 Yorkshire South Tourism (YST) has hosted the first ever Conference Ambassador VIP Event to thank its ambassadors for their support of the scheme to date, and for working together with YST to raise the profile of Sheffield and the region for major conferences.
The networking event, held last week at Sheffield City Hall – which has hosted more than 1,000 conferences and events since its £12.5million refurbishment – kicked off with a behind-the-scenes venue tour, showing ambassadors the versatility of the venue for all kinds of events and conferences. The evening gave ambassadors the rare opportunity for a VIP workshop with a member of the Halle Orchestra before enjoying an evening of classical music, as well as the chance to network with fellow ambassadors. This is just one of a series of events Yorkshire South will be holding to thank ambassadors for their support of the programme.
The Yorkshire South Conference Ambassador Programme was launched in November 2007 by Sir Lord Robert Winston to create a network of passionate and motivated conference ambassadors. Sheffield Hallam's own conference organiser, Conference 21, was the first organisation to link up with Yorkshire South. Now – with the support of the University of Sheffield and the Sheffield Chamber of Commerce – the Ambassador Programme attempts to attract more national and international events to the city, promoting Sheffield and the region as a perfect destination for conferences and meetings.
Chris Welsh, YTS chairman, commented: ‘It was a great evening for the Conference Ambassador Programme, and I am thrilled with the take-up so far. To date the programme has attracted over 60 ambassadors, and we are currently working on 12 bids for events hoping to come into the region as far ahead as 2012. We can add value to an event by offering a comprehensive service that includes bid preparation, impartial advice on venues, on-line accommodation bookings, discounted rail travel, social and partner programmes, and exhibition arrangements. Conferences are our business, and we are here to help ambassadors every step of the way.’
Gemma Bradshaw, Ambassador Programme manager, added: ‘Our first ambassador VIP event was a huge success, and we hope many more ambassadors will sign up and benefit from our special VIP events. We don’t expect ambassadors to take on any additional work or responsibilities, but through their contacts we would like to propose the region for future events. By hosting a professional society or association meeting within the region, you can raise the profile of both an organisation or business and an ambassador’s standing within it. At the same time, hosting an event also raises the profile of the Yorkshire South region.’
To date, YTS has launched the Conference Ambassador Programme to academics and staff at Sheffield Hallam University and the University of Sheffield. Yorkshire South will shortly be rolling out the programme in Doncaster, Rotherham and Barnsley, working closely with other organisations in the region to organise similar ambassador events.
If you are interested in bidding to host a future conference or event, and would like to get involved in the Conference Ambassador Programme, please get in touch with Gemma Bradshaw via the contact details below.
Contact
Telephone: +44 (0)114 201 1015
Email: ambassador@yorkshiresouth.com
Website: www.yorkshiresouth.com/ambassador
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