Marketing Birmingham Press Releases

Business Birmingham refines its key sectors to attract investment

press_releases@marketingbirmingham.com — Thu, 03 May 2012 12:28:27 GMT

New research for inward investment programme Business Birmingham has pinpointed the key sectors that will draw business investment into the city region.

The research was carried out by PA Consulting to include the wider Greater Birmingham & Solihull LEP area, following previous work that looked into the sectors Business Birmingham should target as particularly attractive for investment in Birmingham. It identified the industries that will provide the most foreign direct investment opportunities, and others that may require local business support.

As a result, Business Birmingham will focus on four key sectors: life sciences, advanced engineering, digital media & ICT, and business, professional & financial services. It will also take a fresh look at targeting supply chain and logistics opportunities, and react to enquiries from the leisure & retail, public sector, utilities & infrastructure and food & drink industries.

PA Consulting highlighted the following:

Business, professional & financial services – already a major generator of skilled jobs. The city region is particularly attractive due to its proximity to London, and the existing size of the sector here
Digital media and ICT – the region can aspire to attracting tech-start-ups and games development companies to encourage home-grown talent and university spin-outs
Advanced engineering – a major generator of skilled jobs and with 115,000 employees in 1,500 business, the wider West Midlands region has a globally recognised automotive supply sector
Life sciences – is high-value and requires a highly skilled workforce. Medical technologies is an area of potential growth.

Business Birmingham’s Investment Director Wouter Schuitemaker said:

“By focusing on specific sectors with the most high-growth potential, we are running a strategic, targeted campaign that will make the best use of our resources. It will also provide the city region with a competitive advantage by focusing on its existing and potential strengths.

“Ultimately, Business Birmingham is here to create local jobs. We are already ahead of target, having generated more than 2,000 in our first year of operation, but to achieve our aim we will be focusing on the industries most likely to provide employment opportunities for a wide range of people.”

Birmingham raises its global profile

press_releases@marketingbirmingham.com — Thu, 03 May 2012 12:19:48 GMT

Birmingham’s national and international reputation as leading business and visitor destination continues to grow, following a high-profile media campaign that has generated more than £15 million of press coverage for the city in the last 12 months – an increase of more than 40% compared with the year before.

Positive coverage in titles including The Times, Frommer’s Online, BBC News, The Sunday Telegraph and The Sunday Times has been reflected by recent European rankings of the city as an attractive location for foreign investors and an increase in overall perceptions of Birmingham by UK residents.

View media coverage highlights

International magazine Site Selection has placed Birmingham in the top five of Western European cities in its annual Best to Invest rankings. Its research considered factors including business risks, foreign direct investment, infrastructure and accessibility.

In addition, fDi magazine has recognised Birmingham has been recognised as a highly attractive destination for foreign investors. The city was listed in the top ten of four categories – including foreign direct investment strategy and business friendliness for large cities – by fDi’s European Cities and Regions of the Future survey, which recognises locations that have the best prospects for inward investment, economic development and business expansion.

Furthermore, in 2012 an average of 2% more people believe that Birmingham is a great location for activities such as shopping, arts and culture, visiting restaurants and bars and family days out compared with 2011, according to a recent survey of 1,000 people across the UK by TNS. The survey also saw Birmingham ranked as the second most popular city to locate as well as relocate a business out of the seven core cities in the UK.

Neil Rami, Chief Executive of Marketing Birmingham, commented:

“Birmingham is definitely on the up in terms of how the media and others view the city. In the past 12 months we have seen our media profile increased by more than 40% in both its volume and value, with more international and national press recognising what the city has to offer visitors and businesses. In particular, the value of our international coverage has risen by 15%.

While the second largest city in the UK, Birmingham is still a hidden gem for many; ensuring people know the breadth, quality and true uniqueness of the city’s offer is fundamental to boosting our profile and bringing more visitors – and investment to the city.

“The diversity of the media coverage promoting Birmingham – ranging from the city’s food offer and independent festivals, to its business strengths in manufacturing and professional services – proves how a city of its size can excel in so many areas.

“As we continue to work with partners from across the city I expect Birmingham’s reputation as a destination to grow, as more people recognise what it has to offer for its residents, businesses and visitors.”

Upturn gives hope of business recovery, new survey reveals

press_releases@marketingbirmingham.com — Wed, 02 May 2012 15:14:47 GMT

Manufacturers in Greater Birmingham are poised to spark a recovery from recessionary trends, according to a new survey published.

And confidence that fortunes will improve over the next 12 months continues to improve in both the manufacturing and service sectors.

The Birmingham Chamber of Commerce Group’s (BCCG) quarterly economic survey produced on behalf of the Greater Birmingham and Solihull Local Enterprise Partnership (GBSLE) shows a slight upturn in the fortunes of all businesses, especially in the manufacturing sector.

Sales and orders in the home market experienced an upward trend as did advance orders for exports. Only export sales for the past three months remained slow with just 41 per cent saying they had increased sales compared with 43 per cent in the previous quarter.

Although sales were slightly down (44 per cent to 41 per cent) on the previous quarter, the percentage balance figure increased from 21 to 25 per cent, indicating that manufacturers were not losing business.

Companies reporting increased advance domestic orders rose from 39 per cent to 41 per cent while export orders were also up, from 41 to 42 per cent.

Andy Street, who chairs the Greater Birmingham and Solihull LEP, said:

“It is encouraging to see local companies doing well overseas, as we need to ensure the area is competing internationally as well as in the domestic marketplace.

“Manufacturers continued to show growth and are optimistic of future increases in sales. This sector should be further supported by the launch of the Advanced Manufacturing Supply Chain Initiative, which will provide loans and grants to help increase capacity in key sectors and attract international companies to establish operations here.

“This latest quarterly economic survey also appears to reinforce encouraging PMI data for the West Midlands, which suggests we are bucking the trend and performing better than other regions both at home and abroad.”

Sixty per cent of manufacturers, an increase of four per cent on the previous quarter, are confident that turnover will improve while 58 per cent, up from 54 per cent, said they expected profitability to rise.

Only 37 per cent of manufacturers were working at full capacity, a significant drop from 51 per cent in the last quarter of 2011, but the picture was brighter in the service sector with 50 per cent at full capacity compared with 46 per cent.

Home and export sales in the service sector remained static but optimism that fortunes would improve over the next 12 months were high. Sixty-six per cent expected turnover to improve and 64 per cent were confident profitability would increase.

Michael Ward, president of the BCCG, said:

“We are delighted to see confidence returning, especially in the service sector. But few companies have increased their labour force over the past three months and it is worrying that the numbers attempting to recruit are extremely low, with only 30 per cent in the service sector and 27 per cent of manufacturers expecting to increase their workforce over the next three months.

“This does not augur well for government attempts to reduce the number of unemployed and underlines the need for companies to be given encouragement and confidence to take on more staff through the development of favourable conditions.”

For more information about the Chamber’s most recent quarterly economic survey, please click here.

The Marketing Birmingham Regional Observatory undertakes research for the Chamber’s Quarterly Economic Survey.

