The UK and Ireland Chapter of ICCA (The International Congress and Convention Association) has chosen Belfast as the destination for its next annual chapter debate in 2018. Visit Belfast and Belfast Waterfront won the bid to host the event following a competitive tender, bringing the chapter back to the city for the first time since 2011.
The two-day debate, which will be held on March 8th-9th 2018, will take place at the Belfast Waterfront located in the heart of the city. With around 80 delegates from across the UK and Ireland expected to attend, the annual debate will leverage several venues across the city. A full content programme and theme for the event will be unveiled later in the year.
Lesley Williams, ICCA UK and Ireland Chapter Chair and Director, Market Development for BestCities, comments: “We’re delighted to be heading to Northern Ireland once again and looking forward to an exciting debate in a great city. So much has changed in Belfast since the Chapter was there last with huge investment in the conference offering. We look forward to hearing how the city has benefited from this investment and their aspirations for the future. It is a great opportunity for us to engage with our members in Ireland and encourage others to join ICCA. And of course for our members from across the UK to experience a fantastic destination.”
Laurie Scott, Director of Business Development at Visit Belfast, added: “Tourism in Belfast has become an integral contributor to the city economy, and business tourism is an important part of that, providing the city with mid-week and year-round trade to complement the bustling leisure market.
“A £30m investment in the Belfast Waterfront has seen the venue extend to include 7,000m2 of flexible space, capable of hosting up to 2,000 delegates. This has greatly enhanced the city’s conference facilities, and Belfast now hosts many high-profile national and international conferences, including Routes Europe earlier this year.
“Belfast really is a city on the rise, and here at Visit Belfast, we are thrilled that the city is hosting the 2018 chapter debate.”
