Harrogate International Centre (HIC) has retained the business for a long running consumer exhibition and an academic conference. The two events will bring in excess of an estimated £500,000 in economic benefit to Harrogate and the region.

The Knitting and Stitching Show has rebooked HIC for a three day exhibition in November this year. The show, which has been held at HIC for 20 years, is one of three the organisers hold across the country. It is expected to attract around 10,000 visitors each day. As well as a wide range of exhibitors, the event also features demonstrations, workshops and artist galleries.

Andrew Salmon, managing director of The Knitting and Stitching Show, said: “We are delighted to have confirmed our return to Harrogate. This show is now the second largest textile show anywhere in Europe – the largest being our own event in London.”

“I think the reason our Harrogate show has grown consistently since the early 90s, is that special magic we think the town affords any event. Certainly, the exhibition is the most popular of those we stage among the artists we deal with. They can step out of the halls at the end of the day and enjoy wonderful Yorkshire hospitality. Everything and everyone is so close to ‘home’ – making a stay in Harrogate a truly memorable experience.”

The International Association of Teachers of English as a Foreign Language (IATEFL) will be returning to HIC for its 48th annual international conference and exhibition in 2014, after the venue fought off stiff competition to host the event. IATEFL decided to return to HIC following the success of the event at the venue in 2010. The four day event, which uses a wide range of HIC’s flexible spaces, including the main auditorium, is attended by more than 2,300 people from around the world, and through the use of technology and live web-based seminars, its audience could exceed 60,000 people.

Glenda Smart, IATEFL executive officer, stated: “This will be our third visit to Harrogate, which is very popular among our delegates, who come from all around the world. As organisers we feel we get very good service from HIC staff and are looking forward to coming back in 2014.”

HIC’s director Angus Houston has welcomed the news. He said: “It is a credit to the hard work of the team at HIC that two big events have decided to return to the venue. We pride ourselves on offering our clients the highest levels of customer service, and when they make the decision to return to HIC because their events here have been successful it is recognition we have achieved this. We are particularly pleased that IATEFL chose HIC following a competitive pitch. It is an international organisation and the event will attract delegates from around the world. The use of innovations in technology will allow thousands more to participate in its sessions.”

“The news that these events are returning to Harrogate will also be welcomed by the whole region as business tourism is central to the local economy. With thousands of people visiting Harrogate during these events it will greatly benefit local businesses. Harrogate is a unique destination and we work in partnership with many other organisations to promote the best the region has to offer alongside the first class facilities at HIC. This reinforces the message that Harrogate is the place to hold conferences, events and exhibitions.”

The British Association for Psychopharmacology (BAP) has signed a two year deal to host its annual summer meeting at Harrogate International Centre (HIC) – a deal worth £120,000.

The event will bring 500 visitors to the town during the four day meeting, contributing more than £500,000 to the local economy. The summer meeting is the largest the BAP organises, and it has been held at HIC most years since 2001.

BAP brings together people from the clinical and experimental disciplines as well as members of the pharmaceutical industry involved in the study of psychopharmacology. It is one of many high profile medical organisations which choose to host large conferences and meetings at HIC.

Angus Houston, director of HIC, says: “The decision by The British Association for Psychopharmacology to extend its contract and hold its summer meeting at HIC for the next two years is fantastic news, not only for the venue itself but the town and surrounding area too. With such a high volume of visitors coming to the region over four days, events like this greatly benefit the local economy. The economic impact of this event alone will be much more than £500,000. It again highlights that HIC is one of Harrogate’s biggest economic drivers, impacting on everything from tourism and event providers to local shops and infrastructure.”

“HIC hosts a number of medical sector events. It has become popular with organisers because it provides the flexibility and space needed, and our dedicated staff are trained to co-ordinate these types of events. As the venue continues to grow following the opening of the new halls we are already seeing interest from additional medical sector events and associations.  For many Harrogate is the ideal location, a perfect blend of convenience, easy access and the highest service levels.”

