The conference will attract an estimated 1,500 delegates, exhibitors and media to elect the new NUS president, debate cuts to further and higher education, and rally students to vote in the general election as part of the Vote for Students campaign.
NUS conference has been made possible thanks to sponsorship from the NewcastleGateshead Initiative, Newcastle University, Teesside University, the University of Sunderland, Northumbria University, Unite the Union and Endsleigh Insurance – making this the best sponsorship year on record for NUS conference.
The economic impact of NUS annual conference to the regional economy is estimated at £1.3 million.
Wes Streeting, NUS National President, said:
"NUS is delighted to be holding our annual conference in NewcastleGateshead. The Sage Gateshead has shown its commitment to education, community and outreach activities, and the facilities are second to none. We are grateful for the huge support they have given students.”
“The importance of North East England's colleges and universities to the regional economy cannot be understated. Students will this week discuss the future funding of further and higher education to ensure that the north east is able to take continuing pride in the benefits of colleges and universities to families, communities and the wider economy”
Jessica Roberts, head of business tourism at NewcastleGateshead Initiative, said:
“We’re delighted to welcome NUS annual conference and the two-year commitment demonstrates a firm belief in our capacity to deliver this showpiece event.
“NewcastleGateshead is renowned for its welcome so we look forward to welcoming today’s bright, young students … tomorrow’s potential future leaders. With five leading universities in North East England, this is an ideal place to live and learn and we hope the estimated 1,500 delegates that attend each conference get a flavour of this.”
Anthony Sargent, General Director, The Sage Gateshead, said:
“We’re always delighted to welcome major national conferences to The Sage Gateshead, but I’m particularly happy NUS will be here for the next two years, since The Sage Gateshead has won an international reputation in two areas of shared interest - working to ensure the welfare of young people, and education more generally. We are all looking forward enormously to welcoming NUS here in 2010 and 2011.”
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