Regional partners join forces for first time at business tourism event.
The West Midlands will showcase the best of its creative and food and drink scenes to event delegates at The Meetings Show this month (Olympia London, 26th-27th June).
As it unites for the first time at the two-day business tourism exhibition, the West Midlands’ delegation of partners will host a series of stand takeovers (stand I503). Each will entice industry professionals to find out more about the region’s connectivity and conferencing offer, in a bid to attract new business and events from around the world.
With the West Midlands making its mark in the development of the modern world through cultural creations as eclectic as the Doctor Who theme tune and Lord of the Rings, Birmingham-based graffiti artist Joshua Gent will be on stand, depicting the region’s story. Known as Gent 48, Joshua will also create a montage highlighting the exciting major events coming to the area, including the UK City of Culture 2021 in Coventry and the 2022 Birmingham Commonwealth Games.
Led by the West Midlands Growth Company, Conference Coventry & Warwickshire and Shakespeare’s England, some sixteen partners will represent the area at The Meetings Show. NAEC Stoneleigh, the Ricoh Arena in Coventry, The University of Birmingham and Birmingham Airport are just some of those who will be hosting delegates to the event.
Nicola Hewitt, Commercial Director for the West Midlands Growth Company – which aims to attract business tourism events to the region – said: “From large political conferences to creative workshops, the West Midlands has established itself among industry professionals as a welcoming, accessible and well-respected business tourism destination.
“In an increasingly competitive events landscape, this year’s Meetings Show will give the region a platform to show off some of our fantastic talent. We encourage event organisers to visit our stand to find out how our people, heritage and culture can add something special to a future conference or event.”
Councillor Jim O’Boyle, cabinet member for jobs and regeneration at Coventry City Council added: “Our city and region have loads to offer and with so much going on at the moment I feel certain that we can add value to any kind of event. We know accessibility, price and a unique offer are what make events a success and I think we tick all of the boxes and more.
“In Coventry we have an expert team on hand to make booking and managing any kind of event or conference really simple so I hope more people will start to send themselves, and their delegates, to Coventry.”
Helen Peters, board director at the Coventry and Warwickshire Local Enterprise Partnership leading on culture and tourism, and Chief Executive of Shakespeare’s England said: “The Meetings Show is a fantastic opportunity to showcase Coventry and Warwickshire to a wider national and international audience.
“The area is in the spotlight since Coventry is UK City of Culture in 2021 and we are hosting events during the 2022 Commonwealth Games so this is an ideal chance to further entice businesses and organisations to hold their meetings in Coventry and Warwickshire.
“Investment remains strong in conference and meetings facilities which has a two-fold benefit of attracting leisure and business visitors and boosting our economy even further.”
The Meetings Show brings together more than 600 domestic and global exhibitors and 4,500 influential meetings and events professionals.
For more information about the West Midlands’ presence at this year’s exhibition, meetbirmingham. To discover more of the ways in which the region has made its mark on the global stage, visit makeitwm.
