Manchester Showcases Innovation and Collaboration at CHS Manchester 2026

© Aeroflair and Marketing Manchester

Manchester Convention Bureau, part of Marketing Manchester, has revealed the programme for the Discover Manchester Stage at CHS Manchester, taking place on 30 September 2026. Bringing together leading venues, hospitality providers, cultural institutions and destination partners, the programme will showcase how the city region is redefining event experiences through innovation, sustainability, accessibility and collaboration.

Designed to equip planners with practical insights and fresh ideas, the series of spotlight sessions will highlight the people, projects and partnerships shaping Manchester's evolving meetings landscape. Participating organisations include Aviva Studios, Radisson Hotel Group, Northern Roots, CityCo, Manchester Metropolitan University and Selling Savvy.

The programme opens with an overview of the latest developments transforming the destination, including Medlock Square, Therme Manchester, the reopening of Rochdale Town Hall and the ongoing restoration of Manchester Town Hall, offering delegates an update on the city's expanding business events infrastructure.

Accessibility and inclusion will take centre stage in A New Conversation About Accessibility & Inclusion, presented by Jay Millard, Access Manager at Aviva Studios, and Stephanie Williams, Head of Events at the venue. The session will examine emerging accessibility trends and explore practical ways organisers can create more inclusive events.

Manchester Metropolitan University will introduce a more interactive perspective through Play is Serious Business: What Events Can Learn from Playful Learning. Led by James Charnock, Sales and Marketing Manager, the session will invite delegates to experience how curiosity, experimentation and collaboration can enhance audience engagement, drawing inspiration from education and experience design.

Sustainability will remain a central theme throughout the programme. In The Future Stay: How Verified Net Zero Hotels Are Redefining Sustainable Hospitality, Claudia Platt, Senior Account Manager UK & Ireland at Radisson Hotel Group, will present Manchester's first verified net zero hotel and explore how renewable energy, low-carbon dining, waste reduction and independent verification are reshaping hospitality.

Professional development also features prominently, with Louisa Ritchie and Kat Rack, Directors of Selling Savvy, leading Growing Your Network: Building Connections, Confidence & Career Opportunities. The session will focus on purposeful networking, personal branding and relationship-building, providing practical guidance for event professionals looking to strengthen their industry profile.

The programme will also examine how business events can generate wider community benefits. Northern Roots: Delivering Social Value Through Urban Green Space, hosted by Lizzie Fenton, Head of Income Generation at Northern Roots, will explore the transformation of the Oldham site into a major community and visitor destination while demonstrating how green spaces can support environmental sustainability, health and local prosperity.

Closing the programme, Destination Manchester: City-Wide Collaboration for Major Events will highlight the partnerships that underpin the city's largest international events. Chaired by Gary James Williams, Head of Events at CityCo and Manchester City Centre Business Improvement District, the discussion will bring together representatives from Manchester City Council, Marketing Manchester, CityCo and destination partners to demonstrate how coordinated planning, placemaking and cross-sector collaboration help turn major events such as The BRIT Awards into city-wide experiences.
 

Powered by Meeting Media Company, publisher of Headquarters Magazine (HQ) – a leading international publication based in Brussels, serving the global MICE industry and association community.