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 The ICC in Birmingham was thrust into the media spotlight last week as it welcomed more than 13,000 delegates to the Conservative Party Conference – a greater number than at any previous Tory conference.
Widely hailed as a success by visitors and exhibitors from all over the world, the conference staged a large exhibition and more than 250 fringe sessions, using every part of the ICC. More than 800 members of the press attended, broadcasting live from the venue to the rest of the world.
Conservative leader David Cameron MP was unhesitant in praising the city. ‘It’s great to be in Birmingham – energetic, vibrant and on the up,’ he said during the conference. ‘I can’t think of a better place for the Conservative Party to meet.’
Geoff Fenlon, general manager at the ICC, said: ‘We have had a really terrific conference. Team ICC pulled together a fantastic event and I’m extremely proud of everyone involved. The feedback we have received from delegates has been wholly positive. We look forward to welcoming the party back in 2010.’
 Ian Taylor, commercial director at Marketing Birmingham, pointed out the economic benefit to Birmingham of such a large, high-profile event. ‘The arrival of 13,000 additional visitors to the city has undoubtedly provided an important boost to the local economy, filling hotels, restaurants, bars, shops and other facilities for four days. The media attention alone will carry significant value, with 2,000 mentions of Birmingham counted in the first two days across a whole range of print and broadcast outlets.
‘We will be gathering data from businesses to analyse the full economic impact of the conference, but it has undoubtedly been a huge success and excellent for Birmingham. The Team Birmingham approach – between ourselves, the NEC Group, Birmingham City Council, West Midlands Police, Brindleyplace, Broad Street BID and other organisations – has worked really well, and we now have a plan in place that we can revisit when the Conservatives come back in 2010.’
Contact
Telephone: +44 (0)121 200 2000
Email: info@theicc.co.uk
Website: www.theicc.co.uk
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