Conference News June 2021 | Page 18

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Manchester
Safety first Manchester Convention Bureau has been busy signing venues to the nationwide ‘ We ’ re Good to Go ’ scheme , and now has more than 400 approved sites listed on its website . Launched by VisitEngland , the scheme offers reassurance to visitors , helping them to easily identify businesses that have followed government and public health guidelines and have procedures in place to maintain cleanliness and aid social distancing .
It has also developed innovative solutions to meet the changing needs of conference organisers and delegates , like using live-streaming technology to facilitate national hybrid events . Organisers can now book an event via Manchester Convention Bureau to be held simultaneously at up to eight regional hubs , allowing guests to come together in real-world and virtual settings .
The Manchester Hoteliers Association ( MHA ) – a non-profit organisation which champions the city ’ s vibrant hotel scene – has been working closely with accommodation providers across the region to make sure guests feel safe and reassured . “ Our hotels have made significant investments in making sure they are Covid-compliant , alongside meeting VisitEngland ‘ We ’ re Good to Go ’ accreditations ,” says Adrian Ellis , chair of the MHA . “ Delegates can be confident knowing they are both safe and supporting the tourism and hospitality industry at a time when it needs support the most .”
Building back , better At the city ’ s largest conference venue , Manchester Central , all hands have been on deck to transform it from an NHS Nightingale Hospital back into a safe and welcoming event space .
Above : Manchester Central
Right : Kimpton hotel lobby
In the true spirit of ‘ building back better ’ a new broadcast-quality production studio has been added , technical upgrades have been made to the venue ’ s 800-capacity auditorium , and the Wi-Fi speed has been increased to 10Gb . And , when it is back up and running , organisers and delegates will be able to pre-order food and drinks on site via an app , minimising the need for contact .
The venue is set to host its first large conference at the end of this month and will resume a normal schedule of events from September with Housing 2021 – the Chartered Institute of Housing ’ s annual conference – followed by the Conservative Party
“ Manchester is a city that ’ s never sat back and expected to be granted a favour .”
Conference in October and the British Small Animal Veterinary Association Conference in March 2022 . Manchester will be the new home for the BSAVA , having been in Birmingham for almost the past 30 years .
“ We ’ re planning for a renewed energy and enthusiasm , but not taking it for granted ,” says Shaun Hinds , CEO of Manchester Central . “ Like any city centre we ’ ve got to come to terms with a changing landscape of business and leisure tourism over the next couple of years or so , but Manchester is a city that ’ s never sat back and expected to be granted a favour . We ’ ve always made our own cases for the things we ’ ve done and
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