New name for Best of Britain & Ireland show
Following the success of Best of Britain & Ireland 2015, which took place at the NEC Birmingham last month, organiser Diversified Communications UK has decided on a name change to better reflect the event’s offer.
After extensive consultation with exhibitors and visitors, the name of the show has changed to The British Tourism & Travel Show, with the tag line ‘The very best of Britain and Ireland’.
The British Tourism & Travel Show will boast an expanded free seminar programme, with the introduction of an additional theatre for 2016. The line-up will include over 25 leading industry speakers discussing the key issues, opportunities and hot topics facing the domestic tourism sector today.
Best of Britain & Ireland took place on the 11-12 March, attracting 2,361 attendees and over 250 exhibitors. The new-look British Tourism and Travel Show will return to the NEC Birmingham from 16-17 March 2016.
Government calls on VisitBritain to promote business events
VisitBritain will return to promoting international business events following a government review.
VisitBritain ceased activities around business events promotion in 2010, following government cutbacks in its budget allocation. At that time it closed its business tourism unit and handed over the role of international representation for business events to VisitEngland, with the other national agencies in Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales maintaining their own business events units.
VisitEngland will hand over the tactical delivery of international marketing of England to VisitBritain, but still play an important coordination role with those of its stakeholders with international aspirations. The two organisations will also work closely to ensure that the most appropriate tourism brand is used to deliver the greater visitor numbers and create economic growth.
Butlins teams up with Diversity to launch street-dance package
Butlins Conference & Events has launched a team-building experience where delegates can learn to street dance with Britain’s Got Talent’s Diversity.
Diversity will lead delegates in learning a variety of classic street-dance moves ‘adapted and devised with business teams in mind’.
The routines will comprise energetic but simple steps, teaching delegates an enjoyable routine set against a soundtrack of fast tempo music.
Simon Jones, National Sales Manager at Butlins Conference & Events, said: “At Butlins we are always trying to think outside of the box to bring our delegates something new and exciting in this ever-evolving marketplace. We are always looking for ways to change perceptions about where and how conferences should be held and we believe this new offering with Diversity helps to prove this.”
Oxford set for further investment in conferencing
Oxford is set to get a £50 million boost to its event facilities.
The announcement came as figures released by Conference Oxford revealed that more than £170 million has been invested in Oxford’s conferencing facilities over the past five years.
Upcoming developments are set to add further value to Conference Oxford’s offering, and include a bespoke
service to help facilitate larger conferences taking place in the city. The new service will coordinate dealings across all the city’s conference, dining and accommodation facilities.
In March, an £80 million refurbishment of the newly named Weston Library at the Bodleian officially opened. As well as providing facilities for academics and students, the Weston Library now includes a 854sqm hall for dining or drinks, a lecture theatre seating 117 and a rooftop terrace.
Further complementing Oxford’s conferencing offering is the Thatcher Business Education Centre at Saïd Business School, which opened in 2012. The £28 million development includes three lecture theatres, multiple seminar rooms, and dining facilities for up to 250 delegates.