Top Birmingham chef jets off to Chicago to represent the UK

press_releases@marketingbirmingham.com — Wed, 02 May 2012 14:57:56 GMT

The Chef Director of award-winning Opus Restaurant in Birmingham’s Colmore Business District has left for Chicago today to represent the UK in a culinary celebration of the NATO nations.

Opus Restaurant’s David Colcombe has been invited to take part in Chicago’s Culinary Crossroads, which will celebrate the nations to be represented during the NATO Summit in Chicago in May.

Taking place on 1st to 25th May, Culinary Crossroads will see restaurants throughout Chicago present special tasting menus and featured items inspired by the cuisines of the NATO nations. As part of this, seven internationally renowned chefs from NATO nations will be paired with participating restaurants to collaborate on menus that reflect the visiting chef’s cuisines.

Visiting for five days, David Colcombe will be paired with Chef Dirk Flanigan of Henri and The Gage, two of downtown Chicago’s most acclaimed dining venues. The chefs will work together on an Opus-inspired menu, which will be featured at Henri throughout dinner service this Thursday.

The trip will see the international chefs and their hosts visit Chicago public schools, where they will participate in a panel discussion with culinary arts students about their own career paths and history of their country’s cuisine. David will also have the opportunity to provide feedback and input on the students’ own dishes.

Birmingham’s strengths as a gastronomic leader are no secret stateside, with the city already celebrated in the prestigious New York Times for its foodie offering earlier this year.
Speaking about the visit, David said, “I am absolutely thrilled to have been asked to represent the UK abroad at this great celebration. We have a modern British menu at Opus Restaurant with a commitment to seasonality and freshness, which I hope to reflect in the collaborated menu in Chicago.

“I am looking forward to having the opportunity to share personal development, aspirations and career paths with students, as well as give advice on cooking styles and techniques with the hope of inspiring the youth of today that want to enter the hospitality industry.”
The trip builds on Birmingham’s special relationship with Chicago as a sister city, which has included a number of trips from the Midlands to Illinois, including a delegation at the end of 2011 by the city’s Inward Investment programme, Business Birmingham.
Ian Taylor, Commercial Director for Marketing Birmingham, the city’s strategic marketing partnership, added:

“Birmingham is fast becoming recognised as a leader in cuisine, which is illustrated throughout the spectrum of food available in the city, from Michelin star restaurants to top-class independents.

“Events such as Birmingham Food Fest, set to take place this July, give talented local chefs a platform to demonstrate their passion for good food and it is great that this is now being recognised internationally. We will be working to further enhance the city’s reputation in this field and attract even more people to experience Birmingham’s food offer throughout 2012 and beyond.”

Opus Restaurant is one of many independent food and drink venues based in Birmingham’s business quarter, Colmore Business District (CBD). Michele Wilby, Executive Director of CBD said this was another boost to Birmingham’s excellent culinary reputation:

“Birmingham is internationally acclaimed for its food and drink offering and it’s fantastic to have one of our very own leading chefs going to collaborate with a top chef in the USA.”

Sheila O'Grady, President of the Illinois Restaurant Association, the organisation behind the Chicago’s Culinary Crossroads event , said:

"Chef Colcombe was selected through the Illinois Restaurant Association and Chicago Sister City’s partnership with the Délice network. Chef Colcombe came highly recommended by our counterparts in Birmingham and we couldn't be more thrilled to welcome him as the UK's culinary representative."

Local SMEs to profit from business support

press_releases@marketingbirmingham.com — Wed, 02 May 2012 12:18:02 GMT

Small businesses across the wider Birmingham area are set to benefit from a range of business support opportunities offered by their local authorities and Marketing Birmingham.

Nearly 80,000 SMEs are located in Birmingham and the Black Country.

Birmingham City Council has secured more than £8 million from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) to support SMEs that want to improve and develop their land and property.

This new grant programme aims to encourage the improvement and development of key vacant, derelict or underused properties and sites for economic use – supporting investment, growth and jobs.

This work could include the creation of new buildings, extending existing commercial premises, internal works and demolitions, land clearance and reclamation that would lead to new commercial space.

Businesses have been invited to apply for this funding, which applies to buildings used for manufacturing, processing or as office space. The grant programme will operate in three areas of the city – Digbeth and the Jewellery Quarter, Tyseley, and East Birmingham Industrial Corridors.

Marketing Birmingham, supported by ERDF, also provides business support that aims to increase the productivity of 500 SMEs in parts of Birmingham, the Black Country and Solihull. This includes intellectual property advice, networking and meet the buyer events, marketing and PR workshops and export guidance from university experts to business in overseas markets.

By exploiting conferences staged locally (via Meet Birmingham), or accessing new markets through Business Birmingham, SMEs will be able to compete in target sectors such as advanced engineering, digital media or professional services.

Tim Manson, Operations & Policy Director of Marketing Birmingham, said:

“Smaller businesses are crucial to creating jobs and generating growth in the region. They provide the backbone for our local supply chains, train a number of our skilled workforce and create some of our most cutting-edge products. By providing this support we aim to make a practical difference to SMEs in the region, increasing their sales and creating some 175 jobs in total.”

Jerry Blackett, Chief Executive of Birmingham Chamber of Commerce, commented:

“Access to finance is a key issue for SMEs in the region. With credit now much harder to secure, it is crucial for smaller businesses to identify and apply for a range of alternative funding streams, such as grants from Europe and local authorities, which can help to promote growth or drive sales.”

In addition, Walsall Council is reorganising its business support team to maximise the impact of inward investment to the supply chain SMEs.

Find out more about our business support scheme for SMEs

Hotel and restaurant launches build Birmingham’s visitor offer

press_releases@marketingbirmingham.com — Wed, 02 May 2012 09:02:24 GMT

Birmingham has welcomed three new arrivals – with bar and restaurant Blue Piano, along with hotels Hampton by Hilton and Hotel la Tour opening their doors in the city centre – while the Bridge Restaurant at New Hall Hotel has re-launched.

The two hotels have brought more than £50 million of investment into the city and created new jobs in the local hospitality sector.

The £30 million, 285-room Hampton by Hilton Birmingham, which is located on Broad Street, is one of the largest Hampton by Hilton hotels outside the United States. In addition, independent operator Hotel La Tour has opened in Birmingham’s Eastside District. The £24 million development – the company’s first venue – has 174 bedrooms and suites, and a restaurant and bar inspired by Michelin-starred chef Marcus Wareing.

Hotel La Tour’s Managing Director, Jane Schofield, said:

“To see the hotel open to guests after five years’ research, planning, designing and building is a watershed moment in what we hope will be a long and successful history for Hotel La Tour. We pride ourselves on being a four star-standard hotel with a five star attitude to service so now the hard work begins!”

Blue Piano has recently opened on Harborne Road near Five Ways. A bar and restaurant that specialises in South East Asian cuisine, its food is inspired by Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand and Cambodia. It is also the sister restaurant to the popular Blue Ginger in Kings Heath.

