Leicester to Host National Tourism Awards 2012

VisitEngland selects Athena as venue for Awards for Excellence ceremony
on 22 May 2012

Leicester Shire Promotions has announced that Leicester has been chosen
to host the prestigious national ceremony of VisitEngland’s Awards for
Excellence on 22 May 2012. National tourist board, VisitEngland selected
Leicester and the Athena, making it the first time that the national
finals have been held in the East Midlands.

The VisitEngland Awards for Excellence (known formerly as the Enjoy
England Awards for Excellence) have been running for 22 years and play a
major role in showcasing the fantastic range of high quality experiences
on offer for visitors in England. The Awards have had a hugely positive
impact on tourism in England providing a benchmark for all businesses to
aspire to and delivering widespread massive benefits to participants and
winners alike.

James Berresford, Chief Executive of VisitEngland said: “We are
delighted to award the honour of hosting of the ceremony, a prime
example of one of England’s most culturally diverse and exciting urban
centres. Athena is an art deco gem and will provide an iconic setting
for the awards.”

Martin Peters, Chief Executive of Leicester Shire Promotions added:
“This is a fabulous recognition of Leicester and Leicestershire’s
growing tourism credentials. We continue to target national events of
this stature to bring them to Leicester and Leicestershire. Working
closely with Athena on this particular bid has proven successful and
we’re confident that the Leicester ceremony will prove popular with the
cream of the English tourism industry.”

Hira Ram, Events Manager from Athena commented: “We are delighted to
host this prestigious event and be recognised as a leading venue for
national and international events. Athena is hosting a number of high
profile events during 2012 and we have no doubt that the VisitEngland
awards will be a highlight. We look forward to working with the
organisers to create the type of spectacular event we have become known
for.”

Originally designed in 1936 by Robert Arthur Bullivant as an Odeon
Cinema, the Athena venue represents one of the largest, most extravagant
buildings in the region. The Odeon closed as a cinema early in the 1990s
before being bought privately and restored to its former glory,
retaining its original art deco splendor. In 1998 Athena became a Grade
2 listed building. As a landmark building situated within the Cultural
Quarter of Leicester city centre, Athena combines original features such
as its exceptional acoustic insulation with state of the art technology.

About Leicester Shire Promotions:
Leicester Shire Promotions is a private, not-for-profit company formed
in July 2003 and is a partnership between Leicester City Council and
Leicestershire County Council. The company is the Destination Management
Organisation (DMO) responsible for promoting Leicester and
Leicestershire to visitors, based on a coordinated place marketing
strategy that focuses on destination leadership and coordination,
attracting and visitors, services for and visitors, and services for the
tourism industry. For more information, please visit
www.goleicestershire.com or follow us on Twitter @l_p_l

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