Meet Cambridge was chosen to represent one of just 30 hand-picked English destinations to take part in MeetEngland Virtual 2021, held over two half days earlier in February to accommodate attendees from different time zones.
Organised by Visit England, the event enabled Meet Cambridge to make appointments with buyers in one-to-one meetings, as well as man a virtual stand where buyers could chat with the team, download brochures or watch a Cambridge destination video.
Judith Sloane, Head of Meet Cambridge (pictured) said: “Over the course of the two sessions we met with 13 buyers in one-to-one meetings and many more in the networking hubs and on the stand. The showcase resulted in 350 new contacts which we are now following up. We were delighted to received two firm enquiries during the event itself for 2022, which have already been passed over to our venues.
“We spoke to attendees from the whole meetings mix: independent planners, incentive agencies, associations and corporate event organisers, all looking to discover Cambridge and to find venues for events ranging from 18 to 1000 people.
“There was great interest in the city and it’s very clear that when we can meet again and when travel is easier, groups will be very keen to come here. Our proximity to London, easy access, a wide range of venues and the opportunity to have a very different experience, as well as the potential for business event planners to tap into expertise whilst also enjoying Cambridge’s cultural offerings, were certainly attractive.
“We were thrilled to be chosen to showcase Cambridge alongside such other fantastic English destinations and very grateful to Visit England for the opportunity.”
A Welcome was given by Nigel Huddleston, Under-Secretary of State for Sport, Heritage and Tourism at the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, as well as a press briefing to share details of news and the offering of English destinations with worldwide press contacts.