Conference revenues up a record 43% at Birmingham’s NEC

EUROPE – The National Exhibition Centre (NEC) in Birmingham, UK, has reported a record level growth in 2014/15 for its conference and live events business. Conference revenue increased by 43% year-on-year, while revenue from larger experiential live events increased by 47%. The NEC, primarily known for hosting large-scale exhibitions, is also capable of hosting conferences and live events for up to 5,000 delegates. Adrian Evans, director of conference and live at the NEC, said: “We are absolutely staggered by the level of growth we achieved in 2014/15. Our biggest challenge has been to raise the profile of the NEC as a conference venue, but with 186,000 square feet of covered space and 160 acres of hard standing ground we have the flexibility to host any kind of event no matter what size.” He continued: “We have worked hard to ensure that our products and prices are in line with the demands of our clients and we are thrilled with the results.” With higher targets for 2015/16, Evans reports The NEC is already exceeding budgets in the first quarter in both the exhibition and conference live business areas. Evans claims that the opening of Resorts World – the UK’s first integrated leisure and entertainment complex – at the NEC site will play a key role in the continued success of the NEC’s conference and live business. He said: “Resorts World is set to make the NEC a 24/7 destination which we are confident it will make the NEC even more attractive to potential clients. This, coupled with the recent acquisition of the NEC Group by LDC makes it an exciting time for our venue and we are looking forward to the next chapter.”