THE Helmsley Group, the Yorkshire property venture behind some of York's most prestigious commercial and residential developments, will take centre stage at a leading business conference in June.

Helmsley, responsible for York's Merchant Exchange riverside development and the Monks Cross North business park, is a key sponsor of the Yorkshire International Business Convention at the Yorkshire Event Centre, in Harrogate, on June 11.

Now in its ninth year, the convention is firmly established as the most significant networking event in the business calendar and has attracted the world's most sought-after speakers, including former US President Bill Clinton and the former Mayor of New York, Rudy Giuliani.

This year's speakers will include former UN weapons inspector Hans Blix, former Tory leader William Hague and outstanding motivational speaker Benjamin Zander, leader of the Boston Philharmonic Orchestra.

A full supporting programme will include the humour of Rory Bremner.

Helmsley is developing its marketing material for the convention, which will feature a flying pink pig.

Chairman John Reeves explained: "We wanted to inject humour into the event so we have opted for an image of a flying pig. We are often told that the services we provide - syndicated property and syndicated loans - provide returns that are too good to be true and that 'pigs might fly'. Our clients know that we do offer fantastic returns, so maybe pigs do fly... well, they will be flying at the convention!"

John Eeles, Helmsley's managing director, said: "We are particularly active in the York property market and are looking forward to flying the flag for the city and for the properties in which we have invested over the years."

Updated: 11:51 Thursday, April 08, 2004