Shakespeare Country is to host a special one day event to showcase the region as a destination in which to host conferences and corporate events. The �Shakespeare Country Celebratory Showcase� will take place on Thursday 23 April, the same day as Shakespeare�s birthday and St George�s Day. The event, which is free to attend, is expected to attract around 80 corporate event organisers, P.A�s, conference bookers and incentive organisers. The Shakespeare Country team will show specially invited delegates some of the key venues whilst talking about the services of the Shakespeare Country Conference Bureau and how they can help event organisers in arranging their events. The theme for the event is around �Celebrations� which is partly to reflect the significant date of 23 April. The theme also ties in with the Heart of England theme for 2009 � �A Celebration of Imagination� a calendar of events celebrating the imagination behind the Heart of England�s remarkable heritage.

The day, which will start at 9am and end at 5:30pm, will include a networking exhibition at The Stratford hotel and workshops on destination research and how to promote your event with tips on increasing attendance. A celebratory lunch will take place in the Great Hall at Ragley Hall followed by tours of the area including a visit to Shakespeare�s Birthplace. The event will conclude with a traditional English afternoon tea party with delegates enjoying a slice of Shakespeare�s birthday cake and partaking in traditional English entertainment.

Sian Thompson, Conference Sales Executive, at Shakespeare Country said �We are delighted to be hosting this special event to showcase the benefits of hosting an event in Shakespeare Country. The event is a great way to showcase a selection of superb venues and facilities in the area as well as showing the versatility and flexibility of our destination to a specially targeted audience.� Anyone interested in attending the event should contact Sian Thompson on 01926 486206 or sian@shakespeare-country.co.uk. For more information visit the official website: www.shakespeare-country.co.uk/conference or call the Shakespeare Country Conference Bureau on 0844 477 8379. -ends -

Notes to editors Shakespeare Country is a private/public tourism partnership responsible for marketing and visitor services within �Shakespeare Country�, one of the leading tourist destinations in England, which spans the administrative districts of Stratford-upon-Avon and Warwick. For more information please visit the official website at www.shakespeare-country.co.uk

For more information, interviews and photo opportunities please contact:

Tanya Aspinwall at Marketing Aloud on 01926 620028 or tanya@marketingaloud.co.uk Or Si�n Thompson, Conference Sales Executive, Shakespeare Country on 01926 486206 or sian@shakespeare-country.co.uk