hq 38 england loose supplement
DESCRIPTION
The loose supplement of HQ38TRANSCRIPT
HEADQUARTERSDestination Report England is a special edition of HeadQuarters Magazine - April 2010published by Meeting Media Company (Belgium) - www.headquartersmagazine.com - [email protected]
INNOVATIVE ENGLAND
HEADQUARTERS 2
> I N T R O D U C T I O N
England is justifi ably one of the world’s lead-
ing congress destinations for a number of
reasons. First of all and to counter-attack a
long-standing cliché, it is one of the easiest
and most affordable countries to get to.
Over the last two years, the exchange rate
has changed dramatically, making Eng-
land very competitive compared to other
European and North American destinations:
it offers excellent value for money so you
can now spend quality time there. All of Eng-
land’s main cities have their own internation-
al airports with excellent fl ight connections
to destinations all around the world. There
is also the high speed Eurostar link to Paris
and Brussels and they have a very effi cient
road and rail network with short distances
between cities.
Secondly, England’s combination of thou-
sands of years of history with innovative
urban regeneration projects is unrivalled,
providing planners with stunning backdrops
for international congresses. I was amazed
by the excellent range of dedicated confer-
ence facilities and the superb choice of
unique venues for special events such as din-
ners and receptions. The new International
Conference Centre at ExCel in London and
the stunning riverside Arena and Convention
Centre in Liverpool are two fantastic recent
additions to the already existing portfolio
of congress facilities which also include
Manchester Central, the ICC in Birmingham
and the Bournemouth International Centre
on the south coast.
Add to the above a degree of professionalism
that is hard to fi nd in many other countries,
a warm English welcome, great food and
entertainment and excellent value for money
and England is without doubt an extremely
attractive congress destination.
Simon Gidman, Business Visits and Events
Manager at VisitEngland, offered more
insights about why international associations
should defi nitely come and visit England.
HQ: How does MeetEngland cater to international associations?
Simon Gidman: MeetEngland, as the offi cial
body for promoting England’s meeting and
conference product, can really help inter-
national association event planners plan an
inspirational and successful congress here
in England. We have excellent relationships
with all of the city convention bureaux so can
coordinate bids or source information and
images quickly.
We also provide great networking oppor-
tunities to enable England’s destinations
to meet international associations around
the world. MeetEngland recently organized
an event in Brussels where we invited six
of our leading cities to meet with sixteen
international associations. It proved a great
success as many of the association planners
that attended had little in-depth knowledge
THINK YOU KNOW ENGLAND? COME AGAIN!
MANCHESTER, LIVERPOOL, NEWCASTLEGATESHEAD AND LONDON. FOUR DESTINATIONS IN FOUR DAYS. I HAD NEVER TAKEN THIS KIND OF PRESS TRIP FOR HQ BEFORE. BUT, THANKS TO EAST COAST TRAINS, I HAPPILY DID IT, GIVEN VISITENGLAND’S STRONG DESIRE FOR ME TO SEE THE BEST OF THOSE FOUR CITIES. NOW I CAN SAY IT: IF YOU’RE LOOKING FOR DESTINATIONS WITH CLOSE LINKS TO THE INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATIONS COMMUNITY AND STATE-OF-THE-ART INFRASTRUCTURE, ENGLAND IS THE PLACE TO BE. REPORT RÉMI DÉVÉ
Birmingham
England’s combination
of thousands of years of
history with innovative
urban regeneration
projects is unrivalled,
providing planners with
stunning backdrops for
international congresses
Simon Gidman
of the English cities present and were very
keen to fi nd out more.
HQ: Some associations tend to not be able to see beyond London when it comes to organizing their congress, why do you think it’s so?
Simon Gidman: London is the capital of
England and one of the few truly ‘world’
cities. It has excellent transport links, great
congress facilities and hundreds of iconic
venues. It is a great feeling living in a city
that is constantly innovating and surprising
both residents and visitors alike. As host to
the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games I am
sure London will confi rm its status as one of
the ‘event capitals’ of the world.
