The Birmingham and the West Midlands Convention Bureau has launched a new Conference Ambassador Network as it aims to drive more global events into the region.
The initiative, supported by the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games Business and Tourism Programme (BATP), will see regional leaders from academia and business join forces to champion the West Midlands and their own work to win new conferences and events.
Ambassadors will receive support from the Birmingham and the West Midlands Convention Bureau and partners throughout the bidding process, from finding a suitable venue and preparing proposals, to the running of the event itself.
The Conference Ambassador Network launched at an event at Millennium Point in Birmingham with a keynote speech from Dan Storer, chief investment officer of West Midlands Growth Company (WMGC), and a panel debate featuring Paul Black (VisitBritain); Donna Cunningham (NEC Group); Dr Jenny Illingsworth (University of Birmingham); Steve Knight (WMGC); and Laura Shoaf (West Midlands Combined Authority).
Steve Knight, senior business tourism manager at West Midlands Growth Company, which operates the Birmingham and the West Midlands Convention Bureau, said: “Our Conference Ambassador Network will be a platform for the West Midlands’ greatest minds and industry leaders to come together to attract major new national and international conferences to the area.
“By unlocking further contacts within our academic and business communities through this new network, we are showing that we are open for business after a challenging couple of years, and aiming to leave a Games legacy as a major global events destination.”
The events sector is worth £2.3 billion in Birmingham and the West Midlands. The region welcomed 10.1 million local, national and international delegates in 2019, with an estimated 105,000 events taking place, contributing to 14.5 million delegate days.
The Birmingham and the West Midlands Conference Ambassador Network will aim to showcase the region’s sector expertise in areas such as tech & digital; datadriven healthcare; future mobility; and business, professional & financial services. It will encourage academics and professionals who are leaders in their industry to host their organisation’s next event in Birmingham and the West Midlands.
For more information visit www.meetbirmingham.com/CAN.
M&IT editor Paul Harvey is a journalist with more than 15 years of experience. He began his career in the local press, working for various titles across the north. Since joining M&IT in 2013, he has become a trusted and respected voice in the sector, championing event professionals and reporting on all aspects of the events industry for the brand.
