What ICC Wales does

ICC Wales (International Convention Centre Wales Limited) is a private, purpose-built international convention centre and event venue located at Coldra Woods, Newport, South Wales, operating as part of The Celtic Collection hospitality group since opening in 2017. The venue offers a 4,000 sqm pillar-free Main Hall divisible into six sections, a 1,500-seat tiered Auditorium, 15 flexible meeting rooms, networking spaces with woodland access, and full in-house catering, audio-visual, and event-planning services. It serves five primary segments: corporate and association conference organisers, weddings (including Asian weddings), ticketed entertainment audiences (theatre, concerts, Christmas events), automotive exhibitions and roadshows, and university graduations.

The business generates revenue primarily through venue hire and event packages, supplemented by catering, AV equipment provision, parking (£7/day pre-booked), and ticketed live entertainment (ticket prices £22-£37.50 for live music; £12-£70 per person for Christmas events). Day delegate rates start at £45+VAT per person. Distribution is hybrid: enterprise field sales (Head of Sales, Association Sales Manager) for large conference and association business, and direct website/box office plus third-party ticketing platforms (Ticketmaster, Eventbrite, Gigantic, TicketTailor) for consumer entertainment.

ICC Wales is accredited to ISO 14001, Green Dragon Level 4, AIM Secure, and Green Tourism standards, and operates Smart Power Building Management and water-saving technology. Leadership comprises Group CEO Julie Hammond, Managing Director Craig Bingham (appointed October 2025), and a board led by Co-Chairs Christopher Munday and Mark Rhydderch-Roberts (appointed November 2025). Recent milestones include the miaList 2025 Gold for Venue of the Year (over 300 delegates), £10.5M Welsh Government funding (September 2025), and hosting the Worldchefs Congress & Expo 2026 — the first UK hosting in the event's 98-year history.

Name

ICC Wales

Legal name

International Convention Centre Wales Limited

Website

https://www.iccwales.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2017

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

ICC Wales is a private international convention centre in Newport, South Wales, hosting conferences, exhibitions, weddings, and live entertainment for corporate clients, associations, and consumers as part of The Celtic Collection.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Convention and Event Venue Services

NAICS

Promoters of Performing Arts, Sports, and Similar Events with Facilities (71131), Amusement Parks and Arcades (7131)

SIC

Services-Miscellaneous Amusement & Recreation (7990), Hotels, Rooming Houses, Camps & Other Lodging Places (7000), Retail-Eating & Drinking Places (5810)

akta.pro primary industry

Convention & Exhibition Centers (Public Convention Centers, Civic Centers) (THAHAAAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Conference Centers & Dedicated Meeting Venues (THAHAAAB), Conference & Convention Center Catering (THAHAKAB), Performing Arts & Cultural Event Venues (Theaters, Museums) (THAHAAAG)

Keywords

• Convention venue services
• Corporate event hosting
• Exhibition space rental
• Conference centre hire
• Live entertainment venue

Headquarters

HQ city

Newport

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Venue Hire and Event Hosting: ICC Wales generates revenue primarily through renting its spaces (Main Hall, Auditorium, Meeting Rooms, Networking Spaces) for conferences, conventions, exhibitions, weddings, and live events. Revenue is derived from space rental fees, catering services, AV equipment provision, and associated event support services.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

ICC Wales is a purpose-built international convention centre that rents out its event spaces, including a 4,000 sqm pillar-free Main Hall, a 1,500-seat Auditorium, 15 flexible meeting rooms and networking areas, for conferences, exhibitions, weddings and live entertainment. The venue bundles these spaces with in-house catering, audio-visual production, event planning support, and adjacent Tŷ Newport Hotel accommodation. Revenue is earned primarily through venue hire fees, delegate package rates, catering charges, and ticketed live entertainment.

