Genting given the green light

THE next stage of the Genting Casinos and the NEC Group project has been welcomed by the local Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council Planning Committee meeting on last week. The meeting particularly focused on the casino being at the heart of the Birmingham development.

A statement read: “Genting Casinos now looks forward to the next stage of the planning application process for Resorts World at the NEC and then to begin the process, with the support of the NEC Group, to deliver this exciting leisure and entertainment complex.”

Genting being given the green light also pushes the European market as a top priority.

NEC Group International, a new division headed by Koen Melis, a major player in the worldwide entertainment arena, has been set up to develop a number of European opportunities in the conference, arenas, stadiums and exhibitions market. Koen Melis, says: “For over 35 years, the NEC Group has brought many of the world’s best loved shows, greatest live entertainment and some of the most important business events to its venues, and has a wealth of experience in maximising the commercial opportunities for clients and the actual venues.

“Recently created successful partnerships have brought in international names like LGElectronics, following a £29m, redevelopment in 2009 that saw the NEC Arena become the LG Arena; Genting as partner for £120m leisure and entertainment complex on the NEC site; and, announced 1 March, a five-year partnership with Barclaycard, which includes a title sponsorship deal for the NIA, Birmingham, unlocking the £20.6m refurbishment funding and payment partner of The Ticket Factory, LG Arena, NEC and The NIA.”