NorthWest Conference Brochure

theBid

|

Liverpool Manchester

An Association Meetings International Special Supplement

The Bid _ I

Making your event sustainable just got easier.

You will be blown away by our wind turbines, moved by our motion detector lighting and the river views will ensure that your event will flow along smoothly.

Oh, and did we mention our venue?

• Award winning design and functionality • 1,350 seater auditorium • 18 breakout rooms • Exhibition space of 7000 sq m

+44 (0)151 475 8888 www.accliverpool.com

Welcome to

England's Northwest Offering some of the most exciting developments in the country, England's Northwest has the infrastructure to impress the international association market

L

iverpool and Manchester are the two great cities in England's most important economic region outside London - England's Northwest

Recent developments and huge investment have seen both cities transformed in the last few years. They are now home to fabulous new or refurbished convention facilities, a wide range of accommodation options and excellent transport links including Manchester Airport and Liverpool John Lennon Airport.

Working hard to attract international association events, organisers will discover professional convention bureaux ready to help with bid preparation, site inspections and invaluable local knowledge.

Of course the region has much more to offer than just its cities. In fact it is characterised by its diversity: urban, rural and coastal. From the magnificent lakes of Cumbria to the sweeping bay at Morecambe via the boutiques and gourmet dining of Roman Chester and the iconic landmarks of Blackpool, this is a region that will draw organisers back time and again. It is well worth a look, you won’t be disappointed.

Contents PAgEs

CONTENTs

iv - v .......................... Introduction vi - ix .......................... Manchester x - xii ............................. Liverpool xiii ................. Chester & Cheshire xiv – xv ......................... southport xvi ......... Blackpool & Lancashire xvii .. Cumbria - The Lake District xviii - xix ............ Ask the experts

The Bid _ III

Getting

there

E

xcellent transport links make England's Northwest an easily accessible international destination

This region offers three airports, an efficient rail service and road travel is also easy thanks to the area’s extensive motorway network. This transport infrastructure has made an important contribution to the increasing success the region is having in attracting international events.

IV_ The Bid

Manchester Airport Operating to more than 190 destinations worldwide, it is just 15 minutes from the city centre and serves 22m passengers a year, making it the UK’s third largest airport. Many major scheduled airlines as well as low-cost carriers operate flights to destinations including paris, new york, Frankfurt, Chicago, Amsterdam, Carlisle Singapore, Dubai and Atlanta.

By TrAIn

Most major cities in the UK have train services into Manchester. Virgin Trains' regular high-speed services from london take just over two hours. The First Transpennine express operates services from across the north of england, edinburgh and Glasgow plus direct services into the city from Manchester Airport. liverpool’s lime Street mainline station is situated in the heart of the city.

CUMBRIA Liverpool John Lennon Services from london take just over Just seven miles from the city centre, a two hours. There is also easy access to number of low-cost airlines fly in from Birmingham, Manchester and edinburgh.

The LakeThe District more than 50 european destinations. A extensive Merseyrail network is a new KlM service between Amsterdam’s cost-effective and convenient way to Schiphol airport and liverpool John explore the area. lennon Airport connects the region with more than 100 destinations on KlM’s international network and more than 650 By rOAD Lancaster Manchester’s ring road connects the city worldwide destinations across KlM’s to motorways heading throughout the UK. Skyteam partner networks.

LANCASHIRE liverpool is approximately 45 minutes Blackpool by road from Chester, Manchester and Blackpool International Preston north Wales. It is just over one hour Just three miles from Blackpool, this is Southport from Blackpool and the lake District, and one of the UK’s fastest growing airports. around four hours from london.

Flights are available from Belfast, Dublin Manchester and many european cities.

Liverpool

Chester

InTrODUCTIOn

By plAne

Warrington CHESHIRE Crewe

Carlisle CUMBRIA The Lake District United Kingdom ENGLAND’S NORTHWEST London

Lancaster Blackpool Preston Southport Liverpool Chester

LANCASHIRE

Manchester Warrington CHESHIRE Crewe The Bid _ V

The original

modern city

M

anchester has always been entrepreneurial, innovative and dynamic. For association event organisers, it just keeps on getting better There is a well-known saying: ‘What Manchester does today, the world does tomorrow’. This is a city that has been at the forefront since the industrial revolution. And for international association event organisers, this makes life just a little bit easier.

