03-22 Destination of the month: Belfast, Northern Ireland

Belfast is bustling, writes Ellie Evans. the UK’s second fastest-growing knowledge economy is home to more than 1,200 international investors, including a number of US cyber security firms, along with its two universities and internationally recognised research centres, many focused on precision medicine.

From epic visitor attractions to hidden bars filled with local musicians, there's craic aplenty – but the city has a serious side, too. Life and health sciences and the financial and business services sectors are flourishing; Belfast has one of the fastest growing tech clusters in the UK and is the world’s top region for fintech inward investment.

Visit Belfast has launched a new £1m conference support scheme for association organisers with financial support packages from £5,000 - £100,000 for events taking place up to 2030. Little surprise there’s a packed calendar of events this year in a city well served by two airports with a rich maritime and cultural heritage to explore as Belfast leaves political unease behind and plots a course for calmer waters.

ICC Belfast is Northern Ireland’s only purpose-built international convention centre, and recent investment has boosted its tech capabilities for hybrid events. It can host up to 5,000 delegates and offers some 20 rooms for break-out sessions. 2022 sees a host of associations hosting their events there including the British Association of Spine Surgeons in March and the International Association of Teachers of English as a Foreign Language in May.

The atmospheric Queen's University is rightly popular as a venue - the Art-Deco style Sir William Whitla Hall can accommodate 1,250 seated - or do time at the atmospheric Crumlin Road Gaol which has conference space for 260. The Titanic Exhibition Centre is a great alternative city centre venue for up to 3,000 while Crowne Plaza Belfast can accommodate 1,400 in its 21 meeting spaces, and also has 153 bedrooms.

Greater Belfast boasts almost 5,300 bedrooms across its 44 hotels with a whopping £650m invested in the past five years: the Titanic Hotel, opened in 2017, nods to the city's past while the five-star Merchant offers ornate elegance throughout its 62 rooms in the former HQ of the Ulster Bank. Or for something completely unique, check out the quirky 13-room Harrison Chambers of Distinction.

The staff went above and beyond, working all hours to ensure it was successful.

"We have taken events to Belfast three times now and always found the city to be very welcoming, Visit Belfast are excellent and do everything in their power to assist, helping with venue searches and funding as well as delegate pre- and post-tours," says Marie-Anne James, managing director of Eyas Events, which organised the European Association for Behavioural and Cognitive Therapies Annual Congress in September 2021, ICC Belfast’s first fully hybrid large-scale event.

"The staff went above and beyond, working all hours to ensure it was successful. You cannot find fault with the ICC, they are all very professional and friendly. I would always highly recommend them. Belfast itself is a vibrant, music-loving, foodie heaven. There is so much to see with the superb black cab mural tours, the Titanic Museum, Game of Thrones tours and everywhere you go people are welcoming. It is always a good day in Belfast!"