We are very fortunate though here in
England that we are blessed with a number
of world class city destinations such as
Manchester, Liverpool, Birmingham and
NewcastleGateshead. Many of these cities
are rapidly changing through multi-million
pound regeneration projects. Attracting
international association events is at the
heart of their development plans and so
their infrastructure has been developed
with large congresses in mind. Many have
developed whole new areas of the city
specifi cally around their arenas and confer-
ence centres.
Given the amazing vibrancy and buzz of
these cities it is often surprising to realize
that they are so compact and very easy to
get around. Whenever I visit any of these cit-
ies I always feel a great excitement at being
a part of this rapid transformation. I know
that planners are always on the lookout for
new and exciting destinations but without
the risks associated with using a completely
untested country. I am sure that when the
word gets out, more and more international
associations will want to come and explore
these great destinations for themselves.
HQ: Can you explain the main links between England and international associations and how you work on those links?
Simon Gidman: England is a world leader
in many fi elds and the country has created
a positive climate of creativity where we
continue to develop and attract innovation. We
are world leaders in fi elds such as biotechnol-
ogy, healthcare and pharmaceuticals, fi nancial
services and advanced engineering, such as
aerospace and automotive. England has also
developed particular strengths in the creative
industries of design and entertainment as well
as information technology and environmental
and renewable energies.
England’s city destinations have strong links
with both local industry and their universities
and hospitals, many of which are leading on
international research projects. Our cities
are therefore in the perfect position to host
international association conferences which
focus on ‘their’ particular topic. Many of
England’s convention bureaux recruit both
industry and academic ambassadors to help
spread the word about their city, with great
success I have to say.
HEADQUARTERS 3
AN EVENT TO REMEMBER WORLD YOUTH AND STUDENT TRAVEL CONFERENCE (WYSTC)
Held in September 2009 in Manchester, WYSTC
is considered the leading event for the youth,
student and educational travel industry.
Hosting WYSTC in 2009 provided Manchester
with an excellent showcase opportunity to
position the city as a new and vibrant destination
to the travel trade and the student travel sector.
Susan Goldstein, Managing Director, WYSTC, said:
‘With one of Europe’s largest student populations
in and just outside of the city, Manchester is a ter-
rifi c destination to hold our conference. The level
of support we have received from Visit Manchester,
Northwest Regional Development Agency, Man-
chester Central and the city as a whole was fantas-
tic. The event will certainly provide UK specialists
with a very unique opportunity to do business with
the industry’s leaders in their own back yard.’
CONTACT
Simon Gidman
Business Visits and Events Manager
MeetEngland - VisitEngland
Phone +44 (0)20 7578 1442
www.meetengland.com
ACC Liverpool
Angel of the North, NewcastleGateshead Harrogate International Centre
The Sage GatesheadLondon Southbank
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IF YOU PLAY A WORD ASSOCIATION GAME WITH SOMEONE, THE FIRST THOUGHT LIKELY TO COME TO YOUR PARTNER’S MIND WHEN YOU MENTION LIVERPOOL IS ‘THE BEATLES’. BEING THE BIRTHPLACE OF THE MOST FAMOUS ROCK BAND EVER, IT HARDLY COMES AS A SURPRISE THAT EVEN TODAY, THE FAB FOUR REMAIN A STRONG DRAW FOR VISITORS. BUT THERE IS MORE TO LIVERPOOL THAN THE BEATLES. AS A CITY BUSTLING WITH LIFE, COLOUR AND CULTURE, IT SHOULD BE ON THE MAP OF ANY INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATIONS WISHING TO ORGANISE A PRESTIGIOUS CONGRESS.
This was widely publicised two years ago
when Liverpool celebrated European Capital
of Culture 2008, which played a vital role
in raising the profi le of the city on a global
scale. The celebratory year generated mil-
lions of pounds and visitors, but it also helped
Liverpool transform itself with venues being
renovated, new hotels created and entire dis-
tricts rejuvenated. Now Liverpool Convention
Bureau is building on this success, looking to
make the city a real ‘Capital of Conferencing’.
