9
Dedicated Venues
urope’s largest housing festival, CIH
Housing’s annual conference and
exhibition, has called Manchester Central
its home since 2011.
Throughout its time at the venue, the event has
continued to evolve and 2018 proved to be its
most successful year to date, with a 12.5%
increase in corporate bookings and growth in
delegate revenues resulting in record footfall for
the event.
While a focus for 2018 was improving the
‘exhibitor experience’, the organisers worked with
the team at Manchester Central to provide an
unforgettable experience for everyone attending
the event.
As delegates, who travelled from as far and wide
as New Zealand and Canada, arrived in the
Manchester sunshine, they were greeted by two
modular homes which we’re built in less than 48
hours in the heart of the city.
Sarah Payling, portfolio director at Ocean Media,
said: “One of the reasons for our ability to innovate,
launch, disrupt and yet keep our audience on
board throughout is the partnership arrangement
we have with Manchester Central. They help us
with every single step of the journey, we trust them,
Case
study
The floor
felt alive;
networking
opportunities
were
maximised
www.conference-news.co.uk
respect them and feel like they are a key part of
the event team at all times”.
For 2018, the decision was taken to maximise
engagement on the show floor by moving
everything into Manchester Central’s iconic
central hall, a converted railway station. This
included building ‘pop-up’ seminar theatres, a
delegate lounge and working with the venue’s IT
team to deliver the best technological solutions.
And it was a decision that paid off. The floor felt
alive; networking opportunities were maximised,
and speakers commented the new and improved
‘fringe festival’ which was modelled on
Glastonbury; with a pyramid stage and music
playing throughout, including a 60-strong
children’s community choir.
Payling continued: “The most important thing
for us is that our delegates, visitors and
exhibitors not only love the exhibition but also
love the venue, and we can safely say that they
do! All the feedback that we’ve received has
been incredibly complimentary about the
facilities at Manchester Central and its location
in the heart of the city is ideal for networking long
after the exhibition has closed. We’re already
looking forward to returning next year.