THE NIA, Birmingham has launched a social media campaign asking members of the public to place their memories of the NIA’s 23-year history centre stage for a chance to win two tickets to the opening season of the new NIA, when its £26 million redevelopment is completed in December.

The virtual "memory stage" running on twitter, facebook, instagram and pintrest has been set up to collate and archive people’s memories of the NIA.

Phil Mead, managing director of the NIA, said: “As we go through some major changes we are at a stage in our evolution when we can look back at all the amazing events and experiences we have hosted.

"We could only have dreamt of the success of the NIA has achieved when we opened in 1991. Now we are one of the world’s most established arenas and one of the world’s best indoor sporting venues, attracting artists and champions from across the world.”

In over two decades the NIA has attracted over £150 million to the economy and welcomed millions of visitors to acts and events as varied as Beyonce, Justin Bieber and Madonna to world-class athletics, badminton and trampolining.

The transformation of the NIA, part of the NEC Group’s Arenas portfolio along with the LG Arena, is intended to provide an improved and enhanced experience to promoters, artists and performers, visitors and the city.

The NIA is welcomes almost one million visitors annually.

All areas of the NIA will be upgraded during the redevelopment, from front of house through to backstage. The most dramatic element is set to be a new glass facade overlooking Brindleyplace.

Iconic "sky needles" on top of the NIA will light up the Birmingham skyline at night.