Chef patron Siew Kuan said:

“Our menu brings together the finest South East Asian ingredients and cooking styles, making us a unique destination for visitors wanting to explore the culinary delights of Singapore, Cambodia and beyond.”

Beyond the city centre, the Bridge Restaurant has also re-opened following an extensive renovation. Based at New Hall Hotel in Sutton Coldfield, the 2AA rosette restaurant is set within a 12th Century building and specialises in quality British cuisine.

Birmingham attracts almost 33 million business and leisure visitors each year. Its visitor economy is now worth some £4.6 billion.

Business confidence returns to SMEs in Greater Birmingham, the Black Country and Solihull

press_releases@marketingbirmingham.com — Thu, 26 Apr 2012 08:07:15 GMT

Almost 40% have increased their turnover in the last 12 months
More than a quarter have taken on new staff during that time

Business confidence is starting to return to SMEs in the wider Birmingham region. Almost 40% have increased their turnover during the last 12 months, while only 23% experienced a decrease. More than a quarter (26%) took on more staff over the same period, according to research issued by the Marketing Birmingham Regional Observatory and the Greater Birmingham and Solihull Local Enterprise Partnership (GBSLEP).

SMEs in the GBSLEP area and the Black Country coped relatively well with the economic downturn, with over half (53%) reporting growth in profits over the last three years. Moreover, two thirds (66%) have maintained or increased their turnover.

Neil Rami, Chief Executive of Marketing Birmingham, which operates the Regional Observatory, commented:

“It has been said that SMEs are the lifeblood of the UK economy and a barometer for business conditions. If so, our findings indicate that the local business community could be looking more confidently to the future and are ready to explore opportunities to develop their operations. This is encouraging as where confidence exists, growth often follows.”

The research, which surveyed 1,700 businesses across the GBSLEP area* and the Black Country, took place between December 2011 and March 2012. It looked at SME growth over the past year, attitudes to future growth and employment, and the sectors with the greatest incidence of ‘high growth’ businesses. Birmingham and the Black Country are home to nearly 80,000 SMEs.

Employment and skills
Demonstrating their resilience, nearly half (46%) of SMEs in the region have not changed their staffing levels in the last three years despite the challenges of the economic landscape. More than a quarter (26%) actually employed more people. Just over a quarter (27%) were forced to reduce headcount over the same period.

Showcasing a renewed confidence in the market, the majority (53%) of respondents expected to increase their workforce over the next year, with only 5% planning to reduce staff levels.

Skills and training were identified by nearly a third (28%) of respondents as a key driver of growth with management, leadership, marketing, business development and IT topping the requirements of ambitious SMEs. One in eight (12%) went as far as to cite skills deficiencies and recruitment problems as restricting business performance.

Despite the importance of skills, it appears times are still tough with less than half (47%) of surveyed SMEs planning to increase training in their organisation over the next year – although only a small proportion (2%) are expecting to cut back on this investment.

Alan Volkaerts, GBSLEP Board Member and Operations Director at Jaguar Land Rover’s Solihull Plant, commented:

“Developing an innovative approach to tackling the issue of improving skills levels is one of the LEP’s key economic priorities. We have already launched the LEP Employment & Skills Board, which is a private sector led collaboration featuring companies, the public sector, education and training providers.

“It will act as a ‘Skills for Growth Hub’, developing and embedding long-term relationships that ensure skills training is in line with employer demand, young people have access to real world careers advice and that business links with schools is much improved.

“If we are to achieve our desire of making the Greater Birmingham and Solihull area globally competitive, we have to ensure the skills agenda is at the forefront of everything we do.”

Sectoral strengths
In a vote of confidence for the region’s future growth, more than a fifth (21%) of SMEs in the region were found to meet the criteria needed to be considered ‘high-growth’. These are businesses that have increased turnover by over 10% and employee numbers by more than 20% each year during the last three years.

The sectors with the greatest number of high growth SMEs across the GBSLEP area and the Black Country include advanced manufacturing (30%), engineering (26%) and business & financial services (26%).

The sectors reflect the region’s strengths and mirror those marketed internationally by inward investment programme, Business Birmingham, as areas of opportunity and growth in the region.

The research found that on average the industries that have struggled most with the effects of the economic downturn, with no signs of employment or turnover growth over the last three years, included construction (41%) and retail, hospitality and tourism (40%).

Neil Rami added:

“SMEs in some of the region’s strongest sectors – including advanced manufacturing, engineering and business & financial services – benefit greatly from the supply chains of the major companies that have invested here. Jaguar Land Rover is but one example of a global investor that has brought local business significant growth opportunities.”

While the research reports an optimistic mood for the majority of the region’s SMEs, others still face significant challenges in accessing the finance and opportunities needed to grow.

Chris Loughran, Senior Partner at Deloitte Midlands, commented on the findings:

“SMEs across the GBSLEP and Black Country area are fighting hard to grow and boost employment, but are still restricted by a lack of available finance. As credit remains difficult to access, it is crucial for these businesses to watch their costs closely to maintain the right level of working capital, and identify the areas where investing that money will make a real difference to driving product demand – be it research and development, training the sales team or promoting the business to new customers. Investing can often ease the road to growth.”

Focus: The typical ‘high growth’ SME

Sector: Advanced engineering (specialising in industries such as transport, medical technologies or environmental technologies)

Employees: 20 – 25 people

Turnover: Increased by more than 10% in the past three years

Europe’s largest veterinary event breaks records in Birmingham

press_releases@marketingbirmingham.com — Mon, 23 Apr 2012 00:00:00 GMT

The British Small Animal Veterinary Association (BSAVA) World Congress, held in Birmingham for the 22nd successive occasion, this year attracted a record number of visitors, with more than 10,000 people converging on the city to promote excellence in veterinary practice through education and science.

Between 11-15 April, Birmingham’s International Convention Centre (ICC) and National Indoor Arena (NIA) hosted over 5,000 vets, 2,000 vet nurses and 3,000 exhibitors from more than 70 nations, a 22 per cent increase on the previous high in 2011. The event’s packed social programme included comedian Greg Davies and chart-topping singer Olly Murs, whose sister is a veterinary nurse.

This year the event was jointly hosted with the World Small Animal Veterinary Association (WSAVA) and The Federation of European Companion Animal Veterinary Associations (FECAVA). Veterinary professionals attended thousands of hours of talks, with the keynote lecture delivered by the professor, scientist and television presenter Lord Robert Winston.

BSAVA President Andrew Ash believed that the 55th annual Congress was an unforgettable event to crown his year in office. Ash said:

“I am incredibly proud to preside over such a truly world-class Congress for the entire small animal veterinary profession. It has surpassed all my expectations and broken all records.

“We have welcomed the World to Congress this year and I am honoured to have been part of a tremendous team who have worked alongside the WSAVA and FECAVA to make this happen.

“This was the largest small animal Congress ever, however we believe size isn’t everything and it is an honour to be part of the world veterinary community.”

The Birmingham Convention Bureau (BCB), operated by Marketing Birmingham, estimates that the five-day congress will have generated more than £18 million to the regional economy through hotel stays, meals, entertainment and travel.

