Belfast to host the largest regular surgical meeting in the UK at the new Belfast Waterfront

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9th Sep, 2015
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In a joint bid, Visit Belfast and Belfast Waterfront have secured the annual International Surgical Congress of the Association of Surgeons of Great Britain and Ireland (ASGBI) as the first conference to use the Waterfront’s new 7,000m2 facility.

In fewer than 240 days, Belfast Waterfront will welcome for the first time the biggest annual meeting of surgeons this side of the Atlantic Ocean. Around 2,000 specialists from across the world will gather for ‘Belfast Surgical Week’ in May 2016, generating an anticipated £2.2m for the local economy.

The Waterfront’s expansion will see the venue’s event space double in size. And this large scale conference provides the perfect opportunity to showcase the centre’s wealth of support services and additional event space. Its impressive 2,000-seat auditorium will host the plenary sessions, whilst 2 new multipurpose halls spanning over 2,500m2 are ideal for exhibition space and the gala dinner.

The decision to bring the ASGBI conference to Northern Ireland’s capital city was made on the organising committees ‘visit experience’.

Nicholas Gair, ASGBI Chief Executive explains: “We’ve been overwhelmed by the support and enthusiasm of Team Belfast to secure our business. Everyone is fully focused on ensuring the event will be a huge success - leaving no stone unturned.

Nicholas adds: “Belfast enjoys many advantages, and its geographic advantage cannot be understated. Having an airport 5mins drive away from a venue, which is now on par with other leading international venues, will greatly benefit our delegates.”

The theme of the 2016 Congress is ‘Surgery in the Digital Age’ and there’s no better place to host such a high tech event than at Belfast Waterfront’s new state-of-the-art venue.

The venue’s technology capability will be instrumental in achieving maximum reach and the city’s world class attractions will be central to creating an exciting and engaging social programme - perfect for catching up with old friends as well as making new ones.

Not only is it the first conference to be hosted in the new world class facility at Belfast Waterfront but it is the first time, since 1981 that the ASGBI conference (then a much smaller Annual Scientific Meeting) has been to Belfast.

Mr John Moorhead, ASGBI President and Belfast Ambassador, comments: “Belfast in 1981 was a different place. Visit Belfast today, however, and it's a completely different story. Thanks to investment in its infrastructure, Northern Ireland’s capital city has blossomed into one of the UK’s most exciting business tourism destinations. The city offers a superb purpose built conference centre, world class attractions and wide range of hotels - all within walking distance of each other.”

Susie McCullough, Director of Marketing and Commercial Development Belfast Waterfront Conference and Exhibition Centre, comments: “2016 is shaping up to be a busy year and we’re absolutely delighted that ASGBI will join us to showcase the newly extended venue offering. Belfast Waterfront has built an international reputation over the last 18 years for its flexibility, second to none service and experience. And we now have even greater flexibility and technology capabilities to meet the ever changing needs of the market place. The partnership between Belfast Waterfront, Visit Belfast and the local Ambassador has been instrumental in bringing this prestigious conference to the city.”

Gerry Lennon, Chief Executive, Visit Belfast said: “Securing the largest surgical association conference in GB and Ireland is a key milestone in Belfast’s tourism journey. Not only will the conference bring a welcome boost to our tourism economy in May 2016, it provides an opportunity to showcase the city’s credentials as a vibrant conference destination and the impressive new facilities on offer at the Belfast Waterfront.”

During a recent visit, ASGBI representatives enjoyed a hard hat tour of the new Waterfront facility. During the tour, the group enjoyed the spectacular riverside views as well as seeing at firsthand how the new facility seamlessly integrates with the existing centre.

www.waterfront.co.uk

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