Newcastle Gateshead conference hotels


Key decision makers from one of the country’s largest trade unions and leading medics from around the UK will debate important developments in their specialist fields in NewcastleGateshead over the next few days as the area hosts its biggest conference week of the year.

Britain's general union The GMB, holds its 2005 biennial congress in the North East for the first time this year at the Metro Radio Arena, while The British Association of Oral and Maxillo Facial Surgeons stages its annual scientific meeting at The Sage Gateshead.

The GMB congress brings over 500 delegates and generates a £1m cash boost to the local economy throughout its five-day run. This adds to the £5.5m that other business wins - the Labour Party Spring conference, the National Union of Teachers and Association of Teachers and Lecturers events have already generated this year.

The GMB also stages its largest ever exhibition associated with the congress at the Metro Radio Arena.

The GMB has over 750,000 members working in all occupations across the UK in both public and private sectors, and as an amalgamation of over 100 smaller unions it forms one of Britain's most powerful and forward looking forces for change.

1 in 14 people working in the North East is a member of the GMB, and the organisation is also the fastest growing union in the region’s leisure sector representing bar staff, hotel workers and door staff.

The British Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons draws an additional 300 delegates to NewcastleGateshead this week with its event at The Sage Gateshead and Head quarters at The Hilton NewcastleGateshead hotel.

The event led by President of the Association, Professor Brian Avery from The St James Cook University Hospital, Middlesbrough, will amongst other topics, discuss new research into sleep related disorders, associated problems with snoring, head and neck genetics and debate the distinction between facial plastic surgery for medical and cosmetic purposes.

Professor Avery, said: ”Being based in the North East myself I was enthusiastic about bringing the event to NewcastleGateshead. There is a sense of pride in bringing surgeons from all over the country to see for themselves the area’s dramatic transformation, but moreover I believe the setting will help enhance the delegates’ experiences of the conference over all. Who could fail to be inspired by The Sage Gateshead and its remarkable views overlooking the River Tyne.”

Ian Taylor, Commercial Director for NewcastleGateshead Initiative, said: "The fact that both of these events which attract important figures in their respective fields to debate and discuss ideas and cutting edge developments are being drawn to NewcastleGateshead is quite fitting.

“NewcastleGateshead has the infrastructure and impressive venues to draw people to the area but this is only part of the picture. That we are perceived as a vibrant, inspirational and creative destination is much more fundamental to our success.

“It is this unique selling point in particular which impacts upon our ability to continue to be regarded as an attractive destination and consequently ensure our on-going economic development as a city-region.”

The region will also hear soon if its bid to stage the cartoon industry’s equivalent of the Oscars and Europe’s biggest trade fair for animation filmmakers in 2007 has been successful.

Have Your Say