City of the Week - Birmingham, England

Staff -- Tradeshow Week, 3/20/2006

Highlights

• The city in September launched Birmingham Bites, a yearlong food and drink campaign that showcases its 500 restaurants and food outlets with the tagline "Taste the world in one city."

Number of separate exhibit facilities

• 2 — Natl. Exhibition Centre and Intl. Convention Centre

Total exhibit space at venues

• 2.2 million sq. ft.

Largest venue renovation

• The NEC's front entrance has just undergone an £8 million ($14 million) facelift, part of a wider £40 million ($70 million) investment in the venue's facilities.

Number of convention hotel rooms

• 35,000

Longest-running and largest 2005 tradeshow

• The Spring Fair, at the NEC for 30 years, drew 79,939 visitors.

Shows this week at the NEC

• Food and Bake, Foodex Meatex, Food and Drink Expo, Convenience Retailing and Intl. Forecourt and Fuel Equipment (all March 19–22); The Spring Memorabilia Show (March 25–26)

Number of hotels within one mile of the NEC

• 7, including an 800-room Hilton and a 220-room Crowne Plaza

Sources: 2005 TSW Major Exhibit Hall Directory; Marketing Birmingham; Birmingham Convention Bureau