Hotel Near Gunwharf Quays Hosts Tourism South East - AGM, Tourism Council and Members Conference 2012

PORTSMOUTH, ENGLAND--(Marketwire - Oct 23, 2012) - Extending its award-winning facilities and renowned hospitality, a distinctive Portsmouth, England hotel near Gunwharf Quays was the site of the 2012 Tourism South East - AGM, Tourism Council and Members Conference.

More than 80 commercial members and destination partners came together at the Portsmouth Marriott Hotel on September 20, 2012 for an inspirational and progressive conference discussing updates and insight into tourism policy, market trends and social media. Guest speakers included Kurt Janson, Policy Director, Tourism Alliance; Sharon Orrell, Head of Research and Insight, VisitEngland, and Tom Frame, Managing Director Design Haus UK Ltd.

Barend-Jan Schreuder, Marriott General Manager welcomed delegates to the hotel's impeccable green meeting rooms, in Portsmouth, UK as they settled in for a full day of business and networking. Three TSE member businesses provided inspirational stories describing how their organizations diversified and transformed to succeed in testing and challenging times. Those sharing their success stories included Gale Gould of The Hawk Conservancy Trust, Mary Webb with Peartree Apartments and Carole Thomas of Howlette & Port Lympne Wild Animal Parks.

Attendees then converged on the Portsmouth England hotel's well-equipped meeting rooms for practical afternoon workshops by Alistair MacGregor, Territory Manager with TripAdvisor and Alison Rice, travel journalist and broadcaster. Delegates also had the opportunity to meet with representatives from Barclaycard and Barclays Bank to discuss government funding.

Before concluding the day, TSE Managing Director Peter Colling was presented with four certificates from the Portsmouth Marriott representing trees to be planted at the Huckling Estate, Maidstone, Kent as part of the hotel's unique "Green" meetings package that dedicates trees in the name of participating companies with the Woodlands Trust. Conference attendees were also greeted with a host of amenities as part of the hotel's special initiative to bolster an environmentally friendly future. While overnight guests were pampered with the Marriott's gracious accommodations in Portsmouth, all participants enjoyed "Green" meetings package benefits which included:

• Breakfast baps, tea and coffee upon arrival;
• Morning and afternoon break with something savoury, sweet and healthy;
• Deli-style lunch buffet in the Sealevel Restaurant;
• LCD projector, screen and flipchart;
• Green apples and water on the meeting tables, and
• One complimentary internet connection in the meeting room.

The Portsmouth Marriott was recently awarded its second Gold Award by The Green Business Tourism Scheme in recognition of its environmental achievements, which includes 100 percent recycling of waste with 100 percent non-landfill. Event planners looking to book a gathering or seeking more information about the Portsmouth Marriott's "Green Meetings" package may call 02392 383151 or visit the hotel's website at PortsmouthMarriott.co.uk.

About the Portsmouth Marriott Hotel

The Portsmouth Marriott Hotel recently completed an extensive renovation and welcomes Portsmouth travelers with spacious and contemporary guest rooms, all featuring cotton-rich linens and a host of amenities to ensure a relaxed and rejuvenating hotel experience. Conveniently located near popular destinations, on-site amenities include the Sealevel Restaurant and Lounge, spa services, a heated indoor pool and leisure club facilities so guests have access to everything they need for productive business and refreshing leisure travel.