NewcastleGateshead Convention Bureau is preparing to showcase the destination to a European audience at EIBTM next month (27-29 November), following an award-winning year in which NewcastleGateshead’s growing reputation as a top place for conferences and events was cemented when it rocketed in to the UK top ten and the European top 100 in May.
The poll, which is compiled by the International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA), saw NewcastleGateshead enter the UK top ten for the first time, placing the destination above Liverpool, Leeds and York. The ‘twin cities’ also climbed a staggering 66 places to 93rd in Europe.
Adrian Evans, senior business tourism manager at NewcastleGateshead Convention Bureau said: “The ICCA poll is key at gauging how well destinations are performing in the international meetings arena and I’m really proud of what the place has achieved.
“The rankings reflect how far NewcastleGateshead has come in the last few years and, in part, are testament to the Convention Bureau’s hard work at attracting large scale international association events through our Conference Ambassador Programme. Attending EIBTM will allow us to greater profile the destination and broaden our international contacts, helping us to further grow the number of global events we attract in future.”
NewcastleGateshead was listed 10th in the UK, climbing five places since the previous poll in 2010. In 2011 NewcastleGateshead held 12 international meetings compliant with the strict ICCA criteria, as compared to five in 2010, helping NewcastleGateshead rise from 159th to 93rd in Europe.
In the last decade NewcastleGateshead Convention Bureau has secured significant high-profile national and international association events worth an estimated £65m to the local economy. Recent events have included the International Society for Health Care and European Society of Paediatric Research annual meetings. These events have helped to showcase NewcastleGateshead’s credentials as one of the top destinations in the UK to hold a conference or event.
NewcastleGateshead Convention Bureau has also seen success winning two prestigious industry awards in 2012.
In March, the Bureau won silver in the Best Convention Bureau category at the Meetings and Incentive Travel Industry awards behind Glasgow, taking the top accolade south of the Scottish border. This was followed in September when the NewcastleGateshead Meetings & Events Guide won gold in the Best Brochure category at the Meetings Industry Marketing Awards, ahead of global contenders Marketing Brisbane, Quantum Leap Events and etc.venues.
To learn more about the destination and find out how the award-winning NewcastleGateshead Convention Bureau can help organisers bring an event to North East England, visit the team on the VisitEngland stand (G250) at EIBTM, Barcelona from 27-29 November.
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:
• ICCA collect data from 86 destinations across the world and produce annual rankings based on meetings for over 50 delegates, that take place on a regular basis (eg annual) and rotate between at least 3 countries
• 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:
• www.NewcastleGateshead.com/Images – NewcastleGateshead’s Initiative’s extensive royalty free image library
Useful links:
• www.NewcastleGateshead.com/Media – NewcastleGateshead Initiative’s media website
• www.NewcastleGateshead.com/Meet – business meeting and event specific website for NewcastleGateshead