Leeds is promoting itself as an accessible conference destination with a variety of unique venues that collaborate well. The city has over 10,000 hotel rooms and a dedicated conference planning team that can arrange speakers, activities, and venues. Leeds aims to create unexpected, bespoke experiences by tapping into its strong industry connections and providing unrivalled access to thought leaders.

1. CONFERENCE-LEEDS.COM
CONFERENCE
LEEDS
FEEL THE CITY.
CREATE THE UNEXPECTED.

2. CONFERENCELEEDS

3. CONFERENCE-LEEDS.COM
PUTTING OUR CITY ATYOUR DISPOSAL

4. Leeds, where venues and
city leaders collaborate.
Where doors open to
world-class speakers.
Where delegates feel the city
and its vibrant attractions.
Where we create
the unexpected.
When it comes to conferences, Leeds
doesn’t do off the shelf, one size fits all.
We create the unexpected, with our venues
working together with city leaders to make
things happen. It’s like having Leeds at
your disposal.
Want prominent industry figures and
world-class speakers? No problem.
With connections to the people that
matter across key business sectors,
we can ensure your event programme
is like no other.
Want an authentic and inspiring delegate
experience? Look no further. The vibrant,
cosmopolitan atmosphere of our compact
city is made for great conferencing.
ANYTHING BUT ORDINARY
Victoria Quarter
Royal Armouries

5. CONFERENCE-LEEDS.COM
Northern Ballet
Opera North
Bundobust restaurant
Leeds Food and Drink Festival
Leeds Civic Hall

6. C
LEEDS
TRINITY
UNIVERSITY
20 min drive
BIRMINGHAM
LONDON
LIVERPOOL
MANCHESTER
EDINBURGH
PORT
OF TYNE
LEEDS
PORT
OF HULL
C
P
LEEDS
TRINITY
UNIVERSITY
20 min drive
U
O
1
BIRMINGHAM
LONDON
LIVERPOOL
MANCHESTER
EDINBURGH
PORT
OF TYNE
LEEDS
PORT
OF HULL
LEEDS CITY CENTREVENUE CLUSTERS
Leeds city centre’s compact nature means there are
clusters of venues just minutes apart. With venues
working together, it’s easy for us to create a bespoke
event proposition and delegate experience like no other.
LEEDS, THE ACCESSIBLE
CONFERENCE CITY
Located at the very heart of the UK,
on the crossroads of the M1 and M62
motorways, Leeds is one of the country’s
most accessible cities, with excellent
transport links by road, rail and air.
L O N D O N
175 MILES
TRAIN: 2HR
1 HR BY AIR
EDINBURGH
157 MILES
BIRMINGHAM
93 MILES
MANCHESTER
43 MILES
LIVERPOOL
64 MILES
2HR 57MINS
BY TRAIN
1HR 50MINS
BY TRAIN
2HR 15MINS
B Y R O A D
50MINS
BY TRAIN
AND ROAD
1HR 50MINS
BY TRAIN
1HR 30MINS
B Y R O A D
VENUES CAPACITY
first direct arena 13,500
Leeds United Conference & Events 1,600
Royal Armouries 1,250
Leeds Town Hall 1,200
West Yorkshire Playhouse 750
The Queens Hotel 600
University of Leeds 550
Well Met Conferencing 350
Leeds College of Music 350
The Carriageworks Theatre 349
Leeds Marriott Hotel 300
Hilton Hotel Leeds 300
Leeds Trinity University 280
The Met Hotel 250
Northern Ballet 230
Cosmopolitan 120
Malmaison 80

