Business is booming at conference venues with three-quarters of respondents to a nationwide survey reporting increased bookings compared with last year.

The British Association of Conference Destination’s (BACD) Venue Survey 2005, published today, found that bookings in 2004 were 10% up on the previous year. 

Figures were taken from 3,500 venues nationwide and based on a total of 1.4 million conferences held last year in the UK.

Venue income in 2004 was estimated at £12.9b, 67% higher than 2003’s £7.7b.

The survey also found growing optimism from those involved in conferencing, with 65% of respondents expecting even better to come.

The BACD survey, conducted across all conference desks and venues in the UK, found an average of 421 conferences were booked per venue in 2004. 

Peak months for conferences are March, September, October and November with the amount of residential conferences – now a third of all bookings – increasing year-on-year.

BACD chief executive Tony Rogers said: “Business is up, and destinations are optimistic about the future.”

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