From the industrial revolution to splitting the atom, the first test tube baby to the isolation of graphene, Manchester is proud of its incredible heritage of cultivating revolutionary ideas. Thanks to this rich history and the vibrant modern culture the city consistently attracts ground-breaking and often radical events. If you’re looking to exchange ideas with the potential to change the world, Manchester is the place to do it.
Meeting in Manchester offers an extensive and diverse selection of venues all within easy access of the city centre. From low-key boardrooms and unique heritage spaces to our flagship convention centre Manchester Central; the city’s venue portfolio covers every need and want.
For accommodation, there’s a fantastic choice with options to suit all budgets: five-star; boutique; international chains; apartment style; and even pubs with rooms. There are over 26,000 bedrooms across the region and over 2,500 within a five-minute walk of Manchester Central at properties like The Hilton Deansgate, The Midland and The Edwardian Manchester.
The city is incredibly accessible thanks to one of the most comprehensive transport networks in the UK. The city centre is compact and walkable and benefits from a tram network, a free bus service and three major train stations connecting to the north of England and beyond. Historic Chester, vibrant Liverpool and the stunning natural beauty of the Lake District and Peak District National Parks are within easy access, so there’s every reason to extend your stay in the region once your business is done. Internationally, Manchester Airport is just 15 minutes by train from the city centre and offers direct flights from over 200 destinations worldwide including over 10 key cities across North America.
And of course Manchester is famous for its lively social and cultural scene. The city’s dining offer is flourishing, with some fantastic restaurants, cafés and street food, complemented by some of the best nightlife in the country, with all manners of bars, clubs and live music venues to drop into.
As a cultural counterweight to London venues like HOME, the Whitworth and the Royal Exchange Theatre offer world renowned events and culture. And, of course, Manchester is globally recognised as a city of football, home to two of the world’s biggest teams, both of whom offer fantastic stadium tour experiences.
All this means that whether you have a break in your meeting, free time in your itinerary
or a social programme to fill, Manchester has a wealth of unique options to keep your delegates entertained.
Furthermore, by identifying industry sectors, academic subjects and local experts that make Manchester stand-out as a conference destination, city stakeholders such as Visit Manchester, Manchester Central, the universities and other venues, academic ambassadors and industry supporters have been able to work together to tap into opportunities which add value to the city – helping it become known for intellect, knowledge and innovation.
This unique partnership is known as the ‘Team Manchester’ approach and it offers a very attractive proposition for conference organisers.
As a first port of call, if you’re considering an event in Manchester, make sure to get in touch with the Manchester Convention Bureau. Their team of knowledgeable conference and meeting professionals specialise in event and client support, saving you time and ensuring your event runs smoothly.
See meetinmanchester.com for further information
After a challenging year for tourism globally in
2020, and a slow start to 2021, Greater Manchester has bounced back with an array of new outdoor experiences, rich cultural developments, exceptional hotel, restaurant and bar openings, and world-leading events. Here are five new openings in Manchester to keep your eye on in 2022.
Castlefield Viaduct: derelict train line transformed into urban park
The National Trust will soon begin turning the long- abandoned Grade II-listed Castlefield Viaduct into an urban park reminiscent of New York’s famous High Line. The National Trust has taken on the site and is planning to open around half of the 330m viaduct to the public from summer 2022 as part of a phase one trial that will inform permanent plans for the site.
Manchester Museum: much-loved museum reopens with extension and added galleries
The passionately progressive Manchester Museum has a vision to be the most imaginative, inclusive, and caring museum you might ever encounter. Currently closed for construction work, it will reopen in late 2022 after a £13.5 million transformation that will add a two-storey extension, a new exhibition hall, South Asia Gallery, and Chinese Culture Gallery.
Leonardo Hotel: ‘Jenga-inspired’ hotel to open within emerging neighbourhood
The £35 million Leonardo Hotel will sit at the heart
of Piccadilly East; a new neighbourhood emerging directly behind Piccadilly Station. Due to open in spring 2022, the hotel will have an arresting ‘Jenga- inspired’ block exterior with draping greenery and planters, plus a ground floor restaurant, café bar and external terrace area which will connect to a new public square.
Mayfield Park: the city’s first new park inover 100 years
The 6.5-acre Mayfield Park will be Manchester’s first new city centre public park for over 100 years. It is under construction on the sprawling Mayfield site adjacent to Piccadilly Station, which also currently houses the award-winning food and drink venue, Escape to Freight Island. The park is aiming to be ready for its initial opening by late 2022.
Clayton Hotel: another addition to Portland Street hotel corridor
The new luxury four-star Clayton Hotel Manchester City Centre has become a landmark building on Portland Street after opening in January 2022. An ideal destination for both business and leisure, it has beautiful modern interiors with a mezzanine overlooking the bustling bar area on the ground- floor and a stunning feature staircase. The 18-storey hotel also hosts five state-of-the-art meeting rooms equipped with the industry-leading Clevertouch technology which can host up to 153 delegates.