7. CONFERENCE-LEEDS.COM
SWINEGATE
BOAR LANE
INFIRMARYSTREET
THE CALLS
ETAGGIRB
VICARLANE
CALLLANE
NEW YORK ROADMERRION STREET
CLAYPITLANE
Millennium
Square
CIVIC HALL
PARKROW
CARRIAGEWORKS
THEATRE
FIRST DIRECT
ARENA
ASPIRE
NORTHERN
BALLET
LEEDS BECKETT
UNIVERSITY/
WELL MET
CONFERENCING
THE HEADROW
EASTGATE
WOODHOUSELANE
CALVERLEYSTREET
Leeds City
Museum
Corn
Exchange
The Tetley
art gallery
Leeds Art
Gallery &
Henry Moore
Institute
The Arcades
Victoria
Quarter
Victoria Gate
Opening 2016
Kirkgate
Market Bus station
TRINITY
SHOPPING
CENTRE
PARK
PLAZA
HOTEL
THE LEEDS
CLUB
RADISSON
BLU
MARRIOTT
HOTEL
MALMAISON
COSMOPOLITAN
42 THE CALLS
HOTEL
HORIZON
JURY’S INNHILTON
LEEDS CITY
LEEDS
STATION
NOVOTEL
CROWNE
PLAZA
DOUBLETREE
BY HILTON
THE MET
HOTEL
QUEBECS
HOTEL
THE QUEENS
HOTEL
LEEDS
TOWN HALL
LEEDS
COLLEGE
OF MUSIC
WEST YORKSHIRE
PLAYHOUSE
COOKRIDGESTREET
LEEDS UNITED
FOOTBALL CLUB
5 min drive
DS
NITY
VERSITY
min drive
BEWLEYS HOTEL
5 min walk
ROYAL
ARMOURIES
5 min walk
TEMPLE
NEWSAM
16 min drive
HAREWOOD
HOUSE
20 min drive
GREAT GEORGE STREET
BRIGGATE
UNIVERSITY
OF LEEDS
10 min walk
20 MIN WALK
CULTURE
FINANCIAL
RETAIL
KEY
SWINEGATE
BOAR LANE
INFIRMARYSTREET
THE CALLS
ETAGGIRB
VICARLANE
CALLLANE
NEW YORK ROADMERRION STREET
CLAYPITLANE
Millennium
Square
CIVIC HALL
PARKROW
CARRIAGEWORKS
THEATRE
FIRST DIRECT
ARENA
ASPIRE
NORTHERN
BALLET
LEEDS BECKETT
UNIVERSITY/
WELL MET
CONFERENCING
THE HEADROW
EASTGATE
WOODHOUSELANE
CALVERLEYSTREET
Leeds City
Museum
Corn
Exchange
The Tetley
art gallery
Leeds Art
Gallery &
Henry Moore
Institute
The Arcades
Victoria
Quarter
Victoria Gate
Opening 2016
Kirkgate
Market Bus station
TRINITY
SHOPPING
CENTRE
PARK
PLAZA
HOTEL
THE LEEDS
CLUB
RADISSON
BLU
MARRIOTT
HOTEL
MALMAISON
COSMOPOLITAN
42 THE CALLS
HOTEL
HORIZON
JURY’S INNHILTON
LEEDS CITY
LEEDS
STATION
NOVOTEL
CROWNE
PLAZA
DOUBLETREE
BY HILTON
THE MET
HOTEL
QUEBECS
HOTEL
THE QUEENS
HOTEL
LEEDS
TOWN HALL
LEEDS
COLLEGE
OF MUSIC
WEST YORKSHIRE
PLAYHOUSE
COOKRIDGESTREET
LEEDS UNITED
FOOTBALL CLUB
5 min drive
Y
e
THE CLAYTON
5 min walk
ROYAL
ARMOURIES
5 min walk
TEMPLE
NEWSAM
16 min drive
HAREWOOD
HOUSE
20 min drive
GREAT GEORGE STREET
BRIGGATE
UNIVERSITY
OF LEEDS
10 min walk
20 MIN WALK
CULTURE
FINANCIAL
RETAIL
KEY
CONFERENCE-LEEDS.COM

9. CONFERENCE-LEEDS.COM
“LEEDS IS A THRIVING, DIVERSE CITY AND ITS
EXCELLENT AIR, RAIL AND ROAD LINKS MEAN
IT’S EASILY ACCESSIBLE, MAKING IT PERFECT
FOR MEETINGS AND EVENTS.
AS ONE OF THE CITY’S LARGEST CONFERENCE
VENUES HERE AT THE UNIVERSITY OF LEEDS,
WE TAKE REAL VALUE IN THE COLLABORATIVE
ETHOS OF THE CITY.WE WORK CLOSELY
WITH OUR PEER EDUCATIONAL VENUES, AS
WELL AS CITY HOTELS AND ATTRACTIONS TO
ENSURE THAT THE DELEGATE AND ORGANISER
EXPERIENCE IS SECOND TO NONE.”
Beverley Kenny MBE
MEETinLEEDS, University of Leeds’
conference, meeting and events arm

