for each attendee.

Although we keep costs low and subsidised, donations are always very welcome and make a real difference in helping us continue to run events like this and support people affected by Behçet’s.

IN-PERSON
FREE
Behçet’s UK ADULT Member (plus up to one guest)

• _{For current Behçet’s UK adult members plus up to one complimentary guest}
• _{A maximum of 2 tickets total per adult member.}

IN-PERSON
FREE
Behçet’s UK JUNIOR Member and/or Parent/Guardian

• _{For junior members aged 14–18, and/or parents/guardians of a current junior member.}
• _{The junior member does not need to attend, but under 18s must be accompanied by an adult.}
• _{A maximum of 3 tickets total per junior member.}

IN-PERSON
£15
Non-Member / Additional Guest

• _{For non-members, or any extra guests beyond the free allocations allowed on member tickets.}
• _{Fully refundable until the end of Wednesday 16 September 2026.}
• _{Not a Behçet’s UK member? Join today to get two free tickets for our conference!}

ONLINE
FREE
Members and non-members

• _{Attending online is free for everyone}

Attending the conference in person

How do I book my place to attend in person?

If you would like to join us in person, please register using the link at the top of the page.

Alternatively, you can contact our admin team on 0345 130 7328.

Do I need to print my ticket(s)?

No, you do not need to print your tickets. We will have all your details at the registration desk on the day.

Can I just turn up on the day?

Unfortunately, we cannot accommodate anyone without a ticket.

What if I need to cancel?

If you need to cancel some, or all of your tickets, please let us know as soon as possible. This allows us to release your place(s) and offer them to other guests.

Although attendance is free for members and £15 for non-members, Behçet’s UK still subsidises each place reserved. To help us make the best use of charitable funds, we kindly ask that you let us know as soon as possible if you are unable to attend. This ensures our resources are directed towards supporting people affected by Behçet’s rather than covering the cost of unused places.

Contact us by phone 0345 130 7328 or email us at info@behcetsuk.org

I use a wheelchair/ scooter or have mobility issues: do I need to let you know?

The venue is fully accessible; however, we request that you let us know if you use a wheelchair or mobility scooter so we can inform the venue when setting up the room.

If you have any concerns, require additional help or feel there is anything else we should be made aware of please get in touch with us by phone 0345 130 7328 or email info@behcetsuk.org, so we can consult with the venue to make your visit more enjoyable.

Where can I take a break?

Breaks will be scheduled in the programme however we have a breakout space adjoining the conference room so you can take a break whenever you like.

What food and/or refreshments will there be?

Tea, coffee, and water will be available all day. A cold buffet is served at lunch, with snacks on arrival and during the afternoon break. Please let us know any dietary requirements when booking. All refreshments are free, though donations are welcome.

Can I bring my children?

The Conference & AGM is designed for adults and older teenagers, and we recommend attendance for those aged 14 and over. The programme may not be suitable for younger children and, unfortunately, we are unable to provide a crèche or supervised play area.

If childcare arrangements would make it difficult for you to attend in person, we encourage you to join the conference online instead.

Can I bring my dog?

We’re sorry, but only assistance dogs are allowed.

How do I get there?

Please make sure that any pre-booked travel or accommodation is fully refundable, or that you have appropriate travel insurance to cover these costs. In the unlikely event that Behçet’s UK must cancel the conference, we cannot accept liability for any expenses incurred by delegates or guests.

By road
Google/Apple Maps: search for “Mercure Nottingham Sherwood Hotel”
Sat Nav postcode: NG5 2BT
What3words for hotel entrance: ///cost.value.causes
See ‘Where can I park‘ for details of parking available.

By rail
The hotel is approx 10-15 minute taxi ride (2.1 miles) from Nottingham Station

By bus/tram
Visit https://www.reading-buses.co.uk for details of local bus and tram routes.

By air
Skylink runs a regular coach link from East Midlands Airport to Nottingham City Centre

I’d like to book overnight accommodation, where can I stay?

Please make sure that any pre-booked travel or accommodation is fully refundable, or that you have appropriate travel insurance to cover these costs. In the unlikely event that Behçet’s UK must cancel the conference, we cannot accept liability for any expenses incurred by delegates or guests.

There are plenty of hotels and self-catering accommodation available in Nottingham, including budget chains.

Rooms at the Mercure Nottingham Sherwood Hotel can be booked directly through the Accor website.

Where can I park?

There is complimentary parking onsite for conference attendees, with 250 spaces including 6 blue badge spaces.

IMPORTANT: You must enter your registration number with reception before leaving the carpark to obtain free parking.

Filming and photography

The conference will be filmed and streamed live by Aston Media, and photography will take place throughout the event.

Filming: Aston Media will not intentionally film the audience, but please be mindful of camera positions, especially if you need to move around during presentations. Cameras will not film during breaks. For guidance on seating, speak to Gemma Darlow or Aston Media on the day.

Photography & Consent: By attending, you consent to your image being used by Behçet’s UK to promote our work and events in printed or electronic formats (e.g., website, social media). If you or anyone in your group does not wish to be photographed or have images used, please inform us at 0345 130 7328 or info@behcetsuk.org , or speak to Gemma Darlow on the day.

Privacy: Personal details will not be included in photographs without specific consent.

Storage & Duration: Photographs will be stored securely for up to 5 years. After this period, consent expires, and no new promotional materials will be created using your image without renewed consent. Materials produced during the consent period may remain in circulation until the end of their promotional life unless deemed inappropriate.

Global Reach: Please note that our website can be viewed worldwide, not just in the UK, where UK law applies.

Withdrawal of Consent: You can withdraw your consent at any time by writing to us or emailing info@behcetsuk.org
. After withdrawal, your image will not be used in future publications and will be removed from our website and social media, although it may continue to appear in materials already in circulation.

Attending the conference online

How do I book my place to watch online?

Online registration opens in September. In the meantime, you can pre-register using the link at the top of this page, and we’ll email you as soon as bookings go live.

How can I watch the conference online?

Registration to attend online will open in September, and you must register in advance in order to watch the conference via Zoom. The event is split into two sessions (morning and afternoon), and if you would like to attend the full day you will need to register for both sessions.

Once you have registered, you will receive an email for each session containing your unique joining link. If you register ahead of time, Zoom will also send reminder emails 7 days, 24 hours, and 1 hour before each session begins.

Please check your inbox carefully, including your spam or junk folder, if you do not receive your confirmation or reminder emails. If you are still unable to locate them, please get in touch with us and we will be happy to help.

You do not need a Zoom account to join – simply click your unique link from the email on a PC, Mac, iPad, iPhone, or Android device.

For the best experience, we recommend using a stable Wi-Fi or wired internet connection with sufficient bandwidth, rather than mobile data where possible.

Can other people see me watching online?

No – other attendees cannot see you when you join online, so you can watch in complete privacy, wherever and however you like.

Can other people see my questions?

Yes – any questions you submit through the Q&A can be seen by everyone attending the webinar. You can ask anonymously, but please keep questions general and avoid naming individuals, clinicians, or specific health practices.