Bureau scoops top industry prize

NewcastleGateshead Convention Bureau, the specialist team tasked with bringing major conferences to the destination, scooped Silver in the Best UK Convention Bureau category at the 2010 Meetings and Incentive Travel (M&IT) Industry Awards.

The announcement was made at a gala presentation dinner at the Novotel London West on Monday night, attended by more than 600 industry professionals. The other three finalists in the Convention Bureau category were: Conference Torquay; Glasgow City Marketing Bureau and Yorkshire South Tourism, with Glasgow taking the Gold.

The M&IT Industry Awards, the oldest established awards programme in the meetings industry, recognise and reward excellence and are the result of voting by readers of the specialist conference and meetings magazine; Meetings and Incentive Travel.

Jessica Roberts, head of business tourism at NewcastleGateshead Convention Bureau, said: “It’s great to see NewcastleGateshead recognised by the meetings industry and in such great company. We’re delighted so many of our clients, venues and members voted for us and we’d like to say a big thank you for their tireless support.”

The results were announced on the eve of International Confex 2010, the major international tradeshow which attracts 10,000 plus visitors, where NewcastleGateshead Convention Bureau is exhibiting with eight regional stand partners – the highest ever number of partners in its nine years at the show.