Whether the delegates’ interests lie in medicine, industry, history, society or the arts, Manchester has something special to offer As you would expect from such a vibrant and exciting city, Manchester offers lots of excellent cultural attractions, a famous Curry Mile, a lively Chinatown and is renowned for its music scene.

_The VI _ The Bid Bid

located in the heart of the city centre, Manchester Central, the city’s convention centre, has been cleverly designed to incorporate a magnificent Victorian railway terminal. Currently undergoing a huge refurbishment due to finish in the autumn of 2010, the entrance to this grade II listed building has already been transformed and some additional flexible, purpose-built meeting space will also be constructed.

Just across the road from Manchester Central is The Bridgewater Hall, a prestigious international concert venue that can also be used for conferences. Offering some stunning spaces for receptions or meetings, it can accommodate up to 1,800.

The Midland Hotel is another city landmark. The hotel has been hosting captains of industry since the wealthy cotton merchants met there. Today it has 312 bedrooms and 14 conference rooms with the largest seating up to 600.

The University of Manchester offers a huge range of meeting spaces. University place opened in 2008 and offers seating for 1,000 in a semi-circular auditorium plus 23 meeting rooms.

But Manchester is probably most famous for its two internationally renowned football teams: Manchester United and Manchester City. Both football clubs offer magnificent stadia with modern meetings facilities as well as museums and tours for delegates.

For example at Old Trafford groups can hire meeting facilities on-site, with many rooms overlooking the hallowed turf and drinks receptions can be held in the museum and private tours organised. The largest function space at Manchester United’s Old Trafford can seat up to 1,200 and there are a further 24 purpose-built event suites.

M A n C H eST e r

Another iconic building but for different reasons, architect Daniel libeskind’s extraordinary design for the Imperial War Museum north at Salford Quays would be reason enough to visit but the space inside is equally impressive. It has won many awards and for the right occasion is a simply stunning venue. you can dine under a suspended Harrier jump-jet and dance beside a T34 russian tank. It is ideal for up to 700 at a reception, 380 at a dinner and 300 theatre-style.

Also on the waterfront at Salford Quays, close to Old Trafford and lancashire County Cricket Club, is another equally impressive venue. The lowry has won awards for its architecture and incorporates two theatres, galleries and a number of stunning function rooms. The lyric Theatre seats up to 1,730; the Quays Theatre up to 450 and the lowry Galleries, where visitors can see the world’s largest public collection of the local painter lS lowry’s work, are ideal for a reception for up to 250.

The Quays are a rapidly developing area that has come alive in the last few years.

The BBC is moving here to what is known as Media City and that should ensure the area becomes one of the liveliest in the city.

Accommodation within walking distance includes a premier Inn, the ramada Salford Quays and the four-star Copthorne Hotel Manchester.

The lowry, meanwhile, is a five-star property and also boasts a quiet waterside location. Walk across the bridge, located directly outside, and you are in the heart of the city in minutes. The friendliness of the locals in Manchester is legendary. And in this elegant, stylish hotel, where the service is excellent, the staff manage to make guests feel really at ease from the moment they enter the lobby.

The lowry is a rocco Forte property and offers 165 lovely bedrooms and a very attractive spa. The meeting space is situated on its own dedicated floor and can accommodate up to 400.

Top right: Manchester Town Hall Middle right: The Lowry Bottom right: Urbis Left: The Bridgewater Hall

The Bid _ VII

Quality, flexibility, value…

...whatever your budget, Manchester Central has the capacity, flexibility and versatility to give you more bang for your buck.

Top-rated destination Manchester Central is situated right at the heart of one of the UK’s most dynamic and exciting cities.

Its track record as a top-flight convention complex has helped propel the city to its recent rating as one of Europe’s top three conference destinations, with value for money being one of the key judging criteria.

With over 2,500 hotel bedrooms in close proximity of the venue and many of the stylish bars, eateries and fascinating attractions within easy walking distance, you and your guests can easily get around the city and enjoy all it has to offer.

