Harrogate Convention Centre hosted its first event since being converted to a nightingale hospital, The Home and Gift Buyers’ Festival and the Manchester Furniture Show took place on 18-21 July.

The event attracted 10,000 visitors to Harrogate, with an estimated economic impact of £750,000. All attendees were required to certify either two vaccinations at least two weeks prior to attending or a negative NHS Lateral Flow Test at least 48 hours before attending.

At Venues and Events International, we have been greatly encouraged by the confidence in our clients for the return of in-person meetings and events. Our sales pipeline increased by 30% between April and May - an incredible achievement in just one month, and 80% of this is contracted! We typically see 55% of our annual budgeted revenue covered by the pipeline in May, but the coverage was 88% this year.

The Abu Dhabi National Exhibitions Company (ADNEC), part of ADQ, one of the region’s largest holding companies, has added a new hotel to its portfolio: the DoubleTree By Hilton London ExCel. 

The announcement comes in line with ADNEC’s long term investment strategy, aimed at diversifying its business across the Group and achieving optimal integration of its assets through diversified economic sectors.