Milanese buyers experience Leeds conference venues

Posted: 2009-11-17 11:23:07

Leeds welcomed key conference and events buyers from Milan this weekend 2nd 5th October as part of a city showcase familiarisation visit.

Nine buyers from Milan were hosted by Leeds Hotels Association, a consortium of 29 hotels and 4 venues Conference Leeds, the official convention bureau for the city and Marketing Leeds, the citys strategic marketing agency.

The weekend kicked off with dinner for invited guests from the Leeds hospitality sector in the War Gallery of the Royal Armouries. Saturday started with a glimpse of the citys newest venue the Well Met Conferencing Rose Bowl before a tour of the city centre provided a snap shot of shopping and culture. The group then headed out to Headingley for lunch at renowned fish and chip restaurant Bryans and an afternoon visit to Harewood House and Bird Garden. After a performance by the St Petersburg Symphony Orchestra and a late supper at Casa Mia, delegates were able to spend Sunday relaxing and being pampered at Thorpe Park Hotel and Spa or the De Vere Oulton Hall, followed by an evening of cocktails at City Inn and concluding with dinner at Malmaison.

Nicola Lockwood Business Tourism manager, Conference Leeds said
We planned an action-packed itinerary for our Milanese buyers to ensure that they experienced all aspects of the Leeds product. From venues to hotels, retail, to culture there really is a multitude of options available to these potential event and conference organisers.

Gordon Jackson, Chair of the Leeds Hotels Association commented
It was great to meet the Milanese buyers. They were certainly enthusiastic about what Leeds had to offer them when we met them in Milan. Now that they have seen the wealth of facilities available to them, I feel sure that this visit will result in real business for the city and our members.

The FAM visit was made possible as a result of contacts made during Leeds in Milan which took place last October. The week introduced and showcased the city to the Italian market, highlighting the conferencing and incentive product as well as providing an insight into what the city has to offer as a consumer travel destination. The subsequent four day FAM visit allowed buyers to experience the city first hand giving them a taste for the city as an event destination.