With inspiration from the recently promoted Leeds United FC, Conference Leeds went on to top the table at the Mash Media World Cup. Welcome to Yorkshire welcomed top industry professionals to the unique event which saw top ex-professional footballers come together with key players from the premier league of the Conference and Events industry.

This was the first time Mash Media, the leading publisher of magazines for the exhibition, event and conference industry, had hosted their World Cup in Yorkshire and it provided a great showcase for Leeds United, the city and the wider Yorkshire region to other leading conference buyers and event organisers from all over the UK who were in attendance. The unique occasion was one of the last major events before Leeds United FC embarks on a £2 million transformation of its conference and events centre.

Work on the new 2,000sqm conference and exhibition centre is about to commence which will produce a facility able to cater for 1,600 delegates. The plans outlined will see the newly titled Centenary Pavilion double in size with a capacity to seat 1450 for banquets. This self-contained suite will be a large open space with no pillars, include a large state-of-the-art kitchen and two bars. The development will also benefit from excellent ground floor access to further enhance the superb offering made by Elland Road to the events industry.

Nicky Lockwood, Business Tourism Manager for Conference Leeds, says:
“I’m delighted that Conference Leeds topped the league on the day, showing that Leeds is a premier destination in every sense of the word. Leeds United provided the perfect venue for the unique event and it was a great honour to be the host city. The event was a huge success, bringing together all the movers and shakers of the conference and event industry including some key venues from the City including Leeds Marriot, de Vere Oulton Hall and Weetwood Hall Conference Centre and Hotel.”

The great and the good of the exhibition, conference and events industry, which is worth approximately £24bn to the UK economy, took part in the all-day football tournament, rubbing shoulders with ex-professional footballers.

Paul Davies, Mash Media company sales director, says:
“Our football day went smoothly and it was great to see so much passion from all the attendees, both on and off the pitch. On behalf of Mash Media, I’d like to thank all the staff at Leeds United for helping to ensure an enjoyable day and I’m sure we’ll be returning to Yorkshire for other events and meetings in the future.”

For further information about organising an event in Leeds and West Yorkshire call
0113 220 6351 or visit www.conference-leeds.com

Editors’ Notes:
• Conference Leeds is the official convention bureau for Leeds, Bradford, Huddersfield, Wakefield and Calderdale. The “super convention bureau” represents over 260 venues and 40 suppliers.
• Conference Leeds is supported by all the local authorities in West Yorkshire; Leeds, Bradford, Wakefield, Kirklees and Calderdale as well as Welcome to Yorkshire and the private sector. Yorkshire Forward, The Regional Development Agency, funds Welcome to Yorkshire, which is charged with improving the Yorkshire and Humber visitor economy.
• Conference Leeds is the driving force of Yorkshire’s business tourism industry. 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.

For further information please contact:

Victoria Nicholson – Welcome to Yorkshire
Email: victoria@bandhcommunications.co.uk
Direct Line: 0113 243 4713
Mobile: 07968 732630

Gini Wilde – Welcome to Yorkshire
Email: gini@bandhcommunications.co.uk
Direct Line: 0113 2434713
Mobile: 07967 019099
Nicky Lockwood – Conference Leeds
Email: Nicola.lockwood@conference-leeds.com
Direct Line: 0113 220 6356/1
Mobile: 07957205486