The host city for the launch of the UK’s newest meetings and events show, Event UK, will be pulling out all the stops at the exhibition to focus visitors' attention on what it has to offer as a destination.

Claiming it “will be bringing the city to life” at the show, which runs from 16-17 Setember at the NEC, Birmingham Convention Bureau (BCB), run by Marketing Birmingham, has created an interactive stand.

Visitors can take a break from the show and relax at BCB’s own Birmingham Bar, which gives a flavour of the variety of drink and cuisine the city offers. Event UK is holding a drinks reception at the stand from 2pm to 3pm on both days, while BCB is plans networking drinks running from 12 noon to 4pm.

The homes of the city’s top sporting talent, Premiership club Aston Villa and Championship club Birmingham City, will both showcase their extensive conference facilities.

Other particularly interesting facets of the BCB stand include the Deaf Cultural Centre, the first of its kind in the UK, which will be promoting its flexible meetings spaces for up to 300. 

Meanwhile, newcomer to the show etc venues, which recently reported excellent financial results for 2007, will be showcasing its first national venue outside of London. Visitors to the stand can enter etc.venue’s competition to win a 12-week delivery of hampers direct to their homes or office.

Hotels featured on the BCB stand include the Belfry, currently undergoing a major redevelopment to become a five-star hotel; Ardencote Manor Hotel, Country Club & Spa in Warwickshire, which boasts 83 acres of landscaped grounds; and city centre properties the Radisson SAS Hotel housed in a 39-storey glass building, and the four-start deluxe Crowne Plaza.

Birmingham Convention Bureau will be at Stand V650 at Event UK. For more information visit birminghamconventionbureau.com