British Mensa Annual Gathering

Each year the British Mensa Annual Gathering (sometimes known as BMAG) is run by volunteers and typically attracts 300 members for a long weekend of social events and sightseeing. It varies from the AGs of some other Mensa groups in that it usually features organised tours to cultural and historic attractions. The regular format is to use a hotel as the weekend base, which will host an Icebreaker on the Friday night, one or more dinners on the Saturday night, and a variety of in-house events in the daytime, such as lectures and workshops. Meanwhile, there will be a full programme of tours and visits to historic places or other attractions nearby in the daytime.

Each year any member may submit a bid to host the AG in two years' time. The bids are viewed by the committee of Regional Officers and a winner selected. The 2008 BMAG is scheduled to be in the South West region.

The 2007 BMAG will take place in London on 10-13 August, and the lead organiser is London RO John Thorp.

Mensa's Diamond

The 2006 BMAG was titled "Mensa's Diamond" in celebration of 60 years of Mensa. It took place in Nottingham on the weekend of Mensa's actual birthday, October 1st, and was organised by Maxine Bates and Andy Farrell. Whilst not a World Gathering, members worldwide were invited to celebrate the birthday of Mensa in its native land, and over 600 people from five continents attended the celebrations which featuresd 75 events over five days. The central celebrations on the Saturday night included a medieval banquet, a black tie dinner with guest speaker Gerald Ratner, and a late night birthday party featuring an indoor pyrotechnic display.

Previous Annual Gatherings

• 2005 - Newcastle
• 2004 - Manchester
• 2003 - Birmingham
• 2002 - Blackpool
• 2001 - Leeds
• 2000 - London
• 1999 - Nottingham
• 1998 - Bournemouth
• 1997 - Edinburgh
• 1996 - Manchester
• 1995 - Leeds