European Space Agency Delegates Have a Blast in the Welsh Capital

Monday, 19 January 2026

 

European Space Agency delegates have a blast in the Welsh capital, as Cardiff hosts the 2023 Industrial Policy Committee gathering.

Iconic Cardiff venues welcomed delegates from the European Space Agency, as the UK Space Agency chose Cardiff as the host city for the 2023 convention.

 

IPC is a key decision-making body within the ESA governance structure responsible for defining, developing, implementing, and monitoring the agency’s industrial policy, including the geo-return principle. The IPC approves procurement and contract proposals to ensure fair access to ESA procurement among all Member States.

The delegates utilised two of our incredible sporting stadia, with a drink’s reception at the Principality Stadium, along with working group meetings being held at Cardiff City Stadium, home to the city’s football team in the English Football League. Cardiff Marriott Hotel hosted the main plenary sessions whilst also accommodating the visiting guests, this allowed the chance to experience the heart of Cardiff’s city centre, with our Victorian and Edwardian arcades, attractions such as Cardiff Castle and National Museum Cardiff, parks and eateries, all within a short walk.

The UK Space Agency as host of the event, made the most of the extensive support offered by the city’s convention bureau, Meet in Cardiff, a team with decades of experience supporting conventions and conferences coming to the Welsh capital, drawing on their expertise and connections with the major convention venues in the city, alongside smaller unique and niche venues, priding themselves to support convention organisers with the resources they need when choosing Cardiff.

George Pritchard, ESA Industrial Policy Lead at the UK Space Agency shared his thoughts:

  • “I am immensely grateful for the role Meet in Cardiff played in the extremely successful hosting of the European Space Agency Industrial Policy Committee in Cardiff.
  • The delegates were full of praise, not only of the 4 venues that hosted our event, but the city itself. For most of them it was their first time in Cardiff, but I don’t think it will be their last!
  • The team’s professionalism in assisting me with finding the venues, follow-up preparation with the chosen venues and subsequent liaison with ESA was exemplary. Their accommodation booking portal was very user friendly and gave a flavour of what delegates could expect to see during their time in Cardiff.

 

Faye Tanner, Commercial Partnerships Manager at Meet in Cardiff weighed in:

  • “It was a pleasure working with George and the UK Space Agency to bring this prestigious event to Cardiff and showcase our great city to his European counterparts. Cardiff has built up a reputation for hosting a range of events, from sports, culture and live music, as well hosting conventions, conferences, retreats and business events, for many public and private sector businesses. An ideal city for these types of events, with attractions, dining, shopping and stunning green spaces easily accessible from our range of city centre accommodation partners.
  • Alongside, our strong relationships with key city venues and tourist attractions, we seek to help event organisers every step of the way, with toolkits for those considering Cardiff, showcasing potential venues to organisers, and support up to the event, are key to us being able to important business events such as the ESA’s Industrial Policy Committee to our city.”

 

ENDS

The Meet in Cardiff team is a unit based in Cardiff Council which promotes Cardiff as a business events destination and offers a free service to conference organisers including venue finding, designing a conference programme and back up services and suppliers.