I have to confess: it’s defi nitely getting there.
In the 24 hours I was there, change could ac-
tually be felt everywhere. Cranes dominated
the skyline, construction projects have been
agreed, and new museums and galleries are
being developed, including the new £72million
Museum of Liverpool, which I’m really looking
forward to seeing when it opens in Spring
2011. Set against the backdrop of the world-fa-
mous UNESCO World Heritage waterfront and
steeped in history and rich cultural heritage,
Liverpool seems to be the ideal destination to
stage a conference or event of any kind.
STRONGEST ASSETArena and Convention Centre Liverpool
(ACC Liverpool) may well be the strongest
asset of the city. Home to the BT Convention
Centre and Echo Arena, it lies at the heart of
the city, bordered by a magnifi cent water-
front location and the historic Albert Dock
- and just a short walk from The Beatles Story
attraction! In addition to being a beautiful
building, all in glass and light, the convention
complex is uniquely fl exible, with a combined
exhibition space of 7,125 m2. The BT Conven-
LIVERPOOL,A CITY THAT ROCKS
> L I V E R P O O L
ACC Liverpool
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HEADQUARTERS 5
tion Centre boasts a spacious auditorium,
seating up to 1,350 delegates, which can be
divided into three separate auditoria. There
are also an additional 18 break-out rooms
for groups up to 500 people. And if you’re
looking for accommodation, look no further,
as there are two neighbouring hotels offering
442 bedrooms, with another striking 2,000
rooms all at walking distance!
It’s in the green sector that ACC Liverpool
clearly stands out. One of the greenest
venues in Europe, the team are committed
to ensuring that your event is as green as it
possibly can be. Thanks to a Green Dream
Team and through several initiatives such as
wind turbine, rain harvesting or low energy
lighting - just to name a few of course - it has
been certifi ed many things but is the only UK
venue to have achieved both BREEAM and
ISO14001 accreditations. Sustainability is not
just a marketing tool for ACC Liverpool, it’s
practically a way of life!
SURE SUCCESSBecause of the professionalism of the people
and commitment to conferencing, any event
held in Liverpool will be a success. Places that
have had fascinating lives of their own before
becoming host venues, but have retained
their original character, are hugely popular.
These are complemented by modern hotels
such as Hilton Liverpool, ideally located
half-way between ACC Liverpool and the city
centre, or the Hard Days Night, the world’s
fi rst boutique Beatles’ infl uenced hotel, in
which I was lucky enough to stay. The city just
brims with excitement.
And that’s not all! Sporting venues, museums,
galleries, historic buildings including two ca-
thedrals, and even two Victorian glasshouses,
which are all part of Liverpool’s conferencing
experience. Aintree Racecourse, home of the
John Smith’s Grand National, Liverpool Foot-
ball Club’s Anfi eld Stadium and the historic
Albert Dock can all make for a unique event.
When asked about the most rewarding part of
the EURAM 2009 Conference, Terry McNulty,
Professor of Management and Corporate
Governance, stated: ‘The delegates’ posi-
tive reaction to the City of Liverpool and the
delegates spanning from nearly 40 countries
and fi ve continents. Also, seeing the Anglican
Cathedral set up for the Gala Dinner - a spec-
tacular sight and truly memorable evening for
all attendees. Ultimately, a feeling of success,
as shown via the feedback both throughout
and after the event.’ Doesn’t this say it all?
Of course residential venues should always be
an option for conferences that span several
days or even one whole day, and Liverpool de-
livers on this count, too. What’s more, the dura-
tion of your stay doesn’t have to be entirely for
business; combining a conference with a spot
of sightseeing, culture, sport or fi ne dining is
becoming ever more popular. And with Liver-
pool Convention Bureau which just launched
its new branding, renewing its commitment to
attracting events organisers, by helping them
secure venues, suppliers and even room nights,
Liverpool is defi nitely the place to be.