At a time when we are all struggling, have venues become their own worst enemy? For too long we have been blaming event organisers for creating shorter lead times by leaving bookings until the last minute. But maybe we should consider the impact of our own practices before laying the blame on other peoples’ doors.

Yes, we’d all like conference, exhibition or meetings to be booked and confirmed months in advance instead of being made at the last minute. But with the economy still looking uncertain and conferencing budgets being squeezed tightly, organisers and businesses are looking at ways they can get value for money. For some this means leaving the decision on the venue until the last possible minute in an attempt to get a better deal. And some venues are encouraging late bookings by offering last minute deals with massive discounts. This drives down prices and decrease lead times.

While we shouldn’t encourage such practice, it is part of the industry we work in. And as it becomes more common all venues need to learn to adapt to it.

However, short lead times shouldn’t be seen as major hurdle. Yes, it does leave less time for event teams to prepare but it emphasises the need for efficiency and having the right people in place so the venue can react quickly and effectively to bookings made at short notice. As the economy continues to stutter, instead of complaining we should focus on providing a quality service however short the lead time.

Every artist, writer, or composer begins each new work with a blank canvas. All that blank space is free to work with and fill with whatever they want to convey. Harrogate International Centre (HIC) may not be an artist, writer or composer. But we do have a blank canvas of our own.

Following the completion of Halls H & G at the end of 2011, clients can not only take advantage of the additional space available and better flow to the existing facilities, but because the halls provide event organisers with a blank canvas, clients have the opportunity to create anything they want. The options are endless, whether the client is a conference, event or exhibition organiser.

Conference planners can use the additional spaces to build stage sets and auditoria to their own specification, making it an unique and highly unusual meeting room.  Alternatively the halls could even be used as huge breakout spaces for large events with substantial sub-meetings. Event organisers can use the spaces for dinners, award ceremonies, product launches… pretty much anything in fact as the rooms are infinitely changeable and flexible, whilst benefiting from a range of technical facilities that always allow for the highest quality AV set up.

The new halls have already successfully been used by exhibition organisers. For example, the annual Harrogate Christmas and Gift Fair took advantage of the additional space, with one exhibitor – Premier Decorations – created a winter wonderland when it took over the whole of Hall H for the duration of the show. Using Hall H allowed them to create something truly spectacular and they were delighted with the results. I’m sure they’ll be looking to create something bigger and better next year!

The new facilities have been well received by new and existing clients and we look forward to seeing what ideas other exhibitors generate as more shows take place in the coming months.  So when you choose HIC for your event, with a blank canvas in front of you and endless possibilities you can let your imagination run free. What would you come up with?

Harrogate International Centre, has reported a growing trend for business contracting with shorter lead times.

In the last 6 months, the venue has seen a rise in the number of events booked within 6-8 weeks of the event being held. Angus Houston, director at HIC, believes shorter lead times should not be seen as a major hurdle for venues but as an opportunity to introduce higher standards of customer service to ensure events always run smoothly.

He says: “While we would all like conferences, exhibitions or corporate events to be booked and confirmed months in advance we are facing up to the fact that many more bookings are now being made at the last minute. The economy is still uncertain and budgets are being heavily scrutinised so organisers and businesses are looking at ways they can get best value for money. For some this means leaving the decision on the venue until the last possible minute in an attempt to get a better deal. This is simply a change in market forces, and we have positioned ourselves to be able to respond.

“Short lead times do leave less time for event teams to prepare but it emphasises the need for efficiency. If you have the right people in place you can react quickly and effectively to bookings made at short notice. Whatever the length of lead time – whether it is a couple of months or just a few weeks – we are focused on providing a quality service. HIC operates the best delivery levels to all our clients and works in partnership with them to ensure an event exceeds their expectations. This approach helps build better relationships with customers and is vital to enhancing the visitor and destination experience.”

