Connecting event with Journeys and facilities

A series of information guides was developed as part of my participation in the Latin dancing convention Motion City.

For the second year in a row, I have provided information guides for visitors and participants of Motion City, the annual Latin dancing convention jointly organised by Birmingham’s Latinmotion and London’s Mambocity. The event is held
 at the Eastside Rooms conference centre in the Eastside area of central Birmingham. This was the second year that the event took place at this venue.


Transport Connections

For a second consecutive year, a family of transport connection guides was updated.

This included:
- Public transport connection guides from the major railway stations in central Birmingham, including connections by tram and bus.
- A detailed public transport connection guide to and from Birmingham city centre.
- Other bus connection guides covering areas of Birmingham and beyond, including Perry Barr, Walsall, Cannock, Aston, Sutton Coldfield, Tamworth, Lea Hall and Chelmsley Wood.
- A taxi guide covering connections from the major railway stations in central Birmingham.


The information was updated and modified to reflect changes to bus locations at the Priory Queensway bus interchange, along with the expansion of the tram network and the introduction of the new tram stop at Millennium Point, which
 is approximately a 20-minute walk from the venue.


Local Facilities Guide

For the first time, a local facilities guide was developed following feedback from key participants at previous events.

The guide provides information on specific local facilities and amenities, including places to eat, cash machines, local pubs and shops providing essential items.


Approach to the Updated Guides
As well as updating the transport information, I redrew the maps to make them more accurate and to make the information easier to navigate.

I received a lot of positive feedback on the documents that were developed. There was also additional feedback for next year, including a suggestion that a local parking guide should be developed, covering relevant locations and the
 times when parking facilities are available.


Overall Feedback
Overall, the feedback suggests that the guides help bridge the gap in accessing information about getting around the area by public transport and taxi, as well as finding local facilities. They provide visitors and participants with
 the information they need in one place, reducing the time spent searching for transport connections and essential local services.

This article is a combination between the development categories Creative & Participation

Notice to Editors

Keith Mckenzie
Keith is an awareness campaigner, a creative designer (Graphic design and digital art) and a salsa dancing participant
With a background in Art & Design (including Graphic Design & Digital art) and a participant in music-related film documentaries, events & record label project King Of the Beats including filming and behind the scene preparations.
Keith was educated at Hereford College of the Arts, the University of Northampton, Birmingham City University and Google's Digital Garage. Since 2000 , he has developed over twenty years in providing awareness projects, campaigns and activities with the Awareness brand Plus Value Awareness along with Differences Originals. Also am involved with salsa classes in the local community
as an assistant. I also have participated in major dancing conventions in Birmingham's, including Motion City (created by Birmingham Latinmotion and London's ManboCity) during the summer and Latinmotion's NYE Fest during the New Year public holiday.
In 2022. Keith became a featured community participant for Birmingham who became part of special projects and campaigns to promote a positive legacy beyond hosting the Commonwealth Games