<p>Conference venues in the UK were the sixth most popular in the world over the last year, according to a new study from EIBTM in Barcelona.</p><p>The study revealed that a quarter of business surveyed were keen to organise more events overseas, while just under ten per cent were keen to expand events organisation on a national level within their own countries. Interestingly, despite the current global financial turmoil, 60 per cent were forecasting growth in their operating budgets and just under 50 per cent emphasised the importance of corporate social responsibility (CSR) in events management.</p><p>Paul Kennedy, MBE, group exhibition director, Meetings and Incentives Events, Reed Travel Exhibitions, said: "This report provides a realistic snapshot of how meetings and event organisers are feeling about the industry and the extent to which events and business levels may be affected in the future."</p><p>Mr Kennedy added that the conference industry faced a tough year ahead and that meeting venues would have to make an impression to prove successful.</p><p>In other news, the BBC reports figures from the Office for National Statistics showing that UK manufacturing has fallen by 4.9 per cent since last October.<br/><img alt="ADNFCR-1753-ID-18920138-ADNFCR" src="http://feeds.directnews.co.uk/feedtrack/justcopyright.gif?feedid=1753&it..." /></p>

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