BELFAST'S growing reputation as an international conference destination has been further rubber-stamped with confirmation of two more lucrative events coming to the city for the first time this spring and summer.
Between them they will welcome 350-plus delegates, offer the equivalent of more than 2,000 bed nights, and pump hundreds of thousands of pounds into the city's coffers.
In May, accountancy and advisory firm Baker Tilly Mooney Moore will host its EMEA (Europe, Middle East and Africa) regional conference in the city for the first time since the inception of the event 30 years ago.
Then in July/August, the sought-after 2019 Conference and Incentive Travel (C&IT) Agency Forum, which has been held in London every year bar one, is coming to Belfast.
Both conferences will make a significant contribution to the city’s growing tourism economy, and will have spin-offs across the regions of the north
Since its first summit in 1988, Baker Tilly International has evolved into a $3.6 billion organisation with a workforce of 35,000 colleagues in 746 offices.
Belfast will host delegates for the five-day conference based at the Europa Hotel, but with gala events at various other venues including Belfast City Hall and Titanic Belfast.
The conference will attract 250 delegates from around the world to take part in a programme of technical sessions, collaborative meetings, thought leadership and motivational keynotes.
Baker Tilly International chief executive Ted Verkade said: “This conference represents the beginning of a dynamic next chapter for our network, as members from around the world gather in Northern Ireland to collaborate and share expertise.”
Murray Watt, regional director for EMEA, added: “Belfast is the perfect choice as a vibrant, fast growing economy that reflects our own focus on growth.
“A key element of our conferences is relationship building. The warm-welcome and personal approach I have experienced from our colleagues in Belfast will provide the perfect backdrop to foster closer relationships.”
The four-day C&IT forum, which will bring more than 100 of the UK’s leading and most active event planners and suppliers to Belfast, was successfully secured in partnership with Visit Belfast, Tourism NI, Belfast ICC, Titanic Belfast and Hastings Hotels.
C&IT is the UK’s leading influential brand for the meetings, incentives, conferences, and events industry and provides a key source of information, news, collaboration and networking opportunities through its expansive and unrivalled portfolio of print and digital outlets.
Belfast secured the conference highlight following a recent site visit to the city by senior C&IT officials who chose Belfast over other UK rivals for its hospitality and welcome, state-of-the-art venues, award-winning attractions and unrivalled entertainment.
Rachael McGuickin, director of business development at Visit Belfast, said: “These two events are major coups for Belfast, and a key part in the drive to bring in even more business tourism opportunities in the years ahead.
“The C&IT forums are attended by many highly influential global event organisers who between them control a combined annual spend on events worth £450 million.
“The decision by C&IT, the industry leaders, to base themselves here for these pivotal events represents a real vote of confidence in in our city.
“Belfast is now competing at the highest international level. Only a few months after being officially recognised as the best events destination, the decision to bring these events here is potentially transformative for a city that is focused and committed to business tourism success.”
