Where to Stay in Birmingham for Conferences, Events & Exhibitions
If you’re planning to visit Birmingham for a major conference, event, or exhibition, you’re not alone! The city has become a major hub for these events and conferences over the years, becoming the UK’s second-biggest city in this category. It has a lot to offer, including the iconic Jewellery Quarter, unique arts and crafts, Sutton Park, and a lot more. There are several major events taking place here throughout the year, including the Birmingham International Carnival, Birmingham Pride Festival, BBC Proms in the Park, and the Great Birmingham Run.
The city’s canal network gives it a Venice-like vibe, and it also has a rich cultural circuit on offer for visitors. You will find the city’s Industrial Revolution-era history fascinating and also its connections to manufacturing and industry alike. The Jewellery Quarter is a major craftsmanship hub, and it also showcases a vast collection of art from the Pre-Raphaelite era. Sutton Park is also the biggest urban park in Europe and offers some wonderful green spaces for both leisure and recreation.
Popular Event/Conference Venues (NEC, ICC, Arena Birmingham)
Birmingham already has several popular conference or event zones. Some of them include the following:
NEC (National Exhibition Centre)- The NEC is a vast event and exhibition complex that offers ample space for mega trade shows, festivals and consumer events. There is 200,000+ square metres of exhibition space here, and it functions as a 24/7 event destination with multiple venues. It is situated just outside the city in Solihull.
ICC (International Convention Centre)- It is a popular meeting and conference venue right in the Birmingham city centre. Several performances and other events are held here throughout the year. There are numerous executive meeting rooms and multiple halls, along with meeting spaces and flexible configurations for diverse needs.
Utilita Arena Birmingham- You will find this venue to be an incredible option for big-scale sporting events and music concerts. Several family entertainment and comedy shows are held here annually. There are 100+ events taking place here every year, and they attract a large number of visitors as well. The location is just near the city centre in central Birmingham.
Best Areas to Stay Near These Venues
You will find several popular areas to stay near these leading event venues and destinations. Some of them include the following:
For the ICC & Symphony Hall- If you’re looking to stay near the International Convention Centre (ICC) and the Symphony Hall, then the ideal choice is the City Centre. This area also offers plenty of shopping, dining, and entertainment options for you to explore. The biggest benefit is that you can easily access multiple landmarks and amenities in the neighbourhood. It is ideal for business events, cultural performances, and conventions.
For the NEC (National Exhibition Centre) and Resorts World Birmingham- This is where you’ll find the NEC/Airport area really convenient. It will help you attend events at The Vox and NEC with easy access to accommodation options and, most importantly, the Birmingham Airport. It is an ideal destination for consumer events, concerts and mega trade shows.
Solihull- This area is only a short distance away from the NEC and is home to several restaurants and accommodation options. It is also a pocket-friendly zone with quieter surroundings in comparison to places just in the vicinity of the NEC.
Business District- Areas like Brindleyplace and others within the Business District offer a great combination of top restaurants, bars, serviced apartments and a lot more.
You can also consider staying near prominent transportation hubs like the New Street Station. This will help you enjoy great connectivity to several events held throughout the city.
Benefits of Serviced Apartments for Event Attendees
There are several advantages of serviced apartments if you want to attend events and exhibitions in Birmingham. You will find them strategically located in prime areas near major events and conference venues along with exhibition centres. They offer flexible leases, and you can stay as long as you like. You will also find their rates affordable, particularly for long-term stays. At the same time, they also come with abundant space, home-like comfort and privacy, while offering hotel-like amenities like concierge services and access to on-site recreational amenities.
So, instead of opting for a regular hotel, it is a better choice to book a serviced apartment in Birmingham instead. You’ll find it a bigger value proposition.
Transport & Connectivity
Birmingham offers excellent transportation and connectivity options. You can access the Birmingham Airport easily with a two-minute free people mover service linking to the terminal. This is through the Birmingham International station. The Air-Rail Link also runs from around 03:30-00:30 on a daily basis. Then there is the Birmingham New Street Station, which is the main station in the city centre for local and intercity train services.
You may also take CrossCountry or Avanti West Coast trains to New Street from Birmingham International. There are other direct trains going to cities like Worcester, Leicester and Wolverhampton from Birmingham New Street as well. If you’re staying in or near the city centre, you can take a train to the Birmingham International Station from Birmingham New Street. The journey takes about 10-2 minutes on average, while trains run frequently, particularly at peak times. Make sure you book your tickets in advance to get the best possible fares. A Railcard is a good option to get attractive fare discounts as well.
Conclusion
As you can see, Birmingham is a major hub for exhibitions, events and conferences. So, you can take your pick from the list of areas mentioned above in terms of planning your stays near these leading venues. You can rely on verified providers like TheSqua.re to get the best serviced apartments at reasonable rates in these locations. Make sure you have a checklist of your desired amenities and compare prices before making a final choice. On that note, here’s wishing you a wonderful stay in Birmingham on your upcoming business trip.