Belfast Visitor and Convention Bureau ambassadors secure Soroptimist International Conference

EUROPE – The Belfast Visitor and Convention Bureau’s (BVCB) Ambassador Programme has helped the city secure a major international professional women’s conference for October 2012.  
 
Northern Ireland’s Tourism Minister Arlene Foster announced details of the Soroptimist International Conference, run by an organisation for professional women who undertake voluntary projects across the world.
 
The three-day event, 25 to 27 October, is set to bring 2,000 delegates to the city with an estimated economic impact to the local economy of £2.3m. A total of 6,000 bed nights will be secured for local accommodation providers with main events taking place in the Waterfront Hall and Titanic Belfast.
 
The recently-elected Federation President of Soroptimist International for Great Britain and Ireland (SIGBI), Maureen Maguire, has been working with the BVCB since 2009 to help bring October’s conference to the city.  Additional support for the bid was provided by the Northern Ireland Tourist Board and Belfast City Council.
 
“This represents another significant event win for Belfast in 2012, a landmark year for the city and Northern Ireland,” said Foster. “It is clear Titanic Belfast has strengthened our offering in the international business tourism market and is playing a key role in helping to attract new conference business to the city.”
 
BVCB’s Chief Executive, Gerry Lennon said: “Many of the conferences held in Belfast can be attributed to our Belfast ambassador programme and individuals like Maureen, who are making a real difference, by promoting the city as a leading conference destination.   
 
“Business tourism, particularly in challenging economic conditions, has the potential to provide a double dividend for the local economy as it drives overnight stays and year round visitors to the City. Last year Belfast welcomed almost 20,000 delegates attending 86 national and international conferences, generating approximately £27m for the Northern Ireland economy.”
 
Caption: Tourism Minister Arlene Foster praises the Belfast Ambassador Programme, which helped attract £2.3m international women’s conference to the city.
 
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