Staff at Sheffield City Hall are celebrating once again as the venue scooped the Insider Business Tourism Award 2009 for Large Venue of the Year. If this wasn't enough the victory run continued when the City Hall team also took home the Grand Prix Prize as the overall winner of the awards.

Held at the Royal Armouries in Leeds last night, Insider Magazine's Yorkshire Business Tourism Awards recognises organisations and venues that go the extra mile to bring more business into Yorkshire. City Hall went head to head with sister Sheffield International Venue property, Ponds Forge who were also nominated in the category for Large Venue. Sheffield City Hall's General Manager Dominic Stokes is obviously delighted with the result.

"This is a sensational achievement for City Hall and the entire SIV Conferencing and Events brand. Winning against such well established venues as Leeds United Football Club and Harrogate International Centre shows how far the City Hall has come in competing at a National Level."
Dominic Stokes, General Manager

The judges were particularly impressed with the way Sheffield City Hall has stormed into the market this year, increasing business tourism activity by 90 per cent since 2007. The venue's direct delegate spend is estimated to be round £8 million over the past three years with £4.1m of this created in the last year, after almost doubling business tourism activity.

Last year Sheffield City Hall's conferencing and events team were awarded the Hospitality Sheffield Award for ‘Team of the Year' and shortlisted for the White Rose ‘Business Tourism Award of the Year'. City Hall was also named in The Independent's Top 10 desirable conference destinations alongside Regency Hotel, London and Aston Villa Football Club.

With such a great start to this year, it's hoped success will be a continuing theme throughout 2009 and beyond.