High-calibre conferences put spotlight on 'twin cities'

Mar 17 2010 By Gill Pilkington, The Journal

NEWCASTLEGATESHEAD has been at the vanguard of innovation in many ways over the years, whether it is Joseph Swan's light bulb, or the evolution of the steam engine.

The ‘twin cities’ are proving equally pioneering today, making great strides in science, medicine and technology, much of which comes from leading academic research at our two universities. News of our expertise is carried across the world via delegates attending conferences here, sharing views and forging new networks and raising the profile of the destination’s cutting-edge work.

‘Association-sector’ conferences are a crucial part of the meetings industry today and bring together professional societies, academic associations or learned institutions, whose members from all over the world meet on a regular basis. Such conferences are often planned two, three or even four years in advance with events confirmed for the destination as far ahead as 2013/2014. This pedigree of success raises the profile of NewcastleGateshead as a leading conference destination and also delivers significant economic impact to the ‘twin cities’ and wider region.

NewcastleGateshead Convention Bureau’s ‘Conference Ambassador Programme’ is a partnership involving local academics, scientists and key business figures, who lead bids to bring major conferences to North East England. Many are members of professional association bodies and well placed to influence the choice of their organisation’s conference destination. The expertise of these people, working with the Convention Bureau, puts the destination on the map as a major player in international conferences.

Coming soon we have The Royal College of Nursing International Research Conference, which will attract 500 delegates over three days when it takes place at The Sage Gateshead in May. The Obstetric Anaesthetists Association Annual Conference in the same month attracts 600 delegates. Together, that’s more than 1,000practitioners, researchers and influencers coming here – many for the very first time – to share their thoughts and opinions on issues impacting not only on their organisation’s development, but on new medical developments across the globe.

As Debbie Carrick-Sen, corrhead of nursing and midwifery research at Newcastle Royal Victoria Infirmary and co-chair of the local organising committee, says: "The Royal College of Nursing annual event attracts delegates from all over the world and it is a great opportunity to showcase the destination and the developments to an influential audience, enabling us to highlight to peers and colleagues the leading research taking place here. The support we have received from the Convention Bureau has been invaluable."

If you want to be part of this success, delivering results now and for years to come, then contact NewcastleGateshead Convention Bureau. The team will help you put together a winning bid then stage a memorable conference here, with all the Bureau’s services free of charge.

To find out more, contact Gill Pilkington, conference development manager, NewcastleGateshead Convention Bureau. Tel: 0191 440 5759. Email: gill.pilkington@ngi.org.uk. www.NewcastleGateshead.com/meet