Product overview

ICC Wales is a world-class convention centre venue offering a unified portfolio of event spaces and services. The core venue products include the Main Hall (4,000 sqm pillar-free exhibition space divisible into 6 sections, capacity 4,100), the Auditorium (1,500-seat theatre-style with production facilities), 15 flexible Meeting Spaces (capacity 20-660), and Networking Spaces with outdoor woodland access. Supporting service modules include Catering, Audio Visual, Event Planning & Support, and Outdoor Spaces. The venue also operates the ICC Wales Theatre sub-brand hosting live entertainment including the annual Christmas Events Program featuring theatrical shows like Peter Pan and The Great Skate ice rink.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Main Hall Venue Hire A purpose-built exhibition hall providing 4,000 sqm of pillar-free space with direct loading and dedicated parking for production and exhibition vehicles, divisible into 6 sections with capacity for up to 4,100 people. Used by corporate and association event organisers for large exhibitions and conferences.
• Auditorium Venue Hire A state-of-the-art dynamic space with tiered, fixed theatre-style seating for up to 1,500 people, dedicated production access and loading at stage level, production storage area and green rooms. Used for large-scale conferences, congresses and live performances.
• Meeting Room Hire 15 flexible meeting rooms with capacity from 20 to 660 guests featuring intelligent lighting and integrated presentation technology, adaptable for formal or informal setups. Includes Executive Boardroom and individual meeting rooms (Meeting Rooms 1–7).
• Networking Spaces Versatile breakout areas adjacent to the Main Hall, Auditorium and meeting rooms with access to outdoor woodland areas, supporting delegate movement and wellbeing at events.
• Catering Services Full in-house catering including Café, Bars & Restaurants, providing food and beverage solutions for events of all sizes under the direction of Worldchefs President's Medal recipient Peter Fuchs.
• Audio Visual Services Comprehensive AV solutions for events including production packages, stage-level access and integrated presentation technology across meeting spaces.
• Event Planning and Support Professional event planning assistance and operational support services delivered through a dedicated sales team including Head of Sales and Association Sales Manager to ensure smooth event delivery.
• Wedding Venue Hire Wedding and celebration venue hire including ceremonies, receptions, Asian weddings and anniversary celebrations, with flexible indoor and outdoor spaces, woodland surroundings and comprehensive catering.
• ICC Wales Theatre Live Entertainment Ticketed live entertainment programming including family shows, live music performances and festive entertainment at the venue's theatre space, with tickets sold via the website and third-party platforms.
• Christmas Events Program Seasonal festive entertainment programme including the Peter Pan theatrical production, The Great Skate real ice rink, Winter Wonderland Afternoon Tea, brunch parties, evening party nights and gourmet-to-go catering, with tickets available from £12 to £70 per person.

Quantifiable outcome

• 94.7% client satisfaction score
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

