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NEC Group: 1.6m visitors last year

18 Mar 2009

Exhibition stands, music concerts and sporting events were among the attractions that drew a total of 1.6 million visitors to two of Birmingham''s biggest venues in 2008.

The NEC Group notes the figures have been extrapolated from ticket sales to the National Indoor Arena and LG Arena - which was formerly known as the NEC Arena - over the course of last year.

During 2008, music acts such as Kings of Leon, Oasis and Coldplay, live events including the Horse of the Year Show and TV spin-off events like Strictly Come Dancing all took place at the exhibition centres.

Phil Mead, director of arenas at the NEC Group, said: "An attendance of 1.6 million people between our iconic venues is a number that not many other cities can boast."

He also noted the LG Arena is undergoing a £29 million improvement and refurbishment scheme.

Earlier this month, the LG Arena was ranked in first place in the Business and Leisure - Conference Centres category in the UK''s Business Superbrands survey, which was compiled by the Centre for Brand Analysis.