EUROPE - The NEC Group is expanding its international activities, with a push on the European market as top priority.
NEC Group International, a new division of the UK-based venue management company, has been set up to develop a number of European opportunities in the conference, arenas, stadiums and exhibitions market. The division is headed by Koen Melis.
Prior to formally setting up the new division, the NEC Group has been trying to make the most of its position in the global marketplace by offering consultancy, including in the planning stages of Lyon’s Villeurbanne Arena, Rome’s Citta Dello Sport and Derby’s Multi-purpose Arena. These are in addition to the management contract for the Convention Centre Dublin, which opened in September 2010.
The group has also consulted on international venue projects including Asia-World Expo in Hong Kong, which opened in 2005; The Harpa Concert Hall and Conference Centre in Reykjavik, which opened last year; Nottingham Conference Centre, part of The University of Nottingham Trent; and the development of an operations manual for the Konstantinovsky Congress Centre, St Petersburg.
“For over 35 years, the NEC Group has brought many of the world’s best loved shows, greatest live entertainment and some of the most important business events to its venues, and has a wealth of experience in maximising the commercial opportunities for clients and the actual venues,” said Melis.
Recent partnerships have brought in international names like LG Electronics, following a £29m (US$45.5) redevelopment in 2009 that saw the NEC Arena become the LG Arena.
A new high-speed rail line is to be built between UK capital London and NEC home city Birmingham, following a thumbs-up from the government in January.
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