The International Convention Centre (ICC) Birmingham has announced nine new association conferences, expected to boost the local economy by £8m over the next five years.
The new raft of association business follows a recent restructure of the ICC’s sales department, which has seen the introduction of a dedicated association team under Business Development Director Catherine Newhall-Caiger.
Account Director Linda Best and Account Manager Jane Ralphs make up the team and have a wealth of experience working in the conferencing and events industry.
Commenting on the wins, Catherine Newhall-Caiger said: “We are extremely pleased to be announcing so many new conference wins; five of which are clients who have used the ICC before.”
Newhall-Caiger added that it was important to be flexible throughout all venue services not just the venue hire, such as our contracts and payment schedule plans to make it easy for association clients.
The new wins include the IT Service Management Forum (itSMF UK), UK & Ireland SAP User Group and the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Heath – who are all bringing their events to the ICC for the first time.
The Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Heath has confirmed a two-year deal with the ICC and will be hosting both its 2014 and 2015 conferences at the venue.
The itSMF two-day conference will take place 4-5 November 2013 and will feature an extensive range of presentations, an exhibition and a gala dinner.
The UK & Ireland SAP User Group is expecting at least 800 delegates for itsconference, 25-26 November 2013.
The British Association of Dermatologists (BAD) has confirmed it will be returning to the ICC in 2016 and its Conference and Event Services Manager Chris Garret said: “The positive delegate feedback means returning to the ICC was an easy decision.” This three-day conference takes place 5-7 July and organisers hope to attract 1,100 delegates.
The National Farmers Union (NFU) has agreed a two-year contract to return to the ICC for its 2013 and 2014 annual conferences, for both of which it expects to attract 1,100 delegates.
The British Society of Rheumatology, which had already signed up to hosting next year’s annual conference at the ICC, has also now confirmed the 2017 conference will take place at the venue. The event typically attracts over 1,000 delegates from across the profession, including GPs, consultants and other health professionals.
The British Council for Offices (BCO) is also making a return visit to the ICC after 14 years. Last with the venue in 2000, the BCO conference will take place 14-16 May 2014, and is aiming for 600 delegates from all organisations involved in creating, acquiring or occupying office space.
The Personal Finance Society has confirmed it will return to the ICC for a third successive year next year for its two-day meeting, 7-8 November. Six hundred-plus attendees are expected.
“Many of our association clients choose the ICC for their conferences because of our central location within the city and also due to the fact that Birmingham is located in the heart of the UK. Clients often tell us that they have actually increased delegate numbers due to Birmingham’s central location and great transport links.”
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