Conference Centres of Excellence has reported a 50 per cent increase in sales generated by the consortium for the year to the end of May.

The group, which represents specialist venues in the UK, claims that this growth has been driven by conference organisers' desire to book specialist venues.

Anthony Lishman, the consortium's executive director, said organisers regularly say that they've found that "apparently cheaper options from non-specialist providers necessitate unacceptable compromise".

"Their experience seems to be that most, if not all, superficially attractive deals have meant service deficiencies and poor outcomes for the organiser."

He added that focused conference environments help organisers to demonstrate that they have the right priorities.

Earlier this week, the group said Prospero House, situated on London's South Bank close to London Bridge, was become a member of the Conference Centres of Excellence.

Prospero House has 23 training, meeting and conference rooms, located on three floors and offers AV equipment and "sophisticated ambient lighting systems".

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