The organisation tasked with bringing national and international business events and conferences to NewcastleGateshead has today announced that is has won business worth in excess of £1m for the destination between April and October 2010.
Jessica Roberts, Head of Business Tourism at NewcastleGateshead Convention Bureau said; “We’re delighted to announce that the Convention Bureau has secured an estimated £1.03m worth of conference and accommodation business for our members in just six months.
“Despite the recession there has been resilience in NewcastleGateshead with national and international meetings and events organisers choosing to bring their next big conference to the destination.
“Our recent delegate survey showed that 99% rated the destination as ‘excellent’ or ‘good’ with delegates describing the ‘twin cities’ as ‘interesting, friendly and historic’. It’s the iconic location, professional approach and friendly attitude of our meetings industry that continue to attract major conferences and events to what is now recognised as one of the UK’s leading conference cities.”
What’s more, events booked by the Convention Bureau which took place in the same period, were worth £1.07 million, a 27% increase on the same period in 2009.
These figures have been boosted by news of big wins secured with the Bureau’s help, including the International Conference on Environmental Futures 2011 (ICEF 2011), The British Association of Plastic, Reconstructive & Aesthetic Surgeons 2012 and the European Society for Paediatric Research 2012.
Newcastle University will host ICEF 2011 in July next year and secured the business with the help of fellow NewcastleGateshead Initiative member, Benchmark Communications and the Convention Bureau.
Nicholas Polunin, Professor of Marine Environmental Sciences at Newcastle University who was involved in bringing the conference to NewcastleGateshead said: “Newcastle is the ideal place to bring a conference of this nature having been named the UK’s most sustainable city for the second year running by the Forum for the Future, it is a fantastic place to discuss environmental issues and its future.
“Newcastle University’s high profile and leading research in science, technology and interdisciplinary research and regional engagement mean we’re well placed to host the best international minds on the subject.”
Sue Reay, Benchmark Communications, who are providing management services for ICEF 2011, said;
“It’s fantastic to hear that the meetings industry is generating such valuable business for NewcastleGateshead. As a local service provider we have worked with the Convention Bureau for many years and have seen some fantastic events come into the city.
“With a strong scientific base at Newcastle University we’re seeing more conferences and association meetings from the science community come to the destination and the economic impacts are always far reaching. Not only will event organisers use us to help with arrangements and deal with all logistical requirements, delegates also stay and relax locally, enjoying the destinations attractions, restaurants and bars.”
The International Conference on Environmental Futures has also boosted advance hotel bookings across NewcastleGateshead with properties including County Hotel by Thistle, Imperial Hotel, Kensington House Apart-Hotel and Premier Inn Newcastle City Centre all offering rooms for delegates.
Jessica Roberts added “While we’ve brought over a £1m worth of business to the destination, NewcastleGateshead Convention Bureau also undertakes a range of award winning marketing activities, which helps businesses to raise their profile and generate business directly to hotels, venues and suppliers across North East England.
“Our continued work with businesses across NewcastleGateshead and North East England has really put the destination on the UK conferencing map, and we hope future work will continue to grow the economic value of meetings and events which is already worth an estimated £240m in NewcastleGateshead alone.”
For more information on bringing an event to NewcastleGateshead or to learn more about NewcastleGateshead Convention Bureau visit www.NewcastleGateshead.com/Meet
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For further information contact:
Shelley Staines, Media & PR Manager – Destination & Business, NewcastleGateshead Initiative.
T. +44 (0)191 440 5739 M. +44 (0)7717 631 109 E. shelley.staines@ngi.org.uk
www.NewcastleGateshead.com/Media to Editors
• NewcastleGateshead Initiative (NGI) is the destination marketing agency for NewcastleGateshead. Its mission is to position and promote NewcastleGateshead as a leading European destination for leisure and business visitors through cultural programming, event bidding and high-profile, targeted destination marketing and PR activity. Created in 2000 by Newcastle City Council and Gateshead Council as a publicly and privately funded business, NGI has developed a strong brand for the area – promoting it nationally and internationally as a place at the forefront of innovative culture-led regeneration and a world-class place to live, learn, work and visit.
• NewcastleGateshead 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.
• For further information on NewcastleGateshead Convention Bureau visit www.NewcastleGateshead.com/Meet
• It is estimated that visitors to NewcastleGateshead from around the UK and overseas contribute £1.23bn to the local economy.
• To learn more about the International Conference on Environmental Futures visit www.icef.org.uk
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