Corporate event management: HS2 will bring events further north, but will have to wait two decades

Date: 16/01/2012

Those involved in corporate event management have welcomed the go ahead for High Speed 2 (HS2).

It means there will be better opportunities for the industry in the north, with delegates being able to travel from London easily and quickly.

However, some events organisers have suggested that plans for the second phase of the high speed rail link should be brought forward, as the benefits will take 20 years to reach them, reports Event magazine.

Event venues in Birmingham, such as the NEC, would do well from HS2 earlier, as phase one is due to be complete by 2026.

Connecting Leeds, Manchester and Liverpool to the high speed line is not expected to come about until 2032, on the other hand.

Bob Prattey, chief executive of ACC Liverpool, told the news provider: "Our transport network is a vital component to attracting new events to our venue and the feedback we continually receive is the perception of our distance from London."

He went on to highlight the fact that UK corporate event venues have to compete with the whole European market and places such as France, Spain and Germany all have high speed rail infrastructure in place.

Matt Ward, spokesperson for Manchester Arena, said: "We welcome any improvements in connectivity to Manchester and look forward to the firm commitment to phase two of HS2 as soon as possible."

The events industry in the UK is hoping to see a lasting legacy of the 2012 Olympic Games as more people travel to the country.

This extends to venues outside of London, but travelling time will have an impact on how much of this momentum can be harnessed outside of the capital.

HS2 is proving to be a controversial move, as those against the plans worry it will ruin areas of outstanding natural beauty in the countryside. ADNFCR-2060-ID-801265502-ADNFCR