Greater Manchester’s meeting, conference, and events sector is now worth £1bn to the local economy, according to new research.
Core business events, such as conferences, contributed £917 million to the region’s economy and supported 31,600 full-time equivalent (FTE) jobs. When factoring in the growing trend of leisure extensions – delegates who extend their business trip by extra days – the total value of business events clears the £1 billion milestone, and provides an additional 2,600 jobs.
The research, commissioned by Greater Manchester’s promotional agency Marketing Manchester, also found that an additional £87.5 million was generated by ‘leisure extenders’, contributing a further 545,000 bed nights, and boosting the visitor economy through spend on accommodation, food and drink, and cultural experiences.
Compared to the last time this research was conducted in 2017, the business events sector has seen significant growth from international business and has attracted high-value events that are more likely to generate extended stays and repeat visits.
In 2024, Greater Manchester hosted 51,500 conference and business events, including large-scale international associations. A total of 3.9m delegates were hosted, offering a direct spend at venues, including room hire, accommodation, and catering, boosting local businesses, alongside spend in the wider destination, such as food and drink, shopping, entertainment, and transport.
Victoria Braddock, managing director of Marketing Manchester, said: “This research reaffirms the importance of conference and business events in Greater Manchester, for the first time generating £1 billion in direct expenditure for the local economy and supporting thousands of jobs. Notably, the growth in international association events and delegate spend highlights the region’s increasing global competitiveness and ability to attract large-scale international events.
“The sector’s growth also highlights the appeal of Greater Manchester’s venue offer, which plays a pivotal role in attracting events and delivering exceptional delegate experiences. The region’s appeal doesn’t end when the conference does, and the ability to convert business visitors into leisure returners speaks to the strength of the region’s growing tourism offer.”
Attracting and delivering major events is a key aim for the Greater Manchester Strategy for the Visitor Economy 2025 – 2030 and forms an important part in growing the visitor economy through maximising the destination’s reputation as a place where great minds meet, and where major conferences and conventions power the mid-week economy.
