Convention centre buoyed by repeat business

THE International Convention Centre Wales (ICC Wales) said it is on track for a strong 2023 after securing a number of repeat and new business wins.

The disruptions of the pandemic meant ICC Wales, next to Celtic Manor Resort in Newport, only saw its first full year of trading in 2022, having been launched in September 2019.

Repeat clients include Comic Con Wales, which welcomed more than 4,000 visitors in August last year and is set to grow in 2023 – driving a £1.7m economic impact.

Other events returning include Howdens and their Golden Rooster Awards; James Murden’s Audience With Events; the National Farm Attractions Network’s (NFAN) trade exhibition show and the governing body of the Church in Wales.

Another repeat client is the University of South Wales (USW), which has contracted five days of graduation ceremonies annually until 2028 which ICC Wales secured as part a tender process. Last year alone, ICC Wales hosted 33 of USW’s graduation ceremonies that had been postponed from the pandemic, welcoming more than 16,500 graduates. The Open University will also hold its autumn 2023 graduation ceremony at the venue.

Danielle Bounds, sales director, ICC Wales, said: “The fact we have secured such a strong level of repeat business, as well as some major new clients for 2023, is testament to the quality of our facilities, the dedication and enthusiasm of our team, and the calibre of the events that we deliver. We’re looking forward to continuing to build on this success into 2023 and beyond.”

The Welsh Government has a joint equity stake in the venue with the Celtic Manor Resort.