As Carol O’Reilly, Manager of Liverpool Con-
vention Bureau, says: ‘Our modern branding
is the fi nal part in positioning Liverpool as a
contemporary brand that can breathe life into
events and we are looking forward to an excit-
ing future!’
More information
www.visitliverpool.com/conferences
> L I V E R P O O L
Set against the backdrop of the world-famous UNESCO World Heritage waterfront and steeped in history and rich cultural heritage, Liverpool seems to be the ideal destination to stage a conference or event of any kind
A FEW REASONS TO CHOOSE LIVERPOOL+ a wealth of academic knowledge and
research via four universities and
two university hospitals
+ world-class Meetings Industry Asso-
ciation accredited venues and hotels
+ two international airports within a
45-minute drive
+ new infrastructure of hotels to suit
all tastes and budgets
+ UNESCO World Heritage Status
+ international profi le as European
Capital of Culture 2008
+ more museums and galleries than
any other UK city outside London
+ world-renowned musical and mari-
time heritage
Hilton Liverpool Liverpool FC Stadium
Hard Days Night - The Lennon Suite Echo Arena
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HEADQUARTERS 6
> L O N D O N
LONDON. YOU WOULD ALMOST THINK THAT IT DOESN’T REALLY NEED PROMO-TION. AFTER ALL, BEING THE CAPITAL OF PRETTY MUCH EVERYTHING, FROM FASH-ION TO FINANCE AND CULTURE AMONG OTHER THINGS, IT BOASTS ALL THE FEATURES THAT WOULD MAKE YOUR DEL-EGATES WANT TO ATTEND YOUR EVENT IF YOU DECIDED TO HOLD IT THERE. BUT TO DISMISS IT AS A CONGRESS DESTINATION BECAUSE YOU THINK YOU ALREADY KNOW THE CITY INSIDE OUT WOULD BE WRONG. AS LONDON PREPARES FOR THE 2012 OLYMPICS AND PARALYMPIC GAMES, IT’S CONSTANTLY CHANGING - AND WAS ACTU-ALLY CHANGING UNDER MY VERY EYES WHEN I TOOK A WALK AMONG ITS MANY FACILITIES LAST MARCH.
Just as it happened for Beijing, the Olympic
and Paralympic Games that will take place
in 2012 in London have presented a huge
opportunity for the city to offer all the
facilities expected of a global destination.
Every improvement made for the Games
will enhance the city’s stature as one of
the world’s most vibrant locations. Those
developments are here to stay and many of
them will serve as meetings venues once
the Games are over. On a side note, the
Olympics will also have a positive effect on
public transport, as getting around London
will be easier and actually faster.
Becky Graveney, Associations Sales Manager,
said: ‘To complement all the new facilities
for associations, Visit London have recently
created a London for Associations brand
which is a dedicated to providing Associa-
tions with bespoke information, including a
Directory, regular newsletter, a toolkit with
relevant marketing collateral and a dedicated
section on the web site www.visitlondon/as-
sociations.’
REGENERATIONWith its own airport (London City Airport),
and London’s fi rst ICC convention centre
and array of unique venues refl ecting
a rich heritage, East London stands at the
forefront of this regeneration. While some
event organisers prefer to stick to the tested
City or West End districts, more and more are
turning to London Eastside’s new venues. As
Patricia Holmes, Business Tourism Manager
at London Eastside puts it: ‘It’s a very diverse
area, with Canary Wharf at its heart, the
Royal Docks and ExCeL London to the east
and hip Spitalfi elds to the west. With its wide
EVER CHANGING, EVER ATTRACTIVE LONDON
Just as it happened for Beijing,
the Olympic and Paralympic
Games that will take place
in 2012 in London have
presented a huge opportunity
for the city to offer all the
facilities expected of a global
destination.
Olympic Stadium
HEADQUARTERS 7
range of quality venues, East London will
make any event a success!’
