ONE of the country's leading unions will hold its annual gathering in the North-East for the first time.
The GMB's 2005 Congress at the Newcastle Telewest Arena is expected to attract more than 1,000 people and boost the regional economy.
Kevin Curran, who recently moved from the union's North-East regional secretary to be its general secretary, said: "I am delighted to bring the GMB Congress to Newcastle for the first time.
"We have chosen the North-East because we think the region has a lot to offer and we believe that our delegates will welcome the opportunity to sample one of Britain's most vibrant and exciting regions.''
The five-day conference is expected to give a £1m boost to the local economy.
Ian Taylor, manager of the Newcastle-Gateshead Convention Bureau, said: "This is yet another significant conference win for Newcastle-Gateshead. The fact that the GMB is to stage its key event here demonstrates the point that conference organisers want to bring high profile events to the region."
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