Harrogate International Centre (HIC) has generated a substantial number of new leads from its activities at International Confex. The event was highly successful for the north’s premier conference and event venue where it promoted everything the region has to offer business visitors.

HIC kicked-off the week off with an Olympic themed party at Tower Bridge West Walkway, which was quoted as ‘the hottest ticket in town’ and where Eddie the Eagle Edwards was guest of honour. More than 100 event organisers and buyers attended the evening, enjoying a sumptuous three course meal with the opportunity to meet the HIC team, learn more about its facilities as well as its plans for the future.

HIC used International Confex to promote Harrogate as a destination. HIC works in partnership with local businesses and it is precisely for this reason that Harrogate is such a unique destination for conferences and events. Business tourism is fundamental to the region’s economy, generating more than £180 million annually.

Angus Houston, director at HIC, was delighted with the outcome from International Confex. He comments: “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 present a cohesive and developed offering to potential clients. The show also provided us with an excellent opportunity to promote our new facilities to event organisers and buyers. HIC’s aim has always been to offer the best facilities and the new halls will only enhance our reputation. We’ve significant interest in holding events in Halls H and G and they have already been successfully used for a number of events. The development is not only good news for the venue but the region as a whole. Increasing the number of meetings, events and conferences at HIC will have a wider economic impact and will reinforce Harrogate nationally and internationally as the place to do business.”

Harrogate International Centre (HIC) has built a reputation as one of the premier combined conference and exhibition centres in the UK.

Blending premium facilities and unbeatable customer service with a unique town centre location halfway between Edinburgh and London; it is easy to see why HIC is considered to be one of Europe’s top venues. It is perfect for corporate conferences, sales presentations, exhibitions, trade shows and product launches as the facilities include a state-of-the-art 2,000-seater main auditorium, the Queen’s Suite, the Royal Hall and King’s Suite.

Let’s look at the Royal Hall in particular….

The Royal Hall dates back to 1903 and is the UK’s only surviving Kursaal. It is a key space in HIC’s portfolio and was painstakingly restored to its original magnificence and is now the glittering jewel in HIC’s crown. The 1,000 seater Royal Hall is the ultimate backdrop for sophisticated banquets, memorable conferences, award ceremonies and product launches, whilst the nearby Halls M and A are ideal for an accompanying exhibition. The Royal Hall is also a favourite with music, comedy, dance, drama, concert and children’s entertainment promoters.

But HIC provides much more than just a venue for your event.  As a part of the inclusive hire package, HIC provides a consultative and in-depth event management service to ensure an event stands out from the crowd. Its event planners provide specialist advice and support as necessary including the preparation of detailed event schedule documents which outline all requirements and scheduling information including quotations for any further services.  This service ensures that each aspect of an event is delivered smoothly.

To see the Royal Hall in more detail or any of HIC’s other halls, why not give the sales team a call to arrange a site visit?

New Halls H and G provide exhibition organisers with a blank canvas.

Exhibition organisers holding events at Harrogate International Centre (HIC) can not only take advantage of the additional space offered by new Halls H and G, but because the halls provide a blank canvas they have the opportunity to create anything they want. The options are endless, whether the client is a conference, event or exhibition organiser.

Conference planners can use the additional spaces to build stage sets and auditoria to their own specification, making an unique an highly unusual meeting room.  Alternatively they could even be used as huge breakout spaces for large events with substantial sub-meetings.

Event organisers can use the spaces for dinners, launches… pretty much anything in fact as the rooms are infinitely changeable and flexible, whilst benefiting from a range of technical facilities that always allow for the highest quality AV set up.

And finally exhibition organisers have an additional 20% capacity across the whole of the building to make use of, when planning large scale trade shows.

The halls, part of a £13 million redevelopment of HIC’s facilities, were completed at the end of 2011.  They have already been successfully used by the Harrogate Christmas and Gift Fair where one exhibitor turned Hall H into a Christmas wonderland.

