Belfast’s new Titanic Exhibition Centre (TEC), sited opposite Titanic Studios in Titanic Quarter, has opened delivering a huge boost for local business in the process.

The 6,000 square metre structure will be used as a potential venue for exhibitions, community and sporting events, as well as large-scale banquets.  More than 3,000 visitors will be able to attend exhibitions at any one time and the TEC will also have the capacity to provide sit-down banqueting for up to 2,500 diners.

Tim Husbands, Chief Executive of Titanic Belfast said: “We have responded quickly to market demands by investing in this new city centre venue. Since planning was granted on 29th June this year, there has been a whirlwind of activity to make sure it was up and running by early autumn.

“We are all delighted that in just 80 days, the project team has turned concept into reality and this wonderful space is now open for business. Many of the team will feel that in making it happen, they have indeed been ‘around the world in 80 days’ and I pay tribute to all their hard work, dedication, enthusiasm and commitment.

“Titanic Belfast will have sales and management responsibility for the TEC, offering it for stand-alone exhibitions or in conjunction with facilities within Titanic Belfast and SS Nomadic.

“The TEC will complement the Waterfront Hall and the Odyssey’s SSE Arena and we will be working in tandem with them to provide top-class facilities for a broad range of events and organisations. We will also be promoting the venue in conjunction with partners such as Visit Belfast, Tourism NI, Belfast City Council, the Northern Ireland Event Organisers (NIEO) and a wide range of exhibitors.

“The TEC will be managed and marketed by a team with considerable experience in the conference and exhibition industry. We have a number of events already secured for the rest of this year and next - and we believe that the TEC will continue to attract business locally and expand the business nationally and internationally.”

Pictured are Belfast's Deputy Lord Mayor, Laderman Guy Spence, Gerry Lennon, CEO Visit Belfast, Terrence Brannigan , Chairman Tourism NI and Tim Husbands, CEO Titanic Belfast.