Conference City

NEC Group

The NEC Group comprises the National Exhibition Centre (NEC), International Convention Centre (ICC), National Indoor Arena (NIA) and Symphony Hall.

Collectively events held at the venues total almost 1,000 each year, attracting in excess of 4 million visitors. This amounts to 42% of the UK's total exhibition trade and major conferences. Source: EIC, Tourism Team, Tourism Impact Assessment Model

The National Exhibition Centre is the busiest of its kind in Europe, staging more than 180 events each year. These range from world-famous public shows such as Crufts Dog Show and Clotheshow Live to international trade exhibitions like IPEX and Spring Fair, Birmingham.

Up to four million people visit the centre each year. With 21 halls totalling 200,000 square metres (two million square feet). It is also the biggest exhibition centre in Britain and seventh largest in Europe. The NEC is renowned for large-scale international trade fairs, but also has an actie interest in helping smaller specialist shows develop, providing advice, support and essential services to organisers.

The International Convention Centre can seat up to 3,000 delegates. Since it opened, the centre has staged over 2,400 conferences. It is regularly the venue for the Confederation of British Industry's national conference, while Symphony Hall, located within the ICC, is considered to be one of the six finest concert halls in the world.

Number of visitors to NEC Group Venues (000's)

Source: Birmingham City Council, Tourism Team

International Trade Promotion Centre at the NEC

Based at the National Exhibition Centre, International Trade Promotion Centre at the NEC provides expert advice and guidance to UK companies wanting to develop their international business.  Opened in April 2003, they additionally offer support and information to international visitors seeking products, services or investment opportunities in the UK.

Through the Centre, UK companies and organisers, exhibitors or visitors to shows at the NEC can tap into the vast services available from the aforementioned partners.  As the key international show venue for the UK, the NEC attracts a significant number of international visitors all seeking products, services or potential business partners.  These international visitors to NEC exhibitions represent a significant income for the region in terms of business tourism. The establishment of a permanent office on site has enabled partners to develop a more targeted programme of support for all visitors as well as for UK exhibiting companies.  Additionally, the centre has dedicated staff working to attract international buyers to trade shows through the Inward Mission Scheme managed by UK Trade & Investment.

The International Trade Promotion Centre at the NEC provides a single point of contact to help companies find new markets or source new products on a regional, national and international level.

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