Business News
VIBRANT CITY OF BIRMINGHAM GETS READY TO WELCOME IPEX 2010 VISITORS
Wednesday 10. February 2010 - For the fifth time, the cosmopolitan city of Birmingham will host the international Ipex 2010 exhibition which will take place from 18th - 25th May 2010 at The NEC, Birmingham, UK. To ensure visitors can plan their visit to Ipex as effectively as possible, the Ipex organisers have teamed up with the Birmingham Convention Bureau (BCB) to launch a dedicated website about the Ipex exhibition in Birmingham: www.ipexinbirmingham.co.uk
Whether visitors to Birmingham need accommodation for the night, directions to the city centre, transport information, a map, information on the extensive array of cultural events or tourist attractions, where the cool shops are, or the best places to eat and drink, www.ipexinbirmingham.co.uk has the answers. Those who want to receive individual advice or information about a bespoke social programme can also receive a free of charge planning service directly from BCBs experienced staff. For more information call BCB on +44 (0) 121 202 5151.
Ian Taylor, Commercial Manager at Birmingham Convention Bureau, says: “Were delighted to welcome back Ipex to Birmingham. This international exhibition will attract thousands of visitors from across the globe to the city, and we want to ensure they receive a good welcome. Birmingham Convention Bureau is working to ensure delegates receive added value and can make the most of their time in Birmingham. We have negotiated a series of exclusive offers with restaurants across the city, and with over 200 restaurants covering 27 nationalities, delegates can enjoy cuisine that really reflects Birminghams diversity.
“Birmingham is now widely acclaimed as a global events city and is well equipped to host this prestigious exhibition. It was recently named as the best performing European city in which to do business according to Cushman & Wakefield’s influential European Cities Monitor, and BCB is working hard to ensure this success continues throughout 2010 and beyond.”
Destination Birmingham
Birmingham has re-invented itself over the last decade to become a major tourist destination. It has transformed into a cultural hub with world renowned arts collections, award winning restaurants and a host of great activities and attractions.
Hotels
Birmingham has accommodation to suit every taste and budget. The city centre provides nearly 7,000 hotel rooms ranging from the major hotel chains to a full selection of budget hotels and friendly guesthouses. With a further 47,000 bed spaces in the greater West Midlands region, visitors will be spoilt for choice.
The Ipex organisers have appointed BCB and Creative Travel & Event Management as the two official accommodation agents in the Birmingham area. Both offer online booking services through the Ipex website (www.ipex.org/accommodation) and are holding thousands of the rooms in the area across all price bands. Visitors are encouraged to contact them as soon as possible for the best selection and competitive rates
BCB
T: +44 (0) 121 202 5143 (Ipex Hotline) F: +44 (0) 121 202 5123
E: bcb.accommodation@marketingbirmingham.com
W: www.ipexinbirmingham.co.uk
Creative Travel & Event Management
T: +44 (0) 208 582 0460 F: +44 (0) 208 582 0464
E: Fiona@ccem.co.uk
W: www.ipex.org.uk
Transport
With a population of one million in the city centre and circa five million in the region, Birmingham is one of the largest cities in the UK. Its excellent international transport links make it one of the most accessible cities in the UK and therefore a highly popular business and leisure tourism destination.
By air: The airport is situated next door to The NEC and eight miles from Birmingham city centre and with its own mainline international station next door, access to the city centre and London couldnt be easier. The NEC is linked to Birmingham International Airport by sky trains which run every 90 seconds. More than 20 international airlines operate flights to over 100 international destinations in the UK, Europe and North America. Frequent flights to the main European hub airports provide convenient connections to destinations worldwide.
By road: Birmingham lies at the heart of the UKs motorway system with direct links to the M42, M5, M6, M6 toll, M1 and M40. The city is also at the centre of Britains national coach network, connecting directly with hundreds of destinations.
By rail: Birmingham is served by two main line stations – Birmingham New Street in the city centre and Birmingham International for the airport and The NEC. There are fast and direct services from London Euston to The NEC with an incredible journey time of less than 70 minutes.
The Ipex organisers have teamed up with VisitBritain to offer a highly discounted rail pass for visitors from outside the UK. The eventBritain BritRail Pass allows unlimited travel for a set period in England, Scotland and Wales on any scheduled trains over the whole of Great Britains National Rail network, without restrictions. Heathrow Express, Gatwick Express and Stansted Express, trains from Luton Airport to London and from Birmingham and Manchester airports are all included in the pass, allowing for enormous savings. Passes are available for periods of three days travel within eight days for only £99.00 or seven days travel within 15 days for only £161.00. For more information visit www.ipex.org/travel or www.ipexinbirmingham.co.uk
The NEC
The NEC has been the home to Ipex since 1994 and 2010 will be the fifth consecutive event in the series to be held at The National Exhibition Centre (NEC). Opened in 1976, The NEC is the busiest exhibition centre in Europe, staging more than 140 exhibitions and welcoming more than four million visitors each year.