Talking about regeneration, ExCeL London,
which doesn’t really need to be introduced,
has just undergone radical changes, thanks
to an expansion programme that has created
new, versatile spaces that now sit alongside
the existing conference and exhibition facili-
ties. As London’s fi rst ICC it’s not only the
UK’s largest fully-fl exible auditorium - with
5,000 seats, it’s equal in size to Europe’s
largest too! There’s also London’s largest ban-
queting hall for up to 3,000 guests and a con-
ference suite comprising 17 individual meeting
rooms, suitable for anything from 50 to 2,500
delegates. Shall I go on or is it enough?
I was also lucky enough to stay at one of the
newest hotels in town. Occupying a dramatic
position among the striking architectural and
historical landmarks of the capital’s South
Bank, Park Plaza Westminster Bridge sits
right next to The Merlin Entertainments Lon-
don Eye - another must-see attraction that
you should defi nitely experience. Where once
stood what may have been one of the ugliest
buildings in London, a contemporary apart-
hotel rises, with 1,021 guest rooms. In terms
of meeting space, the hotel provides the most
extensive new area in the city, with a Grand
Ballroom catering for more than 1,200 del-
egates, with an additional 30 function rooms.
You could hardly ask for more.
OR TRADITIONALOf course there are also the more ‘traditional’
places where it’s possible to hold your event.
In this regard, the Queen Elizabeth II Confer-
ence Centre is the place to be. Uniquely
situated in the shadow of Big Ben, Westmin-
ster Abbey and The London Eye, it offers, as
a purpose-built venue, the fi nest services to
associations. Accommodating up to 3,000
delegates, the conference and meeting rooms
can be used in a variety of combinations to
match any requirement. In terms of sustain-
ability, QEIICC has nothing to blush about: it
recognises it has a responsibility to achieve
environmental best practice and continuously
improve its business activities to protect the
natural environment by carefully managing
energy and minimising waste.
Two other conference hotels are also worth
considering as they could be handy if you
feel shy in venues such as ExCeL or QEIICC.
Just 10 minutes from Oxfort Street lies Hilton
London Metropole, a prestigious hotel among
business travellers. Here fi gures speak for
themselves, as 3 to 3,000 can meet, 2 to
2,000 can eat and 1 to 1,000 can sleep under
its roof. I was personally impressed by its 2
identical Conference Suites, very convenient
for a plenary and an exhibition.
Near the Hammersmith Theatre, there is
the Novotel London West, which has just
undergone a massive refurbishment, of-
fering 5,500 m2 of fl exible conference and
exhibition space over 4 connecting dedicated
connecting fl oors and 32 conference rooms!
Novotel just launched a new programme dedi-
cated to meetings called Eureka. The typical
Eureka room features unconventional and
fl exible ergonomic furnishings combined with
state-of-the-art technology tools to inspire
fresh thinking. Eureka also lets conference
organisers enjoy the choice of an à la carte
and/or buffet menu within the meeting space,
another instance of Novotel’s commitment to
offering the guest fl exible choices.
Those few lines are just impressions and high-
lights of London as an association congress
destination. To really feel what the city is
about, to experience its many unique venues
and discover its hidden gems, one event is
defi nitely not enough. In short, London is a
destination which calls for return. You should
simply go and check it out yourself.
More information
www.visitlondon.com/business
LONDON FACTS AND FIGURES+ average number of association
delegates a year: 22,000
+ 102,000 rooms in 357 hotels at
present - 123,000 rooms by 2012
+ 5 international airports
+ 300 direct fl ights from
worldwide destination
+ 250+ free attractions
+ 17 renowned national museums
+ 150 theatres
+ more than 6,000 restaurants,
bars and cafés
+ 4 World Heritage sites
+ London is made up of 30% of
green space
+ more than 300 languages spoken
> L O N D O N
The QEIICC - Westminster
Park Plaza Westminster Bridge Novotel London West
HEADQUARTERS 8
> M A N C H E S T E R
THE RANGE AND SHEER AMOUNT OF CONFERENCE AND EVENT VENUES IN MANCHESTER IS SO VAST THAT IT’S ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO APPRECIATE IT ALL IN JUST ONE DAY. FORTUNATELY, IN THE SHORT PERIOD OF TIME I WAS THERE I HAD THE HELP OF ANTHONY CASSIDY, A REPRESENTATIVE FROM VISIT MANCHESTER WHO SPECIALISES IN ACCOUNT MANAGING EUROPEAN AND INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION CONGRESSES. HE GAVE ME A GOOD GLIMPSE OF WHAT THE CITY HAS TO OFFER THE ASSOCIATION COMMUNITY. AND NEEDLESS TO SAY I WAS IMPRESSED AND CAN’T WAIT TO GO BACK NOW!