11. CONFERENCE-LEEDS.COM
LOCATION,
LOCATION, LOCATION
Venues working together, from the
unusual to the inspirational

12. FROM THE UNIQUE TO THE BOUTIQUE,
THE CITY’S VENUES ARE AT YOUR DISPOSAL
Leeds United Football Club
Northern Ballet
Leeds Art Gallery
Henry Moore Institute
Brewery Wharf
Radio Design Ltd.
West Yorkshire Playhouse

13. CONFERENCE-LEEDS.COM
Compact and cosmopolitan,
Leeds offers a wealth of venues,
attracting visitors for world-class
sport, large scale association
conferences, live music and
cultural events.
It’s fair to say we know how to put on a
show. In 2013 we hosted the BBC Sports
Personality of the Year at the first direct
arena. In 2014 Le Grand Départ of the Tour
de France included events at The Headrow,
Harewood House and White Cloth Gallery,
while the National Teach First Conference
took over the city’s universities. The 2015
Rugby World Cup will take over two key
sites – Elland Road and a fan zone in the
heart of the city at Millennium Square.
ACCOMMODATION
• 2,141 4* hotel rooms
• 532 3* hotel rooms
• 1,208 budget hotel rooms
• 340 serviced apartment rooms
• 6,690 university
accommodation rooms
• 10,911 Total bed stock
The latest addition to Leeds is the first
direct arena. This 13,500 capacity innovative
super-theatre has already been voted
Best New Venue in the World 2014.
The city is also home to one-off spaces
like the Royal Armouries, heritage sites
such as Harewood House and civic venues
including Leeds Town Hall.
Our planning team can also afford access
to sports grounds like Elland Road, world-
class university facilities and stunning parks
as venues, ensuring your event is anything
but ordinary.
Leeds has a superb selection of hotels
and accommodation available at all levels,
with bed stock in the city centre currently
standing at 10,911.
And once the conference sessions have
finished, the opportunities for networking
are almost endless. It’s easy to walk
between over 300 bars and restaurants
serving over 30 world cuisines.
The Grand TheatreCovance
Jousting at the Royal Armouries
Leeds United Football Club trophy cabinet
Royal Armouries
National Physical Laboratory

14. EXPERIENCE THE UK’S
LARGEST COLLECTION OF ARMS,
ARMOUR AND ARTILLERY
AT THE ROYAL ARMOURIES

15. CONFERENCE-LEEDS.COM

16. CONFERENCE LEEDS:
UNITED BYVISION
Your dedicated planning team:
connected, collaborative, complete

17. CONFERENCE-LEEDS.COM

18. “AS THE UK’S LARGEST GRADUATE
RECRUITER, OUR ANNUAL RESIDENTIAL
TEACHER TRAINING EVENT REQUIRES
A COMBINATION OF ACCOMMODATION,
CATERING AND LEARNING SPACE FOR
OVER 3,000 PARTICIPANTS, TEACHERS
AND STAFF OVER A TWO WEEK PERIOD.
THIS IS NO EASY FEAT, BUT THANKS TO THE
COLLABORATION BETWEEN THE UNIVERSITY
OF LEEDS AND LEEDS BECKETT UNIVERSITY,
WE HAVE BEEN ABLE TO CONTINUE
OUR GROWTH WHILE ENSURING A
HIGH QUALITY DELEGATE EXPERIENCE.”
Teach First

19. CONFERENCE-LEEDS.COM
Key to our offer is our dedicated planning team. From venues
and accommodation to catering and logistics, we’ll work with
you at every stage and on every detail to deliver a conference
experience like no other. Whether it’s securing a performance
from Northern Ballet, a space that’s never been used before
or a unique guest speaker, we’re here to make it happen.
What’s more there is no additional charge for our services.
As members of the International Congress and Convention
Association we’re exceptionally well-connected and, as well
as having our own event planners, we work with leading
figures and venues across the city. It’s also your assurance
that Conference Leeds is recognised for providing services
of a remarkable standard.
As the pre-eminent Leeds conference desk, we have
very strong relationships with the principal figures in
all of the city’s venues.
By being at the centre of such an extensive list of partners
and professional contacts we not only act as a catalyst for
collaboration, we also offer unrivalled access to key people,
thought leaders and industry bodies, opening doors and
creating opportunities.
As a result, Leeds is a city united by vision, ready to
collaborate, drive the conversation forward and make
progress possible.
TAP INTO OUR UNIQUE CONTACTS
ENJOY UNRIVALLED ACCESS TO LEADING
INDUSTRY FIGURES AND BODIES
OUR SERVICES INCLUDE:
• Impartial venue location
and planning
• Bid production and budget planning
• Sourcing hotel accommodation
• An online accommodation booking
facility for delegates
• Event marketing, social media
and PR support
• Expert city knowledge
• Providing a dedicated coordinator
• Delegate welcome and information
• Familiarisation visits
• Leeds ambassador programme

