ICC Wales is strengthening its position as a leading destination for major association, life sciences and technology events, following significant conference wins that will bring two major medical associations to Wales for the first time.
The Association of Upper Gastrointestinal Surgeons of Great Britain & Ireland (AUGIS) will hold its AGM at ICC Wales in September 2027, bringing 800 delegates. The Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (RCPCH) Annual Conference will follow in May 2029, welcoming 2,000 delegates.
Both conferences represent new client partnerships for ICC Wales, reflecting the venue’s growing reputation within the medical association sector. Its success is driven by a combination of strong industry reputation, proactive business development and deep expertise within the association sector.
Through active participation in industry events, thought leadership initiatives and extensive sector knowledge, the team builds meaningful relationships that help secure new business and generate valuable recommendations from association organisers.
The wins build on a strong performance across the life sciences and technology sectors. During 2026, ICC Wales has hosted 20 life sciences events attracting 6,000 delegates, generating £4m in economic impact for Wales, alongside 16 technology events welcoming a further 5,000 delegates.
Looking ahead, the venue will also welcome the International Conference on Silicon Carbide and Related Materials (ICSCRM) in 2027 which is expected to attract around 1,200 delegates.
This global conference will be hosted in Wales for the first time, co-organised by CSconnected and Swansea University. It will bring together industry leaders, researchers, engineers and students from across the global semiconductor community to showcase the latest advances and developments in silicon carbide and related materials.
Craig Bingham, managing director of ICC Wales, said: “We’re seeing strong demand from sectors where Wales has real strengths, particularly medical associations, life sciences and technology. Securing conferences such as AUGIS and RCPCH is particularly encouraging, as both represent new client relationships for us and will bring significant new business to Wales.”
He added: “We believe our success comes from bringing together a world-class venue, a compelling destination offer and a team that genuinely understands what organisers need. Our active involvement in the business events industry, strong relationships with associations and partners, and commitment to sharing knowledge and delivering added value all help us build trust and create new opportunities.”
ICC Wales is also seeing a shift in booking patterns, with a growing proportion of events being confirmed at shorter lead times. Some 46% of events taking place in 2026 were booked within the same calendar year, compared with 15% in 2025 and 20% in 2024. This reflects a growing opportunity to attract beyond the traditional long-lead association market.
To support its continued growth, ICC Wales has expanded its sales team with the appointments of Louise Herron and Heather Jones as Sales Managers, focusing on the corporate and agency markets.
Herron joined from the Bristol Hotel, where she spent more than 10 years as Meetings & Events Sales Manager, bringing extensive experience in venue sales, business development and client relationship management, alongside established industry contacts.
Jones brings more than 14 years of sales experience, most recently as Head of Sales and Events at Kin House in Chippenham. Her background in the luxury wedding and events sector has given her a strong commercial focus and a proven track record in developing client relationships and converting opportunities into business.
Together, they will focus on developing new business across the corporate and agency markets, complementing ICC Wales’ established association business. Their appointments will also enable the venue to offer clients a broader range of expertise, faster response times and a more personalised service.
Bingham added: “We have a strong pipeline of business already secured and are continuing to target high-value conferences and events that align with Wales’ key industries and strengths. Growing our team means we’re well placed to build on that momentum and develop new opportunities.
He concluded: “Ultimately, success is about more than filling the venue. It’s about bringing new business to Wales, generating economic impact and creating meaningful legacy outcomes for our communities and partners, while strengthening Wales’ reputation as a destination for world-class business events.”