Following the success of its London-based showcase event in 2010, NewcastleGateshead Convention Bureau is planning a follow up event, giving conference organisers and meeting planners the chance to discover the destination on territory.
The Discover NewcastleGateshead familiarisation visit will give meeting planners, agents and professional conference organisers the opportunity to learn more about some of the destination’s top venues and will take place over Thursday 17 and Friday 18 November 2011.
Jessica Roberts, head of business tourism at NewcastleGateshead Convention Bureau, said: “We know that meeting planners are wowed by NewcastleGateshead. They often can’t believe how beautiful, compact and friendly it is. However, for many it is still a relatively undiscovered destination we are delighted to be able to give them an opportunity to see it for themselves and sample just a taste of some of North East England’s finest venues and hotels’.
The familiarisation visit will feature a range of venues including Close House Hotel, Jurys Inn NewcastleGateshead, Jesmond Dene House, Great North Museum, Newcastle United Football Club, Life Conference and Banqueting, and the destination’s flagship venue, The Sage Gateshead where delegates will be treated to a spectacular gala dinner.
Neal Crocker, general manager at Close House Hotel, said: “We’re really looking forward showing off our newly refurbished meetings, bedroom and golf facilities. Close House is one of the most striking country house properties in the north of England and we have recently completed a multimillion pound redevelopment including the creation of state-of-the-art golf clubhouse and new bedrooms in our historic stable block. We have a compelling offer for meeting and event planners and can deliver strong incentive packages as well as conferences for up to 100 delegates.”
Jessica added: “NewcastleGateshead is experiencing a host of exciting new developments with six new hotels currently under construction or recently opened. There’s never been a better time to ‘Discover NewcastleGateshead’ as BALTIC welcomes the UK’s most prestigious art accolade, the Turner Prize, this winter and St James’ Park prepares to host Olympic football in 2012.”
Meeting planners can register their interest in attending the Discover NewcastleGateshead familiarisation visit at www.DiscoverNewcastleGateshead.com
Ends.
For media enquiries contact:
Shelley Armstrong
Media & PR Manager
T. +44 (0)191 440 5739
M. +44 (0)771 763 1109
E. shelley.armstrong@ngi.org.uk
Notes to editors:
• NewcastleGateshead Initiative is a destination marketing and management agency; a public-private partnership supported by Gateshead and Newcastle City Councils, working with around 165 private sector member organisations across NewcastleGateshead and the wider region.
All of our activity aims to promote and position NewcastleGateshead as a world-class vibrant tourism destination, through targeted marketing and PR campaigns nationally and internationally and through the work of our cultural programming team and convention bureau.
NewcastleGateshead Initiative is supported by a board offering expertise from a range of sectors and professions. We also work with a wide range of partners, stakeholders and businesses, who share our ambition to promote NewcastleGateshead as a world-class place in which to live, learn, work, and visit.
• NewcastleGateshead Convention Bureau’s mission is to position and promote NewcastleGateshead as a leading European destination for leisure and business visitors through event bidding and high-profile, targeted destination marketing and PR activity.
Our Convention Bureau uses local knowledge and expertise to help organise conferences, meetings or events in NewcastleGateshead and the surrounding area. It provides a free service including arranging everything from venue sourcing and booking to accommodation, transport and entertainment for delegates. With a huge choice of state-of-the-art venues NewcastleGateshead is fast becoming one of the UK’s most popular destinations whether it’s for a meeting of 10 people or a conference for thousands.
• United by seven bridges across a spectacular riverscape, Newcastle (a city on the north bank of the River Tyne) and Gateshead (a town on the south bank) form a single, diverse and extremely vibrant visitor destination. World-class culture, vibrant nightlife, award-winning dining, inspiring heritage, fantastic shopping and acclaimed architecture are combined here like nowhere else, by the famous Geordie spirit which is symbolised by Antony Gormley’s iconic Angel of the North as it welcomes travellers to the area.
Imagery / Photography opportunities:
• Image attached shows the latest developments at Close House Hotel, The Stables
• www.NewcastleGateshead.com/Images – NewcastleGateshead’s Initiative’s extensive royalty free image library
Useful links:
• www.DiscoverNewcastleGateshead.com – Discover NewcastleGateshead website
• www.NewcastleGateshead.com/Media – NewcastleGateshead Initiative’s media website
• www.NewcastleGateshead.com/Meet – business meeting and event specific website for NewcastleGateshead