“ To truly be sustainable as businesses and as an industry , we need to remember it ’ s okay to sometimes say no and cut back . This will reduce the likelihood of further burnout and eventprofs leaving companies or even the industry . ”
Jack Newey , portfolio director , International Confex
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countries represented at this year ’ s Home & Gift Buyers ’ Festival in Harrogate
Numbers on the rise at Manchester Central
Delegate numbers at Manchester Central have risen beyond pre-Covid levels and contributed 12 % more to the economy , according to the venue ’ s latest quarterly report .
Between April and June 2022 , the venue held 56 events and welcomed 100,419 visitors , a 13 % rise in delegates compared to the same period in 2019 .
Several event and conference hosts have also reported their largest attendance numbers at the venue . These numbers contributed £ 38.2m economic impact to the region , an uplift of 12 % compared to the same timeframe in 2019 . The latest figures come as Manchester Central completed its first normal trading quarter since the pandemic . During the Covid-19 lockdowns , the venue invested in hybrid solutions to continue hosting interactive events . In an average year it attracts more than half a million visitors to the city and brings approximately £ 150m into the Greater Manchester local economy .
Events during the last quarter included Housing 2022 , which recorded its highest visitor numbers having welcomed 8,300 attendees and 450 speakers . The BIBA ( British Insurance Brokers ’ Association ) conference also attracted a strong number of attendees , with 8,066 delegates and 222 exhibiting companies .
Manchester Central CEO Shaun Hinds said : “ These last few months have been some of our busiest ever and demand has been incredibly strong . It ’ s brilliant to see events bounce back in the way that they have and I ’ m so pleased to have the buzz back under our roof again .
“ These latest results show that there ’ s a real appetite for hosting large events in person right here in Manchester .
“ Our venue is steeped in history and is proudly the birthplace of hundreds of thousands of business deals and innovations , the benefits of which span many years after the event itself .”
75 % travel managers in Europe expecting 202222 business travel volume to surpass 2019 levels , according to a report by Cvent
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teams that took part in Sticky Wicket 2022 , where Exhibition News picked up the main prize
90 %
stand space already booked for gaming event ICE London 2023 at ExCeL
80,000 visitors attended the Farnborough Airshow from 18-22 July
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