To discuss your next event contact our dedicated sales team at sales@manchestercentral.co.uk or call +44 (0)161 834 2700.

www.manchestercentral.co.uk

More bang for your buck Whatever the size and scope of your event our experienced sales team will work with you to ensure you achieve the most cost effective and impactful soultion. Our track record encompasses everything from major national political party conferences and high level international symposiums to trade exhibitions, banquets, charity events and auditions.

More facilities and flexibility Manchester Central’s £20m redevelopment has added more flexible spaces and a range of smaller meeting rooms, allowing us to to cater for everything from seminars and board meetings for just 40, to major conventions for 4,000. So why not get in touch to find out how we can help turn your ideas into reality? We look forward to working with you to deliver an inspiring and memorable event.

A selection of venues Venue

Maximum capacity theatre-style

Total no of meeting rooms

Bedrooms

unique selling point

The Palace Hotel

1,000

18

275

£7m refurbishment in the heart of the city

Hilton Manchester Deansgate

600

12

279

Lower part of the 47storey Beetham Tower

Macdonald Manchester

200

13

338

Ten minutes from Manchester Central

City Inn

170

15

285

In the new Piccadilly Place development

Radisson edwardian Manchester

400

20

263

Housed in the historic Free Trade Hall

M A n C H e ST e r

The Monastery, meanwhile, is on the other side of town and a completely different option. Once listed as one of the 100 most endangered sites in the world with a rich heritage, it has been lovingly restored thanks to the passion and commitment of a local couple. Considered to be the great architect pugin’s masterpiece, it is now run as a charity and available as a stunning venue for a variety of events. The venue will also appeal to groups who wish to put something back into the local community and contribute to this wonderful project. And it requires no compromise either, following the £6.5m restoration scheme it is a truly spectacular venue for 10 to 600.

Manchester Central • • • • •

Auditorium seating 800 12 breakout rooms 12,250sqm of exhibition space Seating for up to 4,000 in a column-free space Multi-million refurbishment due to complete autumn 2010

The Monastery

The Bid _ IX

Liverpool

a first-class act

F

amous as the home of The Beatles and Liverpool Football Club, huge investment means Liverpool now has the first-class facilities needed to host the international association market

“Liverpool has been named in the top three city break destinations for the second year by readers of Conde Nast Traveller magazine� _The X_ TheBid Bid

and gifts.

A five-minute walk on from Albert Dock will bring visitors into the biggest regeneration project the city has ever seen – liverpool One. This £1billion retail and leisure complex spans 42 acres and features 160 new shops, bars and restaurants. It also has a five-acre park and two new hotels, a novotel and Hilton.

Close by is another of the city’s success stories: The Hard Days night Hotel. To call it a Beatles-inspired hotel doesn’t really do it justice. It is a stylish, upmarket fourstar property located close to the Cavern Quarter in the heart of the city – so-named because The Beatles first performed at the Cavern Club. It has 110 bedrooms, small but attractive meeting space and very glamorous public bar and lounge spaces. It does, of course, have a fine collection of Beatles memorabilia on display throughout.

The city boasts no fewer than four universities: liverpool John Moores University, University of liverpool, liverpool Hope University and edge Hill University. All offer a variety of meeting facilities. liverpool, of course, is known the world over for its two premiership football clubs:

everton and liverpool. Both clubs offer hospitality and meeting space as well as museums and tours and are a big draw for delegates. liverpool is also situated on what is known as england’s Golf Coast, the finest stretch of championship golf in the world. As you would expect from such a vibrant city, not only does it offer The Beatles legacy but there is a modern, exciting music scene with regular events in the 10,600-seat liverpool echo Arena as well as smaller, local bars and clubs.

The city is also home to its own royal liverpool philharmonic Orchestra based in Hope Street. A new marketing campaign focusing on the cultural quarter of Hope Street is attracting attention to this famous thoroughfare, which links two spectacular cathedrals and is also home to the everyman Theatre. Alongside stunning Georgian architecture and some renowned restaurants, there is the delightful boutique Hope Street Hotel. Voted by Conde Nast Traveller as one of the world’s 50 coolest hotels, it offers 89 bedrooms and can accommodate up to 50 for meetings.

