A 15-minute city in the North East of England
Historically thought of as remote and tucked away in the depths of northern England, Newcastle and Gateshead is now often hailed as one of the friendliest places in the UK. The region has a long history of hosting conferences and events from across the world with open arms and in 2023 the city welcomed more than 6000 conference delegates.
With an engaged business community that has a tangible spirit of collaboration, and established sector strengths in health and life sciences, digital and tech, energy and sustainability, and tourism and hospitality, Newcastle and Gateshead is a destination where you can explore your subject area, network with local business and have a positive social impact on the people here.
Newcastle is accessible from London in under three hours.
The region is easier to get to than you may think. Newcastle International Airport is just a 20-minute Metro ride away from the city centre and welcomes flights from more than 80 worldwide destinations, including hubs in Amsterdam, Dubai, Paris and London. Newcastle Central Station is at the heart of the city connecting Newcastle to London and Manchester in under three hours and to Edinburgh in under two hours.
Newcastle to the north of the River Tyne is a compact city that packs a punch. Walkable from one end to the other in around 15 minutes, it is the ideal destination for business events that are looking to promote green as well as active travel options. Not only are the majority of Newcastle and Gateshead’s conference venues and accommodation providers within walking distance from each other, but there are also ample transport options at the fingertips of delegates including electric QuayLink buses, bold, orange Neuron e-scooters and scenic cycle paths.
Across Newcastle and Gateshead there are more than 6,000 hotel rooms and over 260 conference venues ranging from the 750-seat auditorium in Newcastle University’s Frederick Douglas Centre, to quirky independent venues like The Biscuit Factory and The Glasshouse International Centre for Music. Venues in Newcastle and Gateshead deliver exciting and memorable events with many prioritizing the reduction of their environmental impact through industry credentials such as Green Meetings, accessibility and inclusivity, and implementing industry leading audio-visual capabilities.
Did you know the North East of England has the highest concentration of castles of any English region?
Around every corner of the city, you can discover just a little bit of its 2000-year history in its historic and cultural venues, including countless castles, Roman Forts, former Steam Engine Works and shipbuilding heritage.
Newcastle and Gateshead are uniquely placed with tranquil coast and countryside just a stone’s throw away from the bustling city centre. The nearby coastlines are award-winning and Kielder Observatory in neighbouring Northumberland is the largest gold-tier dark sky park in Europe, both ideally placed for those prioritizing and promoting delegate wellbeing. From shoreside yoga sessions in Tynemouth, stargazing in Northumberland or kayaking down the River Tyne, there is a wealth of fringe activities to enjoy as part of a conference programme.
Organisers and delegates benefit from a passionate convention bureau who are able to draw on their extensive knowledge of the region and industry to support with excursions, social itineraries and partner programmes as well as venue finding and delegate welcomes.
Visit meetnewcastlegateshead.com to discover more