This month the International Convention Centre Wales broke ground on a new conference and events center in Newport, South Wales. The 280,000-square-foot conference venue is being constructed with local slate using sustainable practices and is expected to open in early 2019 with capacity for 5,000 delegates. The venue includes a 43,000-square-foot main hall, a 1,500-seat auditorium, 12 flexible meeting rooms, a double-height glass atrium for receptions and exhibitions, and a 26,000-square-foot plaza for outdoor events.
ICC Wales is a joint venture between the Welsh government and Celtic Manor Resort, which previously hosted and managed such large-scale events as the 2014 NATO Summit and the 2010 Ryder Cup. The convention center is located at the park-like Celtic Manor Resort, named “Best U.K. Hotel” in March 2017 at the Meetings and Incentive Travel Awards. The property includes three hotels, The Resort Hotel (334 guest rooms), The Manor House Hotel (66 guest rooms), and the recently refurbished Coldra Court Hotel (148 guest rooms). There are also several luxury lodges for rent, two spas, and six restaurants. The three championship golf courses, each with clubhouses available for rent, earned the resort the “Ultimate Golf Resort” award in 2015 and 2016. Ken Skates, Welsh government cabinet secretary for economy and infrastructure, says, “The ICC Wales will offer a completely fresh opportunity for the events industry with its extensive state-of-the-art facilities coupled with its excellent location and accessibility to some of Wales’ finest attractions and beauty spots. This development will place Wales firmly at the forefront of business tourism destinations.”
The convention center is 30 miles from both Cardiff and Bristol international airports and is a two-and-a-half hour drive from London on the M4.