Angus Houston, director at Harrogate International Centre, says: “The new halls provide event organisers with the space they need to hold a wider range of experiential events, banquets, corporate productions and product launches. And because then halls are essentially a blank canvas – anything is possible. One of the key features is the link to our 2000 seat auditorium, which is perfect for corporate and association clients. We’re confident the new spaces, with greater flow to our existing facilities, will attract new business and reaffirm HIC’s position, and the surrounding area, as the place to do business.”

To find out more about HIC visit Stand B1020 at International Confex at ExCEL (March 6-8 2012).

Eddie the Eagle Edwards will be the guest of honour at Harrogate International Centre’s (HIC) Olympic themed party during International Confex.

Guest are being invited to meet the HIC team and discover more about the venue’s new facilities at the event which is being held at the panoramic Tower Bridge West Walkway on March 6th (7pm). The uplifting celebration will start with a drinks reception followed by a three course dinner.

HIC is exhibiting at International Confex March 6-8 at ExCeL (stand B1020) to showcase the new halls and how they can be used for a wider variety of events therefore improving the overall visitor experience. Halls H and G add more space to larger events and offer exhibition space with great flow from the 2,000 seat auditorium. The halls also provide exhibitors with a blank canvas allowing them to create an unique atmosphere for their event.

Angus Houston, HIC’s director, says: “With the Olympic Games less than six months away we thought it was only right to mark the occasion with a themed party, and we’re delighted to be joined by Eddie the Eagle Edwards. The Olympics is not the only thing to celebrate in 2012. We recently completed the £13 million redevelopment at HIC which has significantly enhanced the facilities we already offer. It is an exciting time for everybody at HIC and we want to share our achievements with those who have made the venue a success. We also want to show people, particularly those who have never been to HIC before, why we stand out from other venues around the country. We look forward to meeting old and new faces, and invite them to join our celebration as we enter the next phase of HIC’s development.”

For more information call Lynne Hudson on 01423 537276 or email lynne.hudson@harrogate.gov.uk.

There’s no denying that conference and event budgets are being squeezed and organisers want to make their money work harder. While choosing a seating layout might not be the most exciting topic it is an important part of the planning process.

How delegates are seated will decide the value they get from the conference experience. If delegates get more out of the event it results in better value for the organisers. So seating is something that needs careful consideration.

Many conferences still use traditional theatre style seating. It can be very effective when a large number of people are attending because it allows people to see and hear everything that is being said or projected onto a screen. But is this really the most effective way of seating delegates for smaller meetings?

Theatre style seating doesn’t allow people to communicate or share thoughts, which is one of the main aims for small scale events. To facilitate this, interest in cabaret style seating is growing, and is something I think the whole conference and events industry will experience in 2012. In fact, in the last 12 months at HIC, we’ve seen a massive 55% increase in the number of organisers enquiring about cabaret style seating over traditional theatre style arrangements.

One of the biggest benefits of cabaret style seating is that it is ideal for small group discussions and projects while still allowing everyone to focus on the speaker. It’s a relatively informal seating arrangement which allows delegates to communicate and share ideas, and by creating a more social business environment it also provides better networking opportunities.

True cabaret seating should allow for no more than six delegates per table. If more delegates are added then some won’t be facing the front and will have to turn their chairs around to face the presenter. While a meeting room might allow for this, it’s a very awkward way of sitting and can be disruptive.

Cabaret seating may mean an organiser can accommodate less people but they need to weigh up quantity over quality. If interaction is an important part of the conference then cabaret style seating offers the best choice.

HIC has a variety of spaces which can cater to organisers’ requests for cabaret style seating including the Kings Suite and Queens Suite, both of which also offer superb break out areas. So as the lyrics from the famous song say: “Right this way, your table’s waiting. Come to the Cabaret.”