Agenda item

            The Managing Director provided the Members with an update on Belfast Waterfront and Ulster Hall Ltd.’s (BWUH Ltd) performance for Quarter 4, January – March 2017, and for the year, 1st April 2016 – 31st March 2017.

            She advised the Committee that this was the first year of operation for the new company, as the new Belfast Waterfront venue had only been operational from the end of April, 2016.  It was reported that the final quarter had contributed to an excellent first year for the new business, where the financial performance had reflected a total sales income which exceeded the budget by 13%.

            The Business Support Director reported that, despite several budgetary challenges, the company had generated additional revenue above its predicted budget as a result of increased sales activities and one-off savings in marketing, utilities and rates.  The Managing Director, however, pointed out that the company did not expect to benefit from such savings in future years. 

            The Committee was advised that the surplus would be allocated to the Capital Expenditure Sinking Fund, while the final year-end figures would be subject to external audit.

            The Members were advised that, by year-end, BWUH Ltd. had delivered 34 conferences, generating 51,183 delegate days, which had delivered an economic return of £20.9million for the city. 

            The Members were advised that the company had recently won the award for the World’s Best Kentico website for the Entertainment and Hospitality sector, and had also won the award for Best Website Overall.  A number of Members paid tribute to the success of the staff for their hard work in this regard.

            She provided the Committee with an update on the defects with the Belfast Waterfront building, which included an ongoing issue with the heating/cooling of some of the areas in the Belfast Waterfront.  The Members were advised that the issues had been raised with the contractor.

            A Member requested information on any training which staff had been provided with in relation to the ongoing change within the organisation.  The Managing Director provided a brief update in relation to a number of programmes which the BWUH staff had undertaken, including eighteen participants on the Leadership Programme, and agreed to submit a report to the next meeting with further detail.

            The Committee noted the results of recent Mystery Shopper exercises which had been carried out in the Waterfront venue and was advised that anecdotal feedback from clients had been very positive.

            In response to a Member’s question regarding staff sickness levels, the Managing Director explained that a number of staff had been out of work for work related or non-work related stress and that she had held regular meetings with the Trade Unions.  She advised the Members that she had been made aware of some internal staffing matters but that the Unions had raised no specific issues with her at that time.

            In relation to Brexit, the Managing Director explained that the currency exchange rates had been favourable for their business thus far and that there had been no major impact on future bookings as yet, but that it remained a watching brief.

            In response to a Member’s question regarding sponsorship, or naming rights, for the venue, the Managing Director advised the Committee that work was ongoing to determine if it was a viable option for the Belfast Waterfront.

            A Member requested additional information on what the target market was for attracting conferences to the Belfast Waterfront.  The Managing Director confirmed to the Members that there were many avenues to discover but that their current focus was on Science and Technology based conferences, as well as developing their own events and summits.

            The Managing Director advised the Members that the Director of Sales and Marketing, Mrs S. McCullough, had recently been appointed as the Director of Development in Ards and North Down Borough Council and that the vacant position had recently been advertised.

            The Director of Development confirmed to the Members that their attendance at events and conferences in the Belfast Waterfront and the Ulster Hall, particularly events which were sponsored by the Council, was to be encouraged.

            The Committee:

1.     noted the contents of the report; and

2.     agreed that a report be submitted to the next meeting with an update on any training which staff at the Belfast Waterfront and Ulster Hall (BWUH) had undertaken in relation to the changes in the organisation.