The meetings and events facilities at the Celtic Manor Resort have been renamed the Ian Edwards Conference Centre to celebrate the memory of the venue’s long-serving chief executive officer, who sadly passed away in October 2024.
Edwards was the conference centre manager when the Resort Hotel opened in 1999 and, after returning to Celtic Manor in 2008, played a huge part in attracting and delivering a wide variety of successful events within the facilities that now bear his name.
The new name was officially announced at a celebration of Ian Edwards event held at the conference centre on Friday 22 November, when more than 300 people heard tributes from family members and colleagues as well as video messages from first minister of Wales, Eluned Morgan MS, and Celtic Manor Resort chairman, Sir Terry Matthews.
A wall plaque dedicated to Ian’s memory was unveiled by Ian’s wife, Estelle Edwards, and Simon Gibson CBE, director of the Celtic Manor Resort.
Mr Gibson said: “Ian was an inspirational business leader whose vision and dedication elevated the Celtic Manor Resort to global excellence. His impact reached far beyond his achievements with The Celtic Collection and ICC Wales and he leaves an indelible mark on the hospitality, tourism and events industries in the United Kingdom.”
Comprising three storeys within the Resort Hotel, the Ian Edwards Conference Centre includes a versatile Exhibition Hall, the Caernarfon Ballroom that can hold up to 1,200 people, and an additional 24 syndicate and meeting rooms with breakout areas.
