Conference Leeds, the super-convention bureau for Leeds and West Yorkshire assisted newly formed company – “Meet in UK” to host its first ever UK event held at the City Inn Leeds this month.

Agents and corporate buyers from across the UK attended an exciting 2 day programme of activities. The event opened in The Sky Lounge of one of Leed’s newest venues – the 330 bed roomed City Inn. The 65 hand-picked guests were treated to panoramic 13th floor views, a buffet of Yorkshire delicacies, local wines and “Virtual Eventz” clay pigeon shoot.

The following morning buyers held short 20 minute business to business meetings with suppliers from across the UK including Conference Leeds and local venues Radisson BLU, Weetwood Hall Conference Centre and Hotel, City Inn, The Met Hotel and ALC which helped them to find out more about what Leeds and West Yorkshire has to offer as a meetings destination..

A light-hearted team building event was held in the afternoon at the National Media Museum in Bradford. Delegates were treated to an inspirational presentation by Educational Humorist and Adventurer Clive Gott. The Museum then hosted a short film in the amazing IMAX Theatre followed by an opportunity to experience the production of a live TV program where the delegates took part in the role play of a news broadcast session using state of the art equipment.

The Meet in UK event culminated in a spectacular gala dinner at the Met Hotel in Leeds, where sponsors and guests enjoyed fine dining. Entertainment was on hand with The “Laughter Dinner Speaker”, John Hotowka who mesmerised buyers with his table magic and after dinner entertainment.

Day two gave delegates the opportunity to meet with more venues and services before a networking lunch at the City Inn saw the forum come to a close.

The Meet in UK team were delighted with the event as all of the delegates came with the right attitude to the forum, embracing the concept, and ready to participate.

Helen Tremlett, Director of Meet in UK said:
“There was a great buzz around the whole event with energy levels incredible, despite the programme being quite intensive. Not one delegate left with anything but praise and most unable to believe that this was indeed their inaugural event; quite a lot were keen to come again!”

“Nicky Lockwood said of the event:
“We were proud to host the inaugural Meet in UK event in Leeds – it was a busy but worthwhile 2 days with many buyers keen to bring events to the city. I think this style of event is a great opportunity for us as a destination to showcase the venues and people that make Leeds one top 5 meeting destinations in the UK today”.

Buyers who attended the event from companies such as Scottish Widows, Accor, Macdonald and Principal Hayley were also full of praise for the destination and the Meet in UK team:

“Just to say you did a great job and I had a good two days in Leeds. I met some good people and made new contacts. You obviously worked hard and got the deserved rewards – well done to the whole team!” – Steve Tilbrook, Managing Director, Quantum Events.

“It was an excellent 2 days – the Venues, Hotel and entertainment were first class and we look forward to working with various members of the venue clientele we met, over the coming months.” – Angela Johnson, Senior Consultant, Buyers Guide.

Conference Leeds is supported by Yorkshire Forward, the regional development agency.

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EDITORS NOTES:
Nicola Lockwood is available for interview on 0113 220 6356 or mobile 07957205486
email: nicola.lockwood@conference-leeds.com

About Conference Leeds
Conference Leeds is the organisation responsible for promoting meetings and events across Leeds and West Yorkshire. Conference Leeds is a “super convention bureau” representing almost 250 venues across the area, responsible for marketing the West Yorkshire districts of Bradford, Wakefield, Kirklees and Calderdale.

Conference Leeds is a Leeds City Council organisation with funding from Yorkshire Forward, Bradford, Wakefield, Kirklees and Calderdale Councils.

Conference Leeds can offer a free venue finding service for anyone wanting to host an event in Leeds and West Yorkshire and markets the area through a series of initiatives.
Business tourism is worth over £450million a year in direct expenditure to the Yorkshire economy.

About Meet in UK
Meet in UK is a new company conceived earlier this year by its two directors Helen Tremlett and Steve Hodgson. They both have backgrounds in the events industry, Helen as a large venue Business Development manager and a career in hotels and Steve who has run an agency organising events for many years. Their ambition is to produce regular meeting forums of outstanding quality, with first rate delegates and a memorable social programme for people in the events industry.

The next event is at The Bath Spa hotel in Bath in January where many new faces will be introduced to this style of forum and hopefully some old faces as well. Moving forward there will be two events a year and the event will develop according to the needs of the delegates which is believed is critical to the development of the company and the most importantly the forum.

About Yorkshire Forward
Conference Leeds is supported by Yorkshire Forward. Yorkshire Forward is the regional development agency for Yorkshire and the Humber, it exists to represent and help generate sustainable business for the region’s tourism industry, an industry worth £4.1billion to the region annually and employing over 165,000 people, making it one of the largest and fastest growing industries in the region. Yorkshire’s goal, as identified in Bold Vision, Bright Future – The Tourism Marketing Strategy for Yorkshire and Humber 2006 – 2010, is to achieve and increase in the value of tourism earnings to the region by 5% per annum to £5.9bn by 2010

PRESS RELEASE ISSUED BY:
SUE CRAWLEY FIRE CIRCLE AGENCY T: 07508140828 E: Sue@fire-circle.co.uk

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