18 October 2024
NewcastleGateshead Convention Bureau and academic ambassadors from Newcastle University gathered last night to celebrate a 10-year partnership which has seen leading minds from the worlds of science, tech, healthcare and innovation descend on the city for their major conventions and conferences.
At the reception attended by academics and thought leaders from across the University’s world-renowned research and teaching departments, as well as representatives from national body VisitEngland, attendees heard from guest speakers about the significant impact business events and conventions can have not only on the economy but on the region’s communities and environment.
The partnership, formed in 2014 between NewcastleGateshead Initiative’s multi-award-winning Convention Bureau and Newcastle University has seen some landmark conferences take place across the University’s campuses and the wider city, supported by the expertise of the Convention Bureau team, who work tirelessly to source accommodation, support with bid writing and ensure delegates have an unforgettable trip to North East England.
The convention bureau’s services have helped academics and University officials to bid for some of the world’s most significant events and conferences, attracting leading academics to the region and shining a light on the region’s globally significant sciences, technology, engineering and manufacturing industries.
At the event, Professor Chris Day CBE, Vice-Chancellor and President of Newcastle University spoke warmly of the partnership and its achievements over the last 10 years, having helped to launch the initiative in 2014. He was joined by Paul Black, Head of Business Events at VisitBritain, who talked guests through the ever-evolving business events landscape and the importance of ensuring positive impacts from these events extend into communities in the area and benefit residents and visitors alike. He also spoke of the significance of these events to boost inward investment and regenerate the areas, environment and the prospects of the people who live there.
The celebration comes after a bumper ‘Super September’ for the area, as Newcastle welcomed more than 3,000 conference delegates across 16 events, generating a huge boost to the region’s economy and driving up hotel occupancy rates to their highest level in the Bureau’s history.