At one end of Hope Street is the Metropolitan Cathedral and at the other liverpool Cathedral, described by poet Sir John Betjeman as one of the ‘great buildings of the world’. And, unusually for a place of worship, it is very available for hosting spectacular events. And what a venue it makes: it is the largest cathedral in the UK, has the world’s highest and heaviest peal of bells and the world’s highest and widest gothic arches. It works with some of the city’s most prestigious caterers and guests can be called to their tables by a dramatic blast from the magnificent organ.

For those not worried by heights or stairs, there are fabulous views of the entire city from a Tower Tour.

l I V e r p OO l

The £164m, award-winning Arena and Convention Centre liverpool, home to the BT Convention Centre and the echo Arena, has attracted 71,000 delegates to more than 200 conferences in its first year. All glistening glass and steel, this landmark building is situated on the city’s World Heritage waterfront, adjacent to Albert Dock. For delegates this means the lightfilled BT Convention Centre on the water’s edge, within walking distance of bars, restaurants and an exceptional shopping centre.

Already winning prestigious large events from other established convention cities in Britain, ACC liverpool is attracting very positive comment. Billions of pounds have poured into the city in recent years and if you haven’t visited the city before, everyone will tell you what a shame it is as you won’t recognise the scale of the change.

Albert Dock is a few minutes walk from ACC liverpool and offers a range of bars, restaurants, shops and award-winning attractions in a World Heritage setting. It is also home to the largest collection of Grade 1 listing buildings in the UK. Among the impressive attractions here is the Merseyside Maritime Museum, which has just opened a 120-cover restaurant, Maritime Dining rooms, and conference space for up to 200 with lovely views of the water and the city. On the third floor is the International Slavery Museum, which offers a thought-provoking display. Tate liverpool presents international exhibitions of modern and contemporary art in its light-filled galleries.

And no visit to the city would really be complete without some form of interaction with its most famous sons The Beatles. At Albert Dock there is ‘The Beatles Story’, a must-do for any music fan. There is also a Fab4Store, which offers a huge collection of official Beatles merchandise, souvenirs

The Bid _ XI

lIVerpOOl

As European Capital of Culture 2008, the city saw its visitor numbers soar • More museums and galleries than any other UK city outside of london • The liverpool Delegate Card offers delegates of the BT Convention Centre special offers on everything from restaurants to retailers • UneSCO World Heritage Waterfront home for new £70m Museum of liverpool

Arena and Convention Centre Liverpool (ACC Liverpool) • Home to echo Arena and BT Convention Centre • The 11,000 capacity echo Arena is linked to the BT Convention Centre via a glazed walkway • purpose-built and flexible venue • Auditorium seats 1,350 and has a rotating system to subdivide the space into three self-contained spaces – one for 850 and two for 250 • 18 breakout rooms with capacities for 10-500 • Multi-purpose Hall has 3,725sqm for exhibitions and banqueting; 7,000sqm when combined with the echo Arena

_The XII_ TheBid Bid

• Holds the Guiness Book of records’ title of World Capital of pop Music – having had the most number one hits

A selection of venues Venue

Maximum capacity theatre-style

Total no of meeting rooms

Bedrooms

unique selling point

Jury’s Inn

100

10

310

Next to the Arena and Convention Centre Liverpool

Sefton Park Palm House

400

1

n/a

Victorian building set in 365 acres

St. George’s Hall

800

11

n/a

£23m neo-classical restoration

Radisson Blu

180

9

194

River views and latest technology

Britannia Adelphi Hotel

700

19

402

Largest conference hotel in the city

C

hester is one of the UK’s finest heritage cities and the surrounding Cheshire countryside offers a variety of unusual venues and attractions

Famous for its roman walls and Medieval buildings, this delightful city also has the river Dee winding through its centre.

Most visitors are happy strolling through the historic streets and enjoying the upmarket boutiques.

Surprisingly, it boasts a picturesque racecourse literally on the doorstep. The Chester racecourse, an easy walk from all the city centre hotels, is beautifully situated and offers extensive meeting space on non-race days. With a commercial and professional events team, it offers around 23 meeting spaces, seating up to 600 in the largest. Used to accommodating and catering for large numbers, it also offers restaurant 1539, named after the year in which the first horse-race took place in the city, which prides itself on serving fine contemporary British food.

