News release

NEWS RELEASE

12 February 2014
NEW £1.5M EVENT AND CONFERENCE HALL NEARS COMPLETION AT
THE KENT EVENT CENTRE

-Improved facility already attracting more bookings at county’s largest exhibition venue-

A new £1.5 million conference and events facility is due to open at the Kent Event Centre near Maidstone this spring, strengthening its position as the largest and most flexible venue in the region.

The new single span building is already attracting business to the Detling site – the Kent Invicta Chamber of Commerce has chosen to use the space to host its annual Construction Expo in October 2014.
Kent Event Centre manager Alison Wallington said: “This investment further enhances the already excellent range of facilities here and I’m delighted to have attracted this major regional exhibition for the construction and building sector.
“The building is generating a lot of interest from prospective customers and I’m confident it will enable us to break into new markets in the years ahead.”
The facility is 44 metres wide and 72 metres long and will seat up to 4,000 people in theatre style. Construction started in October and the building should be ready to start hosting events from the end of April. It will be officially opened by the Kent County Agricultural Society at the Kent County Show in July.

Alison said the investment, boosting choice and capacity for clients, was already paying dividends in attracting more bookings. “By improving facilities and maintaining a clear focus on customer service, we are looking forward to a very successful future.

“We are hosting more than 60 public events this year plus conferences, training courses and meetings, and this investment underlines our status as the premier venue in the region.”

News that the Kent Invicta Chamber of Commerce’s annual Construction Expo is heading to Detling is a real coup for the KEC. Chamber chief executive Jo James said: “The new building is a perfect setting for our exhibition and I’m delighted to see that Kent has a facility of such a high quality and calibre.

“We are so confident that this will be a huge success at the Kent Event Centre that we are expanding the show to incorporate engineering and manufacturing sectors.” For more information visit www.kentconstructionexpo.co.uk and also www.manufacturingandengineeringexpo.co.uk/

Sponsors have been queuing up to name doorways in the new building and also to sponsor exclusive wall bricks.
Ease of access by road and rail and the availability of hotels make the Kent Event Centre a great choice for events. Facilities comprise the Clive Emson Conference Centre (1,700 sq m), the John Hendry Pavilion (1,750sq m) and the Astor Pavilion (151 sq m). There are also six major meeting rooms. There is free parking on site for up to 10,000 vehicles.

For more details contact the Kent Event Centre on 01622 630975 or visit www.kenteventcentre.co.uk

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Notes to editors

• 
  The Kent Event Centre has been at the Kent Showground at Detling, near Maidstone since 1964.
  
• 
  The Kent Showground at Detling, near Maidstone, offers a range of events facilities for indoor and outdoor use, on a site covering 200 acres. It is run by the Kent County Agricultural Society, which also organises the Kent County Show, which takes place on 11-13 July.
  

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