Conference News discovers what ’ s new for Blackpool ’ s thriving meetings and events scene

n 2022 , The Blackpool Conference and Exhibition Centre opened its doors for the first time . In its first 12 months of operation , the venue welcomed 55,000 delegates and generated , alongside Winter Gardens Blackpool , in excess of £ 70m in economic benefit , contributing to Blackpool ’ s overall visitor economy which is valued at more than £ 1.58bn .

In 2023 , the high-tech venue is expecting to welcome over 63,000 delegates .

The centre Following a £ 30m investment the venue is now the largest of its kind in the North of England . With a total 2,400 sqm of dedicated space , the venue can

The famous Blackpool Tower

easily host large events , with the added possibility of utilising the space in conjunction with the other spaces in the Winter Gardens complex , giving a total event capacity of over 7,000 .

In its first year of operation , the venue has hosted events including the Conservative Party Spring Conference ( the region ’ s first political party conference since 2007 ) and the Trade Union Conference . The venue also saw events organised by the Society of British Neurological Surgeons , the Fellowship of Independent Evangelical Churches and the Ethically-Powered Data Event by Lancaster University , which saw a multi-sector discussion on how to drive a sustainable revolution in Blackpool .

Let ’ s meet Earlier this year Meet Blackpool , the town ’ s conference and exhibition arm , which launched in June 2022 , unveiled its new logo and branding as part of its recently announced £ 450,000 marketing and communications

Right : Blackpool Conference and Exhibition Centre

campaign . The new branding elevates the organisation ’ s ‘ Business in Blackpool , always a pleasure ’ strapline , drawing on typography found in Blackpool ’ s vintage signwriting and the town ’ s heritage as Britain ’ s best-loved seaside resort .

The branding will be used in advertising and at business events tradeshows across the country and will help raise Meet Blackpool ’ s profile so that it can build on recent successes and attract more high-profile events to the town .

Julie Vincent , head of Meet Blackpool , said : “ It ’ s been an exciting year for business events in Blackpool as we ’ ve launched both the new conference centre and our dedicated conference and exhibition arm .

“ We ’ re extremely proud of how we ’ ve navigated our first 12 months of trading , especially during a tentative post-Covid period . With the support of our partners , and through the hard work of our dedicated team who are the true champions of Blackpool , we ’ ve achieved some incredible things in