ICC Belfast welcomes return of conferences in Northern Ireland
Julia Corkey, ICC Belfast | Waterfront Hall | Ulster Hall Chief Executive commented saying, “We welcome the announcement that conferences are permitted to return from Monday 16 August. This means that events booked for September will be able to proceed as planned.
We really look forward to welcoming delegates to the European Association of Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (EABCT) 2021 Congress, our first large-scale conference back to ICC Belfast from 08 – 11 September.
"This event kickstarts a programme of conferences and events that will deliver economic impact for the City of Belfast right out to 2030 and beyond.”
ICC Belfast, an AEV member venue has been awarded the ‘We’re Good To Go’ industry standard as well as the ‘Safe Travels’ stamp. The convention centre has been operating in a COVID-Secure way since June 2020 and has been in use as a Nightingale venue by the Northern Ireland Courts and Tribunals Service since January 2021. These events have equipped the team with the knowledge and experience to return to the safe delivery of live events; ensuring best practice is followed and platinum standards are maintained at all times.
Team Belfast is well versed in partnership working and have been committed to collaboration throughout the pandemic to find creative solutions to challenges faced. Gerry Lennon, Chief Executive of Visit Belfast said,
“Belfast is now regarded as a world-class conference destination, thanks to multi-million-pound investments in the city’s venues including the award-winning ICC Belfast, hotels and conference suppliers, but the success of the destination is also down to the strong team ethos and partnership between Visit Belfast and the industry.
For the last 17 months, this has meant working with organisers to reschedule or redesign events, and it is a credit to the flexibility, resilience and innovation of our industry partners that have invested in virtual and hybrid events that the city has been able to keep meeting while the restrictions have been in place.
"However, today’s news is a hugely positive step toward our goal of rebuilding city tourism, bringing a welcome mid-week boost to hospitality businesses across Belfast and we are looking forward to welcoming conference delegates coming back in person to experience all that Belfast has to offer.”