A group of conference organisers from the corporate sector were invited to Brighton last weekend, 17-19 April 2015, to get a taste of what the city and its venues have to offer as a conference destination. Sales representatives from ten venues including the Hilton Brighton Metropole, the Dome and Grand Hotel, together with the city council’s convention bureau, VisitBrighton, hosted a 2 day familiarisation trip designed to showcase the city and attract more corporate business.
The itinerary included a welcome reception at Brighton museum, a mini expo at the Brighton Centre and lunch at former royal residence, the Royal Pavilion with industry guru, Simon Maier, Creative Director from TFI Group as guest speaker.
Clients including representatives from Purina-Nestle, Coca-Cola Enterprises Ltd and Mercedes, had the opportunity to view a selection of the city’s venues and meet the sales managers as well as having free time to explore the city at their leisure.
Conference business in Brighton is an integral part of the local economy bringing in an estimated £100m of revenue that supports local restaurants, accommodation providers and shops.
VisitBrighton’s Sales Manager Darren Johnson said: “Conference delegates are a crucial part of the city’s visitor economy. They have a higher average daily spend than leisure visitors and come year-round, regardless of good weather or holiday times.
“Familiarisation trips are a proven way of getting clients to book their events here as once they’ve experienced the destination and seen first-hand what’s on offer they are far more likely to make a booking. We have forged good relationships with the venues and this fam is a prime example of how a collaborative approach can work for the benefit of the whole city. We’ve had great feedback from attendees so far and I hope the hard work and efforts of those involved will translate into some good business being placed.”
Laura Hogbin Director of Sales at Hilton Brighton Metropole, said: ”Organising the fam has been a real team effort and it’s been a pleasure working with other venue managers who all share the common goal of bringing in more conference business. Brighton has a lot to offer and the flurry of investment at many of our venues recently is a clear sign of confidence in the city. Getting clients to visit is a valuable opportunity, which we’ve all worked hard to make the most of, and I trust the exercise will prove fruitful business-wise in the not too distant future.”
Notes for editors
VisitBrighton Convention Bureau promotes Brighton & Hove as a place to hold meetings, conferences and business events. The Bureau works on behalf of the whole city and offers impartial support to event planners throughout the organising process. Team members have an in-depth knowledge of the city and can provide realistic, relevant and up-to-date information.
Brighton & Hove is recognised nationally and internationally as a dynamic conference destination, combining a seaside location with a vibrant cosmopolitan atmosphere. It has a range of venues - from imposing historic rooms to spacious modern facilities - and can host conferences for up to 10,000 delegates. Brighton has excellent transport links and is a 20 minute train ride from Gatwick Airport and less than an hour’s journey from London. The city offers Regency heritage as well as beachfront cool and has an impressive mix of iconic attractions, quirky nightlife, award winning restaurants, arts, culture and a year-round programme of festivals and events.
For more information, see www.VisitBrighton.com/conferences