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Why hold your conference in Brighton?

A man somersaulting on Brighton beach at sunset.

Ok, we're biased! But with reason. There are a multitude of reasons why bringing your conference or event to Brighton makes perfect sense. A dynamic and unique destination, with great facilities, here's our Top 10 reasons  for choosing Brighton as a conference venue:

1. It's accessible - Brighton is 30 minutes from Gatwick, 60 minutes from London, and 90 minutes from Dover, Folkstone and Heathrow. It is also well-connected across the South of England via the M25, M23/A23, and the A27. 
    
2. It's compact - Most of the conference venues are within 10 minutes of each other and the train station. You really can walk everywhere. 
    
3. It's by the sea - Brighton has the most cosmopolitan beachfront in the country including an artists quarter, one of the best restaurants in the county, the first permanent UK beach sports venue, a lagoon, interactive kids play areas, a pier and one of the UK's largest marinas. There are also two blue flag beaches not to mention a huge range of funky bars and cafes.  

4. It's the largest conference destination in the South East and has:

  • 4500 seats at the Brighton Centre
  • 4300 rooms in 160 hotels, with just under 1000 additional hotel rooms planned for the next 3 years, including an ulra-modern myhotel and a Jury's Inn
  • over £20 Million invested in major hotels over the last 3 years
  • £10 Million invested on Royal Pavilion Estate in last 5 years.

5. It's got award winning eating and drinking - Brighton has over 400 restaurants, more per head of population than anywhere outside of London. Recently voted best for food in England outside of London, by both the Observer Food Awards and Hardens Food Guide, you're pretty much guaranteed some top notch food if you hold a conference in Brighton.

6. It's got a relaxed, free-thinking atmosphere - Brighton is a creative city energised by close proximity to the beautiful South Downs countryside and the sea. The city has the highest proportion of graduates per head, as well as one of the country's most thriving creative industries.

There's also a huge choice of independent shops, restaurants, hotels and experiences in general to be had. As a result, it provides an enticing and popular backdrop to any conference in Brighton. 

7.  It's constantly re-generating:

  • The Brighton I-360 is underway - an exciting new 180 observation tower from the people behind the London Eye.
  • The Jubilee Library is one of the greenest public buildings in the country and was nominated for the Stirling Prize in 2005.
  • A £235 million development of Brighton Marina, including 420ft viewing tower, new café's, restaurant and performance stage, is planned.
  • A new International Arena and Ice Rink is planned for Black Rock. The arena will house 7,500 seats.
  • A new leisure / housing complex designed by Frank Gehry is planned for Hove seafront.

8. It's a 'Green' city - Brighton was recently voted the healthiest place in the country, as well as the Green Capital of Britain and has:

  • a low emission, award winning bus service
  • a ground breaking library with an Observer sustainability award
  • hotel and conference venues that are increasingly focusing on green issues, with many implementing energy saving devices
  • hotels and award winning restaurants who are increasingly sourcing produce from local farms or offering organic fare.

9. It's a cultural city, with a great cosmopolitan vibe and is:

  • described as 'One of England's Gems' by the Lonely Planet
  • the 4th most popular UK city (lastminute.com)
  • the location of England's largest Arts Festival
  • bursting with over 400 restaurants (the most outside London)
  • brimming with 100's of independent shops, hotels and bars.

10. It's a wireless city - in today's fast moving business environment, most of us need fast access to the web. Brighton is one of the top cities in Europe for Wi-Fi access and you'll never be more than 10 minutes away from free wireless Internet access - key for most delegates attending conferences in Brighton. Blanket coverage is also planned for central Brighton next year.

Find out more about choosing Brighton for conferences
If you want to find out more about Brighton as a conference venue, call 01273 292629or email us on conferences@brighton-hove.gov.uk.


For more information on group activities, ideas for social programmes and city meetings' facilities, click here to visit the travel industry homepage.
For a quick and easy search to find out more about the city's conference, exhibition & meetings space venues and capacity, click straight through to Venues.