Louisa Daley talks to Deborah Collins , head of business tourism at Visit Belfast , about what ’ s on the horizon for the region this year and beyond
or our UK and Ireland issue , we not only wanted to offer insight into what the UK has to offer business events , but we also to discover what Ireland has to offer , too . In particular , we wanted to look at Belfast , a region that has a range of venues and a busy calendar ahead . To find out more , Louisa Daley spoke to Deborah Collins , head of business tourism at Visit Belfast .
2022 / 2023 plans
Despite the caution in booking , as well as the re-planning and postponement of events due to the pandemic “ Belfast has some exciting events coming to the city in 2022 and 2023 ,” beams Deborah Collins , head of business tourism at Visit Belfast . “ We are set for a bumper few months ahead with more than 100 events , worth £ 62million , coming to the region .”
For example , this spring Belfast will welcome the Microbiology Society Annual Conference , which will bring over 1,000 delegates to ICC Belfast , with a variety of social events taking place across the
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city . In the summer , Belfast will host the Intensive Care Society State of the Art Congress , the largest multi-professional critical care membership organisation in the UK .
“ Moving into 2023 , there are also a number of large international events taking place in Belfast ,” says Collins . From the 23rd International Conference on Composite Materials ( ICCM ), to 28th European Association of Archaeologists Annual Meeting and One Young World Summit , Belfast is expected to bring together a range of event professionals and delegates .
Global appeal
With such a busy few years ahead , I ask Collins how Belfast was able to appeal to the global market , considering boarders are reopening as Covid-19 restrictions ease . “ I think we have a really unique appeal because we are situated on the island of Ireland , but we are also still part of Great Britain ,” she says .
From a national conference organiser perspective , Collins tells me visiting Belfast is “ smooth and hassle-free ” as testing or additional requirements are no longer needed .
There is also a similar ease found in an international perspective . “ Belfast is easily accessible by three airports with 139 European and international destinations serviced ,” she explains .
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“ Belfast is set for a bumper few months ahead with over 100 events worth £ 62m coming to the region .” |
Titanic Exhibition Centre
Cathedral Quarter
ICC Belfast
“ It is fantastic to see the confidence slowly coming back and new routes frequently being announced ,” adds Collins . So , whether you ’ re a local or international visitor , be assured Belfast is ready to welcome you . In terms of the city ’ s tourist appeal , “ Belfast ’ s entrepreneurial and industrious spirit is felt everywhere , from the Titanic quarter where we built ocean liners , to the cobbled streets of the
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