Pretty much the only thing I knew about
Manchester was that it’s obviously the home
of Manchester United, maybe the world’s
most popular football team. I also was aware
of the fact that Manchester’s gay scene is
famously one of Britain’s friendliest, busiest
and most welcoming. But now I know there’s
way more than that to Manchester.
PERFECT SETTINGFrom a small meeting to a conference or
convention for up to 19,000 delegates, the
city boasts a varied, innovative and impres-
sive range of venues. You may think other
destinations do as well, but what differenti-
ates Manchester to some of its colleagues
is the passion! I could actually almost feel it
wherever I went, whoever I talked to during
my (way too short) stay there.
Anthony Cassidy puts it this way: ‘Many cities
can cite the range of venues it has, its infra-
structure and fi nancial incentives available to
event planners. Manchester has all of these,
but above all else we have passion! The team
at Visit Manchester and the city as a whole
relish the opportunity to host international
events.’
To welcome a wide range of events, there is
of course Manchester Central, in the area
known as Petersfi eld. Once a central railway
station, historically a place where people
met, it is now one of Europe’s premier con-
vention and exhibition locations - and maybe
the only non purpose-built conference centre
I have ever visited. Expanded over the years,
the facility includes a conference auditorium,
a range of break-out and seminar rooms and
over 13,500 m2 of exhibition space.
The good news is that Manchester Central is
currently undergoing an impressive redevel-
opment programme to expand and enhance
the existing buildings. Due for completion in
the autumn of 2010, the facility will include a
new Charter Foyer, a new and extended foyer
area to the iconic Central Hall and additional
seminar and catering spaces. All in all, the
maximum capacity of Manchester will be
8,000 people theatre style in Central Hall. As
for accommodation, no need to worry about
that as there are 2,500 guest rooms at a
5-minute walking distance and even 6,000
within 10 minutes! Take my word for it and
try the impressive Midland Hotel or the fas-
cinating Radisson Edwardian Hotel: they’re
very close by.
MANCHESTER, WHERE PASSION IS A WAY OF LIFE
Manchester United Stadium
HEADQUARTERS 9
Manchester has undergone a series of mas-
sive transformations over the years: from
its early recognition as a formidable Roman
fort, to an industrial epicentre centuries
later; more recently from the UK’s indie mu-
sic capital to a cosmopolitan city break desti-
nation. With a proven track record of staging
world-class events from sporting to cultural,
Manchester is now also fi rmly established on
the worldwide circuit as a leading association
conference destination.
ASSOCIATION CONFERENCESAs a successful host to, among others,
Europe’s largest political conferences, the
city welcomed a variety of association
congresses in the past, including the Labour
Party Annual Conference, the International
Symposium of Gas Kinetics, CIPD, and the
World Youth and Student Travel Conference.
In 2010, Manchester has recently received
confi rmation from the British HIV associa-
tion, Unite the union and the TUC.
Anthony Cassidy says: ‘As well as the services
an organiser would expect from a leading
convention city, we offer a bespoke service
to each and every client to help them turn
a good event into a great one. We help with
event marketing, securing key speakers, civic
receptions, fi nancial support, identifying a
local host or ambassador with a relevant
association and liaising with other city stake-
holders to deliver specifi c services.’
Because conventions are often much more
than plenary sessions, workshops and
presentations, Manchester offers an endless
choice of entertainment and leisure options.
