CHS Manchester has announced the launch of Manchester Calling, a brand-new networking event that will officially open the 2026 CHS Manchester experience. Hosted and sponsored by Manchester Central, the evening gathering will take place on 29 September, the night before the main exhibition opens, offering exhibitors, hosted buyers, and industry professionals an opportunity to connect before the show begins.
The addition of Manchester Calling reflects CHS Manchester’s commitment to creating a more engaging and connected event experience. Rather than waiting for the exhibition doors to open, attendees will have the chance to start building relationships, exchange ideas, and establish valuable business connections in a relaxed and welcoming environment.
A New Way to Begin the CHS Manchester Experience
The newly introduced Manchester Calling event has been designed to help delegates settle into Manchester while encouraging meaningful conversations before the official exhibition gets underway. Organisers believe that some of the most productive networking opportunities often happen in informal settings, making this pre-event gathering a natural extension of the CHS Manchester experience.
The evening will begin with dedicated networking sessions exclusively for exhibitors and hosted buyers. These focused introductions will allow participants to make valuable business contacts before expanding into a larger reception open to the wider CHS Manchester community. The format aims to create an inclusive atmosphere where industry professionals can reconnect with existing contacts while also meeting new people from across the meetings, events, and hospitality sectors.
Manchester Central to Host and Sponsor the Event
As both the host venue and official sponsor of Manchester Calling, Manchester Central will play a key role in welcoming delegates to the city ahead of the exhibition. Known as one of the UK’s leading conference and exhibition venues, Manchester Central has long supported major business events and industry gatherings.
By hosting this opening reception, Manchester Central further strengthens its partnership with CHS Manchester while showcasing the city’s reputation as a vibrant destination for business events and professional networking.
The venue will provide a relaxed environment where attendees can enjoy informal conversations before the busy exhibition schedule begins the following day.
CHS Manchester Focuses on Building Stronger Industry Connections
According to Emma King, Founder and CEO of CHS Manchester, the introduction of Manchester Calling reflects the event’s long-standing belief that successful business relationships often begin before formal meetings or exhibition appointments take place.
She explained that the networking evening has been created to welcome the industry to Manchester, encourage meaningful conversations, and establish an atmosphere that promotes collaboration throughout the event.
King noted that catching up with colleagues, meeting new contacts, discussing current industry trends, and exchanging ideas often leads to future partnerships and business opportunities. She described Manchester Calling as an opportunity to set the tone for the exhibition while creating an enjoyable environment where business naturally develops through conversation and shared experiences.
Manchester Celebrates Its Community Spirit
Stephanie Newton, Commercial Director at Manchester Central, highlighted the city’s strong reputation for bringing people together through business, culture, and events.
She expressed enthusiasm about Manchester Central hosting Manchester Calling and helping launch CHS Manchester in a memorable way. According to Newton, the evening will give exhibitors, hosted buyers, and other event professionals an ideal opportunity to network in a relaxed atmosphere before the exhibition officially opens.
She added that the event reflects the welcoming hospitality and strong sense of community that both Manchester Central and CHS Manchester are recognised for, making it a natural addition to the exhibition programme.
Designed to Extend the Event Beyond the Exhibition Floor
One of the key objectives behind Manchester Calling is to extend the overall CHS Manchester experience beyond traditional exhibition hours. Instead of limiting networking opportunities to the show floor, organisers want delegates to begin engaging with one another as soon as they arrive in the city.
The pre-show reception is expected to encourage stronger relationships between buyers, exhibitors, venues, suppliers, and event professionals before business meetings and educational sessions commence.
This approach aligns with growing trends across the meetings and events industry, where organisers increasingly recognise the value of informal networking as a driver of collaboration, knowledge sharing, and long-term business development.
Supporting Business, Learning and Collaboration
Following the networking evening, attendees will continue their CHS Manchester journey with a packed programme of learning sessions, business meetings, product showcases, and networking opportunities throughout the main exhibition.
By creating an early opportunity for delegates to introduce themselves and establish connections, Manchester Calling aims to make subsequent meetings more productive and meaningful.
For exhibitors, the event offers an opportunity to engage with hosted buyers before scheduled appointments. Buyers, meanwhile, can gain an early understanding of exhibitors’ offerings and begin identifying potential business partners before entering the exhibition hall.
Strengthening the CHS Manchester Brand
The addition of Manchester Calling represents another step in the continued evolution of CHS Manchester as one of the UK’s leading events for the meetings, conferences, and hospitality industry.
By investing in new networking formats and creating additional opportunities for engagement, organisers hope to deliver greater value for exhibitors, buyers, sponsors, and visitors alike.
The initiative also reinforces CHS Manchester’s reputation as an event focused not only on exhibitions but also on fostering long-lasting professional relationships that continue beyond the show itself.
Looking Ahead to CHS Manchester 2026
Manchester Calling will take place on the evening of 29 September, providing delegates with the perfect opportunity to settle into Manchester, reconnect with industry colleagues, and begin networking before CHS Manchester officially opens.
With Manchester Central serving as both host and sponsor, the new networking event is expected to become a valuable addition to the exhibition calendar, offering a welcoming start to several days of education, collaboration, business development, and industry engagement.
As anticipation builds for the upcoming edition of CHS Manchester, the introduction of Manchester Calling demonstrates the organisers’ commitment to creating richer visitor experiences and ensuring that valuable conversations begin even before the exhibition doors open.