13 partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• IAPCO (International Association of Professional Congress Organisers)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 4 February 2026ICC Wales became a partner of IAPCO, the International Association of Professional Congress Organisers, strengthening its position in the international business events sector.
• The Parkgate HotelcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 6 January 2026The Parkgate Hotel in Cardiff joined beam industry association alongside ICC Wales and The Celtic Collection, further enhancing the portfolio's voice as a key player within the UK's meetings and events industry.
• Culinary Association of Wales (CAW)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026ICC Wales partnered with the Culinary Association of Wales to host the Worldchefs Congress & Expo 2026, the first time this global culinary event was held in the UK in its 98-year history. CAW president Arwyn Watkins, OBE, led the bid team with ICC Wales since 1999.
• ABPCO (Association of British Professional Conference Organisers)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025ICC Wales is a member of ABPCO to align with the highest standards of professionalism and excellence in the events industry. Membership enables collaboration with leading conference professionals, staying informed about industry trends, and reinforcing commitment to delivering exceptional events.
• ICCA (International Congress and Convention Association)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025ICC Wales is a member of ICCA to connect with a global network of event professionals and enhance presence in the international meetings market. ICCA membership provides access to valuable market insights, best practices sharing, and collaboration with industry leaders worldwide.
• AEV (Association of Event Venues)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025ICC Wales is a member of the Association of Event Venues to collaborate with other leading venues, share industry knowledge, and maintain high operational standards. AEV membership provides access to benchmarking, networking opportunities, and resources that support innovation and excellence in event delivery.
• mia (Meetings Industry Association)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025ICC Wales is a member of the Meetings Industry Association and holds AIM Secure Accreditation, demonstrating commitment to high-quality service, operational excellence, and safety standards. These affiliations reassure clients of ICC Wales' professionalism and dedication to delivering exceptional events.
• beam (Business Events Accommodation Meetings)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025ICC Wales joined beam, one of the UK's leading associations for the business, events, accommodation, and meetings industry. As members, ICC Wales has access to a wide network of industry experts, support and resources, as well as option to attend industry-leading events and participate in government lobbying to enhance the sector.
• Davies TannercoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2025ICC Wales partners with Davies Tanner, an independent PR & Brand Communications agency with expertise spanning Travel, Tourism and Business Events, for media and PR enquiries. Contact: Hollie Luxford, Senior Account Manager.
• Green TourismcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025ICC Wales holds Green Tourism certification, which evidences commitment to sustainability translating into action. This certification supports the venue's environmental credentials and sustainability positioning.
• Tŷ Newport HotelcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Tŷ Newport Hotel offers a seamless, modern place to stay before, during and after conferences, exhibitions and events at ICC Wales. Located just a short walk away with dedicated on-site parking, Tŷ Newport is a fully electric hotel. ICC Wales offers 10% off accommodation bookings via its website. Complimentary shuttle transfers are provided between 6pm and 1am for guests attending Christmas party nights.
• The Celtic CollectioncoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025ICC Wales is operated as part of The Celtic Collection, Wales' largest independent hotel group. The collection includes Celtic Manor Resort, Coldra Court Hotel, The Parkgate Hotel (Cardiff), St Brides Spa Hotel (Pembrokeshire), and Tŷ Hotels at Magor, Newport and Milford Waterfront. Shared services include culinary operations under Peter Fuchs as Group Culinary Director.
• Celtic Manor ResortcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025ICC Wales is co-located at the Celtic Manor Resort, Newport. The resort provides additional event facilities, accommodation options, golf courses, and restaurants that complement ICC Wales' offering. ICC Wales is the inaugural golf club captain at Celtic Manor Resort.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• ExCeL London: One of the UK's largest convention and exhibition centres in East London. Directly comparable to ICC Wales as a purpose-built venue hosting large conferences, exhibitions, and corporate events with similar space-rental and event-services business model.
• ICC Birmingham: Major UK convention centre in Birmingham, hosting conferences, exhibitions, and banquets. Directly competes with ICC Wales for association and corporate event bookings at comparable scale and with a similar core business model.
• Manchester Central (formerly GMEX): Large convention and exhibition venue in Manchester serving corporate, association, and consumer events. Comparable to ICC Wales as a UK regional convention centre competing for similar mid-to-large-scale events outside London.
• SEC (Scottish Event Campus): Glasgow-based convention and event campus including the SEC Centre and OVO Hydro arena. Comparable as a multi-purpose UK convention venue hosting exhibitions, conferences, and entertainment events for similar customer segments.
• The NEC (National Exhibition Centre): The UK's largest exhibition venue, located near Birmingham. Directly competes with ICC Wales for large-scale exhibitions, trade shows, and corporate events with overlapping space-rental and event-services offerings.
• QEII Centre, London: Central London conference and events venue operated by the Qatar Foundation. Comparable to ICC Wales in hosting association conferences, corporate meetings, and banquets, though primarily serving the London market.
• ACC Liverpool: Liverpool-based convention centre on the Mersey waterfront hosting conferences, exhibitions, and banquets. Comparable UK regional convention centre competing for similar association and corporate events.
• Olympia London: London exhibition and events venue undergoing major redevelopment. Comparable to ICC Wales as a UK convention/exhibition venue offering space hire, catering, and event services to similar B2B and B2C event organisers.

Others

• Celtic Manor Resort: Parent-adjacent hospitality and events property under The Celtic Collection. While distinct from ICC Wales as a resort rather than a purpose-built convention centre, it shares the same ownership group and provides overlapping event spaces, accommodation, and dining that can substitute for ICC Wales services in some use cases.

Regional players

• Barbican Centre: London arts and conference centre operated by the City of London. Comparable in hosting conferences, live events, and ticketed entertainment but with a stronger performing arts focus and primarily serving the London market.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/iccwales
• Facebookfacebook.com/ICCWales
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/iccwales

Compliance5 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds2 records

Investors1 record

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about ICC Wales