A thriving hub of business, culture and sport – Coventry and Warwickshire is offering a diverse range of experiences for organisers and delegates.
Recent tourism figures for Coventry have revealed 11.39 million people visited the city alone in 2023 and the value of the visitor economy has risen to a record £855 million.
Coventry and Warwickshire’s superb location and connectivity together with its heritage offer have been major drivers behind this and the city offers a great selection of experiences and attractions for event organisers to bolt-on when hosting a conference, exhibition or business event. Delegates can experience four excellent heritage locations on a short visit to the city centre’s Cathedral Quarter, with the breathtaking Coventry Cathedral and its adjacent Cathedral Ruins, 14th century St Mary’s Guildhall, the Herbert Art Gallery & Museum and Coventry Transport Museum which are all a stone’s throw away.
The Herbert Art Gallery is currently home to world-famous dinosaur Dippy the Diplodocus, while Coventry Transport Museum houses the largest publicly owned collection of British vehicles on
the planet and offers opportunities to reflect on Coventry’s impact on the global automotive industry.
Coventry held the prestigious title of UK City of Culture in 2021 and culture vultures should visit Coventry Music Museum or take in a production at The Belgrade Theatre. Visitors can also enjoy the heritage and culture of Warwickshire, home to iconic Warwick Castle and a certain world-famous playwright. Of course, a trip to William Shakespeare’s birthplace of Stratford- upon-Avon is a must for any visitors to the area, while visitors can also take a relaxing boat trip down the idyllic River Avon or enjoy a stellar day of racing at Warwick Racecourse or shopping and architectural admiration in Royal Leamington Spa.
There’s plenty to enjoy for food lovers in the region too, with options ranging from vineyards like Blabers Hall, to Michelin star restaurants and distilleries, such as Shakespeare Distillery.
A diverse range of conference and event venues are available for event organisers throughout the area – and Conference Coventry and Warwickshire, part of DMO Destination Coventry, provides a free event enquiry service and support to organisers. Paul McMahon, Managing Director of Destination Coventry, said: “Coventry and Warwickshire is a dynamic destination
with a proud history and an exciting future, fuelled by our history, heritage and benefiting from being at the forefront of key sectors like automotive, advanced engineering and green technologies.
“This is a region going from strength to strength. We’ve seen new hotels open their doors, such as Hotel Indigo in the city centre, which have seen immediate success and have demonstrated the growing appeal of the region. It’s a great time to host an event here with outstanding venues, a strong supply chain and attractive incentives to add value and enhance experiences.”