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 NewcastleGateshead Convention Bureau – the specialist team tasked with boosting business tourism in the region – took a taste of North East England to the heart of the business world in London last week. Discover NewcastleGateshead – the fifth Convention Bureau showcase event – was held in Canary Wharf and welcomed about 100 visitors from the conference world, many of which were discovering the region for the very first time.
The event was a unique opportunity for the 30 North East venues and services to come together and demonstrate that the region has matured into a conference destination of real stature.
Jessica Roberts, head of business tourism at NewcastleGateshead Convention Bureau, said: ‘We have fast built up a recognised pedigree as a conference destination. Our warm welcome, iconic venues, professional support services and excellent accessibility have collectively enabled us to attract major international conferences and events ranging from the British Council for Shopping Centres’ AGM to the Conservative Party Spring Conference.
‘Roughly 100 people came through the door in our three-hour event, which indicates the level of interest there is in this destination. We not only offer amazing opportunity, diversity and support through our Convention Bureau team, but also real value for money during these tough economic times.’
 Thirty exhibitors came face to face with key conference decision-makers during the event, including The Sage Gateshead, Hilton Newcastle Gateshead, Matfen Hall and Slaley Hall, Life Science Centre, Newcastle United Football Club, East Coast Tours, and Visit South Tyneside and Event Durham.
Paul Irwin, Managing Director of East Coast Tours, said: ‘Discover NewcastleGateshead was a well organised event in a magnificent setting that afforded us a unique opportunity to get in front of key conference and meeting bookers and planners. NewcastleGateshead Convention Bureau did a superb job on the look and feel of the event, but most importantly on getting the right calibre of people there.’
Michael Bell, Resort Director of Sales, DeVere Slaley Hall Hotel, said: ‘It is the range and diversity of the venues and attractions, which make an event of this kind stand out and work so well. Discover NewcastleGateshead was faultlessly organised and very well received by clients.
‘Around 100 guests turned out on the night and gave us the opportunity to present our products to both existing and new customers, in an informal and relaxed way. There is a real sense of unity in an event like this. Of course we are showcasing our own venue, but there is a sense of collective pride in the region and we are showcasing all that is great about this destination.’
Visitors were equally impressed –100% of them who had not held events in NewcastleGateshead before saying they would now be more likely to do so.
Penny Butler from the Royal Navy Presentation Team visited the event. She said: ‘We organise conference events all over the UK and at this one we got the opportunity to meet face to face with representatives from all the major venues in this up-and-coming destination which was a great opportunity.’
Contact
Telephone: +44 (0)191 243 8819
Email: conventionbureau@ngi.org.uk
Website: www.newcastlegateshead.com/meet
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