Going from strength to strength, 2018 has seen the major venue welcome its 100,000th conference delegate, and there are exciting plans on the horizon for the neighbouring hotel.
Here, we look back at some standout moments from the year, and what’s coming up in 2019…
The BCEC is a landmark building spanning over 2,000sqm, fitted with fully-flexible events spaces to accommodate over 1,000 delegates at one time. Regularly hosting a variety of events attracting both business and leisure tourists to the region, examples from the last 12 months alone include an evening with Ruth Davidson MSP, West Midlands LFIG Chinese Annual Dinner, the Joshua Ribera Achievement Awards and The National Asian Wedding Show.
The venue is no stranger to special guests and since opening the enhanced ground floor and main reception entrance last November, a number have walked through the doors from Boris Johnson MP and Scottish Conservative Party Leader Ruth Davidson MSP to Hilary Benn MP.
Located on the same site as the hotel and connected by a glass link bridge is Holiday Inn Birmingham City. Complete with 261 bedrooms, the modern city centre hotel has recently welcomed 20 brand new King Deluxe and Junior Suites, with further enhancements planned to follow.
Vincent Garrington, general manager of the BCEC, said: “Since opening its doors two years ago, the Birmingham Conference & Events Centre has imbedded itself as a major venue in the city and wider region. Over 100,000 visitors have attended the venue attracting both local people and business and leisure tourism into the city centre which we’re very proud to support.
“We’ve made fantastic links with international, national and regional organisations putting Birmingham firmly on the map as a key host city for largescale business events such as conferences and seminars, as well as a chosen venue for popular consumer events and shows which we intend to build on.
“With the planned enhancements to our neighbouring hotel and what’s set to be a busy year ahead with bookings already looking strong, we’re optimistic about a positive 2019 and third year open to the public.”
For more information on the BCEC visit www.thebcec.co.uk/ and for more information on Holiday Inn Birmingham City Centre visit www.hibirmingham.co.uk/.