UKinbound is delighted to announce that its 2027 Annual Convention has been awarded to Newcastle Gateshead on behalf of the North East.
The winning bid was submitted by Newcastle Gateshead Initiative (NGI)’s multi-award-winning convention bureau as part of a competitive tender process, with the two‑day flagship event confirmed to take place at The Glasshouse International Centre for Music and other venues across the heart of the region in February 2027.
Building on the success of England’s first Destination Development Partnership Pilot (DDP), which ends in April after four years of trailblazing work, the convention’s arrival in the North East presents a fantastic opportunity for the whole region to come together to share ideas and learnings and explore opportunities for partnerships across the industry.
The DDP has helped unlock the North East’s untapped potential, delivering a step-change in region-wide travel trade engagement and enabling the area to deliver a collaborative, joined-up travel trade programme for the first time in over a decade.
The announcement comes at an exciting time for the region’s visitor economy, which will see increased investment and capacity to create a new, regional marketing and product development body, which will continue the progress made under the DDP and drive forward the North East’s ambitions to double the value of the sector and increase visitor numbers by the end of the decade.
Expected to sell out, the Annual Convention will welcome more than 400 tourism professionals from across the UK’s inbound sector, bringing together businesses such as attractions, accommodation providers, transport and aviation companies, alongside tour operators and international trade buyers responsible for delivering visitors to the UK from key markets such as the USA, Europe and Asia.
Alongside an inspiring keynote speaker address, the programme will feature topical industry seminars and workshops, and a full day of B2B meetings, all providing actionable insights to help businesses grow and remain resilient in a changing global landscape.
Delegates will also have the opportunity to explore the region’s rich and varied tourism offering, including its stunning coastlines, untouched countryside and vibrant towns and cities. UKinbound and NGI will deliver a programme of familiarisation trips to strengthen relationships between inbound buyers and the North East England’s visitor economy.
Joss Croft OBE, CEO at UKinbound said, “We are very excited to announce Newcastle Gateshead as the host destination for our 2027 Annual Convention. The bid from Newcastle Gateshead Initiative was exceptional, demonstrating a real ambition to work with the travel trade and a clear vision for growing international visitor numbers to the region.
“Latest research shows that UKinbound operators facilitate more than half of all inbound visits to the United Kingdom, so this is a great opportunity to showcase a North East England for international audiences.
“With its vibrant cultural scene, iconic landmarks, heritage, hospitality, fantastic local partners and above all that famous North East welcome, we have no doubt that Newcastle Gateshead will provide an outstanding Convention experience for our delegates.”
Dr Sarah Green OBE, Chief Executive of NewcastleGateshead Initiative welcomed the announcement, “We are delighted to be given the opportunity to welcome hundreds of tourism professionals to our wonderful part of the world as we play host to the 2027 UK Inbound Convention. Hosting the Convention in NewcastleGateshead allows us to champion and share the trailblazing work we’ve delivered as England’s first Destination Development Partnership Pilot, as we look ahead to an exciting future for our visitor economy, with increased investment and capacity to deliver on our ambitions.
“We can’t wait to showcase all the region has to offer, from our breathtaking coastlines, lively towns and cities and wild and wonderful countryside. Delegates will get to experience our outstanding culture and heritage, experience some unforgettable adventures and encounter our world-famous North Eastern hospitality as we come together to share ideas and launch a new era of travel trade partnerships.”
