Blackpool’s exciting new conference offer

VisitBlackpool and the Winter Gardens Blackpool are targeting meeting and event organisers at this year’s International Confex to showcase the plans for Blackpool’s planned new conference and exhibition centre.

The Government announced last month that the proposed new development will be part-funded from Lancashire’s Growth Deal allocation.

It is envisaged that the new facility situated adjacent to the Winter Gardens Blackpool will be the turning point for the resort to begin to attract major conferences once again.  Due to open Spring 2019 the new area will offer over 6,150 square metres of exhibition and conference space.

Event organisers from across the UK will attend International Confex, taking place 1-2 March at Olympia in London and the business tourism teams from VisitBlackpool and the Winter Gardens Blackpool, are looking to show off the plans for the new build and encourage  businesses and organisations to take another look at the resort’s offer

The Blackpool stand will be one of almost 1,000 on show at the event which will be attended by around 7,500 UK meeting, incentive, conference and exhibition (MICE) professionals who are responsible for events in both the UK and overseas, including agencies and professional conference organisers (PCO’s), corporate companies, associations and exhibition/event organisers.

VisitBlackpool Tourism Manager Mandy Tythe-McCallum said, “It is vital for Blackpool to have a presence at events such as International Confex.

“This is the UK’s leading meeting and events show for both national and international organisers and it gives us the opportunity to talk about Blackpool, its plans for the future and all the resort has to offer meeting and event’s organisers.”

Blackpool’s new conference centre will as a standalone building be able to accommodate up to 2,000 people and if used in conjunction with the rest of the Winter Gardens it will increase the capacity allowing the venue to host over 7,000 conference delegates at any one time; allowing us the opportunity of bringing major conferences back to the resort as well as creating jobs and boosting the local economy.

Michael Williams, Managing Director of the Winter Gardens Blackpool comments, “‘Confex presents the perfect opportunity  to showcase the exciting new development which is set to take place at the Winter Gardens Blackpool, along with the facilities already on offer here and across the resort to more than 7000 industry professionals.

“The exhibition which takes place in London is the first opportunity to showcase the brand new conference and exhibition centre to those that will be making use of it for years to come.”

The exhibition is a calendar highlight for anyone involved in organising conferences, meetings or exhibitions; providing exciting and inspiring ideas along with exclusive offers and expert advice.
Cllr Gillian Campbell, Deputy Leader of Blackpool Council said, “These events are vital for us to attend as it helps Blackpool maintain its high profile.

“It’s an opportunity to promote the resorts conference offer, and it’s plans for the future to organisers who might not have visited the resort for some time or even considered Blackpool for their itineraries .”

International Confex takes place at Olympia London on 1-2 March 2017.

Follow the link to see why Blackpool is the perfect place to host your conference, event, meeting or exhibition https://youtu.be/r8Y0XmuBRzs

For more information on conference and meetings in Blackpool, please contact Mandy Tythe-McCallum [email protected] or go to www.visitblackpool.com/business