Over recent years, the demand for planning corporate events in Manchester has grown significantly. Manchester has become such a popular destination for corporate events, competing with London and Birmingham to remain in the top three most popular cities for hosting an event.
Manchester is known for many things, from its bustling nightlife and fashion district to its cultural, musical and industrial heritage, symbolised by the worker bee.
Thanks to great transport networks, generally less expensive venue hire versus the capital, and an increasingly healthy business landscape, the city of Manchester is a popular location for planning corporate events.
Greater Manchester's economy is estimated to be worth £100bn+, making it the largest city region economy in the UK outside of London.
This explains why the city has really upped its game, making it all the easier to plan corporate events in Manchester.
Set a realistic budget for your corporate event in Manchester. Budget depends on the type of event you wish to hold and how many additional elements are involved. Using an event management company such as Blackberry Events to plan your corporate event in Manchester can help optimise your event budget using their existing venue and supplier relationships.
Manchester delegate day rates at hotel venues are estimated to be around £35 - 80pp - around 87% cheaper than what you would pay in London. You can optimise budget even further by selecting “off-peak” days such as Mondays and Fridays.
However, the real value comes from finding out what is included within that delegate day rate. Assigning a venue-finding expert from your event management agency can help ensure the best value is obtained for your delegate budget.
Consider things such as audio visual inclusion, refreshments, food and room hire. Anything extra is a bonus and can be worthwhile to improve delegate experience at your corporate event in Manchester.
Compare city-centre, Northern Quarter, Salford Quays and out-of-town options for access, capacity and transport links.
Before approaching a venue-finding agency such as Blackberry Events, you should consider the following things for your brief:
Selecting a preference of region in Manchester to hold your corporate event may feel overwhelming. Start by considering whats important to your event in terms of transport, local attractions, accommodation, parking and logistical access. Manchester regions such as Spinningfields, Deansgate and the Northern Quarter are all popular central locations for holding corporate events, however if you wish for something away from the hustle and bustle of the city itself you might also consider the outskirts of Manchester.
An affluent, upmarket events venue with views of the city as far as the eye can see. With capacity for up to 540 guests for private dining, this can make the perfect location for a company dinner, Christmas party or milestone celebration.
An award-winning events venue transformed from an old Victorian train station into a modern-meets-industrial experience. This venue has everything you could ever think of for any type of corporate event, with meeting spaces for small teams of 12 up to grand halls for up to 8,000 delegates.
See this Blackberry Events case study for a colleague conference at this venue.
Part of an award-winning portfolio of purpose-made conference and meeting spaces for up to 200 delegates, dedicated to creating valuable conversations, meaningful connections and more sustainable events.
Known for its award-winning spa, championship golf course, stunning grounds and highly functional conference and event spaces for anywhere from 2 to 70 people. This type of venue can offer a more corporate retreat / wellness experience. If your team has been working hard, this could be a great option should you want to offer an inclusive and rewarding wellness experience, with the option to hold formalities in their conference centre or do team building outdoors too.
Have your number of delegates at the ready. This will save time and make venue finding in Manchester all the more efficient. Whether your corporate event is a small meeting, a grand award ceremony or a large conference and exhibition, Manchester has so many options to suit all event sizes and types.
Consider the event format and duration before approaching your venue-finding agency to find your corporate event space in Manchester. Longer or multi-day events may require onsite or nearby accommodation, so be sure to inform them of this. If your event is a daytime conference going into an evening summer party or awards ceremony, consider the venue's versatility and ability to host both types of event.
Believe it or not, your venue choice can be a tool for storytelling in your brand's tone of voice. You can select a venue in Manchester for your corporate event that matches your internal culture, your ethics and your values. Whether you are a eco-conscious organisation looking to work with a responsible venue with impressive sustainability initiatives, or your culture is fun and vibrant and you want your event space to match that feeling, Manchester has a plethora of choices for each goal, helping you align your organisation to your event.
Book your event management company at least 6 months prior to your event date. This will ensure enough time to plan effectively and get support for the dates you want.
Agree your activities and agenda to allow your event management company to secure the most cost-effective, quality and local suppliers or speakers for your corporate event in Manchester.
Secure your corporate event venue in Manchester at least 4 months before your event date to ensure the best rates, flexibility and dates. Meet your chosen venue-finding agency onsite for a visit to discuss logistics and running order.
Invite attendees with enough notice to ensure the highest attendance rates possible.
Focus on the details. Fine-tune the event detail, whether that's theming, giveaways, photography, videography, presentations or entertainment timings.
Ensure everything is ready and in place and communicate further for a seamless experience. Provide attendees with transport information on how to get to your corporate event in Manchester, and don't forget to include where to park. Ensure any final numbers, dietary or accessibility requirements are given to your catering supplier or venue by the deadline date set.
For help planning your next corporate event in Manchester, speak with the experts here at Blackberry Events.
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