Lancashire & Blackpool Business Tourism Chiefs Get Guild Year Boost

22nd September 2010

Lancashire and Blackpool conference and meetings chiefs are aiming for a major business tourism boost from a unique, once-every-20-years event.

They joined forces with the organisers of Preston Guild 2012 to highlight the strength of the area’s business tourism offering at two high-profile national events taking place on September 21 and 22.

They used Event UK 2010 at the NEC Birmingham and office*at London’s Earls Court to promote what’s on offer during Preston’s year of community celebrations and partying, which only happens once a generation.

Preston Guild 2012 will mark 833 years since King Henry initially granted a ‘Guild Merchant’ to Preston and it will be the 23rd Guild since the decree to hold a celebration every 20 years was made in 1542.

Proud Preston has just received another major boost to its fast-approaching celebrations having been named a European City of Sport for 2012, which is also London Olympics year

It follows the news that the city will host the 19th UK Corporate Games in 2012. Preston joins cities, including Madrid, as a City of Sport. It increases the likelihood of one of the Olympic nations having their base there.

Lancashire and Blackpool conference chiefs believe Guild and the sporting double will prove a major boost for business tourism, putting the focus on all that Preston and the whole of the region has to offer.

They also believe their partnership approach with Preston Guild organisers at the two conferences and exhibition events will help spread the message to key decision makers that 2012 is a great year for hosting events in Lancashire and Blackpool.

Lancashire & Blackpool Conferences & Meetings, a joint initiative between Lancashire and Blackpool Tourist Board (LBTB) and visitBlackpool, has embarked on a major drive to highlight the business tourism offering.

Tony Openshaw, Director of Marketing at LBTB, said: “Preston Guild promises to be a fantastic year-long international event and gives us a great opportunity to promote not just the city but the whole of our region and what it has to offer organisers of events and meetings.

“Businesses and organisations can hold their events and meetings here and also take part in and enjoy the great Guild celebrations.

“Guild Year is already sparking increased interest in the area as a destination for conferences and meetings.”

He added: “Our message is a compelling one: whatever style or size of conference or meeting you are looking to organise, we have the ideal venue and facilities to suit.

“Our appearance at these events was part of our co-ordinated campaign to highlight Lancashire and Blackpool to as wide an audience of businesses, organisations and societies as possible.”

Guild organisers are already looking at the creation of new and quirky events spaces across Preston as part of 2012 along with a series of high-profile celebrations of the arts, sports, faith, diversity and youth.

Event UK 2010 showcased the full spectrum of the UK’s meetings and events industry to more than 3,600 event professionals.

office*, at Earls Court over the same two days was a brand new event for office professionals, PAs, office managers and executive assistants, many who are involved in event organising for their organisations.

Lancashire & Blackpool Conferences & Meetings was set up by its partners to highlight the area’s variety and quality of conference and meeting facilities, along with the unique and distinctive venues and activities it can offer organisations of all types and sizes.

Its initiatives to promote the area are already starting to pay dividends with conference bookings on the rise.

Tony Openshaw added: ”We’ve been working hard at this since the start of the year and we are all delighted at the progress that is being made and the response and feedback we have received, including valuable new business from people who have been impressed with our message.”

For information on what the area has to offer, contact Lancashire & Blackpool Conferences & Meetings on 0845 371 4453/4 or e-mail:

enquiries@lancashireandblackpoolconference.com or visit

www.lancashireandblackpoolconference.com

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