Belfast is being hailed as the up-and-coming destination for savvy event professionals in search of a hidden gem. This vibrant and compact city is a world leader in cyber-security, agri-food, financial technology and creative industries.
WOW FACTOR
Name: Titanic Belfast
Address: 1 Olympic Way, Queen’s Road, Belfast, BT3 9EP
Tel: 028 9076 6386 Web: www.titanicbelfast.com
Voted the World’s Leading Visitor Attraction in the 2016 World Travel Awards, this impressive building offers two floors of dedicated conference and banqueting facilities as well as its popular interactive visitor galleries. The Titanic suite – with a replica staircase from the Oscar-winning film – is the backdrop for events. Bespoke day delegate packages are available and start from £25 per person.
QUIRKY VENUE
Name: Crumlin Road Gaol
Address: 53-55 Crumlin Road, Belfast BT14 6ST
Tel: 028 9074 1500
Web: www.crumlinroadgaol.com
With a range of modern conferencing and hospitality facilities, Belfast’s Victorian prison – in use for 150 years from 1846 – is an unusual space for events. Options include the Governor’s Boardroom and The Scullery. Private tours offer guests the chance to visit cells and wander the tunnels to the nearby courthouse. DDRs start from £16 per person.
ON A SHOESTRING
Name: Assembly Buildings
Address: 2-10 Fisherwick Place, Belfast, BT1 6DW
Tel: 028 9041 7200
Web: www.assemblybuildings.co.uk
Following an £8million refurbishment, the former Presbyterian church headquarters offers state-of-the-art technology in a historically rich environment. The city centre venue provides a range of unique spaces which can accommodate from as few as ten delegates in a boardroom or one of the elegant meeting rooms, up to as many as 1,150 attendees in the Assembly Hall. Enquire for delegate rates and further info
SMALL BUT PERFECTLY FORMED
Name: Bullitt Belfast
Address: 40A Church Lane, Belfast, BT1 4QN
Tel: 028 9590 0600
Web: www.bullitthotel.com
Belfast’s newest hotel likes to do things differently, offering 45 rooms – from ‘dinky’ to ‘roomy’ – rainfall showers, grub-to-go bags and king-sized beds. The hotel makes a virtue of its hip design, and features a buzzing espresso bar, Taylor and Clay restaurant, rooftop bar and the private hire Good Room. Half-day hire of the latter costs £150; a full day is from £250.
WIRED UP
Name: Belfast Waterfront
Address: Lanyon Place, Belfast, BT1 3WH
Tel: 028 9033 4400
Web: www.waterfront.co.uk
Belfast’s award-winning conference centre added a 4,000m2 extension in May 2016. Offering the latest AV tech and wifi, the building has capacity for over 2,200 delegates and offers functional exhibition and breakout spaces with views over the river Lagan. Belfast Waterfront is adjacent to the Hilton Belfast and within minutes’ walk of 20 city centre hotels. Enquire for delegate rates and further info.
OUT OF TOWN
Name: Culloden Estate & Spa
Address: Bangor Rd, Holywood, Belfast BT18 OEX
Tel: 028 9042 1066
Web: www.hastingshotels.com
Overlooking Belfast Lough and the County Antrim coastline, the Culloden Estate and Spa was built as a palace for the Bishops of Down and stands in 12 acres of secluded gardens and woodland minutes from Belfast. Elegant meeting spaces are combined with highly-rated service. DDR packages start from £55 per person.
GETTING THERE
Belfast is easily accessible from the UK with over 230 flights a week to and from London alone. The city has two airports (Belfast City and Belfast International), both located close to the city centre and they are served from over 20 cities around the UK.
FURTHER INFORMATION Contact the Visit Belfast Business Tourism team for advice on all aspects of organising a conference or event in the city: conference@visitbelfast.com / visitbelfast.com/conference / 028 9023 9026 / @visitbelfastbiz
