Theresa Villiers, chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Events, visited
Belfast to engage with the VisitBelfast team and discuss their new business events strategy.
The meeting served as an opportunity to explore the
potential benefits and economic impact that a robust business events sector
could bring to Northern Ireland. During the meeting, the MP for Chipping Barnet expressed her
admiration for VisitBelfast's ambitious and forward-thinking approach towards
attracting high-value business events to Northern Ireland.
Villiers recognised the significant role that a
thriving business events sector can play in bolstering the Northern Ireland
economy. By attracting international events and fostering connections with
industry leaders, such an industry has the potential to drive growth, stimulate
job creation, and enhance the region's reputation as a vibrant hub for business
activity. She emphasised the need for strategic support from Westminster to
fully leverage this opportunity for Northern Ireland's economic development.
“It was great to meet up with Visit Belfast. I was
really impressed with the ambitious strategy they have developed to bring
high-value business events to Northern Ireland. Belfast is a great place for
conferences and business meetings and already welcomes visitors from all around
the world,” said Villiers during the meeting.
Reflecting on her role as chair of the APPG for Events, Villiers affirmed her commitment to advocating
for a thriving events sector in Northern Ireland. She pledged to engage with ministers in Westminster, highlighting the importance of endorsing and
supporting the growth of the business events industry in the region. By
fostering partnerships between government bodies, industry stakeholders, and
VisitBelfast, Villiers aims to facilitate the realisation of the strategic
vision.
“If these latest plans are taken forward, they could provide a
great boost to the Northern Ireland economy. As chair of the APPG, I will be
talking to ministers in Westminster about the importance of backing a thriving
events sector in Northern Ireland,” she added.
Rachael McGuickin, director of business development, sustainability and transformation at VisitBelfast, said: “Business events
are not only important to our thriving tourism and hospitality sector, but they
make significant contributions to the knowledge economy supporting economic
development, innovation and skills policy areas.
“VisitBelfast’s strategic partnerships with Invest NI, Tourism NI, our
universities, and ambassador network of over 1300 business and academic
leaders, is an exemplar model of what can be achieved by taking a strategic and
collaborative approach.
“We would like to take this
opportunity to extend our thanks to Theresa Villiers MP for her continued
invaluable support as the chair of APPG of Events and look forward to working
with her to showcase the value of our industry.”
The meeting between Theresa Villiers and the
VisitBelfast team marks a significant step forward in the pursuit of a
flourishing business events sector in Northern Ireland. The collaboration
between VisitBelfast and influential advocates such as Villiers lays a solid
foundation for driving economic growth, attracting global attention, and
positioning the region as an attractive destination for high-value business
events.
