Directors at the regional development agency’s convention bureau are toasting a successful autumn after totting up 16 events with an economic impact of over £3.3m in one month.
NewcastleGateshead Initiative said September proved to be the busiest month of the year so far for conferencing in Newcastle and Gateshead, with business events being held for sectors including science, research, nursing and education. The Faraday Institution held its annual conference in Newcastle for the first time, attracting 500 delegates from as far afield as Fiji to the city thanks to the region’s growing authority in green energy and battery storage, as well as research strengths at Newcastle University.
Newcastle University and Northumbria University both continue to attract a high volume of conferences thanks to their research and teaching excellence, including the Royal College of Nursing’s International Nursing Research Conference.
Caroline Reed, senior manager, business events, at NewcastleGateshead Initiative, said: “It’s been an absolute delight to work with so many brilliant conference organisers and bring more than three thousand delegates to Newcastle and Gateshead. There’s been a real mix of events, from large-scale international conferences to national associations, and it demonstrates the variety and diversity of our offer. We have two research-intensive universities that offer world-class conferencing facilities as well as fantastic cultural venues that are unique and alternative.
“There was a real buzz about the city throughout the month with delegates experiencing our world-famous, warm Geordie welcome and it’s fantastic to be able to support the whole supply chain, from the hotels delegates stay in, to the venues and caterers who look after them whilst they’re here.”
NewcastleGateshead Convention Bureau assisted with filling more than 1,600 bed nights for the city’s hotels in September, marking a 188% increase in overnight stays for delegates compared to the same month last year.
Increasing the number of business events and conferences is a key part of England’s first Destination Development Partnership Pilot, Destination North East England – the visitor economy development project which is led by NewcastleGateshead Initiative alongside Visit County Durham, Visit Northumberland and all seven local authorities. Business events are seen to be of huge importance to the region’s visitor economy growth, with delegates spending more than average visitors while also boosting mid-week hotel occupancy.
Sarah Green, chief executive of NewcastleGateshead Initiative said: “Developing the area’s business events offer is at the core of our ambitious goal of doubling the value of the visitor economy over the next 10 years as part of our regional Destination Development Partnership - Destination North East England.
“It’s fantastic to see such a bumper September of conferences, conventions and meetings bringing so many people to NewcastleGateshead and I’m confident that our award-winning Convention Bureau will continue to break records and attract even more of these fascinating and exciting events and delegates to our city.”
