Lawyers from  around the world said attending a conference in Exeter had opened their eyes to Devon's attractions and economic importance.

Around 120 businesspeople and guests travelled to the city from across Europe and the USA for the 20th anniversary IAG  Assembly, held by law  firm Michelmores.

The IAG (Integrated  Advisory Group) is a  worldwide association  of independent professional firms, with members throughout Europe, North and  South America and the Middle East.

The assembly has  previously been held  in  Paris, Buenos Aries  and Venice. Exeter  joined that group as the Echo's Exeter Bites Back campaign  highlights how the city  remains a hive of business activity despite  the recession.

Michelmores' director of client services Andrew Maynard said the event was an opportunity to showcase  the city.

During their  three-day stay at the  Mercure Southgate  hotel in Southernhay,  delegates were given a  presentation on the region's economy by  Stephen Peacock, the  South West Regional  Development Agency's executive director  of enterprise and innovation.

They also enjoyed a  black tie banquet at  Powderham Castle.  Other activities included walking on  Dartmoor before a river cruise to the Turf  Hotel for an outdoor  party on Saturday  night.

Delegates at the assembly said they were  delighted to be in Exeter and enjoying  learning about the region.

Simon Wesley, from law firm Colbert Avocats in Lyon, France,  said: "Michelmores  have done a very good  job as organisers. The  general impression is  people who have come  here are all saying  what a superb region  you have."

Stephanie Bschorr,  from HTG Wirtschaftsprüfung in Berlin,  said: "I would like to  come back as a tourist  with my family."

Others said they  were pleasantly surprised how easy it was  to get to Exeter.  Christopher Allegaert,  from New York law  firm Allegaert, Berger  & Vogel, said: "I flew  direct from Newark to  Bristol.

"The flight took  around six hours and  the fare was so cheap  that I could come for a  long weekend. I would  be tempted to do  that."

Michael Fingerhut,  from Fingerhut Rechtsanwalte in Munich,  said: "I often work  with colleagues in  London, but this is my  first visit to Exeter and  the South West.

"It was one of the  reasons to come here,  as until now I didn't  know this area. It's a  very nice and interesting area with a fantastic landscape, and a  very important economic area too, which  I didn't know."

Christopher Whitamore, from the IAG's  administration office,  said: "Every assembly  is different and it's really quite hard to compare, But for the English people among us  it's a great pleasure to  be able to show people  a part of England that  maybe they haven't  been able to visit before."

(This article was published by the Express & Echo on Monday 18 May)

( Last Updated: 17-03-2010 )

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