A confident county

Despite the recession, significant levels of demand-led investment are transforming Worcestershire into an increasingly attractive business tourism and events destination.
    
“While the knee jerk reaction in a recession may be to hold back on capital expenditure, Worcestershire and its venues have looked to the longer-term benefits that investment can bring,” explained Emma Robinson of Conference-Worcestershire.
    
A number of substantial projects, set to transform the county into a magnet for international business, improve its business tourism credentials and further enhance its corporate offer, are currently underway.
    
Not only a clear sign of the high levels of confidence in the county, this high-level investment is essential to put the county on a par with fellow major players in the business tourism sector, notably Birmingham.

New projects
Work has just begun on one of the biggest projects in Worcester city’s history – the £60m project to create Europe’s first university and public library.
    
Set to reach completion in 2010, the project has already achieved international recognition, winning a prestigious design award and is set to attract international business tourists from across the globe.
    
Worcestershire has used its reputation as a centre of excellence for technology and innovation to secure the Quantum Technology Partnership (QTP) – a project which could see the county take the global lead in quantum technology. Based in Malvern and facilitated by the Central Technology Belt (CTB), this hugely important investment could position Worcestershire as the global hub for the development of this ground-breaking technology, drawing in further investment, as well as significant levels of sector-led business tourism and the need for conference facilities and accommodation.
    
This follows the expansion of Malvern Hills Science Park, which has nearly doubled its capacity and is already proving a significant draw for technology businesses throughout the UK.

Research & development
The University of Worcester is also taking the lead in pioneering research and development through high levels of investment.

Named the fastest growing institution in the UK, the university has completed the first phase of a £100m project, creating accommodation for 300 extra students, and the second phase, creating a new business school, teaching facilities and wellbeing centre, will reach completion in September.
    
Part of an additional £7m development, to increase the university’s allergy and aerobiology work, is the creation of a climate-controlled test centre, used by the National Pollen and Aerobiology Research Unit, which provides the UK’s pollen forecast, and is capable of recreating any environment in the world.
    
Further bolstering Worcester city’s offer as a whole, CrownGate Shopping Centre has invested £5m in an extensive refurbishment programme, redevelopment of the historic Worcester Porcelain site is underway and on-going regeneration of the city’s waterside areas, including the 26-acre Diglis Basin site, is taking place – letting the UK know Worcester is a county going places.

Sporting venues
This clear demonstration of confidence in the county is mirrored by impressive levels of investment from Conference-Worcestershire’s member venues – in the past two years alone, members have invested more than £100m in refurbishment, redevelopment and expansion programmes.
    
This dedication to improving services and delegate offering is placing member venues in the best possible position to attract business as the economy improves.
    
West Midland Safari Park is currently transforming its corporate offering, spending £5m on its manor house – Spring Grove House, which will resemble a luxurious residence, transported from the African Plains, creating a completely unique and unusual destination for an event. This is in addition to the £1m spend on Tree Tops, an African-themed pavilion which caters for groups of 100-1,000 guests, is fully equipped with audio visual presentation facilities, lighting and staging, and can be themed to clients’ requirements.

Sporting venues
Sixways Stadium’s latest project is the state-of-the-art £8m, 6,000 capacity Slick Systems Stand, which boasts 120 metres of pitch-side hospitality, creating ideal networking opportunities and combined with existing suites and function rooms, makes Sixways one of the largest venues in the region outside of Birmingham.

Worcestershire County Cricket Club has seen completion of its new £2m Graeme Hick Pavilion and has ambitious plans for a further multi-million pound programme to create further hospitality suites, conference areas and accommodation units.
    
Hillscourt Conference Centre in Rednal has just completed a £600,000 overhaul of its conferencing facilities, creating a fully-updated conference block with conference hall and seminar rooms, which follows a £1.3m refurbishment programme to update and improve its 55 bedrooms.
    
Cotswold Conference Centre has recently undergone a redevelopment of the Coach House, bedrooms, reception area and conference rooms, and Severn Valley Railway, which attracts thousands of visitors each year, has created the Engine House visitor centre.
    
Luxury hotel The Elms has recently completed a £4.5m spend on refurbishing the main house, creating a unique outdoor cookery demonstration area and a brand new exclusive Spa complex, whilst the historic Malvern College has recently completed a multi-million pound development on a new hospitality and sports complex.
    
