Always a Pleasure

In 2022, The Blackpool Conference and Exhibition Centre opened its doors for the first time. In its first 12 months of operation, the venue welcomed 55,000 delegates and generated, alongside Winter Gardens Blackpool, an excess of £70 million in economic benefit, contributing to Blackpool’s overall visitor economy which is valued at more than £1.58 billion. In 2023, the high-tech, high-spec venue is expecting to welcome well over 63,000 delegates.

MeetBlackpool is aiming to put Blackpool on the map, adding conferencing and events to its beloved seaside-resort prominence in the North-West.

MeetBlackpool has also recently announced its new online accommodation booking platform. The new service will showcase all MeetBlackpool’s accredited accommodation partners,its facilities, and availability across event dates, with organisers able to manage all aspects of their booking online. The site also includes a group booking option for organisers looking to submit a request for block room bookings.

Industry collaboration

Top venue

Following a £30 million investment, the venue is now the largest of its kind in the North of England. With a total of 2,400 sq. metres of dedicated space, the venue can easily host large events, with the added possibility of utilising the space in conjunction with the other areas in the Winter Gardens complex, giving a total event capacity of over 7,000.

In its first year, the venue has hosted events including the Conservative Party Spring Conference, the Trade Union Conference, plus events organised by the Society of British Neurological Surgeons and the Ethically-Powered Data Event by Lancaster University, which saw a multi-sector discussion on how to drive a sustainable revolution in Blackpool.

Business in Blackpool, Always a Pleasure

Earlier this year MeetBlackpool unveiled its new logo and branding as part of its recently announced £450,000 marketing and communications campaign. The stylish new branding elevates the organisation’s ‘Business in Blackpool, always a pleasure’ strapline, drawing on typography found in Blackpool’s vintage signwriting, and the town’s heritage as Britain’s best-loved seaside resort.

Julie Vincent, Head of MeetBlackpool, said: “We’re now looking at how we can expand on that core offering to enhance the delegate experience and put Blackpool on the meeting and events map. We’re working hard to leverage Blackpool’s forward-thinking technology, infrastructure, culture, and sector specialisms, as while Blackpool for many conjures up nostalgic childhood memories, for us it also represents a vibrant and innovative hub of redevelopment and movement with a bright future ahead.”

In a move that cements the town’s dedication to the events industry, MeetBlackpool and the Winter Gardens Blackpool have recently joined the mia as part of its Venue membership and Destination’s membership, the latter has secured the mia’s highly acclaimed AIM Secure accreditation.

Looking to the future

The teams at the Blackpool Conference & Exhibition Centre and the Winter Gardens Blackpool have been working hard to build an impressive events pipeline for the remainder of 2023, seeing an increase in the value of events being booked for 2023, which are currently expected to generate almost £1.2 million in economic benefit. Looking further ahead, both venues combined have confirmed around £2.2 million of events until 2027, generating approximately £1.9 million of economic benefit.

Michael Williams, Managing Director, Winter Gardens Blackpool said: “I am incredibly proud of the entire team and the outstanding results they have achieved with both our venues. I am excited to see what the next few months can bring for Blackpool.”

For more information visit Meetblackpool. com