Step across the street from Chester’s railway station and you will enter the Queen Hotel. What looks to be a traditional Victorian railway hotel from the outside soon reveals itself to be something much quirkier on the inside. With £20m recently spent on the new ‘Kings Suites at the Queens Hotel’, the new, glamorous bedrooms take the hotel’s total to 218. It also offers flexible meeting space for up to 400 in its largest room.

• Foodies should enjoy simon Radley’s cooking at The Chester grosvenor, which has had a Michelin star for 19 years

CHeSTer AnD CHeSHIre

Charming

Cheshire

• The Orient-Express Northern Belle train offers period carriages for an unforgettable journey through Cheshire • Cheshire’s gardens of Distinction are some of England’s finest

The University of Chester offers a variety of meeting spaces and bedrooms. This is a cost-effective option and yet with its campus just a short walk from the city centre and an impressive swimming pool and fitness centre, it is popular with delegates.

With easy access from the other large Cheshire town, Warrington, and the region’s motorway network, the modern park royal Hotel seats 400 in its largest meeting room and offers 146 bedrooms. It has 15 versatile function spaces and also offers landscaped grounds for team-building activities.

In contrast, peckforton Castle is a fairy-tale building popular for gala dinners and social programme events. It is in fact a Medievalstyle castle with 38 bedrooms and meeting space for 180 in the Drawing room but most visitors would think it was much older. It also has a land rover experience centre on site.

A selection of venues Venue

Maximum capacity theatre-style

Total no of meeting rooms

Bedrooms

unique selling point

Crewe Hall

370

8

117

£13.5m redevelopment & 3.5 acre events field for delegate activities

De Vere Venues Daresbury Park

350

9

189

8-hole golf course a mile away

Cranage Hall

300

28

150

Manor house set in 20 acres

Mottram Hall De Vere Collection

275

28

131

set in 270 acres & new conference suite

Barcelo Shrigley Hall Golf & Country Club

250

11

148

19th century mansion set in 262 acres & fabulous views

The Bid _ XIII

a classic

conference resort

S

outhport is a charming seaside town that offers an excellent range of services ideal for the international association market

This classic seaside resort thrives year-round as the quality of its nightlife, restaurants, bars and shopping is very high.

The resort’s flagship venue, the Southport Theatre & Convention Centre (STCC), is a stunning facility with magnificent views, flexible spaces and the ability to cater for more than 1,600 delegates. It can form three separate, self-contained meetings suites or offer one major convention, exhibition and events arena. The stunning location overlooking the picturesque marine lake creates a very special conference venue.

The new Ramada Plaza Southport is linked to the STCC and offers four meeting rooms for up to 120 delegates of its own.

The hotel also has 133 bedrooms including eight executive lake-view suites and a brasserie-style restaurant overlooking the stunning Marine Way Bridge.

The Vincent Hotel, a luxury lifestyle hotel in the heart of Southport, is a venue that combines executive style with contemporary glamour. It has a range of meeting rooms for up to 200 with 60 sumptuous bedrooms.

Located just outside Southport, Formby Hall Golf Resort & Spa offers excellent facilities for event organisers with state-ofthe-art, flexible conference space for up to 290 delegates, challenging championship golf and a relaxing four-star hotel with 62 bedrooms. Formby Hall is home to the UK’s first PGA residential golf academy together with an 18-hole championship course, a new nine-hole par three course and a 25-bay driving range.

Like so much of England's Northwest, visitors are spoilt for choice for outdoor

One satisfied client described the STCC as:

“The NEC with its lid off”

_The XIV_ TheBid Bid

Southport

Southport Theatre & Convention Centre • The Waterfront suite - 750sqm of flat floor, multi-use space, which can be configured into six rooms • The adjoining four-star Ramada Plaza hotel enjoys a direct link with the main conference entrance • A 1,631-seat Theatre Auditorium • The versatile Floral Hall has 1,000sqm of flat floor space • Also available is the Lakeside suite, a 200sqm syndicate/function room, which can be separated into two

activities. In particular, there are six worldclass championship golf courses, including Royal Birkdale, host of the 2008 Open Championship.

