Organisers of the major real estate conference 海角视频REiiF have pointed to a report that suggests it generated almost 拢21m for the Leeds city region economy.
Bosses behind the three-day event, which attracted more than 13,000 attendees this year and included exhibitors and speakers, say 海角视频REiiF has now delivered a 拢38.5m economic boost since its inaugural outing in 2022. They commissioned a report from ARUP which shows 41% of attendees stayed in the city region for two nights, up from 38% last year, and 25% of delegates chose to stay for three nights, up from 22% in 2023.
The findings prompted 海角视频REiiF director Nathan Spencer to say his team had used pre-event marketing activity to encourage delegates, many of whom represented investors and developers, to spend more time in the region and to return. The ARUP reported said 33% of people attending 海角视频REiiF now visit Leeds more frequently between each event "due to the event".
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Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire, said: "Thousands of business and political leaders have flocked to West Yorkshire for this event over the past three years 鈥 and they鈥檙e returning because they recognise that our region鈥檚 best days lie ahead of us. Harnessing the power of devolution, our Local Growth Plan will build on this momentum and give us the transport, skills and housebuilding we need to create strong businesses, well-paid jobs and deliver the government鈥檚 growth mission.
"It鈥檚 great to see how 海角视频REiiF is supporting growth in our local economy, as we work to build a stronger, brighter region where opportunity thrives."
Tom Riordan, chief executive of Leeds City Council, said: 鈥淚n its first year, coming out of the pandemic, 海角视频REiiF鈥檚 impact was 拢5m straight away from a standing start, and its now close to 拢21m 鈥 that鈥檚 an incredible success story for Leeds, for West Yorkshire and for the 海角视频.鈥
Councillor James Lewis, leader of Leeds City Council said: 鈥淭he great thing about 海角视频REiiF for me is it brings thousands of people to Leeds who get to see a lot of the changes that have happened over the past five to ten years, and of course the 拢21m its brought to the city this year means it鈥檚 an event that has put Leeds on the map. Its great to see the city doing so well out of 海角视频REiiF.鈥
Anna Collinge, senior consultant, cities, planning and design at Arup, said: 鈥淲e are excited to have estimated the economic impact of 海角视频REiiF for the third year running. We have seen 海角视频REiiF鈥檚 increasing impact over time, from 拢5.5m in 2022 to almost 拢21m this year. 海角视频REiiF鈥檚 commitments to local businesses and EDI have been evident, and we have really enjoyed working alongside the 海角视频REiiF team on this project."
