Member Article

Health conferences to bring £800k windfall to NewcastleGateshead economy

The NewcastleGateshead economy is set to benefit from a host of medical and health conferences this autumn, which will reportedly inject over £800k into the local economy.

The International Society of Paediatric Oncology and European Neuroblastoma Group’s (SIOPEN) Annual General Meeting and 4th Neuroblastoma Research Symposium is to be held at the brand new Crowne Plaza Hotel on 24 – 27 November.

Two hundred delegates will attend a range of meetings, workshops and talks over the four day event. In addition attendees will enjoy a drinks reception at the BALTIC Centre for Contemporary Art and a conference dinner within the Great North Museum Hancock.

Professor Deborah Tweddle, Professor of Paediatric Oncology at Newcastle University and Chair of the local organising committee for the conference said: “The local organising committee are extremely grateful to the NewcastleGateshead Convention Bureau for their help and expertise arranging this meeting.

“Newcastle University has a long standing history of internationally renowned neuroblastoma research having made major advances in the genetics and treatment of this aggressive childhood cancer over the last 20 years.

“With support from the Conventional Bureau we are poised to host one of the largest European clinical neuroblastoma meetings to date, followed by a state-of-the-art research meeting supported by the charity Neuroblastoma UK. Clinicians and scientists will interact and present their research findings with the overall aim of improving the outlook for all patients with neuroblastoma whether they are being treated here in Newcastle, elsewhere in the UK or around the world.”

November also sees 150 delegates descend on the city for the Society for Intravenous Anaesthesia UK (SIVA UK) Annual Scientific Meeting at Newcastle Civic Centre. Combined with SIOPEN the two conferences will pump over £400,000 into the local economy.

Paul Szomoru, head of business tourism at NewcastleGateshead Initiative said: “Our Convention Bureau is intrinsically linked with the inward investment team, focusing on our three key sectors of strong economic growth and academic excellence; Science & Healthcare, Creative & Digital and, Marine & Offshore.

“In addition the team has an excellent relationship with the various institutions where this industry leading research is taking place. We seek to thread together the key academics, researchers, influencers and conference organisers, supporting in the creation of outstanding conferences and events.

“Pioneering scientific studies, particularly in the fields of genetics and fertility treatment takes place at the International Centre for Life. With theNewcastle University Institute for Ageing (NUIA), the largest research facility of its kind in Europe, NewcastleGateshead is at the leading edge of revolutionary scientific research.”

The destination’s excellence within this sector attracts a wide range of science and healthcare conferences to the region. In October NewcastleGateshead also welcomed the 6th Annual Alliance for Healthy Aging, hosted by NUIA, and the British Association for Cancer Research’s Breast Cancer Conference who together provided an additional £400k boost to the local economy.

NewcastleGateshead Convention Bureau helps to attract and secure major national and international conferences and events for the region, working with a wide range of venues and partners. The Convention Bureau team acts as a central point of contact for all conference organisers, providing free, impartial advice and unrivalled local knowledge.

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