A wide range of options for conferences

Whilst probably most famous for its football and musical exports or as the birthplace of the Industrial Revolution, Manchester’s reputation as a leading business tourism destination is growing considerably, with this sector currently worth over £822m per annum to the city-region.
    
The combination of historical importance, award winning architecture, rich culture and the inimitable spirit of its people make Manchester a popular choice for event planners. Greater Manchester is not short on conference and meeting venues across the region, but many fall into four distinct areas:  Petersfield, centrally located; Oxford road, with universities and academic institutions; the Quays, on the water of the famous Manchester Ship Canal; and the ‘Medieval quarter’ and northern fringe of the city centre.

Petersfield
The city’s success is largely the result of heavy investment in the area known as Petersfield, an area of historic importance for Manchester – St Peter’s Field, as the quarter was known in the 1800s, has always been the city’s primary meeting point. Today, the area is home to the city’s flagship conference venue, Manchester Central, as well as over 2,500 hotel beds within a five minute walk at hotels such as The Hilton Manchester Deansgate, The Midland Hotel and The Radisson Edwardian Hotel to name a few. Recent additions to Petersfield include venues the Albert Hall – a Grade II listed Wesleyan chapel on Peter Street – and Mr Cooper’s House and Garden, which is Simon Rogan’s second restaurant at the Midland hotel, combining modern touches with dashes of history and heritage. The concentration of these facilities within a relatively compact area has made Manchester city centre an appealing option for conference and event organisers so it’s no surprise that Manchester continues to be a regular host city for the highly coveted political party conferences. The Labour Party visited in 2006, 2008, 2010 and 2012 and will return this year, whilst The Conservative Party visited during the in-between years of 2009, 2011 and 2013 and are set to return in 2015.

But it isn’t just the political parties that choose Manchester – the city’s industrial and academic strengths also attract international conferences within specialist sectors and disciplines.    

Significant upcoming international conferences this year include: the International Conference on Urban Health in March, International Bio‑energy conference, also in March, PSA (Political Studies Association) 64th annual international conference in April and International Festival for Business from June to July. It’s this experience of hosting major conferences that makes Manchester a standout choice for conference planners. However, major trump cards such as a sensible infrastructure, central location within the UK and excellent international connectivity all play a part in the city’s success.

Easily Accessible
Manchester Airport offers high standards of route network, capacity and facilities. Delegates can be checking in to their hotel within 45 minutes of landing. Meanwhile the West Coast Main Line service has trains making the two-hour, seven-minute journey every 20 minutes at peak, bringing Manchester closer to London than ever before.
    
Once in the city, delegates have access to a comprehensive public transport system including the free Metroshuttle bus service comprised of three routes that loop around the city connecting all the main railway stations, shopping and business districts. Manchester also has Metrolink, one of the most successful light rail (tram) systems in the UK.

Oxford road
The University of Manchester and Manchester Metropolitan University sit along Oxford road and both offer comprehensive conference and meeting facilities as well as out‑of‑term accommodation.
    
The University of Manchester has recently completed the first phase of a £60 million project to open a new hotel, conference venue, and executive education centre at Manchester Business School – the UK’s largest campus-based business and management school.
    
In the middle of the All Saints Campus are the recently opened Business School and School of Arts at Manchester Metropolitan University, both of which support organisations in the region, serving as major providers of research and talent. The conference facilities at the Business School are housed in a highly original jewel shaped building designed to be at the forefront of green development with impressive sustainable credentials. The six tiered lecture theatres, multiple syndicate rooms and exhibitions and dining space are capable of housing up to 205 delegates. Meanwhile the School of Art offers the opportunity for events and receptions in the impressive vertical galleries and it’s on the unique roof-top terrace.
  
