A big 2016 for conferences showed why Manchester is a main motor of the Northern Powerhouse project.

The 2016 conference value and volume study showed that the value of the Conference and Business Events sector to Greater Manchester was put at £810m, a figure generated through hosting 4.5m delegates and servicing 7.4m delegate days.

The study also showed that the average value of a DDR (per trip) was £79 whilst the average value of a staying delegate was £318 per trip.

The business and conference events sector supports 21,900 direct jobs within Greater Manchester and 40,100 jobs to the UK.

Several key trends also emerged from the study since the previous survey in 2013. Namely;

A 14% growth in the number of events booked with Greater Manchester venues.

A 9% growth in the economic impact generated by delegates staying in the wider destination.

Growth in the value of business coming in from the North West and overseas (4% and 11%)

Growth in non – corporate business from representing 43% of the sector in 2013 to 48% in 2015.

The last two years have seen a raft of independent venues come on stream in Manchester including Hotel Gotham , Hotel Football and King Street Townhouse.

A 21m refurbishment to create 271 bedrooms and suites in the Grade II listed Palace Hotel has produced the Principal Manchester now boasting the largest ballroom in the region.

Upcoming there is Oddfellows on the Park, Easy Hotel Manchester, Roomzzz Apart Hotel in the Corn Exchange, whilst No1 Springfield is the tallest commercial tower to join the Skyline for 50 years.

Source: Conference News