Lancashire & Blackpool business tourism showcase Guild year offering

Lancashire and Blackpool conference and meetings chiefs are aiming for a major business tourism boost by showcasing Preston’s unique Guild celebrations at two high-profile national events this week.

Lancashire & Blackpool Conferences & Meetings are joining forces with the organisers of Preston Guild at Event UK 2010 at the NEC Birmingham and office at London’s Earls Court.

They will promote what’s on offer across Lancashire and Blackpool during Preston’s year of community celebrations and partying, which only happens once a generation.

Preston Guild 2012 will mark 833 years since King Henry initially granted a ‘Guild Merchant’ to Preston. It is the only celebration of its kind remaining in the UK and 2012 will be the 23rd Guild since the decree to hold a celebration every 20 years was made in 1542.

Organisers have recruited Preston celebrities Andrew Flintoff and Nick Park, creator of Wallace and Gromit, to promote the celebration.

Lancashire and Blackpool conference chiefs believe Guild will prove a major boost for business tourism, putting the focus on all that Preston and the whole of the region has to offer.

They also believe their partnership approach with Preston Guild organisers at the two conferences and exhibition events this week will help spread the message to key decision makers that Lancashire and Blackpool is a great place for hosting events.

Guild organisers are already looking at the creation of new and quirky events spaces across Preston as part of 2012 along with a series of high-profile celebrations of the arts, sports, faith, diversity and youth.

Lancashire & Blackpool Conferences & Meetings, a joint initiative between Lancashire and Blackpool Tourist Board (LBTB) and visitBlackpool, has embarked on a major drive to highlight the area’s business tourism offering.

Tony Openshaw, Director of Marketing at LBTB, said: “Preston Guild promises to be a fantastic year-long international event and gives us a great opportunity to promote not just the city but the whole of our region and what it has to offer organisers of events and meetings.

“Businesses and organisations can hold their events and meetings here and also take part in and enjoy the great Guild celebrations.

“Guild Year is already sparking increased interest in the area as a destination for conferences and meetings.”

He added: “Our message is a compelling one: whatever style or size of conference or meeting you are looking to organise, we have the ideal venue and facilities to suit.

“Our appearance at these events is part of our co-ordinated campaign to highlight Lancashire and Blackpool to as wide an audience of businesses, organisations and societies as possible.”

Proud Preston has just received another major boost to its fast-approaching celebrations having been named a European City of Sport for 2012, which is also London Olympics year

It follows the news that the city will host the 19th UK Corporate Games in 2012. Preston joins cities, including Madrid, as a City of Sport. It increases the likelihood of one of the Olympic nations having their base there.

The Lancashire and Blackpool team will be at Event UK 2010, which will take place from September 21-22 at NEC Birmingham. It will showcase the full spectrum of the UK’s meetings and events industry to more than 3,600 event professionals.

They will also have a high-profile at office, which is being held at Earls Court over the same two days. It is a brand new event for office professionals, PAs, office managers and executive assistants, many who are involved in event organising for their organisations.