Coventry’s SkyDome Arena has added another string to its bow by winning a resounding vote of confidence after hosting its first major corporate conference.

The £7 million complex was chosen by brewing giants Carlsberg-Tetley to hold a conference attended by 600 delegates, including group chairman Michael Iuul and Bernie Ray, managing director of the British arm of the company.

Visitors from all over the country heard speeches, watched presentations and had lunch at the one-day event.

Colin Cordy, Carlsberg-Tetley's director of customer marketing, said the venue had proved perfect for the company's needs.

He said:

"It was a great success and we were very impressed with the venue. We were aware we were the first major conference to go there but the complex is ideal for large numbers of people.

"Coventry is ideally situated within the motorway network, there is superb car parking and very good access for equipment.

“Everyone was fed well within 45 minutes and the delegates had a very good day. There was a mix of people from all parts of our company and they came from all over the country.

"Mr Ray was delighted with the SkyDome and congratulated them on the event. I would certainly recommend the venue to other companies."

The Arena has now hosted the conference, boxing, ice hockey and basketball, and is due to announce a line-up of music events in the next few weeks.

Michael Petrouis, managing director of arena owners Planet Ice, said the Carlsberg-Tetley event was a massive boost to the venue's reputation.

He said:

"Other companies will note that such a well-known corporation has chosen Coventry and the SkyDome Arena to host a major conference and that can only be good for us and the city.

"The Arena is truly multi-functional and the success of this conference only underlines that we can bring a range of events to the city."