Home to the largest theatre land outside
London and with the busiest indoor arena
in the world, from theatres and galleries, to
designer shops and one-off boutiques, Man-
chester seems to have it all.
By day, you can explore landmark galleries
and museums, like Daniel Libeskind’s Imperial
War Museum North, the Museum of Science
and Industry and Manchester Art Gallery.
By night, you can take in a show at one of
Manchester’s many theatrical and concert
venues, like the Royal Exchange or the Lowry.
Need a special venue for your welcome
party? Why not try Manchester Town Hall
with its exquisite décor or Manchester United
Football Club? Those are of course just two
possibilities among an array of options.
As the unoffi cial capital of the region, Man-
chester makes the ideal base for exploring
the North of England. Talk about pre- or post-
conference tours and you will be amazed by
the endless possibilities! For days out head
for the stunning countryside of the Lake
District, Lancashire and the Peak District or
make the most of the city’s transport links to
visit local market towns or the historic cities
of Chester or York…
More information
www.visitmanchester.com
www.manchesterconferences.com
> M A N C H E S T E R
An exciting blend of culture, history and commerce, Manchester provides the perfect setting for any event, from a small meeting to a conference or convention for up to 19,000 delegates
WHY CHOOSE MANCHESTER?+ Over 250 outstanding venues,
including a world class convention
centre complex
+ Award-winning airport serving
20 UK and more than
200 world-wide destinations
+ Over 19,000 hotel bedrooms with
over 6,000 in the city centre, many
with their own conference facilities
and meeting rooms
+ One of the UK’s leading conference
destinations
+ Wide range of support services
provided by Marketing Manchester’s
dedicated conference team
Manchester Central
Midland Hotel
HEADQUARTERS 10
> N E W C A S T L E G A T E S H E A D
IT’S NO BIG SECRET. WHEN IT COMES TO HOSTING AN INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIA-TION CONFERENCE IN ENGLAND, NEW-CASTLEGATESHEAD DOESN’T NECESSAR-ILY COME TO MIND, SAY, NATURALLY. YET, I SPENT A WHOLE DAY THERE AND IN THIS RATHER SHORT PERIOD OF TIME I GREW CONVINCED THAT IT’S A DESTINATION DEFINITELY WORTH CONSIDERING, AN EXCITING MIX OF MODERN AND HISTORIC THAT HAS TRANSFORMED ITSELF OVER THE YEARS INTO A VIBRANT LOCATION WITH SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE.
Located at the heart of North East England,
Newcastle and Gateshead are twinned by
seven bridges crossing the River Tyne (the
perspective on the waterfront is one-of-a-
kind) to form a unique congress destination,
NewcastleGateshead. A city with proud
industrial roots, it’s been reinventing itself in
the most fascinating way. I’m sure some of
you know about the shopping, the nightlife
or the passion for sport (needless to say
Newcastle United is a beloved football team),
but for a meeting NewcastleGateshead can
cater equally well for groups of ten or for
thousands of delegates.
DRIVING FORCEFirst and foremost, there is one state-of-
the-art facility that immediately stands out,
when you take a stroll on the river banks. A
driving force in the regeneration of the ‘twin
cities’ since opening in 2004, The Sage
Gateshead is an amazing place in which
to hold events of any kind. Designed by
acclaimed architect Sir Norman Foster, it’s
a fully-equipped, award-winning conference
venue, with facilities that include two out-
standing auditoria, two large multi-purpose
rooms, a spectacular glazed concourse, café,
bars, restaurants and foyers with stunning
river views. Have a look at the picture and
you’ll understand what I mean!
With a maximum capacity of 1,700 and
no less than 38 meeting rooms, it’s the
convention centre par excellence. What I
particularly liked about it is that it’s defi nitely
a living place. Sometimes venues like this
can be dead when there is no event taking
place. At The Sage Gateshead it’s part of
the community, people come and go, there
is life everywhere… If you choose to hold a
conference there, it could defi nitely be an
added-value: you could feel like you’re a part
of a bigger picture!
