Bid to showcase city as a premier venue for events

SCORES of leisure businesses displayed their wares in a bid to boost Portsmouth's conference and event trade.
Guests discovering Portsmouth at the event organised by the Hampshire Conference BureauGuests discovering Portsmouth at the event organised by the Hampshire Conference Bureau
Guests discovering Portsmouth at the event organised by the Hampshire Conference Bureau

An event was held to showcase all the city has to offer and push Portsmouth as a premier venue to hold events.

Conference and event agents across from the UK were invited to the event, organised by The Hampshire Conference Bureau.

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Sales manager at Portsmouth Marriott Hotel Martin Waters said: ‘It was a fantastic event which showcased Portsmouth as a whole, to make it a destination to visit.

‘It was great to see all the businesses coming together and working to jointly to promote the city.’

Guests stayed at one of three participating hotels: The Solent Hotel and Spa, Holiday Inn Portsmouth or Holiday Inn Express Gunwharf Quays, each boasting different benefits.

On Friday, they went to the Portsmouth Marriott Hotel for dinner, then on Saturday guests had breakfast, followed by a tour of Portsmouth Guildhall.

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There was a networking lunch with various Portsmouth venue representatives. Guests then had opportunities to explore Gunwharf Quays, the Historic Dockyard, and the waterfront.

Saturday evening saw them take a tour of No Man’s Fort.

And after returning to dry land, delegates visited the Spinnaker Tower for a buffet reception.

The weekend concluded with a final night at the hotels.

On Sunday, visitors could go to some of Portsmouth’s best attractions including the D-Day Museum, Charles Dickens House and the Portsmouth Historic Dockyard.

Lesley James, an account manager from travel company ArrangeMy, said: ‘It was absolutely brilliant.

‘I had a fabulous time.

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‘So useful to see the different venues, experience the hotel and see something of the city.

‘The trip out to the fort was amazing as was the tower.’

Hannah Waller, event sales manager at Portsmouth Guildhall, said: ‘It was a jam-packed weekend full of a mixture of activities and dining and we got to showcase Portsmouth at its very best.’

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