A new £83m convention centre which is set to become the flagship conference venue for Wales has already confirmed more than £1m worth of business – a year before it officially opens.

The eagerly-anticipated International Convention Centre Wales (ICC Wales) – a joint venture between the Welsh Government and billionaire businessman Sir Terry Matthews – has brought in advanced bookings from across the MICE sector ahead of its opening in July next year.

Confirmed events are drawn from across the Association, Corporate and Exhibition sectors and include The Association of Corporate Treasurers Annual Conference and the Alzheimer’s Research UK Conference. Details of further events already secured for the venue will be announced shortly.

The £1 million figure surpassed relates to facility and meeting room hire revenue only and the contracted events are expected to bring in around £10 million to the local economy in South Wales.

As ICC Wales exhibits for the first time at IMEX Frankfurt this week, Jill Manley, Business Development Director, ICC Wales, said: “I’m delighted that we’ve been able to secure so many important contracts for our venue this far ahead of opening. This really highlights the confidence that event bookers have in the ability of our experienced team to deliver exactly what they need. Of course, organisers are also impressed by ICC Wales’ easy access to London, its peaceful woodland setting and state of the art meetings facilities.”

Ian Edwards, CEO, ICC Wales, said: “Reaching the £1 million mark is a fantastic achievement for our hardworking team and demonstrates the importance of ICC Wales on the world events stage and the appetite for a convention centre of this scale outside of London.”

He added: “Building work on the site will soon be reaching a peak in terms of activity and workers involved in the project and the construction is now really starting to take shape. We are greatly looking forward to welcoming many more new and innovative events to the region in the future, and to giving all our clients a very warm welcome to Wales.”

An £83.7m joint venture between Celtic Manor – owned by high-tech entrepreneur and Wales’ first billionaire Sir Terry Matthews – and the Welsh Government, ICC Wales will accommodate 5,000 delegates and includes a 4,000sqm pillar-free main hall, a 1,500-seated auditorium, 12 flexible meeting rooms, a double-height glass atrium and a 2,500sqm outdoor plaza.