The UK Kidney Association held UK Kidney Week at ICC Wales from 5 to 7 June 2023, bringing together 1,136 delegates, utilising the entire convention centre for its meetings and sessions.
The three-day event provides an opportunity for all kidney professionals to engage with colleagues, network with experts, and explore the latest research and technological innovations that will shape the future of kidney-related healthcare.
The conference included plenary sessions with keynote speakers and a further nine parallel sessions as well as a large exhibition and a poster hall. A welcome reception with a local Welsh Male Voice Choir was held on the first evening and a conference dinner with entertainment from a local band was held on the second evening.
Event Set Up
The main auditorium was sectioned off for smaller sessions and the four main meeting rooms were split down into smaller sections, giving lots of flexibility. With all four main meeting rooms located on one level made it easy for delegates to navigate, and the venue had space for a creche, speaker preview, prayer room, committee meetings, and back-of-house facilities for the events team and suppliers. In addition, the venue worked well for branding opportunities with a screen in the foyer with customised lighting throughout.
Food and Beverage
The event’s catering requirements included a welcome drinks reception, speakers’ dinner, club reception, drinks reception and formal Gala Dinner as well as buffet lunches and tea and coffee stations. Crew catering was provided separately over an extended period to give all staff members chance to eat in peace.
Event Solutions
A minor challenge with the display screens was rectified quickly by the on-site team and an issue with the posters needing to be moved to make space for the gala dinner was handled and turned around very quickly.
Venue Selection
ICC Wales was selected for a variety of reasons: as a new location for UKKW, and bringing in the Welsh members of the kidney community; for its excellent layout and facilities offering ample space; the very welcoming and helpful team; and it was within budget.
Accommodation
Accommodation was booked on a contract basis for event staff, key speakers and delegates who had purchased a ticket with accommodation included. It was also reserved on an allocation basis for delegates to book their own accommodation.
Hotels used were Celtic Manor Resort, Manor House, Tŷ Magor, Coldra Court, Mercure Newport, and Holiday Inn Newport, recommended by ICC Wales and arranged through BCD Meetings & Events.
Testimonials
Caitlin Sewell, marketing & communications lead, UK Kidney Association said: “ICC Wales is a beautiful venue with excellent facilities, but what really sets it apart are the people who work there, from the sales team to the staff on the ground running our event behind the scenes.”
Gemma Savage, association sales manager, ICC Wales said: “We were delighted to host this event and witness the success in terms of attendee numbers and feedback. As a result, we have secured the next Wales / South rotation at ICC Wales for 2027 and we are also working with the UK Kidney team to extend this success by bidding to deliver an international event at ICC Wales to showcase the great work in the area with fantastic support from regional and UK organisations.”