20. LEEDS HAS PARTICULAR
STRENGTHS IN A RANGE
OF KEY SECTORS AND
A CONCENTRATION OF
EXPERTS IN EACH FIELD,
OFFERING YOU UNRIVALLED
ACCESS TO HELP SHAPE
YOUR CONFERENCE
PROGRAMME

21. CONFERENCE-LEEDS.COM
Health & Innovation
Financial & Professional Services
Digital & Information
Advanced Manufacturing

22. HOST YOUR HEALTH AND
INNOVATION EVENT AT THE
HEART OF THE UK’S HEALTH
AND INNOVATION HUB
As the UK’s first city of health innovation, Leeds
has a unique health and social care eco-system
and is proud of its collaboration across private,
public and voluntary sectors. We are one of the
recognised leaders in the UK in commissioning
and delivering integrated health and social care
services for the UK and internationally.
With such a concentration of medicine and
healthcare experts, a vast number of thought
leaders are on hand to help you shape
your programme.
UNRIVALLEDCONCENTRATION OF EXPERTS
AN
LEEDS IS HEADQUARTERS TO
4
OF THE MOST IMPORTANT UK
NATIONAL HEALTH SERVICE BODIES
NHS England, the Health and Social Care
Information Centre, the NHS Leadership
Academy and Health Education England.
Leeds is also home to the largest teaching
hospital in Europe.

23. CONFERENCE-LEEDS.COM
EVENTS FOR FINANCIAL AND
PROFESSIONAL SERVICES
IN THE UK’S SECOND CENTRE
FOR BANKING
Leeds City Region is the UK’s second centre
for banking and a major hub for professional
services. Over thirty national and international
banks are based here and Leeds is home to
the Bank of England’s only note issuing centre
outside of London.
As a result, there is no shortage of experts and
authorities across the whole range of professional
and financial fields ready and willing to share
their knowledge at your conference.
LEEDS HAS A COMBINED FINANCE,
LEGAL AND PROFESSIONAL SERVICES
SECTOR WORTH
IN BANKING ALONE
AND OVER
SKILLED
EMPLOYEES
£13BILLION
91,000
CONFERENCE-LEEDS.COM

24. DIGITAL AND INFORMATION
CONFERENCES IN THE UK’S
NORTHERN DIGITAL HUB
Our digital and information economy
underpins growth and innovation throughout
the Leeds City Region. We’ve got the highest
concentration of digital, data and technology
innovators in the UK, plus outstanding
connectivity that global businesses already
rely on, as well as plans to expand our
region’s capacity and resilience.
Digital excellence across the city offers a
unique opportunity for delegates to explore
Leeds’ digital innovation and cutting edge
technology – which ultimately impact on
businesses globally in our digital age.
GLOBAL
LEADER
A
IN BIG DATA
35%OF THE
UK’S
INTERNET TRAFFIC
IS HOSTED IN LEEDS
INTERNET
EXCHANGE
THE UK’S ONLY
OUTSIDE OF LONDON

25. CONFERENCE-LEEDS.COM
MAKE YOUR
MANUFACTURING EVENT
IN THE UK’S LEADING
MANUFACTURING CENTRE
Leeds has a long and distinguished heritage
as a centre of manufacturing innovation
and excellence and has the UK’s largest
manufacturing employment base.
We are home to world leading companies
in engineering, food manufacturing and
environmental technologies and over two thirds
of our manufacturers are engaged in advanced
processes, research and product development.
It is also the base of globally successful
companies making critical components
for construction in health, automotive,
aerospace and energy sectors.
With the historical and current concentration of
manufacturing and innovation that cuts across
sectors, Leeds offers a wealth of industry leaders,
all ready to add weight to your programme.
UK’S BIGGEST
MANUFACTURING
EMPLOYER
T H E
P E O P L E
160,000
DIVERSE MANUFACTURING
BUSINESSES
7,000
CONFERENCE-LEEDS.COM

