The North’s premier exhibition for meeting and conference organisers has launched a volunteer programme aimed at undergraduates. The Conference and Hospitality Show which is taking place on March 18th 2010 at the Royal Armouries Leeds has created a student volunteer programme for the event in conjunction with Leeds Met University (LMU), who run the UK Centre for Events Management.

Show Organiser, Emma Cartmell, has designed a programme where students are recruited from the Event Management degree course to assist at the Show in various capacities, so that they can gain valuable work experience in Exhibition organising and managing.

This is a formal programme; LMU has so far had interest from over 50 students keen to take part in the programme, and training is planned over the next 3 -4 weeks so that students can understand what is expected of them and also what career opportunities there are.

Glenn Bowdin, Head of the UK Centre for Events Management at Leeds Met commented:
“We are delighted to be supporting this prestigious regional event which will support the corporate events industry and provide our students with event experience. This unique opportunity supports the UK Centre for Events Management’s commitment to enhancing theory and practice in events management for our undergraduate and postgraduate students.”

One of the volunteers, Rachel Berry said:
“I am currently in my first year of studying events management at Leeds Met. For many years I have wanted to pursue a career in the conferencing and exhibitions sector. The Conference and Hospitality Show is a fantastic opportunity to further my experience of the inner working of such events.”

Show sponsor, Nicky Lockwood, Head of Conference Leeds the Convention Bureau for Leeds and West Yorkshire, said:
“We are delighted with the response so far from students and are impressed with the skills and professionalism of the volunteers. This is giving vital experience to Event Management Students and also raising the profile and standards of the Exhibitions Industry.”

The exhibition is also being supported by Welcome to Yorkshire.

ENDS
Date of Release: 23.2.2010
EDITORS NOTES:
About Conference Leeds

Conference Leeds is responsible for promoting meetings and events across Leeds and West Yorkshire and is a “super convention bureau” representing over 250 venues throughout West Yorkshire.

Conference Leeds is supported by Welcome to Yorkshire, and Yorkshire Forward, the Regional Development Agency, charged with improving the Yorkshire and Humber visitor economy. All the local authorities in West Yorkshire; Leeds, Bradford, Wakefield, Kirklees and Calderdale also support Conference Leeds.

Key facts include:
• Business tourism generates £777m to the economy of West Yorkshire each year.
• 5.79 million delegates attend business tourism events in West Yorkshire each year.
• Leeds is ranked the 5th most popular destination for the corporate market in the British Meetings and Events Industry Survey 2009

The Conference and Hospitality Show

The Conference and Hospitality Show 2010 is being held at Savile’s Hall, at the Royal Armouries Leeds on Thursday the 18th March from 9.30 until 4pm. Delegates can register to attend the event for free on www.conferenceandhospitalityshow.co.uk. The Show which is the biggest event of its kind in the North of England, is expecting to attract a record number of visitors in 2010 with its new format, which includes:

• Over 40 venues and suppliers including Weetwood Hall Hotel and Conference Centre, De Vere Hotels, Radisson Group, The University of Leeds, the R & B Group and Savilles Audio Visual
• A careers desk for people wanting to get on in the events industry
• The demo zone where Organisers can find inspiration for their next event
• A strong seminar programme focussed on practical, innovative ideas for making the most of tight event budgets.

For further information please contact:
Emma Cartmell
Event Management 360
Mobile: 07512365822
E-mail: info@eventmanagement360.co.uk

Nicola Lockwood, Manager
Conference Leeds
Direct Line: 0113 220 6356
Mobile: 07957205486
E-mail: nicola.lockwood@conference-leeds.com

Sue Crawley
Firecircle PR
Mobile: 07508140828
E-mail: Sue@fire-circle.co.uk