This year's St David's Day will see one of the biggest ever campaigns to promote Wales as a destination for meetings, conferences and business events.

In London, The forthcoming International Convention Centre (ICC) Wales is set to stage a ‘Welsh takeover' of the prestigious Meetings & Incentive Travel Magazine Awards 2019 – the “Oscars” of the meetings and business events industry. Over one thousand influential event organisers will be treated to a warm Welsh welcome featuring modern Welsh culture, food and entertainment. The evening will be compered by Welsh television presenter Gethin Jones.

The evening is set to reinforce the message that Wales is a great place to hold a conference or event as well as giving a flavour of what the new ICC Wales will feel like when the first conference delegates walk through its doors later this year. The message will be “Now is the time to Meet in Wales”.

ICC Wales Chief Executive Ian Edwards said:

“We are thrilled to be so closely involved on St David's Day with one of the industry's most anticipated events. With ICC Wales opening later this year, this is a fantastic platform for us, along with Welsh Government Business Events, to ride the wave of Welsh enthusiasm and show the industry just what our country can do when it comes to organising events.”

Ian continues:

“We are very proud of Wales as a destination, so this is the perfect opportunity to showcase our country's vibrant food, music and culture. We look forward to wowing everyone with our warm Welsh welcome – Wales is waiting for you!”

St David's Day will also mark the launch of the new Cardiff Business Events Partnership (CBEP), supported by Welsh Government Business Events in association with FOR Cardiff, Cardiff Council, Cardiff Hoteliers Association and Cardiff Venues. The partnership will see businesses collaborate to proactively promote Cardiff as a great events capital and provide seamless Cardiff city experiences to delegates attending meetings and events at ICC Wales as well as into the Cardiff Capital region.

The St David's Day business events' drive falls during Wales Week In London  (23rd February – 9th March 2019) which flies the flag for the country with a programme of events and activities designed to promote Welsh food, tourism, sport, business, tech, heritage, media, theatre and comedy.

Across the Atlantic, an exclusive selection of key North American event planners and buyers will also attend a gala dinner hosted by the Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama in New York City. The evening will include a special selection of music and drama performances celebrating Welsh and

American culture, with a special tribute to the award-winning Welsh actress, Catherine Zeta-Jones who will be in attendance. 2019 is the Year of Discovery for Wales – a campaign exploring what makes Wales an amazing and innovative destination for business events through its versatile meetings and events spaces, experiences and activities.

This spring will also see a programme of familiarisation visits designed to showcase Wales to international event planners from all over the world.