In line with the ethos of the Energy SUPERSTORE, the conference endeavoured to bring together researchers from academia, industry and policy, across the whole field of energy storage, inspiring collaborations for future research.
Questions answered by: Lindsey Allen, Operations Administrator, National Centre for Energy Systems Integration, Newcastle University.
Why did you choose to bring your conference to NewcastleGateshead?
Following the relocation of the Centre for Energy Systems Integration (CESI) and the Energy Storage Laboratory into the Urban Sciences Building situated at Newcastle Helix, we decided to host the 4th UKES Conference in Newcastle to show the academic community what research is being carried out at Newcastle University in the field of energy storage and how great a place Newcastle is! We decided to involve NewcastleGateshead Convention Bureau for their opinions on dinner venues and accommodation, as these were areas which we did not have experience with.
What do you feel you benefited from bringing the event to NewcastleGateshead?
By having this expert advice from the Bureau, we believe that we were able to make the conference more attractive to delegates outside of Newcastle and the UK and attract delegates from as far afield as Canada and Malaysia.
How do you feel your delegates benefited from the event being hosted in NewcastleGateshead?
By hosting the conference in NewcastleGateshead, we believe we were able to showcase the North East to delegates from outside of the area as well as outside of the UK. Good transport links to the area, such as Newcastle International Airport and the A1 motorway as well as Central Station, were all added benefits to the conference.
How did NewcastleGateshead Convention Bureau support in the organisation of your event?
The Convention Bureau helped to organise quotes for the conference dinner as well as helping us to make fully informed decisions about where our best option for our conference would be. They also helped by providing accommodation support where delegates could organise their own accommodation through a separate website. The team was also able to provide a sounding board for advice when necessary.