Coming up in 2015, just 10 minutes on foot from the All Saints campus will be the new conference facilities at Birley Fields – a new campus housing the Faculty of Health, Psychology & Social Care and the Faculty of Education. Its main academic building will be one of the most impressive of its kind in Europe, with outstanding specialist facilities and spacious public areas. The largest space in the building is the multi-purpose hall, a major space capable of holding over 200 people for a lecture, seminar or public meeting using retractable seating.
    
Not forgetting some nearby favourites. The Whitworth Gallery refurbishment is due to be completed in autumn 2014 and will expand the gallery into the beautiful Whitworth Park, providing needed additional space for exhibitions and conferences. Meanwhile, in March 2014 the city will see the Central Library open once again, after a three-year closure.

The Quays and Trafford
The Quays is Greater Manchester’s stunning waterfront destination and home to some of the most spectacular attractions and iconic buildings in the UK. Easily accessed, 15 minutes from Manchester city centre by car or Metrolink, the Quays’ many venues offer a range of inspiring spaces for special events, meetings, conferences, and training. Their enviable proximity to MediaCityUK, its world class facilities, and the close-knit community of digital start-ups in the vicinity means that Quays venues have access to some of the best tech and creative talent around. Over 7 million people visit the Quays every year, making it one of the most popular leisure destinations in the North; however, all attractions double up as very special venues for business delegates.
    
The Lowry arts centre has a wide range of conference spaces that can accommodate anywhere between 10 and 1,700 delegates. Across the water the Imperial War Museum North – the first UK building designed by world-renowned architect Daniel Libeskind – offers dramatic spaces to dine and present in, with a 360 degree digital projection system with which clients can create an immersive space for their brand or event.    
    
Nearby Ordsall Hall is a Grade I listed Tudor manor house that re-opened to the public in 2011 following a two year £6.5m restoration project and delegates can hire the venue for small drinks receptions and events.Manchester is known for its sporting heritage and a stones throw from the Quays is Lancashire County Cricket Club which has recently completed a player and media centre with meeting spaces overlooking the ground.

And just across the road is the world’s biggest football club. Manchester United FC’s Old Trafford is legendary and never fails to inspire delegates who can meet in one of their 24 suites or 155 flexible rooms. Old Trafford boasts incentive activities such as Museum and Stadium Tours and Matchday VIP hospitality. The venue is also one of the first in the UK to achieve ISO20121 Sustainable Event Certification.  
    
Not to be outdone, Manchester City FC, over the other side of town at the Etihad stadium has its own especially themed suites.

Medieval Quarter
Sticking with football, the National Football Museum has attracted huge visitor numbers since it opened in July 2012. It can host up to 500 delegates for drinks receptions, fashion shows and product launches. It now also offers a larger events space on the top floor located above the museum featuring a private ground floor entrance.
    
Ongoing investment is crucial for the success of the business tourism industry and there are currently a number of projects taking place in the medieval quarter and northern fringe which will add significantly to the overall diversity of Manchester’s conference offer. These include NOMA53, a new 20 acre site combining offices, retail, residential, and leisure facilities and a proposed new Hotel Indigo. Nearby Band on the Wall – a music venue first and foremost with a history that stretches back over 200 years – is also fully equipped to manage conferences and events.  

Meet the team
Manchester’s impressive business product wouldn’t be complete without its conference team. They are specialised in event bidding, planning, marketing and client support. They offer a single point of contact for conference planners, meaning that a dedicated professional will be on hand from conference conception to completion. They can help with: securing key speakers and civic receptions; liaising with other city stakeholders to deliver services such as city dressing and security. All in all, they provide key services any organiser would expect from a leading convention city.
    
The team also manages Manchester’s established Conference Ambassador Programme – a network of academics and business figures that help attract their industry events to the city. With the largest student population in Europe studying at four universities across the city-region, Manchester has more than its share of lecturers, doctors and professors willing to help promote the city. With such fantastic connections the team can put event organisers in touch with suitable academics who might be able to help back a bid to bring a particular conference to Manchester.

Further information
www.visitmanchester.com/conference