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Manchester: Homegrown Conference & Incentive Travel

Posted by Sarah Threlfall

As the appetite for sustainable MICE options grows, businesses are avoiding flights and turning their attention to potential options on their doorsteps. Look no further than Manchester, a homegrown, premium and accessible destination in the middle of the country.

Steeped in cultural history, music and sport, its got all the key ingredients for arranging memorable corporate events, rewarding your star players, or entertaining your key clients.

Following hot on Edinburghs heels, a supplementary City Visitor Charge @ £1.00 per room per night is levied from April 2023, contributing to ongoing marketing activities, plus the infrastructural maintenance needed to support Manchesters formidable visitor experience.

In fact, the sheer choice of hotels, venues, and visitor attractions is quite overwhelming. But, heres a few of our hot picks to get your creative juices flowing:

Manchester Central

The iconic vaulted arches and original station clock welcome you to Manchester Centrals expansive exhibition spaces. But youre not excluded if your requirements arent quite so colossal. Manchester Central can help, whether youre looking for a boardroom meeting for 15, a training seminar for 75, or a company presentation for 800 in a state-of-the-art auditorium. As an additional massive advantage, its notably a leading light for Net Zero Carbon Events.

Midland Hotel

This true Manchester icon of timeless elegance, impeccable restaurants and blissful urban spa is where Rolls and Royce joined forces many moons ago. It retains its coveted spot as a jewel in Manchesters crown, with 14 classic yet leadingedge conference and events spaces for up to 700 delegates, 312 sumptuous bedrooms, and three sought after dining experiences, including the 4AA rosette Adam Reid at The French.

Marriott Victoria & Albert Hotel

Affectionately known locally as The V&A, this striking Grade II listed property has Manchester oozing from every pore. Expect exposed brickwork and industrial ambience on the banks of the lilting Manchester Ship Canal. It boasts 148 curious but captivating bedrooms and 10 meetings and events spaces. These airy suites can facilitate up to 240 people with five breakouts when used in conjunction, plus an attractive outdoor terrace with spectacular views of the city.

Lowry Hotel

The majestic Lowry offers up its own unique combination of fabulousness and functionality to MICE organisers. Theres a distinct sense of occasion about its dedicated events floor, which includes a separate ground floor entrance, bar, registration area and exclusive pre-function lobby. Whats more, its configurable in multi-flexible ways, for up to 600 people standing or 400 delegates in a theatre style layout. On top of that, theres 165 awe-inspiring bedrooms and 12 breathtaking suites, including the Presidential Suite, which the hotel itself describes as slightly outrageous.

 

Itinerary Ideas

You dont have to travel far to create an unforgettable incentive experience and theres loads of opportunities in Manchester to offer those money cant buy memories as part of a reward trip for staff, buyers or partners.

Northern Belle – Luxury sightseeing and hospitality aboard the UK’s answer to the Orient Express train travel is seeing a huge resurgence and its often a first for most to experience the super luxury experience of a bygone age. Its possible to charter a carriage or even the whole train either as part of the trip or as a way to start or finish in true style.

AO Arena – The Beautiful North The concert Arenas newest super suite, comprising private bar, tapas style dining and unparalleled stage views. Treat your group to an exclusive experience with the hottest tickets and seats in town.

Tattu Private dining or exclusive hire of this stunning contemporary Chinese restaurant, serving fusion cuisine and sensory cocktails in luxe, immersive surroundings under indoor cherry blossom trees

Dakota Hotel The lovingly prepared and honestly presented fayre at one of Manchesters most impressive newcomers has fast become renowned as the best Sunday lunch in town

Harvey Nicols – Opulent retail therapy and personal shopping packages, with a break for spot of stylish afternoon tea

Worsley Park Country Club Ultimate indulgence at the Spa of Senses, or a round on the 18-hole PGA Championship golf course? You decide.

Manchester United and Manchester City Premiership match day ticketing and hospitality

New Openings

With huge credit going to Chetan Shah, Susie Harwood and the fabulous team at Micebook, theyve also recently published this excellent piece taking a look at the hottest new openings in Manchester which are definitely worth checking out.

https://micebook.com/blog/2023/03/27/6-hot-new-venues-in-manchester

Spurred by this tiny taste of what Manchester can offer? Get in touch with us, at Brightspace Events. Whether youre looking for a meeting room, a product launch or a top-notch incentive programme, we cant wait to inspire and delight you with tailored options to suit your unique needs.

Sarah Threlfall

Sarah's worked in the corporate event industry across hotels, global event agencies and now at Brightspace for over 25 years and has been lucky enough to deliver some jaw dropping delivered events from Antigua to Zambia. She now leads the agency and is heavily involved with all the projects and is wildly enthusiastic about every client and every event; relishing the challenge to get under their skin and deliver real value in their event strategy. Health and well being are central to her life so she prioritises all sorts of activity with running as her first love and most recently, joining a ladies cricket team. She's also very likely to be found on the touchline of junior football / rugby and cricket matches as well as indulging her love of live theatre. (p.s. as 2 separate hobbies; her kids would disown her if she were bursting into song / bringing out the jazz hands on the sidelines!)