The annual trade show for domestic tourism and business events is expecting 3,000 visitors to attend this year on 12-13 March. It will feature a keynote speech from Andrew McMillan, former head at John Lewis, in a session called 'What the travel, business events and live event industry can learn from John Lewis'.
New features to the 2014 show include a purpose-built theatre to host a number of UK live event agencies, which is being created by the NEC. As part of the new area visitors will have the opportunity to learn more about the NEC Group through a live, theatrical experience.
A dedicated heritage tourism area called historical gems will also be a new fixture and will feature a number of historical houses, gardens and attractions exhibitors.
The results of the first Best of Britain & Ireland Travel trends report, produced with strategy research company Euromonitor, will be revealed at the 2014 show.
Mark Griffin, show director for Best of Britain & Ireland, said: "We are excited about giving the meetings sector – from the perspective of both exhibitors and visitors - compelling reasons to attend Best of Britain & Ireland in 2015 and to ensure the dates are put in diaries. The meetings sector needs and deserves an event that is solely dedicated to the UK and Ireland. It now has one."
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