Ian Taylor, Commercial Director at Marketing Birmingham, the city’s strategic marketing partnership which operates BCB, said:

“Hosting such an important event in the veterinary calendar for more than two decades truly cements the city’s position as a leading global conference destination. It underlines the hard work of our accommodation, entertainment and transport partners and the high quality experiences that they provide for organisers and delegates.

“This year’s attendance serves to demonstrate the city’s capacity to cater for events of all sizes. We continue to enjoy a productive relationship with BSAVA and look forward to welcoming veterinary professionals back for their 23rd consecutive year here in 2013.”

The veterinary event was the first to be staged at the ICC when it opened in 1991. Catherine Newhall-Caiger, Business Development Director for the ICC, said:

“We are extremely pleased that this year’s World Congress has been such a huge success for BSAVA and their delegates, and are very proud to have been part of such a prestigious event.

“It’s staggering to think that over the five days we staged over 300 sessions, the opening ceremony, the Taste of Britain reception, the congress banquet and the party night as well as a large scale exhibition! The success of the Congress is a real testament to our people and the BSAVA team.

“I would like to thank everyone from the ICC, the NIA and BSAVA who worked tirelessly to make sure everyone who attended the congress experienced a truly world class service, and I look forward to working with BSAVA again for their next Congress in 2013.”

Codemasters' jobs creation boosts Birmingham's games sector

press_releases@marketingbirmingham.com — Tue, 03 Apr 2012 00:00:00 GMT

BAFTA award-winning games developer and publisher Codemasters is to create more than 100 new jobs across the Midlands with an additional 25 joining the company’s 120-strong team in Birmingham. The move will bring an influx of talented developers to the area and underlines confidence in the region’s growing games industry. The announcement comes as Birmingham Science Park Aston’s LAUNCH event (www.launchconference.co.uk) brings key gaming media figures to the city to host a Meet the Games Press event for local digital companies (4th April).

Building on the success of its recent games – which includes the best selling series of official FORMULA ONE games – Codemasters is building on its long-established presence at its HQ in Warwickshire and bolstering the team based at its games development studio at Tricorn House in Birmingham city centre.

Simon Miles, Talent Acquisition Manager, Codemasters said: “The success of our recent games and our plans for the future means that Codemasters will continue to see growth as we expand our teams here in the Midlands. The skilled talent pool in Birmingham, along with the support available for developers in the area, and across the Midlands generally has created a dynamic and creative local business community. We are looking to recruit staff from the region as well as enticing some new employees into the city as well.”

The Birmingham city region is home to more than 12,500 digital and technology firms – from innovative SMEs to global brands – and employs nearly a quarter of the UK games workforce. It has positioned itself as a hotbed for future gaming talent, with unrivalled education provision. The £25 million Birmingham Ormiston Academy, which opened in October, is the first specialist digital media academy of its kind in the UK while Gamer Camp, a finishing school for game developers that partners with industry experts, was set up by Birmingham City University.

Further business support in the region includes Birmingham’s city centre Enterprise Zone, which is introducing incentives such as business rates relief and relaxed planning permission to attract digital, creative and games companies into the area. Meanwhile, business incubation programmes such as Birmingham Science Park Aston’s Entrepreneurs for the Future scheme provides gaming, digital and ICT start-ups with office facilities and support.

Sarah Darch, Investment Manager at Business Birmingham, specialises in attracting and supporting games and digital media companies across Birmingham, Solihull and the Black Country. She added:

“That a global name like Codemasters is expanding here demonstrates that the gaming industry is taking the Birmingham area seriously as a place to locate and grow their businesses. A number of other local gaming companies are now expanding, employing new staff or attracting investment, building a real sense of excitement and momentum in the area. Indeed, during a recent visit to the West Coast of the US, a number of digital companies expressed a real interest in establishing a presence here as a first step into Europe.

“The business community and public sector have worked together to create wide range of benefits for smaller companies looking to grow in the region – from education and training, to rates relief and incubation schemes – it has become easier to set up or grow a business here. With so much happening in the city right now, I expect that a number of other games developers will follow in Codemasters footsteps and look to establish and expand their presence here.”

British wins major British-American conference

press_releases@marketingbirmingham.com — Fri, 09 Mar 2012 00:00:00 GMT

Birmingham has been chosen to host a major British-American business conference next year.

In 2013, the annual British-American Business Council’s (BABC) Transatlantic Conference will be held at the International Conference Centre (ICC) from 15 to 17 May, bringing around 300 delegates to the city.

BABC is the largest transatlantic business network with 23 chapters and 2,500 member companies including many of the world’s largest multinationals. Businesses represented come from the world of finance, science, manufacturing, energy, security and government.

The Midlands chapter of BABC, led by deputy chairman and Mills & Reeve LLP partner Steve Allen, won the bid to host the event. Meet Birmingham, as part of the organising committee, was instrumental in securing the ICC as the venue for the three day conference. Meet Birmingham will also provide organisers with an extended Event Support Package, which includes an online accommodation service, bespoke website and exclusive city discount vouchers.

The conference is highly sought after, with many American states and British cities bidding to host the event, which has been held in London, Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco, Washington DC and Chicago. This year’s conference will take place in Edinburgh.

Harry Reilly, BABC Midlands Chairman, said:

“This conference will be a high profile platform to showcase the city’s potential and in return, contribute to the continuous growth of the BABC network while strengthening UK/North American relationships.

“The hosting of this event is an opportunity to provide BABC members with a vehicle from which they will be able to develop valuable transatlantic commercial links with senior business leaders from North America.”

Meet Birmingham, who will have a presence in Edinburgh as it looks forward to the 2013 event, hosted BABC event organisers on a familiarisation visit as part of the bid, showcasing the city’s first rate business tourism credentials.

Ian Taylor, Commercial Director at Marketing Birmingham, the city’s strategic marketing partnership which operates Meet Birmingham, said:

“BABC’s decision to host its annual conference in Birmingham is a further endorsement of the city’s reputation as a world-class meeting place, with a vast range of venues and accommodation to suit every occasion.

“The city has enjoyed much success in attracting and securing prestigious national and international events in recent months. We look forward to welcoming BABC conference delegates to Birmingham, and will be working hard to ensure that they get the most out of their time in our vibrant city.”

BABC Midlands, part of Birmingham Chamber of Commerce Group (BCCG), will be holding events with BCCG to coincide with the Chamber’s 200 year anniversary in 2013. Highlights include a special performance for guests by the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra on the conference’s opening evening.

Gensler announces new office in Birmingham on city's stand at MIPIM

press_releases@marketingbirmingham.com — Thu, 08 Mar 2012 10:22:18 GMT

Gensler, the world's largest architectural firm, has announced its intention to establish an office in Birmingham as the first step in a major UK expansion plan, on the city's stand at global real estate conference, MIPIM.

The firm confirmed that it is currently assessing the suitability of key locations in the city, and will make a significant investment that will create up to 50 jobs. The Birmingham office will be the firm's first office outside of its EMEA headquarters in the capital.

