International Convention Centre Wales open after successful first events

International Convention Centre Wales last week opened its doors to UK and international conferences, meetings and events, with more than 5,500 delegates passing through its doors during a packed first week of events. ICC Wales is a state-of-the-art 96 million euro meetings venue situated in Newport, South Wales. ICC Wales’ inaugural event was the Association of Stoma Care Nurses (ASCN) three-day UK Annual Conference 2019. Other events at the new venue this week included an Experience with Arnold Schwarzenegger, a gala dinner for more than 1,200 people. Next week, ICC Wales will host a BBC Wales Live Debate and will welcome members of government, industry and academia for the prestigious 2019 UK Space Conference - considered the most influential event for the space community.

Major asset for Wales

Minister for International Relations and Welsh Language, Eluned Morgan, said: “The International Convention Centre Wales is a major asset for Wales, enabling us to compete with any venue in the UK and beyond to attract and host key events that will make a huge contribution to our economy – and I’m delighted that ICC Wales has had such a great start after opening its doors for the first time. Business events bring wide ranging benefits and the new centre is already showing how we can build on our international reputation as hosts of some of the world’s biggest events.” Heather Lishman, Association Director of ABPCO commented: “I’m absolutely thrilled that ICC Wales has now opened and that it was a UK Association that was first through the doors. In the build up to this moment, we have worked closely with the team on everything from the ‘Food for Thought’ report to our Chairmen’s lunch and Excellence Awards which I’m delighted to say will be held at ICC Wales in December. Congratulations to everyone involved and I can’t wait to see the benefits not just for Wales but for the whole of the country.”

Celtic Manor Resort

Located within the grounds of the Celtic Manor Resort, just two minutes from the M4 and under two hours from London Paddington by train, the new-build 26,000 sqm ICC Wales can accommodate more than 5,000 delegates at a time and includes a 4,000sqm pillar-free main hall, a 1,500 seated auditorium, 12 flexible meeting rooms, a double-height glass atrium and a 2,500 sqm outdoor plaza for outside events and teambuilding.