(Image: Supplied)
Delegates from across the UK have gathered in the North East for a major conference highlighting the region’s regeneration, hospitality sector and future plans.
The two-day 2026 Big Cities Conference, organised by the Association of Town and City Management (ATCM), is being held in the North East for the first time.
Newcastle’s NE1 and Sunderland’s Business Improvement District are jointly hosting the conference.
Stephen Patterson, chief executive of NE1 Ltd, said: "We are proud to host the ATCM conference jointly with our BID partners in Sunderland.
"It is an honour to welcome such eminent, world-leading experts in placemaking and city centre transformation to the region and to provide a forum to discuss the important issues facing the future of our cities.
"Innovation has been the golden thread running through Newcastle’s history.
"This event will help fuel our aspirations and shape a vision for the region’s future that continues this trailblazing tradition."
Delegates are visiting regeneration projects and joining panels on city centre transformation and culture’s role in urban development.
The first day included a visit to Newcastle’s Boiler Shop and a presentation on Grainger Market’s £9 million transformation.
Philip Kolvin KC told delegates that hospitality should be treated as a civic asset, not a liability.
He also discussed the latest licensing policy and legislation.
A panel on hospitality’s challenges followed, featuring Mr Kolvin, Michael Kill of the Night Time Industries Association, Belfast Night Czar Michael Stewart and Vaulkhard Group director Ollie Vaulkhard.
Tim Watts, Gehl’s regeneration and design leader, spoke about using design to unlock waterfront potential.
On day two, around 100 delegates travelled to Sunderland for coastal breakfast sessions.
Speakers included Sunderland Music City music officer Frankie Francis and Sunderland Culture chief executive Nick Malyan.
Mr Malyan has worked on major events including Durham’s Lumiere Festival and the Lindisfarne Gospels exhibitions.
Attendees crossed Sunderland’s new bridge before visiting the recently opened Culture House, where Sunderland BID chief executive Sharon Appleby welcomed them.
Ms Appleby said: "Bringing the ATCM conference to the North East is a huge honour and an incredible opportunity for us to collaborate with Newcastle to showcase how we are actively and proactively dealing with the challenges facing modern cities.
"We have been able to highlight the extent of our ambition and the real progress that has been made in bringing those ambitions to fruition."
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A panel at Culture House examined how culture can shape cities.
Panellists included Sunderland Music City music officer Marty Longstaff, Culture House director Leanne Littlewood, North East Screen chief executive Alison Gwynn and FaulknerBrowns associate partner architect Tania Love.
The conference aims to showcase the North East’s regeneration progress and drive collaboration and innovation in city development.