In addition, a number of venues including The Westmead Hotel, Rookery Hall, and popular Worcester restaurant The Glasshouse, have undergone recent refurbishment projects to ensure their facilities are of the highest quality.

“In total, this significant level of both venue-led and wider investment is creating a county with the best possible delegate offer which is absolutely essential for attracting business as the economy continues to improve,” adding Emma Robinson.

Herefordshire
Herefordshire is a county that offers the thrill and excitement of the great outdoors and many hidden secrets.
    
The county offers a gastronomic experience as it encourages the use and promotion of locally produced food and drink, and this is showcased through an annual Food Festival event held on 23rd and 24th October 2010.
    
It is also a county famous for its’ cider, with more produced in Herefordshire than any other county in the UK. There is even a tour that takes in 14 cider producers in the county! Please visit www.ciderroute.co.uk for more information.
    
Shops and galleries in Herefordshire offer locally made distinctive and exclusive gifts of a high quality providing the perfect present or souvenir of your stay.
    
Herefordshire is the ideal place to discover some of the county’s great outdoors. Boasting the highest golf course in England & Wales, and a range of activities from mountain boarding to trekking with llamas, Herefordshire is one of the best adventure playgrounds in Britain. While the Herefordshire Walking Festival takes place on the 19-27 June 2010, the county’s claim to a place on the walking map of Great Britain is strongly reinforced by its 2,100 miles of footpaths in spectacular backdrops provided by the Malvern Hills, Black Mountains, Mortimer Forest and the Wye Valley.
    
Herefordshire also has spectacular gardens which will be at their peak in the summer months. Take advantage of unique settings and enjoy the spectacle of colour all year round.
    
Herefordshire has a long and turbulent history, which is told in a wide variety of museums and heritage centres, many highlighting fascinating episodes of local history, whilst others hold specialist collections that will delight the whole family. Herefordshire is full of history and tells it well.

Coventry and Warwickshire
To discover Coventry and Warwickshire, start by contacting the C&W Convention Bureau. It provides a team of dedicated professionals who deliver service excellence in venue finding, conference organisation and event management. Its dedicated, knowledgeable and enthusiastic team can manage your conference, event or seminar from the first enquiry through to completion.
    
C&W Convention Bureau promotes a range of completely free services providing you with excellent local knowledge and advice to deliver the perfect result for you. Its professional team provides practical assistance that is designed to answer all of your event needs with minimum fuss and maximum attention to detail.
     
The bureau has a team of dedicated professionals who deliver service excellence in venue finding, conference organisation and event management.
     
With direct access to key people, the bureau will secure the best deal for you. We know what is going on in the conference industry in this region, therefore, we can provide you with up-to-date information on management changes, improvements and refurbishments.
     
The area offers a wide range of excellent facilities ranging from country house hotels to purpose built award winning conference centres.

Finding the right accommodation
The bureau offers a free booking service for your delegate accommodation. Coventry, Warwickshire and the surrounding area offers a bed stock of approximately 10,000 beds. These range from 4-star hotels to smaller independent family run facilities.
    
C&W Convention Bureau offers a complete web based accommodation reservation service for event delegates. The web based reservation service utilises a user friendly computer interface enabling delegates to book accommodation quickly and easily.
     
They also offer a complete web based registration service that enables delegates to book a place for a conference/exhibition. The system gives delegates full control of their booking.
     
The bureau can create the ideal programme to complement your event and ensure all your delegates experience the heritage and culture that the region has to offer. Perhaps a visit to the world famous Transport Museum, a day in the Warwickshire countryside, a spa/golf day at one our luxury hotels or a guided tour of the region by a Blue Badge Guide?
     
So that you can make an informed and confident decision, all the information that you need will be on your desk within 24 hours (48 hours for overseas) including cost comparisons.
     
We will make arrangements for venue inspection visits. A dedicated and experienced member of the C&W Convention Bureau will accompany you on your visit ensuring that you get the best from each venue. Included in our venue finding service is the preparation of a written confirmation between you and the venue covering all logistical arrangements and requirements.

For more information
Worcestershire:
Tel: 01905 766 895
E-mail: conference@worcestershire.gov.uk
Web: www.conference-worcestershire.org
Herefordshire:
Tel: 01432 260621
E-mail: tourism@visitherefordshire.co.uk
Web: www.visitherefordshire.co.uk
C&W Convention bureau:
Tel: 024 7660 7009/10
E-mail: conferences@cw-cb.co.uk
Web: www.cw-conventionbureau.co.uk