With some 3,000 participants expected for BCSC's Conference & Showcase at The Sage Gateshead from 5-7 November, an estimated spend of up to £4.0 mln. (approx. 5.3 mln.) is set to provide an immediate and significant boost to the local NewcastleGateshead economy.
But there are also potential long-term benefits. This annual, national conference is the premier industry event attracting major players in the retail property industry, including retailers, shopping centre owners and developers. The event, which takes place each November, brings together industry executives who have the power to make long-term property investment decisions, according to both officials from retail property organisation BCSC and the NewcastleGateshead Initiative.
This is the first time BCSC has brought its annual Conference & Showcase to NewcastleGateshead. Under the theme of Impact, the retail property industry - including shopping centres, outlet malls, retail parks and managed retail destinations - will be focusing on the positive impact that the industry can have on communities.
Comments BCSC Chief Executive Michael Green: "It's often the case that the area hosting the BCSC Conference & Showcase receives much more than a short-term financial benefit through visiting the host city, staying, travelling around and dining there," he said. "However it is also worth noting that a healthy proportion of our delegates are key decision-makers in retail-led investment and regeneration, and past experience has shown that the venue location stands to attract significant infrastructure investment in the longer term."
The Conference will feature speakers including Sir Bob Geldolf, Sebastian Coe and Red or Dead fashion label founder Wayne Hemmingway, among others.
The Showcase will house more than 90 exhibitors including retailers, developers, consultancies and major industry suppliers in an innovative, freestanding, purpose-built exhibition space that will temporarily reside next to The Sage Gateshead.
Delegates and visitors to the event can opt to take part in a range of social events and dinners as well as tours of NewcastleGateshead and Sunderland, an industry golf tournament, and a variety of activities in and around the venue. Advanced bookings in a range of hotels, restaurants and other local venues point to just how popular this conference is likely to be.
Main sponsors include Grosvenor (Conference), Multi Development Corporation (Showcase) and Multiplex (social events programme.)
Comments Andrew Dixon, Chief Executive NGI from the NewcastleGateshead Initiative: "We know that this is one of the largest and most important trade conferences now taking place in the UK, and hosting this major event in NewcastleGateshead is a major achievement. NewcastleGateshead is likely to benefit from high spending levels during this event and the chance to highlight the area's potential to the retail property investment industry is unparalleled."
Source: BCSC
