3
Leeds
WELCOME
to Leeds
How does the city fight for
the conference cause?
eeds is the UK’s fastest growing city and
is a main driver of a city region with a
£64.6bn economy, a combined
population of 3m and a workforce of
1.37m. Financial and professional services
account for 38% of the total output. Other key
sectors include construction and manufacturing,
digital and creative industries, retail, leisure and
the visitor economy.
Several major corporate
headquarters are based in
Leeds, such as Asda
Stores Ltd, BT, First
Direct, and Yorkshire
Bank; it’s home to
three
internationally
recognised
universities and
has one of the
largest teaching
hospital trusts in
Europe.
So, what does the
city do that makes it
work so well and
effectively in conferencing
and hospitality? Conversation,
collaboration and understanding the greater
good are important factors to this success
and while it is a fast-paced, thriving
contemporary city, it has some old-fashioned
values at its heart.
The Leeds Hotel and Venues Association
(LHVA) is well-connected and well-informed
operators.
LHVA is a membership driven, not-for-profit
organisation that acts as the collective voice of
the hospitality industry in Leeds. It provides a
one-stop shop for corporates and associations
looking to book conferences and hotels in Leeds.
Wayne Topley, GM of Queens Hotel and chair of
LHVA, and Leeds BID board member, explains:
“The offering Leeds has, I think, stands
apart from other towns and cities
in the north. We are fortunate
that we have a City Council
that sees the opportunity of
Leeds, and we have on
the horizon more space
opening up to
development in the city
that will improve the
style and volume of
events.
“Hotels and members of
LHVA are firmly anchored in
all of these organisations. We
have a voice around the table
and communication that happens on
a daily basis in the old-fashioned way of
face-to face conversation. While Leeds is a large
and
bustling city, those stakeholders share a
common goal of bringing people to Leeds and
showcasing what we have on offer.
www.conference-news.co.uk
The
offering
Leeds has, I
think, stands
apart from
other towns
and cities
in the
north
“Through collaboration, partner
hotels can offer a rate structure
across the whole city that allows
us to attract and support major
events, such as Light Night, which
brings thousands of people to
the city centre.”