The quality and diversity of accommoda-
tion to be found in the ‘twin cities’ and in
the direct surroundings of NewcastleGates-
head’s main conference venues matches
the expectations of any association planner.
Hilton Newcastle Gateshead is the typi-
cal but much-needed congress hotel, while
Malmaison Newcastle, where I was lucky
enough to stay, provides the ideal atmos-
phere of laidbackness and relaxation after a
hard day’s work.
The friendliness of the people in Newcastle-
Gateshead is second to none and legendary.
In an instant, Jessica Roberts, Head of
Business Tourism at NewcastleGateshead
Convention Bureau, and David Bootle, Busi-
ness PR Manager at NewcastleGateshead
Initiative, made me feel at ease. This sense
of welcome is best seen in the Ambas-
sador Programme that Jessica helped put
together. She puts it this way:
‘The NewcastleGateshead Conference
Ambassador Programme is a real testament
to the enthusiasm of ambassadors that help
secure major conferences to our beautiful
’twin cities’, attracting high-profi le individu-
als and delegates from all over the world
who instantly feel at ease in our compact
and walkable destination.’
HIGHLIGHTSDuring my stay in NewcastleGateshead,
I couldn’t of course see all the venues and
hotels that are available to the association
planner. But I had a good glimpse of them.
Here are my favourites.
NEWCASTLEGATESHEADTWIN CITIES TO DISCOVER
Newcastle Civic Centre
HEADQUARTERS 11
> N E W C A S T L E G A T E S H E A D
A SELECTION OF PAST AND FUTURE EVENTS HELD AT THE SAGE GATESHEAD+ June 2006 World Summit
on Arts and Culture
+ October 2006 Soroptomists
International
+ August 2007 14th International
Symposium on Actinomycete Biology
+ September/October 2008 World
Muscle Congress
+ July 2010 International Congress
on Marine Corrosion and Fouling
+ October 2011 European Society
for Paediatric Research
+ July 2013 International Colour
Association
The Sage Gateshead
Great North Museum - Hancock
yLocated at the heart of North East England, Newcastle and Gates-head are twinned by seven bridges crossing the River Tyne (the perspective on the waterfront is one-of-a-kind) to form a unique congress destination, NewcastleGatesheadNewcastle Civic Centre
Northumbria University
Truly a venue like no other - and I’m weigh-
ing my words here - Newcastle Civic Centre
was built in the 60s and hasn’t changed
since, though of course it’s been carefully
maintained. It’s defi nitely one-of-a-kind
and is sure to make your event special,
whether it be a gala dinner with a red-car-
pet welcome, a conference in the impressive
Council Chamber or a gourmet banquet for
up to 600 persons in the Banqueting Hall.
All in all, the fl exibility of Newcastle Civic
Centre’s suites and grounds offers the rare
opportunity to showcase what Newcastle-
Gateshead is all about: a fascinating mixture
of old and new.
Being a a destination that has two
leading universities with about 80,000
students in total, NewcastleGateshead’s
university facilities work extremely well for
conferences. Newcastle University’s large
city centre campus combines an historic
academic setting with state-of-the-art facili-
ties. Venues range from the Georgian splen-
dour of the Terrace Room to hi-tech lecture
theatres for up to 500 delegates. At the
forefront of educational and cultural aware-
ness, Northumbria University can provide
over 20 lecture theatres from 30 to 400
people and a wide selection of seminar and
breakout rooms. Adjacent accommodation,
on-site parking and
excellent cater-
ing services are of
course available.
Last but not least
is Great North Mu-
seum: Hancock. Lo-
cated in the heart of Newcastle, the building
has just undergone a massive refurbishment
and offers now a whole range of meetings
opportunities for small groups to bigger
exhibitions. It’s rare enough to be mentioned:
the museum can be hired as a whole, accom-
modating up to 1,300 guests. Looking brand-
new, with the historic yet modern feel, it’s
sure to lend a special character to any event.
More information
www.NewcastleGateshead.com/meet
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