Talks to boost key conference trade

COUNCIL and business leaders will be quizzed this month over plans to boost Harrogate’s multi-million pound conferencing industry to address a dramatic decline in trade in recent years.
By The Newsroom
Published 4th Sep 2013, 01:01 BST

A conference will be held at the Harrogate International Centre (HIC) on September 24 to outline a strategy which has been drawn up to forge closer links between the venue and the spa town’s business sector.

Harrogate Borough Council’s chief executive, Wallace Sampson, and HIC director Simon Kent will be among key speakers who will take questions and listen to public views on how to increase trade.

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Mr Kent said: “It’s important that, if we invite busy people to give us their views on how HIC is run, we report back on what action we are taking - that’s why we want everyone who cares about Harrogate’s future to take up our invitation and come along.”

The HIC, which is owned and operated at arm’s length by the council, recorded a loss of about £1m in the last financial year and while the figure was lower than an initial prediction of £1.6m, directors admitted the conference and exhibition complex is in need of major investment.

Related topics:CouncilHarrogateHarrogate Borough Council