The combination of Southport’s facilities together with its charm and ambience makes for an extremely attractive delegate experience. And for those events looking for accommodation to suit all budgets, the resort offers a range of affordable family-run Bed & Breakfasts and guest houses as well as the traditional and boutique-style hotels.

A selection of venues Venue

Maximum capacity theatre-style

Total no of meeting rooms

Bedrooms

unique selling point

Scarisbrick Hotel

200

7

88

In the town centre

The Royal Clifton Hotel & Spa

300

7

120

Overlooks the coast and gardens

Prince of Wales Hotel

450

6

148

Victorian property with a grand ballroom

Aintree Racecourse

600

49

n/a

Excellent motorway access

C

M

Y

CM

MY

CY CMY

K

The Bid _ XV

B

oasting iconic landmark buildings, large meeting facilities and offering great value, Blackpool and the surrounding county of Lancashire have a lot to offer the international association market A famous and thriving holiday resort, Blackpool hopes to offer its old buzz and excitement following a £90m project to improve public spaces and amenities on its seafront. Blackpool’s seafront hotels and other landmark buildings continue to offer extensive conference space. The Winter Gardens Conference and exhibition Centre is a four and a half acre complex offering flexible facilities and there are a further 1,600 accredited hotels, guest houses and self-catering units in the town.

Alongside the stylish new seafront, there is still the fun of the pleasure Beach and events can be held in the extraordinary Blackpool Tower and Circus.

There is plenty for delegates to do – the nightlife is legendary. The Hounds Hill Shopping Centre, with many high street stores, has been remodelled and is now twice its original size.

Situated in the heart of lancashire, preston is the area’s most important commercial centre. It too offers many options for conferences.

Other possibilities in this part of the northwest include the historic city of lancaster, with its medieval castle and grand Victorian cathedral, or the glorious views offered in the seaside town of Morecambe. part of the regeneration of Morecambe has included the revitalisation of The Midland Hotel. This Art Deco Grade II listed hotel, which once hosted famous guests such as Coco Chanel, Wallace Simpson and lawrence Olivier, has been restored to its former glory and is now a fantastic conference venue.

• Blackpool Illuminations Department is the largest provider of lighting features in the world • Explore Lancashire’s network of unspoilt canals • Blackpool’s famous trams offer a great way to get around the town • Haworth Art gallery, Accrington, is home to Europe’s largest public collection of Tiffany glass • Blackburn Cathedral has the UK’s finest collection of religious art • Blackpool is the only town in the UK to have three working piers

A selection of venues

XVI XVI_ The Bid

BlACKpOOl & lAnCASHIre

An evolving

destination

Venue

Maximum Total no of capacity meeting theatre-style rooms

Bedrooms

unique selling point

Park Hall Hotel Leisure & Conference Centre

700

17

140

situated near Preston

Ribby Hall Village

350

20

400

Located between Preston and Blackpool

Lancaster university 600 Conference Centre

21

832

A variety of venues on a 200-acre campus

Blackpool Tower and Circus

1,800 1,500

40

n/a

Ballroom seats 1,800 and the Circus 1,500

Hilton Blackpool

900

11

274

Recent £25m refurbishment

Pleasure Beach Blackpool

1,800

8

n/a

More than 125 rides, shows and attractions

O

ne of England’s most stunning areas offers a range of professional venues as well as the ideal spot for some post-convention downtime It isn’t difficult to see why the marketing bodies here have hit upon the slogan: Be inspired.

In Cumbria, the scenery is breathtakingly gorgeous. This is the place to come to feel invigorated and motivated.

Internationally famous as the home of poet Wordsworth, Grasmere, for instance, is renowned for its links with art and literature. And it is also a fantastic area for all manner of outdoor activities for conference excursions and partner programme events.

The Lake District does offer some large venues for events, particularly in its universities and the historic border city of Carlisle. But really this is an area of lovely country house-style hotels with large grounds for activities, historic rooms for receptions and smaller meetings and activity programmes. For something truly

A selection of venues Venue

Maximum capacity theatre-style

Total no of meeting rooms

Bedrooms

unique selling point

Crown & Mitre Hotel

400

9

94

Situated in the centre of Carlisle

Swallow Hilltop Hotel

450

8

92

8-hole golf course a mile away

university of Cumbria

900

40

920 (vacations only)

special, treat your delegates to a boat trip on Ullswater, regarded as England’s most beautiful lake, in a heritage vessel, for instance.

