Ambassador network aims to drive global events to region
An ambitious new Conference Ambassador Network is aiming to drive more global events into the region.
The initiative from the Birmingham and the West Midlands Convention Bureau - which is supported by the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games Business and Tourism Programme (BATP) - will see regional leaders from academia and business join forces to champion the West Midlands and their own work to win new conferences and events.
Ambassadors will receive support from the Birmingham and the West Midlands Convention Bureau and partners throughout the bidding process, from finding a suitable venue and preparing proposals, to the smooth running of the event itself.
The Conference Ambassador Network launched at Millennium Point, with delegates invited from across the region 's academic, conference and events, leisure tourism and investment sectors.
The event included a keynote speech from Dan Storer, chief investment officer of West Midlands Growth Company (WMGC), and a panel debate featuring Paul Black (VisitBritain); Donna Cunningham (NEC Group); Dr Jenny Illingsworth (University of Birmingham); Steve Knight (WMGC) and Laura Shoaf (West Midlands Combined Authority).
Steve Knight, senior business tourism manager, WMGC, which operates the Birmingham and the West Midlands Convention Bureau, said: “Our Conference Ambassador Network will be a platform for the West Midlands ' greatest minds and industry leaders to come together to attract major new national and international conferences to the area.
“The West Midlands shows time and again what it can achieve when it collaborates, from hosting high-profile events such as the Conservative Party Conference to successfully bidding for the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games.
“By unlocking further contacts within our academic and business communities through this new network, we are showing that we are open for business after a challenging couple of years, and aiming to leave a Games legacy as a major global events destination. ”
The MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions) sector is worth £2.3 billion in Birmingham and the West Midlands.
The region welcomed 10.1 million local, national and international delegates in 2019, with an estimated 105,000 events taking place, contributing to 14.5 million delegate days.
The Birmingham and the West Midlands Conference Ambassador Network will showcase the region 's sector expertise in areas such as tech and digital, data-driven healthcare, future mobility and business, professional and financial services.
It will encourage academics and professionals who are leaders in their industry to host their organisation 's next event in Birmingham and the West Midlands.
Find out more information about the new Birmingham and the West Midlands Conference Ambassador Network.
Pictured (from left): , Paul Black (VisitBritain), Dr Jenny Illingsworth (University of Birmingham), Donna Cunningham (NEC Group), Steve Knight and Stephanie Mynett (both West Midlands Growth Company), Martin Fullard (MashMedia), Laura Shoaf (West Midlands Combined Authority) and Dan Storer (West Midlands Growth Company)