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Nottingham Conferences is launching highlighting the million pound benefit of holding conferences and events in the Nottingham and East Midlands region. The brand representing the University of Nottingham’s conference facilities will have brought £64.3 m. to the local economy by the end of 2008, a figure it is looking to increase in 2009 through a series of sales and marketing activities supported by a fully integrated PR campaign. Planned tactics will not only demonstrate the benefits of Nottingham as a business destination, but will highlight the importance of a local support network bringing and keeping business in the local community.
It will be starting the New Year with a bang by hosting over 60 agents on a fam trip in conjunction with Experience Notts, and other leading hotels and conference venues throughout the city. The weekend will consist of visits to several venues including the award winning East Midlands Conference Centre for an exhibition style venue show representing more than 40 venues and support services throughout Nottinghamshire. Also included in the weekend are activities such as chocolate tasting, ghost walks, indoor golf and ice skating at Nottingham Ice Arena, topped off with a glittering gala dinner. “Nottingham is fast becoming one of the most progressive cities in Europe for the conference and events market, and has been rated as a top ten destination for association and corporate events” comments Kirstie Danzey, Marketing Manager for Nottingham Conferences. “Our year long awareness campaign is designed to increase awareness of Nottingham as a conference and events destination, and the fam trip is a great opportunity for us to kick off our activity and to showcase our facilities and demonstrate the opportunities Nottingham has to offer.”
Currently, almost four in ten (37%) trips to the East Midlands is a business visit. Conferences and meetings offer massive benefit to local business; visitors on business to the city spend on average a third more than leisure visitors** and use the full benefit of the city, from our bars and restaurants, hotels, tourist attractions to our taxi drivers. The industry also employs over 22,500 people across the county. Business visitors also provide out of season tourism boosts and are also more likely to return with family as leisure guests as a result of their experience. “We have dozens of landmark venues that bring in thousands of visitors to the city every year, including the East Midlands Conference Centre, all based at the University of Nottingham” concludes Danzey. “Nottingham has a great location within the UK, easily accessible by plane, train and car, we also have friendly and welcoming people that provide great service to our visitors, a real plus for visitors coming on business.”
Theodore is the Co-Founder and Managing Editor of TravelDailyNews Media Network; his responsibilities include business development and planning for TravelDailyNews long-term opportunities.
