Derry City and Strabane District Council’s Business and Culture Committee received an annual update from the local forum. The forum's CEO David McLaughlin stated its turnover exceeded £6.1 million last year. Attendance reached 159,362 people.

McLaughlin noted a three percent increase in audience members from outside the council area compared to 2024/25. General Manager Paul Mason reported a significant drop in major conferences hosted in Derry since last year.

Mason said the forum partners with Visit Derry to deliver conferences. He pointed out that events for 800 to 900 seats are not materializing in the city centre. He described such conferences as a key economic driver for Derry.

Mason observed that large gatherings with 700 to 800 delegates fill restaurants and bars in the city. He attributed the decline partly to fewer such events originating from Belfast.

McLaughlin called for Derry to take a more proactive stance toward how Belfast authorities treat the city. He stated that Derry receives minimal benefits in the conference sector.