Birmingham to host Liberal Democrats

25th Feb 2010

The Liberal Democrats are due to hold their Spring Conference in Birmingham from 12 – 14 March 2010 at the ICC.

The conference is expected to attract up to 2000 delegates to Birmingham, providing a welcome boost to the city’s hotels, restaurants, bars, shops and other businesses.

Key organisations in Birmingham are working together to ensure the conference is a success and pave the way for the return of the Party for its annual autumn conference in 2011, set to attract around 6000 delegates.

Marketing Birmingham and The NEC Group have been responsible for negotiating and securing the deal with the Party to bring their two conferences to The ICC, generating an estimated total of £11m for the regional economy.

The conference builds on Birmingham’s reputation for hosting world-class events and ensures the city is now firmly established as part of the major political party conference circuit. Birmingham is the only UK city to have secured all three main political parties over a three year period, and has delivered six party political conferences during this timeframe.

Liberal Democrat Leader Nick Clegg said: “I am really looking forward to coming to Birmingham next month for our important pre-General Election party conference.
“As well as using the world class facilities available at The ICC for our debates and meetings, my Liberal Democrat colleagues will have the pleasure of visiting Birmingham’s excellent cafés, shops and restaurants.
“Attracting big conferences and events to the city helps provide a welcome boost to Birmingham’s economy; I’m glad that the Liberal Democrats are playing a role in that.”

Cllr Paul Tilsley, Deputy Leader of Birmingham City Council and Leader of the Liberal Democrat Group, said:
“The decision to hold both conferences in the city is a fantastic endorsement for Birmingham and underlines its reputation for hosting world class events. Birmingham is working together to ensure the conference in March is a success and lays the ground work for the Party’s return in 2011.”

Neil Rami, Chief Executive of Marketing Birmingham said:
“The decision by the Liberal Democrat Party to hold their spring conference in Birmingham really cements our position on the political conference circuit. We are working with The NEC Group, Birmingham City Council and West Midlands Police to host the Party and our aim is to deliver a successful event. We will ensure we show them the full breadth of what Birmingham has to offer so the stage is set for their return in 2011.
“Birmingham is an internationally important city and recognition on the world stage is continually growing. This momentum will continue throughout 2010 with Birmingham hosting the Conservative Party Autumn Conference in October.”

The ICC will provide the venue for both conferences, offering world-class facilities in the heart of Birmingham city centre.

Nick Waight, Managing Director, Group Convention Centres, said: “With our central location, connections to the UK transport network, award-winning facilities and an experienced, dedicated team, it is natural that The ICC should be seen as an attractive location for high-profile events such as the Liberal Democrats Conference.
“The ICC is already long-established as the venue of choice for associations, corporate conferences and niche events, and as the only UK venue to have hosted events by all three main political parties in the last two years, is rapidly being recognised as the home of the political conference.
“We are looking forward to welcoming the Liberal Democrats to the city for what I’m sure will be an extremely successful conference.”

Bespoke city dressing has been created to welcome delegates to the city and a dedicated website has been created for the conference with accommodation, travel and leisure information – www.libdemsinbirmingham2010.com