Transforming Telford

Telford and Shropshire Marketing Partnership (TSMP), part of Transforming Telford, was flying the flag for Ironbridge & Telford at the international showcase Chicago Sister Cities Conference.

The five-day event, which drew over 25,000 visitors to the ‘Birmingham and Heart of England’ stand in Daley Plaza as well as representatives from the American Travel Trade industry and Travel Press based in Chicago to a series of workshops, provided the perfect platform for TSMP to promote the distinctive leisure and business offer available in Telford and Shropshire.

A major highlight for the tourism team was the ‘Birmingham and Heart of England Day’, which offered a unique opportunity to showcase Shropshire’s very own world heritage site- Ironbridge Gorge, along with other top destinations within the area.

Sarah Bird, business tourism manager for Transforming Telford, said: “The series of events enabled us to network and forge strong business links with representatives from around twenty travel and trade agents globally, and extol the virtues of Telford and Shropshire’s unique business and leisure tourism offerings, establishing Ironbridge as an international tourist destination. The event allowed us to take full advantage of the region’s collaboration with Birmingham, which was named as one of the twenty-seven ‘Sister Cities’, alongside Moscow, Paris and Milan.”

Tim Manson from Marketing Birmingham, said: “The event gave a fantastic opportunity for Telford, Shropshire and Birmingham to join forces and create a multi-functional, multi-appeal offering to international visitors. Chicago is a very apt example of how a city has successfully marketed its credentials to the rest of the world, so the chance for Telford and Shropshire to shout about their business and leisure offerings was just too good to miss.”

Already Marketing Birmingham, TSMP and other regional partners are now developing a follow-up familiarisation visit over here next year, which will include a two-day tour for USA travel and trade agents to see the best the West Midlands has to offer.

If you would like additional information contact Sarah Bird on 01952 567567, or email sarah.bird@transformingtelford.co.uk.