The Business Tourism Partnership (BTP) has become the latest UK stakeholder to announce its support for National Meetings Week 2005, joining some of the leading UK Meetings brands in the country.

BTP, which promotes business tourism in Britain and represents leading trade associations and government agencies in the conference and meetings industry, has joined a growing list of supporters of NMW that includes Visit London, Chelsea FC and ExCeL London.

The fifth annual National Meetings Week 2005 will take place from 3 – 7 October and is designed to draw attention to the UK’s £10 billion conference market.

Commenting on NMW 2005 Michael Hirst, chairman of BTP said: “National Meetings Week is great for the meetings industry and is the necessary platform and voice to highlight the importance of business tourism in the UK, both from an economic and business be; nefit standpoint, and we are delighted to be an active supporter.”

In addition the NMW campaign is also receiving growing political attention with over 100 cross party MP’s signing up to the campaign.

A wide range of events are set to take place throughout the UK, which begins with an official ‘Kick Off’ event at Chelsea’s London ground, Stamford Bridge on Monday 3 October. In addition, the Meetings Industry Association will stage a National Meetings Industry Careers Week, designed to focus on the over 1.78 million roles in the sector.