Rotarians book £500,000 future business for Birmingham

Jul 23 2008 By Edward Stephens, Travel Editor

DELEGATES from Birmingham who flew out to the Rotarians International Conference in the US secured almost £500,000-worth of hotel bookings for the city.

Birmingham has been chosen to host the 100th Rotary International Convention in 2009 and the city decided it was worth making the transatlantic trip to Los Angeles to ensure it picked up early business.

Birmingham International Airport representatives who went made sure that delegates heading for the Midlands next year will be flying directly into the Midlands rather than giving Heathrow the boost in business.

Justine Hunt, airport public relations manager, said: ”Most delegates at the LA convention have to fly into Heathrow when they came to Birmingham.

“But when we explained that they could fly straight into Birmingham International Airport rather than arriving in London and having to take a train, most were convinced that this was for them.

“And when we explained that the National Exhibition Centre, where the event is being held, is right next door to the airport they realised the sense of flying into Birmingham rather Heathrow.”

Marketing Birmingham, Advantage West Midlands, The NEC, Birmingham International Airport, Visit Britain, Cunard, Johnsons Coaches and the Host Organising Committee joined forces for the “marketing attack” in California.

Ian Taylor, commercial director at Marketing Birmingham said: “The trip to Los Angeles was a huge success and a great exercise in partnership working between organisations across the city and region.

“The 100th convention in Birmingham is expected to bring up to 25,000 visitors and an economic impact of around £20 million.

“It is therefore vital that we do all we can to promote the event and ensure it’s as successful as possible.”

Mr Taylor added: “Birmingham really knows how to do events and it’s the high level of expertise, world-class venues and hotels, and fantastic lifestyle offer that we have which enabled us to bring such a high profile event to the city in a year when we also secured three major political party conferences.”