The UK’s meetings industry has named Discovery – VisitBritain’s biggest business tourism event – the Best Live Event of the year. The award was presented at the Meetings Industry Marketing Awards 2005 held last night (4 October 2005) to mark the start of National Meetings Week.
With the next Discovery already planned for 22-23 October 2006 at the Marriott York, Jeremy Brinkworth, head of business tourism at VisitBritain, said last night: “Destinations around the world compete to host the meetings, incentive trips, conferences and exhibitions of major global associations and organisations."
"Britain is already a popular choice as a business destination with seven million international business visitors spending £3.4 billion here every year and VisitBritain is determined to further increase its share of this valuable tourism segment. Business tourism, particularly meetings and events for 1,000 delegates or more, can bring millions of pounds to local and regional economies."
“The sponsorship and support of Wales Tourist Board and Celtic Manor Resort was a vital part of the event’s ‘wow’ factor.”
Held in Wales from 22 to 24 October 2004, the event – sponsored by the Wales Tourist Board and Celtic Manor Resort, and supported by destination management company, Connect Global, and professional conference organiser, In Any Event UK – welcomed 72 key decision-makers and buyers from sixteen countries in Canada, Europe, the Far East, India, South Africa, the UAE and the USA.
Delegates included journalists and representatives of business travel agencies and international corporations, including Kimberley Clark (owners of the Kleenex brand), Citibank/Citigroup (one of the largest financial institutions in the world), American Express, Thomas Cook and Hertz.
Discovery is an excellent chance to experience firsthand an exceptional incentive trip to Britain. Attendees conducted 1350 one-one appointments with some 70 UK suppliers from unusual venues, hotels, national and regional tourist boards, convention bureaux and destination management organisations. Opportunities discussed included a two-day event for 1,800 people worth nearly £500,000, a four-day visit for 20 people worth £35,000 and private guided tours for Canadians.
UK suppliers praised the “calibre of buyers attending” and commented on the professionalism of the event, describing it as “an excellent platform of how the British Isles can be promoted” and “extremely beneficial”. Three-quarters said they were “very satisfied” with the range of new buyers they met, while nine out of ten were ‘”satisfied” or “very satisfied” with the chance to negotiate new business and 88% “very satisfied” with opportunities to promote awareness of their product.
“The entire event came across as very professional and an excellent platform of how the British Isles can be promoted,” said Hamish Reid, general manager of Jersey Conference Bureau. “The VisitBritain team was very professional and did a thorough job in not only looking after buyers but also us as suppliers.”
Penny Carter, regional account manager at Starwood Hotels, added: “We were impressed by the smooth running of the event and the organisation which must have gone into the entire weekend. We felt that attending had been extremely beneficial.”
International buyers also praised the event. “The food, the entertainment and above all the networking session were all thoughtfully planned. We hope to make use of this opportunity to get to know some specialist suppliers and grow business/leisure tourism into the UK,” said Manmohan Malik from Indian operator, Mercury Travels.
Pat Crimp, head of marketing and commercial operations for the Wales Tourist Board, said: “Discovery brought key decision makers and buyers to Wales to see what we have to offer as a meetings and incentives destination. Worth £285 million a year to the Welsh economy, this lucrative sector brings the added benefit of being an all year round market and more and more venues have been developing their facilities to meet current demand. Delegates were certainly impressed with their experience in Wales – and we hope they will return again in the future.”
In addition to meetings, delegates took part in a series of trips to refamiliarise themselves with the latest news and information about venues, accommodation and attractions for the business visitor.
Organised by Meetings & Incentive Travel magazine, the awards are open to businesses engaged in the organisation or provision of products or services to the UK’s meetings and events industry. They were launched in 2002 to raise standards and recognise marketing expertise and best practice.