January 2010 - 3rd Northern Ireland Business Tourism Expo

Northern Ireland Business Tourism Expo set to amaze and inspire International Association and Corporate Conference Buyers

Following the overwhelming success of the 2008 event, the Northern Ireland Tourist Board is delighted to host the third Northern Ireland Business Tourism Expo in January 2010. The event will take place over four days from the 14th-17th January and features a packed programme of events including a welcome reception, gala dinner and a series of familiarisation trips throughout Northern Ireland. Differing from previous events EXPO 2010 will focus solely on the conference and corporate meetings sector. Taking place in the Odyssey Arena, one of Ireland’s largest conference and exhibition centres, with the ability to cater for up to 8,500 delegates, the venue will be set up in its conference capacity, complete with a plenary area, exhibition space and breakout and catering facilities all under one roof.

Fifty five international, influential, association and corporate conference buyers will attend the event from around the world, including the USA, Great Britain, France, Germany, Spain, Belgium and the Netherlands. A full programme of events have been planned so this year’s EXPO is guaranteed to impress attendees and expose everything Northern Ireland has to offer for international corporate and association conferences. The programme is as follows:

• Thursday 14th January – Welcome Reception

Having recently completed an extensive refurbishment, The Ulster Museum will host the welcome reception, giving the buyers and the Northern Ireland trade a chance to network and get to know one another before a busy day of appointments at the Workshop.

• Friday 15th January – Workshop

Buyers will have a series of 15-minute appointments with specially chosen Northern Ireland Business Tourism Trade. Discussions on everything from conference venues and accommodation options to ideas for partner programmes and activity providers will take place. As the Arena will be set up in a conference capacity, buyers will experience the venue come to life, with welcome speeches in the plenary area, appointments at the trade exhibitor stands and tours of the breakout facilities.

• Gala Dinner

The Gala Dinner will follow the workshop in the evening at Belfast City Hall, which has also recently completed a major refurbishment. Belfast City Hall is a loved landmark and provides an illustrious setting for events.

• Familiarisation Trips

These will take place throughout Northern Ireland over the weekend and buyers can expect to be amazed by the variety and quality of the Northern Ireland business tourism product, the compactness of the destination and the breathtaking scenery.

The event is expected to be the largest event on the Northern Irish business tourism calendar, and offers an unmissable opportunity for international buyers to directly experience the product and to build lasting relationships with our trade partners. Organisation is well under way and the Northern Ireland Business Tourism Expo is set to kick 2010 off to a great start.