The annual Conference and Hospitality Show (CHS) is back for 2020 and brings with it a fresh new name and features. CHS Leeds 2020, formally known as The Conference and Hospitality Show, is the northern event for event planners, agents, venue finders and executive assistants and PAs.
Over the last 10 years, this flagship show has hosted outstanding hotels, venues and event suppliers as well as attracting the best event planners and buyers from around the UK. Back for its 11th year, the show attracts over 800 buyers and exhibitors from the UK’s top venues, hotels and meeting suppliers while offering a range of educational sessions and networking events. Taking place once again at the first direct arena in Leeds, the refreshed event will return on 28th April.
2019’s CHS 10th anniversary show was predicted to be a major event when exhibition space had virtually sold out before Christmas 2018. Pre-registration was up 10% from 2018, footfall increased by 10% year-on-year with a record-breaking 1,350 attendees at the show and 74% conversion rate from pre-registration to show attendance.
In 2019, CHS Leeds saw an additional 16% increase of hosted buyers the year previous, meaning that exhibitors were seeing even more quality buyers with purchasing power, a magnificent 5:1 ratio of exhibition stands to buyers. After last year’s success of bringing over 220 national suppliers, hotels and venues together under one roof – with 35% of exhibitors being brand new additions – CHS is set for its biggest year yet.
2020 will be the first year that hosted buyers can book appointments; offering a great opportunity to meet some truly amazing venues and suppliers at pre-arranged times. Hosted buyers will book four appointments during the one-day event, with at least one appointment with an exhibitor based in Yorkshire and the North East, as a way of driving new business in the host region.
Furthermore, the Meet in the Middle area designed for VIP and Hosted Buyers to relax and take a break, has been re-energised for 2020. It makes way for a larger space, allowing for more traffic along the aisles and will be a great area for catching up.
Emma Cartmell, CEO at CHS Group said:
“CHS Leeds is the biggest meetings and incentives event outside of London and we have some insanely fantastic hoteliers and brands that exhibit each year, 2020 will be no different.
“Introducing appointments to the show gives our exhibitors and buyers that extra added value; it optimises their time and demonstrates how we can help facilitate great meetings.
“Last year, we announced that we were going to go big with our business and our fresh thinking for CHS Leeds is just one of the steps we’ve taken. We have redeveloped our Meet in the Middle concept and selected an awesome theme and a keynote speaker that is due to be launched very soon.
“Our inspirational education programme will be back again for 2020 and will home in on some of the biggest trends within our industry. We expect this to be very thought provoking and useful to all that attend.”
And that’s not all, the official launch of the brand new CHS Birmingham took place in December 2019 with members of the Birmingham and Midlands region’s meetings and events industry gathering together to witness the unveiling of the new show which will take place on 27th October at the ICC Birmingham.
CHS Birmingham is also creating partnerships throughout the region, to ensure the event replicates the atmosphere that has been built over the last 10 years in Leeds: “Our secret sauce in Leeds was always to create a world class event that belongs to the city, and we’re going to do exactly the same
in Birmingham. This is a city that deserves its own industry event, and we’re going to deliver something really special for it.”
CHS Leeds will take place at the first direct arena, Leeds on 28th April. Visit Chsleeds.com to find out more.