THE region's top hoteliers have literally jumped into bed together - putting their considerable weight behind the Newcastle Gateshead Initiative's Convention Bureau.

Due to open for business this month, the fully serviced commercially operated Convention Bureau is a division of the new destination marketing agency that aims to bring visitors and businesses into the area from all over the world.

Members of the North-East Hotel Managers Association have all signed up to become members of the Convention Bureau from day one of the operation.

Tony Hill, general manager of the Copthorne Hotel in Newcastle, and chairman of the association, said: "With all the exciting developments underway in this part of the world, the time is right to raise the profile of the area and bring in new businesses.

"With the Newcastle Gateshead Initiative we can work together to get behind the promotion of the area to boost business for everyone.

"It makes sense for us to work in partnership because we all want business to come here instead of it going elsewhere in the country."

Hotels in the association include the Copthorne and Malmaison in Newcastle, the Marriot at the MetroCentre, and Gateshead's Swallow Hotel.

Neil Rami, chief executive of the Newcastle Gateshead Initiative, believes the bureau wil help promote Tyneside as a conference destination.

"The Convention Bureau will act as a one-stop point for everything any major event organiser needs," he said.

"We will also proactively work with international conference placement agents and get more conferences to come here

"The potential to bring large numbers of people here on conference business is huge, and the benefits are great."

For more information on the Convention Bureau, contact Louise Carroll on (0191) 222 0939.