A UNIVERSITY is fast proving its credentials to become a top events location. New to the national and international market, Sunderland’s UniSpace has already established its credentials by securing a number of prestigious events, including the British Pharmacy Students National Conference (BPSA), the National Citizenship Scheme and the Institute of Gas Engineers National Conference.

Taking place in April 2012, the BPSA national conference saw pharmacy students from across the UK attend its annual conference over one week.

The conference included a medical exhibition, plenary, breakouts and social aspects as well as accommodation booked with UniSpace.

The National Citizenship Scheme event is government-led initiative involving a two-week long residential event that aims to involve 200 young people in all aspects of citizenship.

Commenting on the events, UniSpace commercial manager Sharon Olver said: “The fact that we have attracted such national events to our venue as part of our first push to the national market is a testament to the quality and versatility of our offer.

“We are thrilled to be able to announce these wins and are looking forward to some other great events in the pipeline.”

UniSpace Sunderland has also secured a contract with Swedish-based Operation, Maintenance and Acoustics International Association to host its two-day annual Maintenance Performance Measurement and Management (MPMM) conference in September 2012, bringing the event to the UK for the first time ever. The win marks the first international event secured by UniSpace, which launched to the national and international conference market at Confex in March. The MPMM opportunity was created as a result of links between the University’s Institute for Automotive & Manufacturing Advanced Practice (AMAP) department and is the first win generated by UniSpace’s new ambassador programme. The conference will see around 200 delegates from across the world head to Sunderland, plenary and workshop sessions will take place on the Sir Tom Cowie Campus on the banks of the river Wear, with an industry exhibition in the Prospect Building. The delegates will also have an interactive reception at The National Glass Centre, including glass blowing demonstrations.

Dr David Baglee, MPMM committee representative will chair the conference. He said: “We are delighted to be hosting this highly specialised conference for the first time in the UK.

“As a committee, it is important that we select venues with both great facilities and a reputation for excellence in our field: UniSpace offers both of these features in abundance.”

UniSpace worked closely with NewcastleGateshead Initiative to secure the conference win and credits a regional partnership approach as a key element in securing the event.

Newcastle-based professional conference organisers Benchmark Communications have been appointed to commercialise the conference and UniSpace will work alongside the Stadium of Light and regional hotels to host elements of the conference social programme.

UniSpace, which is part of the University of Sunderland and incorporating the National Glass Centre, showcased its award-winning facilities and revealed a line-up of confirmed events at the venue at its first ever trade-show presence at International Confex in March.

Exhibiting alongside NewcastleGateshead Initiative, UniSpace is made its first ever showcase to national and international buyers, following its launch to the national meetings market in November 2011 when UniSpace hosted the autumn meeting of ABPCO, the Association of British Professional Conference Organisers.

UniSpace proposition includes five venues across the city supported by over 2,000 bed spaces, car parking and extensive external events space, this is complemented by unique added value activities and quirky meeting and team building spaces through the David Puttnam Media centre and National Glass Centre. Unispace also boasts the largest IT training suites in the North East.

UniSpace has played host to a number of prestigious events in 2011/12, including: The North East Press Awards, the launch of the 10km Run, providing car parking and accommodation for the Stadium of Light concerts, Sunderland Folk Festival, The Association Of Chartered Physiotherapists For People With Learning Disabilities Conference, The Oral History Conference, the International Women’s Film History Network and the BBC North East and Cumbria Sports Awards.

Unispace external events space has also been chosen this year to host Sunderland’s first ever military tattoo, and the Sunderland Big Bike Ride in addition to offering university accommodation and car parking to concert goers for this year’s Stadium of Light concerts.

For more information, visit www.unispacesunderland.com