27. FEEL
THE CITY
From shopping and fine dining,
to theatre and the arts, all within
easy reach of each other

28. Leeds is a magnet for shoppers, culture vultures and foodies. Its compact, cosmopolitan
centre is easy to explore and ripe for discovery in free time from your event. The city is
also a gateway to the stunning Yorkshire countryside – including two National Parks –
which was recently voted the best region in the world to visit by Lonely Planet.
To help make any stay a really great experience, the official website visitleeds.co.uk
is packed with guides, suggestions and insider information. It even lets visitors create
and download their own itineraries.
EXPLORE THE CITY WITH VISIT LEEDS
SHOPPING PARADISE
With over 1,000 shops, you’re never far
from a superb retail experience. Fans of
the high street can hit Trinity Leeds, the
city’s newest and largest shopping centre,
or if you’re looking for luxury brands head
to Victoria Quarter, home to Europe’s
largest stained glass window.
Vintage goods and boutique shops can be
found aplenty in Leeds Corn Exchange,
or stop by Leeds Kirkgate Market, one of
Europe’s largest covered markets, to browse
the vast array of independent stalls.
CULTURE AND HERITAGE
If culture is your thing, Leeds doesn’t
disappoint. It has more than its fair
share of stately homes, historic buildings,
museums and galleries to keep you
occupied. Highlights include Harewood
House, The Royal Armouries, Temple
Newsam, The Henry Moore Institute,
Leeds City Museum, Kirkstall Abbey
and the Leeds Art Gallery.
The city also boasts its own ballet and
opera companies, along with several
theatres and the iconic first direct arena.
2015 will see Leeds play host to the
British Art Show 8, cementing the city’s
credentials as an art destination.
THE GREAT OUTDOORS
Leeds is also within easy reach of some
of Britain’s most beautiful countryside.
There are two National Parks on the
doorstep, the Yorkshire Dales and the
North York Moors, offering endless
opportunities to explore dramatic and
diverse landscapes – as highlighted by the
routes of Grand Départ of the Tour de France
and Tour de Yorkshire cycle races.
Trinity Leeds

29. CONFERENCE-LEEDS.COM
FOR GASTRONAUTS
Leeds has a truly vibrant food and drink
scene, offering an ever-changing menu.
With flavours to savour and tastes to
tantalise, you can tuck into traditional
Yorkshire fare, the finest French cuisine,
hearty Brazilian dishes and zingy Thai
delights to name just a few. In fact
whatever kind of food you fancy, you can
eat your way around the world, from
restaurants with starched white tablecloths
to authentic street food stalls in the Trinity
Kitchen. So be sure to bring your appetite.
AFTER DARK
Whether you’re looking for somewhere to
network or let your hair down, there’s a rich
abundance of nightlife to enjoy in Leeds.
From cocktails served with panoramic
city views to diverse DJ sets and the best
in live music, the city caters to every taste
after dark. So whether you like it laid back
or lively, there’s always somewhere to
carry on the party.
SPORT FOR ALL
There’s all the sport anyone one could
hope to see in Leeds, from Super League
and international cricket at Headingley
Stadium to Championship football at
the iconic Elland Road.
Following on from the phenomenal
Grand Départ of the Tour de France,
the first ever Tour De Yorkshire cycle race
saw thousands flock here. While other
major sporting events coming to the
city include Rugby World Cup 2015.
SNAPSHOT OF THE CITY:
• Over 1,000 shops
• Over 300 bars and restaurants
• 4 major theatres
• Over 16 museums and galleries
• One of Europe’s largest
covered markets
• Ballet and opera companies
Belgrave Music Hall and Canteen
Yorkshire Carnegie
Victoria Quarter
North York Moors
Northern Ballet
Headingley Stadium

30. “WHEN YOU SAID YOU WOULD
DELIVER THE GRANDEST GRAND
DÉPART, IT WAS THE TRUTH. YOU HAVE
RAISED THE BAR FOR ALL FUTURE
HOSTS OF THE TOUR DE FRANCE.”
Christian Prudhomme
Director, ASO

31. CONFERENCELEEDS
FEEL THE CITY.
CREATE THE UNEXPECTED.

32. Get in touch to find out how we can help
you create the unexpected.
@CONFERENCELEEDS
CONFERENCE-LEEDS.COM
INFO@CONFERENCE-LEEDS.COM
+44(0)113 378 1183
CONFERENCELEEDS