With 20 interconnecting halls providing over 190,000 square metres of covered exhibition space it is also the biggest exhibition centre in Britain and the seventh largest in Europe. Its flexible, flat-floored, interconnected halls make it ideal for major multi-sector events like Ipex and its extensive conference and banqueting facilities enable business to continue beyond the walls of the exhibition. A continuing £40 million improvement programme will be complete in time for Ipex 2010, helping provide a superb exhibition experience for visitors and exhibitors.
What to see and do in Birmingham
Birminghams award-winning facilities provide an unrivalled mix of exhibition, convention, entertainment and sporting events for millions of people each year.
Birmingham and the surrounding region is home to many notable attractions, a major draw for visitors and a key factor as to why the city has become a popular international tourist destination. But before you step indoors we recommend taking a stroll around the city, its a great way to see some of Birminghams most charming features. A good place to begin is Brindleyplace, the heart of Birminghams famous canal network which has more miles of canals than Venice and provides the perfect spot for relaxation in one of the bars and restaurants that line the canal side. Broad Street is Birmingham’s busiest and most popular entertainment and business destination. Wandering through Birminghams streets and public squares you will notice some striking architecture including the Victorian Council House and the Georgian Town Hall – which has recently been restored. Sitting neatly amongst these icons are stylish contemporary structures, including Bullring and The Mailbox. Brindleyplace and Broad Street have teamed up with Ipex to provide an unforgettable evening programme after hours.
One of Birminghams biggest surprises is its collection of art; the city has a number of celebrated galleries including Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery, the Barber Institute of Fine Arts and The Ikon Gallery. Between them they house both classic and contemporary works; including the largest collection of Pre-Raphaelite art in the country.
The Birmingham Botanical Gardens and Glasshouses is one of the citys most popular attraction and feature 15 acres of stunning landscape and the finest collection of exotic and everyday plants. One of Birminghams latest attractions, The National Trust back-to-back houses provide a fascinating insight into Birminghams past, genuine remnants of the citys Industrial heritage. The Thinktank science and discovery museum at Millenium Point has ten modern galleries full of interactive fun. The stunning Millenium Point building also incorporates an IMAX cinema and provides a leisure environment where people of all ages can enjoy themselves.
The Symphony Hall, one of the worlds finest concert halls, is home of the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra and plays hosts to international orchestras and soloists. For theatre enthusiasts, the Birmingham Repertory Theatre stages many acclaimed plays, some of which are world premieres. Ballet fans can watch one of the many spectacular productions by the Birmingham Royal Ballet at the Hippodrome Theatre. The recently renovated Birmingham Town Hall also offers an exciting programme of musical events throughout the year.
Eating & Drinking
There is a diverse choice of bars and restaurants in Birmingham too. Of the 27 different types of cuisines served across 200 restaurants in Birmingham, the most well-known is perhaps the Balti – a spicy, aromatic Kashmiri dish. There are also three Michelin starred restaurants, more than in any other UK regional city.
Visitors are also encouraged to venture down to Birminghams Chinese Quarter. Nearby is the vibrant Arcadian centre, home to Birminghams top nightspots. Those wishing to sample other cuisines should also head to the vibrant mix of bars and restaurants at Summer Row, Brindleyplace or The Mailbox. The Waters Edge at Brindleyplace plays host to an array of stylish bars and restaurants providing the perfect destination for exciting nights out or relaxed meals.
Sport
Birmingham is at the heart of sporting action. From the renowned Belfry golf course to the National Indoor Arena, one of Britains top indoor venue, Birmingham offers a great sporting programme. Boasting spectator sports including top class tennis and athletics, Birmingham is also the home of two premiership football clubs: Aston Villa and Birmingham City.
Out and About
If visitors have the time and need to escape from city life then they will find Birmingham is ideally situated as a springboard to the tranquillity and beauty of rural England. Situated at the heart of England, Birmingham is a perfectly placed base for exploring the attractions of Central England. Birmingham is very close to many of Englands major heritage sites: Stratford upon Avon, birthplace to William Shakespeare; Warwick, home of Englands finest mediaeval castle, the Cotswolds, a cluster of romantic, authentic English villages and the university town of Oxford lies to the south.
The area is filled with stately homes, fascinating cathedrals, ancient village churches and abbeys, not to mention some old-fashioned English drinking hostelries.
For more information about Birmingham, please visit www.ipexinbirmingham.co.uk
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