NewcastleGateshead is celebrating after securing two major international conferences to its flagship conference venue, The Sage Gateshead.
Bids for the International Ethological Congress (IEC) and the European Academy of Childhood Disability (EACD) fought off stiff competition from a range of international destinations, including Australia, and collectively will see around 1700 delegates descend on the ‘twin cities’ in 2013.
Jessica Roberts, head of business tourism at NewcastleGateshead Convention Bureau, said: “The destination’s two universities are at the forefront of world-leading research in a range of medical, technical and scientific fields; as a result, NewcastleGateshead is well placed to attract national and international conferences for a range of associations.”
The IEC will take place in August 2013 with support from professional conference organisers and ABPCO member, Benchmark Communications, the EACD will take place in October 2013, both at The Sage Gateshead.
Anthony Sargent, general director at The Sage Gateshead, said: “The Sage Gateshead has fast won an international reputation as a venue of choice for leading medical congresses, and we’re very much looking forward to welcoming the delegates to these two important conferences.”
The events have been brought to the destination in no small part due to the hard work and dedication of members of the Convention Bureau’s successful Conference Ambassador Programme.
Dr Melissa Bateson and her colleagues at Newcastle University’s Centre for Behaviour and Evolution were instrumental in securing the IEC for the destination, she said: “We are delighted to be bringing the IEC to NewcastleGateshead. The combination of excellent international accessibility, a superb congress venue and good value accommodation combined with our academic expertise in the field meant our bid was extremely well received.
“Working in the destination, you get a real sense of all the city has to offer, NewcastleGateshead is a beautiful destination with a real wow factor that I’m sure will impress our colleagues from across the globe.”
The programme provides bespoke support to clients looking to bring major association sector conferences to NewcastleGateshead, and the Convention Bureau are on hand to ensure their superior local knowledge and contacts build strong bids capable of winning business ahead of other destinations across the world.
Ends
Media Enquiries
Shelley Staines, Media and PR Manager – Destination & Business, NewcastleGateshead Initiative
T: 0191 440 5739 M: 07717 631 109 E: shelley.staines@ngi.org.uk
Notes 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.
• It is estimated that visitors to NewcastleGateshead from around the UK and overseas contribute £1.23bn to the local economy.
• Press releases and copyright-free hi-res images on NewcastleGateshead are available from our website www.NewcastleGateshead.com/Meet
• The Sage Gateshead is one of the most popular conference venues in the UK. Occupying a dramatic urban site, the spectacular open public spaces and glazed front offer superb sweeping views across the River Tyne and the vibrant and exciting cityscape of Newcastle Gateshead. Designed by Foster & Partners, The Sage Gateshead is versatile in its use and can be used for all types of events including international conferences, product launches, AGMS and weddings. For further information on what The Sage Gateshead can offer please contact the Conference and Events team on 0191 443 4640 or visit www.thesagegateshead.org/conferences