ICC to mark three decades

The Queen opened the ICC on June 12 1991.

Its first event took place in April that year but it has been decided to celebrate 30 years after the official Royal opening.

The ICC was built on the site of the world’s first purpose-built exhibition space, Bingley Hall.

It hosted 1996 UEFA European Championship Finals Draw and the G8 Summit in 1998 and has been used for many political party conferences.

Janine Smith, who joined the ICC as an account manager in 1999 and is now venue sales director of NEC Group Conventions and Exhibitions, said of her time at the ICC: “It was a privilege to be part of the team at the ICC as it forged its reputation as a leading conference venue through the 90s and beyond. Like the team in position today, we were dynamic and ambitious, and we worked hard to attract an array of high-profile events early in the venue’s life. We built many fantastic relationships back then, which have only strengthened over the years and this has led to exceptional success for both organisers and the ICC.”

Allan Boyle, general manager of NEC Group Conventions and the lead on all operations at the ICC, said of the venue reaching its 30th birthday: “This is a special occasion for a venue that has given so much to the global events industry and the local region. Organisers, contractors and delegates across the world have an affinity to the ICC, just as much as the staff who have made thousands of events happen at the venue. We join all those who have made the last 30 years so special in celebrating this landmark birthday.”

Kelly Haslehurst, marketing director of NEC Group Conventions and Exhibitions, added: “It is fantastic to see our incredible venue reach this milestone. The ICC, and the events it has hosted, continue to be a source of great pride within the NEC Group. We are so used to looking ahead to what we can do next that this provides a welcome opportunity for us to actually look back and take stock of what we have achieved over 30 amazing years. We have not planned any celebrations at the venue due to the effects of the pandemic, however we are very much looking forward to welcoming people back soon and creating many more unforgettable experiences at the ICC.”