ICC Wales, South Wales’ state-of-the-art convention centre, has announced that it will host the Royal College of Midwives (RCM) Annual Conference this October.
Attracting around 3,500 delegates, the three-day conference is set to be one of the largest events at the venue to date, with an estimated 2.1m economic impact for the region.
The conference was originally planned to take place at the venue in 2020 but was postponed due to ongoing Covid restrictions. Set up to promote safety in maternity services, the Royal College of Midwives – known as the voice of midwifery – is the only professional organisation and trade union dedicated to serving midwifery and the whole midwifery team.
ICC Wales is a fitting venue for the event, situated next to partner venue Celtic Manor, which in 1940 was given to the local health authority and opened as the Lydia Beynon Maternity Hospital. Over the next 35 years, more than 60,000 babies were to be born there until it closed in 1975 and later became a hotel.
ICC Wales Chief Executive Ian Edwards said: “We look forward to welcoming the Royal College of Midwives to South Wales for their postponed 2021 event, enabling their members to get together to facilitate the crucial sharing of knowledge and best practice. In the run up to the event we will be working with their team to deliver an outstanding event which is personalised to them and their needs.”
Jo Tanner, Director of Communications & Engagement, Royal College of Midwives said: “We are so looking forward to being able to welcome delegates to Newport – two years late, but better late than never! RCM conferences are always joyful occasions, but, after the experiences of the past few years, this year will be even more poignant. We have an excellent programme and an excellent venue to deliver it too.”
As the first large-scale convention centre in Wales, ICC Wales establishes Wales as a major destination for business events. The venue can accommodate more than 5,000 delegates and includes a 4,000sqm pillar-free main hall, a 1,500-seated auditorium, 15 flexible meeting rooms, a double-height glass atrium and a 2,500sqm outdoor plaza.
