CHS Manchester is taking its Fringe programme out into the city, with a growing line-up of experiences, workshops and social events planned ahead of the show at the AO Arena on 30 September.
The Fringe will see event professionals spread across Manchester for activities ranging from chocolate making and live music to cocktail masterclasses, food tours, live event pitching and behind-the-scenes venue experiences.
Among the new additions is Creativity, Chocolate and Music at Hyatt Regency, where attendees can take part in a sip-and-paint session, make chocolates alongside the hotel’s pastry chef and hear a live set from Kenny B from the hotel’s 18th floor.
Another experience, From Power Hall to Cloud 23, combines a live engine demonstration and event-space experience at the Science and Industry Museum with a Benugo reception and cocktail masterclass at Cloud 23.
Flavours of Manchester will showcase the city’s food scene, starting with low-carbon dining at Radisson Manchester City Centre before taking attendees on a walking tour exploring independent food businesses and finishing with drinks and nibbles at Townhouse Manchester.
The Fringe is also extending beyond CHS’s own hosted-buyer programme, with industry organisations adding their own events.
NOWIE will host Pitch Perfect: The Perfect Pitch Workshop, putting attendees into agency teams to respond to a live event brief before pitching their ideas to a panel of senior corporate buyers.
The Delegate Wranglers are also developing their own Fringe activity, with further details to be announced.
The programme will culminate in Manchester Calling, the CHS Manchester Welcome Reception at Manchester Central, bringing the wider show community together ahead of the main event. Manchester-born DJ Clint Boon of the Inspiral Carpets will make a special guest appearance.
CHS Manchester CEO Emma King said the Fringe’s organic growth was as significant as its expanding programme.
“The Fringe is growing beyond what we’re doing at CHS; it’s got a life of its own now, and the industry is taking it forward,” she said.
“It’s a wonderful reflection of the industry and the city that so much is happening, all around the show and across the city. It’s a great success story for everyone.”
King added: “The Fringe is for everyone, and seeing it grow organically around CHS tells us something about how people want to experience industry events. They want the show, but they also want all the extra experiences that happen around it.”
The Fringe begins across Manchester on 29 September, ahead of CHS Manchester at the AO Arena on 30 September.
