A new report just out reveals that Leeds is now the 4th most popular destination in the UK for conferences and events.

The annual British Meetings & Events Industry Survey (BMEIS) 2011/12 – which provides valuable research into the buying trends of event organisers – reveals that Leeds has jumped up the top 20 destination leader board for conference and events, now ranking 4th in the UK ahead of the likes of Liverpool, Glasgow and Edinburgh.

Nicky Lockwood, Manager of Conference Leeds, said:
“For Leeds to be positioned in the top four conference destinations in the UK alongside London, Birmingham and Manchester is a great achievement for the city.

“Leeds has great appeal for conference and event organisers due to its accessible location – equidistant between London and Edinburgh, great transport links, value for money, outstanding venues and unquestionable quality.

“The BMEIS survey also highlighted that ‘quality of service’ and ‘quality of conference facilities’ have moved up to 4th and 5th respectively – both key ingredients in the list of influencing factors when buyers are selecting destinations and venues.”

Earlier this year, Leeds joined London as the only other UK destination to have three GOLD Accredited in Meetings (AIM) venues. The latest addition with the status, Leeds Metropolitan University, is also the first University in the UK to achieve the Gold award.

Nicola Lockwood, Manager of Conference Leeds added:
“To have three Gold accredited AIM venues in the city is a great attraction for organisers looking for first-class venues as they can be assured that our venues deliver excellence. We want buyers to know that our region celebrates and supports quality venues and we want them to feel confident when they book their event in the city.”

The recent BMEIS research underpins the work of Conference Leeds – the award-winning convention bureau for Leeds and West Yorkshire – which continues to promote the destination through a coordinated programme of PR, marketing, familiarisation visits, exhibitions and social media.

In the same survey, Leeds was pipped to 3rd position by Manchester, Birmingham secured 2nd and London remained at the top spot.

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

Ends

Editors’ Notes:
• Conference Leeds is the official convention bureau for Leeds, Bradford, Huddersfield, Wakefield and Calderdale. The “super convention bureau” represents over 300 venues and 50 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. Conference Leeds is the driving force of Yorkshire’s business tourism industry. Key facts include: – The conference and events industry is worth £615m each year to the West Yorkshire economy. – 49% of all business events in Yorkshire take place in West Yorkshire. – 5.2 million delegates attend 92,900 business tourism events in West Yorkshire each year. – Leeds is ranked the 4th most popular destination for the corporate market in the British Meetings and Events Industry Survey 20011/12.

For more news and a free image bank visit: www.conference-leeds.com/PRandNews and http://www.leeds-mediastore.co.uk

For further media information please contact:

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

Nicky Lockwood – Conference Leeds
Email: Nicola.lockwood@conference-leeds.com
Direct Line: 0113 220 6356/1
Mobile: 07957205486