HIC Talk

Alison Griffin continues her look at the economic impact of events…

HIC is one of Harrogate’s biggest economic drivers, impacting on everything from tourism and event providers to local shops and infrastructure. One of the benefits of being an international event venue located in a town rather than a huge city is that we don’t work in isolation. HIC functions as part of the community. At every step we promote Harrogate and the surrounding area as a destination alongside the venue. People don’t just come to Harrogate for the venue – there is far more here on offer and we continually try to present a cohesive and developed offering to potential clients.

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Whilst scientists expect to find habitable new worlds as part of the Kepler programme in 2012, event organisers can find the industry’s newest stars at International Confex 2012 on the Harrogate International Centre(HIC) stand. HIC’s recently completed £13 million redevelopment project created two new stars of the North, increasing HIC’s capacity and ability to host a variety of events and conferences.

The focus of its stand at Confex will be to show people how they can benefit from the improved facilities. Halls H and G have increased HIC’s space by 3,100m2 – 20% – and can be used for a wide range of experiential events, banquets, corporate productions and product launches. The new halls add more space to larger events and offers exhibition space with great flow from the 2,000 seat auditorium.

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Harrogate International Centre (HIC) provides much more than just a venue for your event.  As a part of the inclusive hire package, we provide a consultative and in-depth event management service to ensure your event stands out from the crowd.

At HIC an event planner is allocated to each event to provide specialist advice and support as necessary. They prepare detailed event schedule documents for you, outlining all requirements and scheduling information including quotations for any further services.  Every event at HIC is overseen by dedicated event planners who are keen to ensure that each aspect is delivered smoothly.

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The event industry in the UK is fiercely competitive and requires strategic and smart marketing skills to attract new prospects. Marketing of a venue is both an internal and an external process. It is not only about promoting a venue to the outside world, but a successful campaign also involves maintaining good relationships with the existing clients.

At HIC we have effectively used many different forms of marketing to talk about events, the benefits that each brings to the local economy and other achievements.  Along with a strong presence in the mainstream media, we also use social media for marketing purposes and to engage with stakeholders. We keep a track of interactive networking opportunities as a way of widening the scope and reach of our promotional activities.

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UKSG has confirmed it will host its annual conference and exhibition at Harrogate International Centre (HIC) in 2014 and 2017 following the success of the event at the venue in 2011.  Revenues from the two shows are likely to be in excess of £130,000.

The organisation held its 34th annual conference and exhibition at HIC for the first time earlier this year and as the result of positive feedback from the 850 delegates  it has decided to come back for a further two years. UKSG spans a wide range of interests and activities across the scholarly information community of librarians, publishers, intermediaries and technology vendors. During the three day event, UKSG utilised the 2,000 seat auditorium for its plenary sessions, Hall Q for its exhibition stands and the Royal Hall for social events.

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In the first of two blogs looking at the positive effect of events on a local economy, Alison Griffin considers how impact can be measured.

The events industry is expected to provide a big boost to the UK economy over the next few years. Conferences and events already play a key role generating almost £25 billion a year, and Britain is recognised as one of the world leaders in the field of events.

The industry faced challenges due to the recession but it has remained strong. And growth is likely as a report by Britain for Events predicts that with the right support the industry could grow to £48.4 billion by 2020.

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It’s cabaret all the way at Harrogate International Centre (HIC). The largest venue in the North of England has received a record number of enquiries for cabaret style set up at events and conferences.

In the last 12 months, HIC has seen a massive 55% increase in the number of organisers enquiring about cabaret style seating over traditional theatre style arrangements. It believes this is because organisers are looking for better value for money and increased delegate interaction. One of the biggest benefits of cabaret style is it creates a relatively informal seating arrangement allowing delegates to communicate more effectively throughout the day.

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As the £13 million project to increase capacity at Harrogate International Centre (HIC) nears completion, a host of event organisers and buyers were invited to preview the new halls via an out of this world space themed experience.

The construction of Halls H and G has created two new stars at the North’s largest conference centre enhancing HIC’s reputation as a leading events destination. Capacity at the venue has been increased by 20% and features include:

•    Additional 3,100m2 exhibition space •    Banqueting capacity of 1,500 guests •    Underground car park •    Spectacular new entrance •    Excellent green credentials

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Ideal for creating stunning exhibitions, trade fairs or public shows, HIC’s ten interconnected exhibition halls offer 18,500sqm of space.

Every event at HIC is overseen by dedicated event planners keen to ensure that each aspect is delivered smoothly, whilst our fully integrated service includes support from our team of experts.

Blending premium facilities and unbeatable customer service with a unique, town centre location in half way between Edinburgh and London; it is easy to see why HIC is considered to be one of Europe’s top event venues. Read the rest of this entry »

A £13 million expansion project at Harrogate International Centre (HIC) is due to be completed in December, creating two new stars at the premier conference and event venue, which is located halfway between London and Edinburgh. The project to construct Halls H and G has taken 18 months to complete and creates an additional 3,100m2 of exhibition space – a 20% increase in capacity.  The additional halls will also provide Harrogate with significant additional space for evening events, complementing the town’s friendly and intimate atmosphere.

The development, carried out by Wates Construction, included work to improve public areas and landscaping along Kings Road, the building of a new registration atrium with direct access to the Queen’s Suite, Hall D, Kings Suite and a new outdoor piazza. A street level entrance directly into Hall Q has also been created along with additional car parking facilities underneath the new halls.

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