83 days and counting until Belfast welcomes delegates to the 2012 UK National Convention. We can hardly believe it is almost here!

Nearly 40 delegates have already registered for this year's National Convention. HAVE YOU??

Don't miss out on the early bird discount and register by September 30th at http://jciukconv2012.eventbrite.com/

The Conference Organizing Committee has been working hard ever since winning the bid back in September of last year and have planned a weekend full of engaging seminars, challenges and workshops as well as a glitzy gala dinner in Belfast's newest visitor attraction, Titanic Belfast.

Friday will open with a business lecture focused on effective communication followed by a special Prince's Trust Mentoring Session, where delegates will have the opportunity to share their expertise and experience with Young Ambassadors from the Northern Ireland Prince's Trust and give something back to the local community here in Belfast. This session will run in parallel with the Public Speaking Competition where delegates throughout the UK will be competing nationally by speaking on a range of interesting topics including active citizenship, the Olympics and the next UN millennium development goals among others.

Friday night promises to break the ice with a night of fun and frivolity at The Ulster Reform Club - one of Belfast's oldest private members' clubs which opened in 1885 and has been fostering enterprise and commercial life in Belfast ever since. The Irish themed night will feature traditional fayre, Irish ceili music and plenty of space for those wishing to have a go at recreating Riverdance! It is worth noting that the Ulster Reform Club has a dress code - so no jeans or trainers.

Saturday is set to be a heady mix of intellectual stimulation during the daytime sessions and a night of glamour and glitz at the gala dinner in Titanic Belfast.

For those not participating in National Council on Saturday morning, we have something special in store for you. We will maintain the suspense by just saying it will be a "challenge" of sorts that will get you up and about and ready for the day. More details to follow soon.

Following the morning session, keynote speaker Dr Jackie McCoy, Director of the business institute at the University of Ulster, will be presenting on ‘leading with emotional intelligence' on Saturday at the city's Hilton Hotel, our JCI HQ for the weekend of the convention. She brings years of knowledge and experience on the topic of leadership and the emotional skills needed to be a good leader.