Worldspan has been appointed as the full event management partner for Warwick
Conferences which is part of the University of Warwick, marking the beginning
of a new collaboration to deliver large-scale academic, association,
and corporate events.
The appointment follows a procurement exercise
launched in August 2024, during which Warwick Conferences engaged with the
events supplier market to identify a partner capable of extending its capacity
and enhancing its service offering. Warwick Conferences recognised the opportunity to
broaden its reach and introduce specialist services not previously offered, including abstract management, e-registration and sponsorship sales.
Worldspan, founded in 1972, brings more than five decades of
expertise as a multi-award-winning Professional Conference Organiser (PCO). The
agency has delivered more than 6,000 events in over 80 countries for
associations, professional societies, corporates, brands, and government
bodies. Worldspan holds international accreditation from the International
Association of Professional Congress Organisers (IAPCO) and national
accreditation from the Association of British Professional Conference
Organisers (ABPCO), alongside ISO certifications in quality, sustainable events
management, environmental management, and data security.
The partnership will see the two organisations combine their
strengths to position Warwick Conferences at the University of Warwick as a
leading destination for high-profile events. The campus boasts cutting-edge
lecture theatres, creative meeting spaces, and versatile venues for up to 1,200
delegates, as well as a broad range of accommodation and catering options.
The first event under the new agreement will be a
200-delegate conference in September 2025. Beyond this, Worldspan and Warwick
Conferences’ Business Development teams are already working on a strong
pipeline of bids, with ambitions to secure several major international
conferences between 2026 and 2030.
Sophie Morris, managing director at Worldspan, said: “This is a truly exciting collaboration. Partnering with
Warwick Conferences brings together two organisations with a shared commitment
to excellence, innovation, and delivering exceptional delegate experiences.
With Warwick’s outstanding facilities and our deep expertise in academic and
association conferences, we have a fantastic opportunity to attract world-class
events to the campus. We can’t wait to get started.”
Paul Bartlett, director at Warwick Conferences, said: “We’re thrilled to be partnering with Worldspan—an
organisation whose reputation for excellence and innovation mirrors our own
ambitions. This collaboration marks a significant step forward in expanding our
event capabilities and attracting major conferences to campus. With Worldspan’s
specialist expertise and our world-class facilities, we’re perfectly placed to
deliver unforgettable experiences for delegates from around the globe.”
