The ballot for the Birmingham Accommodation BID (ABID), opens later this month, on Thursday 20 August 2026.
By now, you should have received our notification of the ballot alongside a copy of the Proposal and Business Plan (2027-2032).
The ballot papers, together with a statement of the arrangements, will also be sent to each accommodation provider by post ahead of the ballot opening on Thursday 20 August 2026.
The ballot will remain open for 28 days, closing at 5pm on Thursday 17 September 2026. We strongly encourage you to cast your vote and return it via post at your earliest opportunity.
The result will be announced on Monday 21 September 2026. If successful, the new BID term will commence on 1st April 2027 and run until 31st March 2032.
If you have any questions regarding the ballot, please get in touch via email: joanne.gray@birmingham.staybridge.com.
Your ballot questions answered
With the ballot opening on 20 August 2026, you may have questions about what the Birmingham Accommodation BID is, how the ballot works and what a successful outcome would mean for the city.
You’ll also find practical guidance on voting arrangements, important deadlines and information on obtaining a replacement ballot paper if required.
Whether you’re looking for more detail on the business plan or simply want to understand what a successful ballot could mean for Birmingham’s visitor economy, the FAQs provide a useful starting point.
If you have any questions that aren’t covered, the Birmingham ABID team would be pleased to help. Please get in touch to discuss the proposal and how it could support the future growth and competitiveness of the city.
Read the full FAQs by clicking below.
ABID funding: Subvention
Birmingham has the ambition, venues and connectivity to attract more major national and international events, but currently lacks the central funding and coordinated approach needed to compete effectively.
As a result, opportunities for large-scale conferences, exhibitions and business events have been lost to rival destinations.
The Birmingham Accommodation BID will directly address this by providing both dedicated investment and a clear framework for collaboration, enabling venues, stakeholders and partners to work together, target opportunities strategically and bring more high-profile events to the city, driving economic growth and enhancing Birmingham’s reputation on the international stage.
Our business plan details our budget and priorities across the five-year term, from 2027 to 2032. Read the business plan in full by clicking below.
A comment on Destination Marketing: West Midlands Growth Company
“The Birmingham Accommodation BID will play a vital role in strengthening Birmingham’s ability to attract major conferences, festivals, exhibitions and business events. By creating a dedicated investment fund and bringing partners together behind shared priorities, the ABID will help Birmingham compete more effectively on the national and international stage. This collaborative approach will support economic growth, generate visitor spend and showcase Birmingham and the wider West Midlands as a leading destination for business tourism and events.”
Manchester’s ABID helps secure landmark TV Festival
Manchester Accommodation BID has demonstrated the impact of a coordinated approach to attracting major events, securing The TV Festival for 2027.
For decades, the event has been held in Edinburgh. Following a successful bid, Manchester will become the festival’s new host city.
The bid was supported through Manchester Accommodation BID’s subvention fund, which helped partners develop a compelling and competitive proposition.
By providing funding and a framework for collaboration, the BID enabled key stakeholders to work together and secure an event that will deliver significant economic benefits. The festival is expected to generate substantial demand for hotel accommodation, hospitality venues and city centre businesses.
Manchester’s success demonstrates how strategic investment and partnership working through an Accommodation BID can help destinations like Birmingham compete for high-value events that might otherwise be out of reach, creating lasting benefits for the visitor economy, city centre businesses and the wider business community.
Hotelier support for the ABID
As Birmingham prepares for the upcoming Accommodation BID ballot, support continues to build from across the city’s accommodation sector.
Johan Scheepers, General Manager of The Grand Hotel Birmingham, believes the ABID will provide the funding and collaborative framework needed to strengthen Birmingham’s position as a leading destination for both business and leisure visitors.
He said: “Birmingham already has an outstanding hospitality offer and a strong reputation as a destination for business and leisure visitors but we must do more to attract new activities to the city.
The Birmingham ABID will give the city the resources and collaborative framework needed to secure more major events and conferences, generating benefits for hotels, venues, restaurants and local businesses alike.
We are proud to support an initiative that will help unlock new opportunities, drive visitor spending and showcase Birmingham on a larger international stage.”