West Midlands |
||||||||
|
Steve Knight , senior business tourism manager at WMGC
important event bids : “ The network has allowed us to solidify our strong relationships with local universities and the business community , with membership more than doubling in the last six months to over 60 ambassadors ,” she says , adding : “ We have been able to build a healthy pipeline of future national and international events to add to a thriving sector , which contributes approximately £ 2bn to the regional economy .”
Conference bidding opportunities and events in the pipeline include : the IWG World Conference on Women & Sport 2026 ( ICC Birmingham ) and the 2027 Intelligent Transport Systems World Congress ( NEC Birmingham ). Although the wider prospect list includes over 250 conferences identified by the bureau .
These events build on recent impactful events such as SportAccord in April 2024 at the ICC Birmingham . The International Ceramics Congress is also due in Birmingham in 2028 .
|
Sustainability action and creative industries The WMGC is also a partner with the Global Destination Sustainability ( GDS ) movement , alongside the Birmingham , Solihull and Black Country LVEP and the Coventry and Warwickshire LVEP . Work also involves a collaboration with |
sustainable tourism certification scheme provider , Green Tourism , to help regional businesses achieve Green Tourism accreditation .
The region also continues to burnish its credentials in the creative industries and , since April 2023 , there have been announcements of the BBC ’ s new Birmingham headquarters in Digbeth ’ s Tea Factory , as well as their support for the relocation or expansion of production firms such as Spun Gold and Banijay UK into the city .
BBC ’ s Masterchef will also relocate to Birmingham bringing 130 jobs .
And fans of the Peaky Blinders will be pleased to know the work on a new movie has begun in 2024 across the West Midlands .
There is also a partnership underway with VisitBritain ’ s campaign , entitled ‘ Starring GREAT Britain ’, which will see the region showcase its famous film locations to international audiences .
|
What the experts say : So , what do locally based event organising experts have to say about their experience working in the region ?
Matt Franks , group global director of events , at Worcestershire-based international events agency DRPG , says : “ We ’ re very proud that our roots are in the West Midlands . The region has served us well not only in terms of talent but partners , clients
|
Left : Mayor of the West Midlands Richard Parker at the ‘ It Starts Here ’ launch |
and facilities .
“ Whilst we are a global agency , we continue to have a strong presence in the Midlands which provides a very accessible location to run events and has a wide range of venues and spaces that can accommodate anything from the smallest gathering to a large-scale event – for example the Commonwealth Games . In the last 12 months we have successfully delivered projects ranging from small conferences to large scale events for global brands in automotive , pharmaceutical , finance and retail sectors .
“ One of the greatest selling points is accessibility and pricing ; these factors often attract brands to the region . Accessibility not just because of its geographical position but also because of access to international airports and rail networks . Pricing , when balanced with other locations and facilities , especially those in London , means you ’ ll often find more value with Midlands venues .”
As well as iconic venues such as the ICC Birmingham and the NEC , the region also offers unique venues , including : Ansty Hall , a stunning 17th-century hall near Coventry , and part of the UK ’ s first B-Corp hotel company .
AvantGlamp at the NEC , one of the UK ’ s largest glamping resorts which opened on the NEC campus in late 2024 .
The Belfry Hotel & Resort , set to unveil its new flagship event space , The Masters Suite , in September 2025 .
Edgbaston Stadium , which has announced Radisson as its hotel partner as part of its award-winning masterplan redevelopment .
The list goes on with the likes of the Black Country Living Museum , Dudley ( backdrop for Peaky Blinders ) and the New Art Gallery Walsall ( 25th anniversary in 2025 ).
|