Coventry showcased as TMI Annual Convention comes to the city

Coventry has been showcased to leading national tourism figures and destination management organisations (DMOs) from across the country as part of a major convention held in the city.

More than 60 tourism leaders attended the Tourism Management Institute (TMI) Annual Convention was hosted by Coventry Conferences at Coventry University Technology Park – with more than 50 industry professionals joining online via live stream.

Leading figures in attendance included Nick de Bois, Chairman of the Visit England Advisory Board, Sally Balcombe, CEO of VisitBritain and Tourism Alliance’s Kurt Janson. They were joined by representatives from DMOs ranging in location from Cornwall to Durham.

Conference Coventry and Warwickshire facilitated bringing the national convention – which saw a focus on sustainability - to Coventry and worked closely with TMI to deliver the event. Tourism leaders arrived for a packed two-day schedule of events which began with a walking tour of the city to showcasing the changing face of Coventry as a result of City of Culture and significant investment in the public realm.

The tour saw TMI visit a cross-section of venues from across the city who were given a chance to showcase what they can offer to event organisers from outside of the region, and the first day closed in a private tour of the Turner Prize at the Herbert Art Gallery & Museum.

On day two, the convention itself saw key figures from Coventry City Council highlight £44 million investment in the public realm, range of new attractions and facilities being built, and the steps being taken to promote sustainability in the city.

TMI President Amanda Lumley opened the proceedings, before Cllr Jim O’Boyle, of Coventry City Council, welcomed delegates to the event.

Cllr O’Boyle said: “Coventry is open and welcome to visitors. We’re proud of our city and have been completing a number of projects to refresh it over recent years.
“Our projects and investments mix the old with the new. We have a great past and a great future as well.” David Nuttall, Strategic Lead City of Culture and Commonwealth Games at Coventry City Council discussed how major events are changing the face of tourism in the city and how public realm investment is affecting how people use the city centre.

Brett Willers, Head of Climate Change at Coventry City Council, highlighted the city’s pathway to sustainability and how it is positioned to be a green city of the future.

Amanda Lumley, President of the Tourism Management Institute, said: “‘TMI’ is the voice of destination management nationally and we represent destinations and associated organisations small and large cross the UK.

“We have had a fantastic two days in Coventry and really been looked after by the new ‘Visit Coventry’ team and Coventry Technology Park conference centre. It has been impressive to see what the city has achieved over the last two years as part of their City of Culture 2021 regeneration programme.

“Exploring all those areas which have been restored and revitalised demonstrates ‘place making’ at its best.”

Paul Jones, Managing Director of Conference Coventry and Warwickshire, added: “It was a pleasure to welcome key figures from the tourism sector and DMOS from across the country to Coventry for the TMI Annual Convention.

“It was a great platform to promote our city and shout about the improvements being made citywide to develop Coventry as a business and leisure tourism destination.

“Significant changes have been made and are being made across the city and there was a great sense of pride to have industry-wide peers join us in Coventry to see the scale and range of improvements.”