Gensler was introduced to the city after being appointed to lead the fit out for national and international law firm Wragge & Co’s new office at Two Snowhill. Initial Gensler designs for the office explore new technology solutions, collaborative working and staff mobility to deliver an innovative, sector-leading working environment.

Mike Whitby, Leader of Birmingham City Council, said: "I am so pleased to have met with Ian Mulcahey, Managing Director of Gensler, here at MIPIM.

"We held exploratory talks in Birmingham earlier this year regarding a major investment in the city and now – on the Birmingham stand at MIPIM – we are talking about the finalisation of that deal."

Business Birmingham, the city's inward investment programme, has been working closely with Gensler since late last year to secure the investment. Marek Dobrowolski, investment manager at Business Birmingham, commented: "Bringing Gensler to Birmingham is a major success – the firm is a global player in the property sector and its designs are lauded as changing how people interact with their workplace.

"The decision to make Birmingham Gensler's first UK regional base speaks volumes about how the city is now viewed by the industry.

"The scale of Birmingham's Big City Plan – its 20 year development vision – in addition to the potential of our City Centre Enterprise Zone, talent pool and proactive strategy to attract inward investment, can't be overlooked in attracting industry leaders like Gensler. These firms are looking for cities that not only think big, but will work closely with them to ensure both their current needs and future aspirations are met."

Senior executives visited Birmingham earlier this year to meet with Council officials and representatives from the city's business community to learn more about current market opportunities.

Ian Mulcahey, Managing Director, Gensler, said: "Birmingham has become a key part of our strategic growth plans. Our work with Wragge & Co introduced us to the city and the quality and scale of its corporate and professional services communities and, while we hadn't considered Birmingham as a location before, we were impressed by its ambitions to create a globally competitive business environment – and the commitment of its public and private sectors to realising them.

"When we visited earlier this year, Business Birmingham, the Council and representatives from across the city's business community were very welcoming and keen to show the real potential that exists in Birmingham for a world-leading architectural practice.

"They highlighted the city's investment pipeline, its track record of iconic developments and the fact that Birmingham's public and private sectors pull together to support new businesses and investors. The scale of opportunity and the spirit of partnership that came across was enough to convince us that Birmingham was the place for our first UK regional office."

Ian Stringer, Regional Senior Director, GVA, commented: "The announcement that Gensler will locate its first regional office in Birmingham is a huge vote of confidence for the city's property market and will further boost its global business reputation. Gensler is a major player and its investment could have a significant halo effect for Birmingham."

Gensler is a global architecture, design, planning and consulting firm with more than 3,000 professionals in over 40 global locations across America, Asia, Europe, Africa and the Middle East.

To find out more, visit http://businessbirmingham.com/events/mipim-2012.

Visit Birmingham targets travel trade industry to drive international visitors

press_releases@marketingbirmingham.com — Thu, 08 Mar 2012 00:00:00 GMT

• Trade presence at ITB Berlin, BOBI and March Marketplace ups city’s international profile
• Top North American buyers targeted with familiarisation visit

Visit Birmingham will be positioning the city as an unrivalled visitor destination at three influential travel trade exhibitions this March, as part of its ongoing strategy to build on the 32.8 million visitors that come to Birmingham each year.

On 7-11 March, the city’s leisure tourism programme will be showcasing the strength of Birmingham, the Black Country and Solihull’s visitor offer at the International Tourism Exchange (ITB Berlin), the largest travel trade show in the world. The team will be promoting the city and the wider region as a top visitor destination to over 110,000 trade visitors and over 7,000 travel journalists over the five-day convention.

Visit Birmingham continues its international outreach at Best of Britain & Ireland (BOBI) held at the National Exhibition Centre from 14-15 March, coinciding with the annual English Tourism Week (10-18 March). As the largest UK travel trade event, the two-day exhibition highlights the size, value and importance of Britain’s £115 billion visitor economy to over 3,000 visitors and hosted buyers from across the globe.

As part of its marketing strategy to target international audiences, Visit Birmingham will welcome six top North American travel agents and tour operators to the city on 15-16 March. The two-day familiarisation tour will see delegates visit top attractions in Solihull and the Black Country, as well as some of Birmingham’s best restaurants, hotels and cultural venues, aiming to increase the number of in-bound tours and group visits to the region.

Emma Gray, Director of Marketing Services for Visit Birmingham, which is responsible for increasing visitor numbers to the region annually, said:

“With events such as the Olympics and the Diamond Jubilee attracting worldwide attention the international spotlight is shining on the UK during 2012, providing the perfect opportunity to enhance Birmingham’s profile as an international visitor destination.

“Our North American outreach programme is just part of a wider strategy to engage with overseas markets and attract increased numbers of overnight visitors to the city. We have worked closely with partners across Birmingham, Solihull and the Black Country to showcase the region’s unique visitor offering, highlighting the strong heritage, culture and cuisine that would appeal to an international audience.”

On 19 March, the Visit Birmingham team make their third appearance at a travel trade fair in under one month at March Marketplace held at Wembley Stadium – a platform to meet with 150 international buyers from over 20 markets including US, China, India, Brazil, Russia and Germany. Over 30 pre-arranged meetings with tour operators have already been confirmed as part of the hosted buyers marketplace, in associated with Visit Britain.

Following ITB Berlin, BOBI and March Marketplace Visit Birmingham will be attending a number of travel trade events throughout the year including a North American mission in October and World Travel Market in November.

Region’s businesses urged to unite for domestic tourism campaign

press_releases@marketingbirmingham.com — Thu, 08 Mar 2012 00:00:00 GMT

Visit Birmingham is calling on the region’s businesses to get involved with the UK’s biggest ever domestic tourism marketing drive by taking part in the 20.12% campaign this Olympic year.

Led by national tourism body Visit England, the nationwide initiative launches on the 8th March with a television advertisement showcasing key destinations throughout the UK, including Birmingham, in a bid to boost domestic tourism by encouraging people to ‘holiday at home’.

Introduced to the region’s business community by The Secretary of State Jeremy Hunt at Visit Birmingham’s ‘Great Opportunities for the West Midlands’ event at Birmingham Hippodrome in November 2011, the campaign asks businesses to provide discounts of 20.12% or better to celebrate a fantastic year of sporting and cultural events throughout 2012.

Emma Gray, Director of Marketing Services for Visit Birmingham, which has joined forces with Visit England to promote the 20.12% campaign, said:

“The eyes of the world are on the UK in 2012 – events such as the Olympic Games and the Diamond Jubilee provide businesses with a rare opportunity to showcase their offer during this key year for UK tourism.

“Businesses should look to make the most of Birmingham’s fantastic year of events with the BMX World Championships, AVIVA 2012 Olympic trials, Test match cricket and over 20 independent festivals taking place in the region.

“We are encouraging a wide range of businesses across Birmingham, the Black Country and Solihull to get involved with 20.12% initiative, offering discounts which will further encourage people to stay in the region during 2012.”

