EUPRERA Congress brings international speakers to Well Met's Rose Bowl
September 2011
Well Met Conferencing's flagship venue the Rose Bowl welcomed over 200 delegates from over 30 countries last week (8-10 September) for the European Public Relations Education Association and Research (EUPRERA) Annual Congress 2011. Following a successful conference in Finland in 2010, the congress made its way to Yorkshire for the first time.
The Congress was themed this year around Public Relations in a Time of Turbulence and welcomed international speakers including Dr Joep Cornelissen on Corporate Communication, Dr David McKie of Waikato Management School, New Zealand on 'artful approaches', Robert Hastings, former Acting Assistant Secretary of Defence for Public Affairs and Michael Murphy, Global CEO of Grayling.
Prof Anne Gregory, Conference Chair for the EUPRERA Congress and Head of Public Relations at Leeds Metropolitan University, said: "The event last week brought a great buzz to the city and I'm delighted that we were successful in our bid to bring the conference to Leeds.
"We had such high calibre academic and practitioner speakers at this year's event and some excellent sessions, many of them prompting stimulating debate, took place. Public Relations in a Time of Turbulence was our theme this year which covered all areas of economic, social and political 'turbulence'. The conference definitely lived up to its name, producing an exciting and lively event."
As well as two days of presentations, workshops and debate on some of the major issues and challenges facing Public Relations, delegates also enjoyed a Taste of Yorkshire buffet courtesy of one of the event's sponsor, Asda.
Penny Wymer, one of the event organisers for the EUPRERA Conference, said:"I want to express my sincere thanks and gratitude for the wonderful job both the Well Met conferencing and catering teams did at the EUPRERA Congress last week.
"The event was a huge success and we received many compliments about the venue, organisation, food and the helpfulness of the staff. No request was too much and the team helped to avert many a crisis both before and during the conference.
"The event represented Leeds Met at its best."
Kate Davis, Business Development Manager for Well Met Conferencing, said: "With the largest public relations department in Europe at the University, it seems only fitting that the EUPRERA Conference was held in Leeds. We're delighted to have been chosen to host the event and the Rose Bowl, with its modern surroundings and state of the art facilities, provided an excellent backdrop."
The award-winning Rose Bowl is a landmark venue for Leeds and, as well as being home to the Leeds Business School, this state of the art development features the very latest in modern conferencing facilities and design. Ideal for banquets, receptions, conferences, exhibitions, meetings and training the Rose Bowl has hosted a number of significant events ranging from the Northern Ballet fundraising dinner, the Academy of Marketing Annual Conference to the Leeds Architecture Awards.
This prestigious venue has quickly accumulated a number of awards including the Yorkshire Business Insider Award for Best New Venue in Yorkshire 2010, Best Development and Design Excellence gongs at the Yorkshire Property Industry Awards.
