City to welcome 11th political party conference since 2008.
14,000 delegates from across the country are expected to descend on Birmingham’s International Convention Centre (ICC) later this month as the city welcomes back the Conservative Party Conference from 28th September-1st October.
This is the fourth time the ICC has played host to the event, and the 11th political party conference the city has welcomed since 2008. As the final autumn conference to take place before the 2015 General Election, Birmingham is expected to benefit from an expected £17 million boost to the local economy.
Secured by city partners including Marketing Birmingham, Birmingham City Council and the NEC Group, the conference extends beyond a platform for policy announcements, giving delegates the opportunity to explore the local region’s offering and reinforcing the city’s credentials as a leading business tourism destination.
With the ICC located at the heart of the city’s arts and culture hub in Centenary Square, Birmingham is also well equipped to provide a vibrant social setting to facilitate discussion and networking expected across the four days.
Ian Taylor, Commercial Director of Marketing Birmingham, which operates the city’s leisure and business tourism programmes Visit and Meet Birmingham, said: “The Conservatives’ return to the city is a clear endorsement of the party’s confidence in our ability to deliver first-class events. Being based in Centenary Square, delegates will be in a prime position to sample what the city has to offer with Brindleyplace, Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery and The Library of Birmingham all within easy reach.
“The city attracted a record 34 million visitors last year, boosting the local economy by £5.34 billion. High-profile conferences bring immediate benefits for local hotels, venues and restaurants, continuing our work to raise Birmingham’s profile on a national and international stage.”
Catherine Newhall-Caiger, Business Development Director at the ICC, added: “We are looking forward to welcoming the Conservative Party Conference back to the ICC this autumn. We have hosted this conference three times previously and it is testament to the great work of our experienced, professional team that the Party has chosen to return again this year.”
Birmingham will be at the centre of political attention, with many journalists and media expected to attend the event, which will see MPs, local councillors and party members gather to debate policies that will shape the Conservative Party’s vision for the future of the country.
Conservative Party Chairman Grant Shapps MP said: “Birmingham is one of our country’s economic success stories. It is one of the most enterprising cities in Europe, home to some of Britain’s best brands and companies, like Jaguar Land Rover and Deutsche Bank. I’m proud that we’ve held our Conference here so often, helping to support Birmingham’s businesses and boosting jobs in local shops and hotels.
“This one is going to be our biggest yet in this Parliament, so we are looking forward to welcoming thousands of Conservative members and activists here later this month.”
The ICC will have restricted access for the general public from Thursday 25th September, reopening on Thursday 2nd October. Broad Street and Brindleyplace will remain open for business as usual, with some traffic restrictions in place. Travel information will be communicated to local businesses and residents via regional press and social media channels.
For more information about the conference, a dedicated website has been set up to provide party delegates and media with details of the city’s policy agenda and leisure offering, as well as travel advice and exclusive discount vouchers: www.conservativesinbirmingham2014.com
Marketing Birmingham will be tweeting from the event using the Twitter handle @TeamBham. You can also follow conference activity through the hashtag #CPC14.