There is still time for businesses to join Visit Birmingham and get involved with the 20.12% campaign – for further details please see http://www.visitbirmingham.com/olympic_games_2012/

Business Birmingham to showcase city's environment for growth at MIPIM

press_releases@marketingbirmingham.com — Fri, 17 Feb 2012 11:16:16 GMT

Birmingham will outline how it is creating the physical and economic environment needed to attract investment despite current fiscal challenges, as part of its comprehensive events schedule at MIPIM 2012 (6 – 9 March, Cannes, France).

Business Birmingham, the city’s inward investment programme operated by Marketing Birmingham, is managing the city’s presence that will be supported by a delegation drawn from across the public and private sectors – which includes 18 of the city’s leading companies.

Mike Whitby, Leader of Birmingham City Council, said:

“In these economically challenging times, cities are competing for investment more fiercely than ever before. By truly understanding the pressures on investors and what they need to achieve a competitive return on their investment, Birmingham is attracting attention.

“From major public/private sector collaboration on regeneration projects, such as Icknield Port Loop and the clarity of the city’s development pipeline through the Big City Plan; to the creation of industry clusters and support for entrepreneurs through the city centre Enterprise Zone, Birmingham can demonstrate its commitment to creating the physical and economic environment needed for long term, sustainable growth.”

The city’s events programme involves 14 events and nearly 20 speakers across the four-day property show. A number of private sector partners are participating in the programme, designed to engage developers and companies looking to invest in the city.

Events range from discussions of Birmingham’s innovative city centre based Enterprise Zone and the regeneration it is expected to unlock; to the impact of the approved high speed rail link to the capital and Airport runway extension – which will boost Birmingham’s credentials as a location for European headquarters. Analyses of the city’s regeneration agenda, including developments such as Paradise Circus, will be complemented by an in-depth look at Birmingham’s growing visitor economy and its success in attracting major new hotel developments to the area.

Cllr Whitby added:

“The event programme has been designed to give potential investors an insight into the vision, developments and plans that are fuelling Birmingham’s growing profile as an international business destination.

“There is a formidable amount of activity happening in Birmingham right now to excite and attract investors; the most ambitious multi-billion pound package of transport investment the city has ever seen, the creation of Europe’s largest public library, and the UK’s only major City Centre Enterprise Zone – which is driving forward some of the country’s most exciting regeneration schemes.”

Global investors are recognising Birmingham’s offer. In 2011, Birmingham attracted the most FDI by value of any UK regional city, while the latest Mercer Quality of Living global survey highlighted the city as the most attractive UK regional city for quality of life.

Nick Payne, Managing Director, Nikal, said:

“Birmingham has a strong story to tell. Despite the economic climate by 2015 the city will have a £600 million redeveloped transport hub in New Street station, a £65 million runway extension at Birmingham Airport, the largest public library in the UK and will be nearing construction of a high speed rail link to the capital – which will bring us closer to our continental and international neighbours.

“Our message at MIPIM is clearly that there is much going on in Birmingham, and this is reflected in our Masshouse development. With 340 residential units now complete and planning consent in place for a further 600,000 sq ft of office accommodation, Birmingham’s new Magistrates Court, and up to 200 hotel rooms, Masshouse truly represents the city’s appetite for renewed growth and confidence.

“With the partnership of the city’s public and private sectors, the support structure is in place for investors to come and be a part of the next stage in Birmingham’s continued evolution.”

Following the success of the city’s public/private collaborative presence at last year’s event, 18 private sector partners are joining Business Birmingham to promote the city at MIPIM, which offers a rare opportunity to engage senior influencers from the global investment and developer community.

In 2011, Birmingham showcased its lead on sustainable city planning and green building developments, highlighting its expertise in delivering high quality low carbon schemes cost effectively. This focus capitalised on the industry’s growing concern with the green agenda and helped the city engage more than 900 potential investors, with many developing into strong investment leads, and achieve £500,000 worth of positive media coverage for the city – building its profile as an investment location.

The partners supporting Birmingham’s MIPIM presence in 2012 include: Argent, Nikal, Birmingham Airport, Centro, Bruntwood, Carillion, Drivers Jonas Deloitte, Glenn Howells Architects, GVA, Jaguar Land Rover, Rider Levett Bucknall, Willmott Dixon, Fazeley Studios, British Waterways, Hines & Moorfield and Birmingham City Council.

Capital gains for Birmingham’s gold medal meeting venues during Olympics

press_releases@marketingbirmingham.com — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 00:00:00 GMT

Birmingham’s business tourism sector is gearing up for an exciting summer, with the city’s venues already profiting from events moving out of London during the busy Olympic season.

Meet Birmingham, the city’s official business tourism programme, is capitalising on Olympics fever by encouraging organisers to base their events in the West Midlands, following a successful, inaugural Showcase, which gave the region’s venues, accommodation and travel providers the chance to take advantage of over 75 hours’ worth of face-to-face meetings with over 30 national buyers. The Meet Birmingham Showcase, supported by Chiltern Railways, has already brought in nearly £100,000 in confirmed and provisional business, with more expected to be raised as a result of London’s sporting summer.

etc.venues, the conference and training venue provider, boasts 11 venues nationwide with its Birmingham branch, the only one located outside of London, already reaping the benefits of event organisers locating away from the capital this summer.

Guy Booth, General Manager of Birmingham’s etc venues, said:

“Our Birmingham venue enjoys an unbeatable position right at the heart of the country’s rail and road network and sits less than one and a half hours away from London, a detail not lost on clients when they choose us to host their event.

“We are starting to notice London-based companies moving their business to Birmingham from late July as a direct result of this summer’s Olympic Games, which puts us in a strong position as we continue to grow our award-winning brand.”

Ian Taylor, Commercial Director at Marketing Birmingham, the city’s strategic marketing partnership which operates Meet Birmingham, said:

“Birmingham is the events destination of choice outside of the capital, so it is appropriate that organisers consider the city as the perfect cost effective base, delivering a world-class visitor experience, during what will be an understandably busy London this summer.

“With more than 28,600 bed spaces in the city and wider region, world-class conference facilities and a diverse food scene recently recognised by The New York Times, Birmingham is justifiably proud of its conference and events offering for organisers and delegates.”

Meet Birmingham will be showcasing the city’s reputation as the event industry’s top regional UK location[1] at a series of events in 2012 as it continues to promote itself as the country’s best connected events city.

Taylor continued:

“The city is working harder than ever to attract more corporate events to the city.

“Confex in March and IMEX in May are just two examples of events in this year’s industry calendar where we will be showing off the enviable offering that the city boasts, as we strive to remain the destination of choice in the business tourism world.”

Birmingham is hosting training camps for the two highest-profile international Track and Field teams at the Olympics, the USA and Jamaica, while venues including the Birmingham Hippodrome, Symphony Hall and Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery will all be welcoming events as part of the Cultural Olympiad, the largest cultural celebration in modern Olympic Games history.

For more details on Birmingham’s conference and event offering, including Meet Birmingham’s presence at this year’s Confex, visit www.meetbirmingham.com

Birmingham records its highest hotel occupancy rates in four years

press_releases@marketingbirmingham.com — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 14:00:17 GMT

Hotel occupancy in Birmingham experienced an increase in the last six month of 2011, according to recently released LJ forecaster data.