A world-class beauty spot, the outdoor activities here make a very appealing add-on to any international event in the Northwest region. From four by four trails through the Lake District National Park to trout fishing, archery, clay-pigeon shooting, biking and paint-balling to more sedate activities such as cookery classes, spa treatments, hill walking and horse-riding, there is something for everyone - with a spectacular backdrop guaranteed.

For larger meetings there are some interesting non-residential venues such as the Brewery Arts Centre in Kendal. Popular for its theatre, music, arts and events, it has a 450-capacity music venue, three cinemas, two visual arts galleries and a drama studio.

Another unusual venue is The Rheged Centre in Penrith, Europe’s largest grasscovered building designed to resemble a Lakeland hill. A flexible venue, it offers nine conference rooms for up to 220, two exhibition halls and is fabulous for evening functions up to 300.

In The Sands Centre, set on the banks of the River Eden and adjacent to a park, is Cumbria’s largest and most flexible events venue. Its largest room seats up to 1,300 theatre-style and it also offers a dance studio, gym, golf driving range and 18-hole par three golf course.

Carlisle Racecourse boasts the superb purpose-built Jubilee Grandstand and Conference Centre, which opened in 2002.

This is an ideal space for a reception for up to 600 or a meeting for 470 theatre-style. It offers a further 14 function rooms.

CUMBRIA – THE LAKE DISTRICT

simply

inspirational

Multi-purpose Hall with 636sqm exhibition space

_ XVII The The Bid Bid _ XVII

Ask the

experts

E

ach region in England’s Northwest has a team of professionals ready to help international association event organisers with a range of services

Each local convention bureau provides a one-stop-shop for all an organiser’s conferencing needs.

They can assist and advise with: • Hosting familiarisation visits and site inspections • Help with the production of bid documents and presentations • Sourcing venues for congresses and auxiliary events • Delegate accommodation booking service • Incentive packages, leisure and partner programmes • Event management • Guidance on sources of sponsorship or civic funding

XVIII_ The Bid

VISIT CHESTER & CHESHIRE

VISIT ManCHESTER

VISITBlaCkpool

www.meetinchesterandcheshire.com

www.manchesterconferences.com

www.visitblackpoolconferences.com

Telephone: +44 (0)1244 405 629

Telephone: +44 (0)161 237 1010

Telephone: +44 (0)1253 478207/478216

conferences@visitchesterandcheshire.co.uk

conference@visitmanchester.com

conferences@visitblackpool.com

Here to Help LiverpooL Convention Bureau

Southport ConferenCeS

CumBria the Lake DiStriCt

LanCaShire ConferenCeS

www.southportconferences.com

www.lakedistrict-conferences.info

www.lancashireandblackpoolconference.com

Telephone: +44 (0)845 688 1108

Telephone: +44 (0)845 371 4453

conference@cumbriatourism.org

conferences@visitlancashire.com

www.visitliverpool.com/conferences telephone: +44 (0)151 934 2435 telephone: +44 (0)151 237 3925 info@SouthportConferences.com conferences@visitliverpool.com

The Bid _ XIX

Liverpool. Where business, culture and sheer energy meet

There has always been a real fusion of culture and business in the Liverpool City Region.

From the cultural capital of Liverpool to the classic conference resort of Southport, the Liverpool City Region offers an unparalleled choice of stunning and versatile conference venues that will not only inspire your delegates – but get them talking.

And of course, you have the support of the Liverpool Convention Bureau to take care of all your arrangements – from finding the perfect venue to booking your accommodation.

But there’s so much more to being the right destination than just great facilities and the City Region has an exciting mix of culture and heritage, hotels, bars and restaurants (not to mention some of the world’s best golf) and with excellent transport links it’s all within easy reach.

For more information or to request a copy of the Conference Portfolio call: +44 (0)151 237 3925 or email conferences@visitliverpool.com or www.visitliverpool.com/conferences

It’s happening in

LIVERPOOL

CONVENTION BUREAU