High profile events revealed to promoteWales in London
ASERIES of high profile events promoting Wales in London around St David’s Day next year have been revealed.
Following the success of the inaugural Wales Week in London event last year, details have been confirmed for next year’s enlarged event that will run from February 24 to March 10.
Described as “where Wales meets London, when London celebrates Wales.” founders of the promotional initiative are Dan Langford and Mike Jordan – two Welsh-based professionals who have long had business connections in London.
Wales Week in London is an opportunity for any Welsh organisation that has an interest in developing new or increasing audiences in London.
The 2018 schedule was launched at an event hosted by Secretary of State for Wales, Alun Cairns, and First Secretary of State, Damian Green, at Gwydyr House earlier this week.
And as well as a number of activities being held by the Welsh Government and the UK Government, the programme of events has also attracted the participation of a number of Welsh-based organisations, with events organised from those including the Football Association of Wales, Hugh James, National Museum Wales, Furrer+Frey, Welsh Books Council, BAFTA Cymru, and Swansea University School of Management among others.
Last year’s event hosted 65 events, but next year there will be nearly 75.
Dan Langford, group marketing director of Newport-based Acorn Recruitment, who for a number of years has been active in promoting Welsh business in London, said, “Back last spring we never imagined how well the inaugural Wales Week in London was going to be received, or the extent of participation it attracted from so many individuals and organisations.
“The whole thing came together in just over three months, and we were amazed by the incredible reception it had and how quickly it would build into something quite significant.
“This year, we have been completely overwhelmed by how the momentum continues to build, and we’ve experienced a huge increase in the number of people approaching us with ideas for events they’d like to run or to discuss how their organisation can get involved through sponsorship in any way.
“The active contribution of the Welsh diaspora and the various Welsh groups and societies based in London has been crucial to the success to date; as has the superb support and involvement of both the Welsh Government and the UK Government, working collaboratively with a shared ambition to promote a modern Wales to the rest of the world.”
Mr Cairns said: “This is a time when Welsh people across the world celebrate their roots and show off the best our nation has to offer to friends and colleagues.
As one of the world’s most exciting international cities, it makes perfect sense to use the many events taking place in the city around St David’s Day to provide a platform to promote Wales to the world.
“I’m delighted that the UK Government was a founding partner of Wales Week in London and is able to give its full backing in 2018 and help host so many fantastic events to celebrate Welsh culture, industry and products.”
Ken Skates, Cabinet Secretary for Economy and Transport,, said; “Ours is a vibrant country with so much to offer - historically, culturally and of course through our diverse range of businesses, and Wales Week in London is a co-ordinated promotion of all that we have to shout about.
“This annual festival showcases a series of activities that celebrate and promote existing Welsh communities in London, providing an exciting opportunity to raise our profile and create a real buzz.
“Together with the best in Welsh business, music, art, tourism, heritage, sport, public life and the media, we’re promoting a schedule of events that will collectively tell the world how good we truly are.”
Co-founder, Mr Jordan, director at Cardiff-based branding agency bluegg added; “We’d love to hear from anyone who wishes to get involved; this initiative must aim to benefit the whole of Wales and in any capacity possible; for that we need more activities, and louder and more diverse events.
“We want to make as much Welsh noise as possible and blow the minds of everyone across London.”