November crowned a highly successful six months, reaching 74% during November 2011 – the highest rate since October 2007 - with average hotel occupancy for July to December 2011 reaching 64%, 2% higher than the same period during the previous year.

Ian Taylor, Commercial Director at Marketing Birmingham, said:

“These are positive results in what continues to be a challenging time for hoteliers. Consumers on a tight budget are enjoying city breaks in the UK rather than travelling overseas and Birmingham has taken full advantage of this. Events taking place during November – such as the opening of the Frankfurt Christmas Market, a number of high-profile music concerts, and the arrival of early Christmas shoppers led to a highly successful November for Birmingham’s hotels, with occupancy rates on Saturdays reaching 92%.

“With exciting events such as the Diamond Jubilee and Olympic Games taking place in 2012, as well as a whole host of major sporting events, we expect this summer to be equally successful for hotels in Birmingham. A further 27 hotels are currently in the pipeline, enabling the city to provide additional bed spaces to the 30,000 already available for visitors.”

Hotels in the city centre have performed particularly well, with some 80% of hotel rooms occupied in November. The Frankfurt Christmas Market, which opened on 16th November last year, played a key role in keeping hotel occupancy level at a higher rate – attracting 3.1 million visitors in 2011.

Jane Schofield is Managing Director of Birmingham-based Hotel La Tour, which is due to open next month. She added:

"This news is particularly positive as we near opening at the end of March. Location is key to us - Birmingham has an enviable location in the centre of the UK with great accessibility. It's easy for people to get to whether they're staying for leisure or business. So far, response for conference and training facilities has been excellent and we have already secured £500,000 worth of advanced conference bookings."

The hotels’ success in November follows a 71% hotel occupancy rate in September for Birmingham – the highest September for four years – following the Liberal Democrats’ party conference in the city.

Culture starved kids

press_releases@marketingbirmingham.com — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 13:22:11 GMT

Millions of British children have never been to an art gallery, theatre or stage show, it was revealed yesterday.

The 'culture starved' generation emerged in a study carried out among 2,000 parents of five to12 year-olds throughout the UK.

Incredibly, four in 10 children have never seen the inside of an art gallery, while 17 per cent haven’t visited a museum with their parents.

The research, which was commissioned by Visit Birmingham, also revealed that a quarter of children haven’t been to the theatre, while six in 10 have never heard or been to a classical music concert.

One in 10 kids hasn’t even left their home town to visit other sites in the UK.

And half of parents admit they make little effort to educate their children on culture or history, relying on schools to do so.

Instead, a third say they rely on schools to take full responsibility for sight-seeing trips and educational visits to local attractions

Emma Gray, Director of Marketing Services for Marketing Birmingham, which runs the Visit Birmingham campaign, said it was important for all generations to embrace cultural activity.

She said: “Culture can take many kinds of forms and it’s essential are children are encouraged to get involved with this at any early age – whether that be attending a pantomime, visiting something like the Staffordshire Hoard or getting involved in dance.

“There’s no doubt that cultural activity enriches day to day and it’s important that children embrace our history and culture now, to ensure that is it passed on through the generations.

“A few trips during the year to museums, landmarks or even cultural festivals will prove to be memorable, informative and fun occasions for youngsters.”

The survey shows a quarter of children have yet to be taken to stage shows such as George’s Marvelous Medicine, The Gruffalo, or The Tiger Who Came to Tea.

They are just as likely to be ignorant of well-known artists such as Monet, Rembrandt, Van Gogh or Picasso – unless covering them in the school syllabus.

And as for seeing historical sites across the UK – by the time they reach their teens, the average child won’t yet have set eyes upon famous landmarks such as the London Eye, Angel of the North, the Houses of Parliament or Stonehenge.

And kids are more likely to recognise a McDonalds than Madame Tussauds – being more familiar with local attractions such as zoos and theme parks than famous theatres and museums.

Indeed, today’s children are more likely to think of ‘culture’ as modern technology such as computer games, the rise of the digital age and fast food restaurants.

When questioned on why they make no effort to make their children more ‘cultured’ and knowledgeable about past history, a fifth of parents claim their offspring simply wouldn’t be interested.

A further 26 per cent claim they can’t afford to visit attractions, while 28 per cent don’t have the time to go trekking up and down the country.

A fifth of parents refer again to the fact that the children learn everything they need to know about culture and history at school.

Emma continued: “We would like to encourage parents to sight-see with their children, as it doesn’t have to cost an arm and a leg.

“Many attractions in Birmingham and the wider region have free entry, particularly for children, and you can learn much from visiting landmarks and exploring the history about them.

“Modern children would really benefit from including more cultural activity in their lives, which is invaluable to their learning.”

Birmingham gears up for summer of sport

press_releases@marketingbirmingham.com — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 13:21:22 GMT

City to host over 3,000 competitors and thousands of spectators

Birmingham is building up to an outstanding summer of sport as the city gears up to welcome a range of top international sporting events and competitors.

The City’s National Indoor Arena (NIA) will be accommodating a number of leading athletes for the Aviva Grand Prix on Saturday, February 18, one of the final key events of the indoor season in the build-up to the 2012 Olympics. Olympic Gold medallist and former 100m world record holder Asafa Powell will be competing at the NIA, along with a host of other well-known names, including Mo Farah and Jessica Ennis.

The NIA will also be the home of the Yonex All England Badminton Championships, which runs from March 6-11. Returning to Birmingham following the success of last year’s competition, the event showcases the best of British badminton, with the finals being held on March 10 and 11.

As well as the training camps, Birmingham is set to host the Aviva trials and UK Championships at the Alexander Stadium from June 22-24, where competitors will be trying to secure their place at this summer’s prestigious Games.

Leader of Birmingham City Council, Mike Whitby, believes that hosting such a series of high-profile sporting events will ensure that Birmingham is firmly in the international spotlight during 2012.

“It’s no surprise that there will be a strong athletics focus in Birmingham this summer, with the city hosting both the USA and Jamaican teams in the build-up to the showpiece 2012 Games in London.

“Sporting superstars such as Usain Bolt, Tyson Gay and Carmelita Jeter are set to use Birmingham as the base for their training camps in July as part of their preparation for the biggest sporting event in the world.

““The spotlight will be shining firmly on the city this summer and it’s up to us to capitalise on this and create a real legacy which ensures that Birmingham is the ultimate winner.”

In March, Cofton Park in Longbridge will also host the World Cross Country trials, while top-flight athletics returns to the Alexander Stadium in August, with the Diamond League meeting at the Aviva Grand Prix.

Two legs to two wheels

The action will move from two legs to two wheels in May, when the NIA hosts the BMX World Championships. The event, which also serves as trials for the 2012 Olympic Games, will see the likes of World Champion Shanaze Reade competing for the sport’s top prize in the time trial, with over 2,000 competitors and 8000 spectators expected to come to Birmingham to showcase their skills between May 24 and 27.

