Cambridge’s position as a leading destination for business events has received a significant boost following the announcement that Cambridgeshire and Peterborough has been awarded Local Visitor Economy Partnership (LVEP) status by VisitEngland.
LVEPs are part of a national framework led by VisitEngland to strengthen destination management and grow England’s visitor economy. Meet Cambridge, the official conference and events bureau for Cambridge, believes the designation will strengthen the region’s ability to compete for conferences, meetings and events on both the national and international stage.
By creating a more joined-up regional approach, LVEP status provides a stronger platform to showcase the breadth of venues, experiences and expertise available across Cambridge and the wider region.
Andrew Bell, Head of Meet Cambridge, said: “This is an important moment for the business events sector in Cambridge. LVEP status gives us a clearer, more unified regional voice, which is essential when competing in the international meetings market. It strengthens how we position Cambridge not just as a standalone destination, but as part of a wider, connected visitor economy.”
The new status will also help strengthen connections between the business events and leisure sectors, creating opportunities to increase the economic impact of conferences and meetings through extended stays, repeat visits and wider engagement with the destination.
Bell continued: “There is real value in encouraging delegates to extend their stay, return with family, or combine business trips with leisure experiences. LVEP status helps build a stronger relationship with Visit Cambridge and others, ensuring leisure and business event expertise are better connected and mutually supportive, creating a stronger overall visitor economy for Cambridge and the wider region.”
The status recognises areas with the ambition and capability to drive growth and provides direct engagement with government, including the Department for Culture, Media & Sport, as well as input into the emerging national Visitor Economy Strategy.
For Cambridgeshire and Peterborough, this will support further growth in a sector already contributing around £2 billion annually and supporting approximately 40,000 jobs.
