Ambassadors Fly the Flag for Lancashire & Blackpool

8th June 2010

Leading business and academic figures have joined forces with tourism bosses to spearhead a national initiative to attract conferences and meetings to Lancashire and Blackpool.

The ‘Conference Ambassadors’ will be given the full backing of Lancashire & Blackpool Conferences & Meetings. This includes comprehensive support in bidding for conferences, as well as help finding the best venues, booking accommodation and hosting fact-finding visits to the area. 

Successful Lancashire businessman Craig Bancroft, joint proprietor of Michelin-starred restaurant Northcote, was the first Conference Ambassador to sign up to the scheme.

It was launched at a high-profile event held at the restaurant in Langho, which he jointly owns with his business partner and leading chef Nigel Howarth. It was attended by almost 30 specially-invited guests. Northcote is renowned for its great dining experience and championing the use of local produce.

The ambassadors come from the key business sectors of the area including advanced manufacturing and aerospace, health and regeneration. Academic professionals are represented by Lancaster University, UCLan and Blackpool and Fylde College.

Supporting the new initiative, Craig Bancroft said: “I am extremely honoured to be the first recruit to this programme.

“I am committed to doing all I can to help attract this lucrative conference business. Lancashire and Blackpool has some truly fantastic and unique venues that can offer marvellous experiences for business travellers and that’s the message we are going to take with us wherever we go.’’

“We are all rightfully proud of all this area has to offer and I’m committed to helping promote its outstanding business tourism product and that’s really what this project is all about – flying the flag for Lancashire and Blackpool and helping to bring clients and conferences here.”

Lancashire & Blackpool Conferences & Meetings is a joint initiative of Lancashire and Blackpool Tourist Board and visitBlackpool.

Mike Wilkinson, Chief Executive of Lancashire and Blackpool Tourist Board (LBTB), added: “People representing Lancashire and Blackpool’s thriving business and academic community are rightly proud of the area and the facilities it has to offer.

“However, the process of bidding for conferences and events does require time, planning and resources.

“This is where we at Lancashire & Blackpool Conferences & Meetings come in by offering ambassadors a full support service which includes completing bidding documents, preparing presentations, hosting familiarisation visits and sourcing appropriate venues and hotels.”

For further information on the Ambassador Programme, please contact Lancashire & Blackpool Conferences & Meetings on 0845 371 4453/4 or e-mail: enquiries@lancashireandblackpoolconference.com 

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