Business Tourism  | 

A
s one of the UKÕs most dynamic cities, Manchester is an inspirational and safe host destination. The cityÕs appeal to national and international delegates is unrivalled whether visiting a large-scale conference or a local networking event. In recent research, eight of out 10 delegates ranked Manchester as a good conference destination, a higher rating than many other leading European conference destinations. 
Add to this an efficient transport infrastructure and a range of venues committed to providing the highest quality of facilities, service and cuisine at affordable prices and you can begin to understand just why Manchester is ranked as one of the worldÕs most popular conference destinations for planners and delegates alike.  
The venues 
ManchesterÕs diverse venues include a 19,000-seat arena, a convention complex in the heart of the city and an unrivalled range of additional meeting rooms available at other facilities within the region.  There are also some 19,000 bedrooms across Greater Manchester from budget to five star and 17,000 car parking spaces. 
Manchester offers associations a wide range of meeting options. From modern, purpose-built meeting facilities to the elegant splendour of re-furbished Victorian buildings, whatever the subject matter and whoever the audience, visitors can be assured that Manchester will provide the ideal back-drop for their event. 
Manchester Central, in the heart of the city, provides auditorium seating for 800, 12 break-out rooms of various sizes and approximately 1,900 sq m of exhibition space in its multi-purpose hall. Additionally there is a column-free hall of 10,350 sq m, providing a flexible and easily divisible exhibition space or a tiered auditorium for over 4,000. 
Manchester Evening News Arena is EuropeÕs busiest indoor concert venue, built alongside Victoria Station. The venue can be transformed from an intimate theatre environment for 3,000 to a state-of-the-art arena capable of accommodating 19,000. 
By contrast, ManchesterÕs international concert venue, The Bridgewater Hall, with its breathtaking and award-winning architecture, provides auditorium seating for 1,875 as well as spacious waterside foyers and function spaces looking out over the canal basin. 
Excellent academic venues are available across the city region, combining purpose built conference facilities with historic charm. A number of magnificent country retreats are within easy reach of the city centre, offering a winning combination of excellent conference amenities and exclusive locations. 
There are over 7,000 city centre rooms. Over 450 are within five star accommodation, not forgetting a wide range of budget accommodation options. 

Explore the city 
To enable business visitors to get the most out of their time in Manchester, there is a wide range of pre- and post-conference tour options available to fill an hour or a full weekend. Discover the Pre-Raphaelite collections at Manchester Art Gallery, the contemporary exhibitions at Urbis Š the museum devoted to city life, and the Museum of Science and Industry on the site of the worldÕs oldest passenger railway station. Alternatively, visit a theme park or experience a sporting fixture at one of the regionÕs well-revered sports clubs Š the choice is truly inspirational. As the fashion capital of the north, shoppers are drawn to Harvey Nichols, Selfridges, numerous designer stores, as well as the shopping mecca that is the Trafford Centre. 

Beyond the city centre 
Outside of the city visitors will find more than 500 square miles of beautiful countryside, dotted with picturesque towns, waterways, stately homes and gardens and fantastic peaks and plains. 
From Manchester itÕs easy to get to picturesque Cheshire, experience the tranquil beauty of the Lake District, Peak District and Lancashire, or step even further afield and extend your visit towards Liverpool, Yorkshire, Scotland, Wales or London.