Virgin Trains and the NEC Group have announced a three-year partnership that will see the national train operator become the exclusive rail partner for the venue management company. The deal allows NEC Group customers to receive a 25% on Virgin Trains' Advance fares.
This is the first time that Virgin Trains has agreed such a partnership with a live events organisation. The Advance fares deal, for use on the West Coast Main Line, extends to customers that visit any of the NEC Group’s venues including the NEC, the ICC, the LG Arena and the NIA. The discount will also be available to customers that purchase a show or event ticket to any venue based along the West Coast Main Line through The Ticket Factory (TTF) - the NEC Group’s official ticketing agent. This includes venues in London, Manchester, Liverpool, Glasgow and Edinburgh.
Paul Thandi, CEO of the NEC Group, said of the partnership: “The NEC Group is continuously looking for new ways to enhance the customer experience and our partnership with Virgin Trains is just another way in which we have been able to do this.
“Our venues are renowned for great transport links and connectivity. It takes just over an hour to get to the NEC site from London and an hour and half from Manchester on the train, so not only is travelling by rail a fantastic way to get here quickly, it is now even greater value for money.”
Adrian Varma, Partnership and Regions Manager at Virgin Trains, added: “We aspire to be more than simply the best choice for people looking for the fastest way of getting from A to B. We work hard to ensure the experience on board is just as memorable as the reason for it which is why we are proud to partner with NEC Group, their venues and The Ticket Factory.”
Kathryn James, NEC Managing Director, commented: “We are continuously striving to be the venue of choice for our organisers, exhibitors and visitors, so we are always looking at ways to improve and to add further value to our customer offer, focusing on the things that make people want to do business with us and visit us again. The new three-year deal with Virgin Trains does exactly that, enabling all of our customers to get the most out of their experience. The NEC is renowned for its accessibility and connectivity, situated right at the heart of the motorway network and physically connected to Birmingham International railway station. With confirmation of 25% discount on all advanced-fare rail travel, our great location has just got even better.”
Customers that purchase event tickets through The Ticket Factory will receive a link through to the dedicated Virgin Trains’ website with their confirmation email. Customers will need their event ticket purchased through The Ticket Factory when prompted by the Train Manager on board to validate the travel discount, whilst trade and conference visitors will need to show their event registration along with train ticket in order for the discount to be valid.
