Conference venue with a difference

Apr 9 2008 by Peter McCusker, The Journal

BUSINESSES can stay afloat with the help of a river cruise company.

Tyne cruise operator River Escapes has launched a floating meeting room for local and visiting executives to do business some- where different to the usual hotel venue.

For the 2008 season, River Escapes is launching a bespoke corporate event management service which involves floating meeting rooms for business functions, and new river cruise tours of the city for visiting executives as post-conference hospitality.

River Escapes managing director David Fozard said: “Local businesses have provided us with a regular stream of bookings from parties to sightseeing tours for years.

“Because more and more national and international businesses are using the North East as a conferencing venue, it made perfect sense for us to offer more facilities for meetings, corporate hospitality and post-conference activities.”

Head of business tourism at NewcastleGateshead Initiative Jessica Roberts added: “NewcastleGateshead’s conference industry is booming and we are seeing increasing interest in the destination from meeting planners all across the UK.

“Clients are particularly interested in new and usual venues and River Escapes’ floating meeting room and business events service will fit the bill perfectly.”