EC&O Venues and BRIT Award organisers the BPI have signed a deal confirming that the world-famous music event will be hosted at the top West London venue in February 2009.
Contrary to recent rumours in the national press that the awards were going elsewhere, the BRIT awards will remain at Earls Court; making it the twelfth time the venue has held the event.
Nigel Nathan, Managing Director at EC&O Venues, said that rumours that the event was moving, had been greatly misinterpreted. “There has been some confusion about the awards but the fact is the BRITs work well at Earls Court. This is due to its prime West London location, its flexibility of space, the experience and knowledge of the venue team – and that everyone here think’s the event is fantastic. The BPI has been offered other deals from other venues in the past, but they were keen to stay with us. Of course we’re delighted with this outcome and look forward to working with them next year to produce another successful awards ceremony.”
The BRITs, a UK music industry institution, were first held at Earls Court in 1996, and returned, after a two year break, in 2000. The 2008 awards held in February were another great success and the venue teams delivered an outstanding event – a total of 4,650 seated guests were treated to a lavish three course meal, served in under 90 minutes ahead of the live ITV broadcast at 8pm. Over 230 EC&O Venues staff worked on the 2008 BRIT awards, managing all aspects of the event from catering and health and safety through to security and traffic.
In their time at Earls Court, the BRITs have honoured a glittering array of top music acts including Oasis, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Take That, Madonna, David Bowie and Sting. This year was no exception with performances from Mika, Kylie, Amy Winehouse, The Kaiser Chiefs and Rhianna and culminated with an electrifying performance from Paul McCartney, who received the Outstanding Contribution to Music Award.
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Notes to editors
For further information on EC&O Venues:
Lynne Marie Cox, Communications Manager
lynnemarie.cox@eco.co.uk / 020 7370 8838
www.eco.co.uk
EC&O Venues is the UK’s premier exhibition and conference venue manager. The business comprises Earls Court, Olympia and the Brewery, London’s leading venues for exhibitions, conferences and special events. The three venues hold over 1000 events each year, attracting over 3 million visitors and 30,000 exhibiting companies.
For more information on the BRITs please visit:
www.brits.co.uk The BRIT (British Record Industry Trust) Awards is organised by the BPI — the British recorded music industry association — which has over 400 record company members large and small who between them account for in excess of 90% of UK recorded music sales.