Ian Taylor, Commercial Director for Marketing Birmingham, added:

“Holding such prestigious events in the city, as well as the two international Olympic training camps, will showcase Birmingham’s credentials as a real sporting destination.

“The fact that we are able to host such a diverse range of sports – from BMX to athletics to trampolining – underlines the city’s unique position of being able to cater for a range of different events and needs.”

Birmingham will also be hosting the AEGON Classic Tennis competition in June, the 3rd Investec Test Match between England and the West Indies, also in June, the British National Trampolining Championships in July, Skyride Birmingham in August and the BUPA Great Birmingham run in October as part of a year of bumper sporting activity in the city.

February 18
Athletics
Aviva Grand Prix
National Indoor Arena, Birmingham

March 6-11
Badminton
Yonex All England Badminton Championships
National Indoor Arena, Birmingham

March 10
Athletics
World Cross Country Trials
Cofton Park, Longbridge,
Birmingham

May 24-27
BMX
UCI World BMX Championships
National Indoor Arena, Birmingham

June 7-11
Cricket
England v West Indies
Warwickshire County Cricket Club,
County Ground,
Edgbaston,
Birmingham

June 11-17
Tennis
AEGON Classic Tennis
Edgbaston Priory Club,
Birmingham

June 22-24
Athletics
Aviva Trials and UK Championships
Alexander Stadium,
Perry Barr,
Birmingham

July 7-8
Trampolining
British National Trampolining Championships
National Indoor Arena,
Birmingham

August 19
Cycling
Skyride Birmingham
Throughout Birmingham

August 26
Athletics
Aviva Birmingham Grand Prix
Alexander Stadium,
Perry Barr,
Birmingham

October 21
Athletics
BUPA Great Birmingham Run
Birmingham City Centre

City’s festive campaign a sparkling success

press_releases@marketingbirmingham.com — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 09:28:15 GMT

Birmingham’s Christmas campaign, run in partnership with Virgin Trains, has been a sparkling success reporting a record number of website hits and nearly £900,000 generated in media coverage for the area. The ‘Sparkling at Christmas’ campaign aimed to position Birmingham, The Black Country and Solihull as ultimate festive destinations.

Marketing Birmingham joined forces with partners across the city including Birmingham City Council, Retail Birmingham, Southside, the Jewellery Quarter, Brindleyplace, Colmore Business District and Broad Street, to deliver a holistic marketing and PR campaign promoting the region’s festive offering – from bars and restaurants to shopping and theatre – over the competitive Christmas period.

The ‘Sparkling at Christmas’ campaign, launched in October 2011, integrated marketing, PR, online and advertising activity with highlights including consumer polls, targeted weekend itineraries for national media, YouTube promotional videos and an interactive viral game.

The festive campaign generated a record 350,000 unique website visitors – a 50% increase from 2010 figures – with christmasinbirmingham.com receiving more than 5000 web hits weekly, and a TV advertisement that reached over 7 million people.

The campaign also generated nearly £900,000 of media coverage highlighting the region’s festive offering across international, national and regional media.

Birmingham’s world-class shopping which boasts 1000 shops within a 20-minute walk, buzzing theatres, mouth-watering restaurants and the biggest Frankfurt Christmas Market in the UK, continued to draw in the crowds with Visit Birmingham’s popular Meet & Greet service welcoming 114 coach loads into the city – a total of 5337 passengers from destinations such as London, Nottingham, Bristol and Manchester.

Headline results from the campaign reveal:

The festive campaign generated a record 350,000 unique website visitors (visitbirmingham.com and christmasinbirmingham.com)
Value of media coverage generated was nearly £900,000, up by over £100,000 in 2010
Christmas YouTube films received over 21,000 unique views
Website competitions generated over 29,000 entries
Visit Birmingham’s Meet & Greet service welcomed 114 coaches, bringing 5337 passengers to the city
Visitor enquiries to Tourist Information Centres reached 1.9 million from October to the end of December

Meet Birmingham celebrates 30th anniversary of Birmingham Convention Bureau at Confex

press_releases@marketingbirmingham.com — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 12:22:05 GMT

2012 Conference Guide to be launched at UK’s leading exhibition for event organisers

Meet Birmingham, the official business tourism programme for the city, is marking the 30th birthday of its Convention Bureau (BCB) by launching its new 2012 Conference Guide and taking its strongest ever selection of partners to this year’s International Confex, the UK’s leading conference for event organisers.

The event, taking place from 6-8 March at its new home ExCeL London, will see Conference Aston, Edgbaston Stadium, Hotel La Tour, The Belfry, the ICC and venuebirmingham join Meet Birmingham to showcase the city, Solihull and the Black Country as a top conference and events destination.

The Meet Birmingham Conference Guide 2012, which will be unveiled during the three-day exhibition, provides a comprehensive listing of the facilities and services on offer in the UK’s top events location outside London.

Established in 1982, BCB has offered unrivalled assistance to event organisers throughout its 30 years, providing an award-winning Event Support Package. Notable highlights in the past decade include the 100th Rotary International Convention in 2009, which brought around 20,000 people to Birmingham, while in 2003 BCB booked 10,000 rooms for the International Exhibition of Textile Machinery, the largest exhibition of its kind in the world.

Ian Taylor, Commercial Director at Marketing Birmingham, the city’s strategic marketing partnership which operates Meet Birmingham and BCB, said:

“2012 marks another significant year for our business tourism sector, with the launch of our new Meet Birmingham Conference Guide and BCB celebrating 30 years of offering one of the most comprehensive event support packages in the UK. The year will culminate in our eighth party political conference since 2008 when the Conservative Party visits in October.

“Confex is one of the best trade shows in the industry calendar and we believe that this year sees our most varied selection of partners. From prestigious sporting settings and impressive academic facilities, to a truly world class venue and one of the city’s newest hotel developments, Meet Birmingham’s stand partners are a reflection of the enviable offering that the city boasts, as it strives to remain the destination of choice in the events world.”

Meet Birmingham’s stand partners at Confex include the ICC, which has hosted events for all sizes of audience in its 11 flexible halls and 10 premium meeting rooms for over 20 years.
Adding an academic flavour to the line-up are Conference Aston, offering two purpose built conference, hotel and event venues in Birmingham city centre for up to 235 delegates, and venuebirmingham, which celebrates the opening of the brand new Bramall Music Building in 2012, at the heart of the University of Birmingham’s campus.

Proving that the region is in a league of its own when it comes to sporting venues, Meet Birmingham will also be joined by Edgbaston Stadium, whose £32 million Pavilion redevelopment has transformed it into one of the leading conference, banqueting and exhibition settings in the Midlands, and The Belfry, well-versed in staging world-class events in its 550 acres of English countryside, having hosted golf’s Ryder Cup on an unprecedented four occasions.

Birmingham’s newest venue Hotel La Tour promises to change the face of conferences and meetings in the city with a dedicated business floor and business lounge, nine flexible meeting spaces for up to 120 guests and 174 bedrooms and suites.

For more details on Birmingham’s conference and event offering, including Meet Birmingham’s presence at this year’s Confex, visit www.meetbirmingham.com