As the England team warm up for South Africa 2010, Welcome to Yorkshire is preparing to welcome top industry professionals for the Mash Media World Cup. Taking place on May 20th 2010, top ex-professional footballers along with key players from the premier league of the Conference and Events industry, will come together in a battle for the prestigious title.

This is the first time Mash Media, the leading publisher of magazines for the exhibition, event and conference industry, has hosted their World Cup in Yorkshire and the region is delighted to be able to showcase Leeds to other leading conference destinations as well as high profile event organisers. Destinations such as Manchester, Liverpool and Newcastle and event organisers from UBM and the NEC will be hosted by Leeds United FC and it will be one of the last major events before the centre embarks on a £2 million transformation of its conference and events centre.

Work is just about to start on the new 2,000sqm conference and exhibition centre 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.

Helen Briden, Conference & Events Manager at Leeds United, says:
“We are delighted that Mash Media has chosen Yorkshire and more specifically Leeds to host their renowned world cup which brings together all the movers and shakers of the events industry. This is a fantastic year for Leeds United. In a year that we have gained promotion back into the Championship we will develop the largest conference and exhibition facilities in Leeds and one of the largest in the north of England, The new development makes Leeds United the perfect location for the Mash Media event and it will most certainly give England’s 2018 bid a boost.”

Nicky Lockwood, Business Tourism Manager for Conference Leeds, which is supported by Welcome to Yorkshire says:
“It is a great honour for us that Mash Media has chosen Leeds for this very exciting event. We are fully supporting the tournament and hope that our Conference Leeds team comes out on top. This is a great way for Leeds United to go out with a bang before their impressive conference and exhibition centre development.”

The great and the good of the exhibition, conference and events industry, which is worth approximately £24bn to the UK economy, will take part in the all-day football tournament, rub shoulders with ex-professional footballers and enjoy an evening gala dinner.

Paul Davies, Mash Media company sales director, says: “The Mash Media Football Day is always a key date in the events industry diary and we are looking forward to hosting it at one of the most historic UK football stadiums. The venue is growing on the event map, especially with the announcement of its new £2m exhibition and conference centre. We look forward to testing out the events space and hospitality facilities at Elland Road, and are confident there will be another memorable day full of high-spirited football and top-notch evening networking.”

He added:
“We also pass on our congratulations to Simon Grayson and his team for achieving promotion back in the Championship after a closely fought season in League One. We hope our exhibition and events colleagues can replicate the skills and endeavour shown by the Leeds players!”

For further information about holding your next conference or event in Yorkshire visit www.venueyorkshire.com

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