Following a general election campaign in which it quadrupled its number of parliamentary
seats, The Green Party has confirmed that it will host its Autumn Conference in
Manchester, taking up residence at Manchester Central for three days in September.
The conference has been
secured through a partnership approach between Marketing Manchester which led
the bidding process, Manchester Central as the host venue, and the recently
formed Manchester Accommodation BID which manages Manchester’s £1 city visitor
charge on overnight accommodation stays.
The Green Party
Conference will bring up to 1,200 delegates to Manchester and is
estimated to be worth approximately £1.7 million in economic impact for the
city.
Victoria
Braddock, managing director of Marketing Manchester, said: “Manchester
is delighted to welcome the Green Party Conference this September. This event
represents a fantastic opportunity for our city and underscores Manchester’s
role as a key player in political discourse and showcases our capabilities as a
premier conference destination. Furthermore, it aligns with Greater
Manchester’s ambitions to be a fairer, greener, and more equal region,
reinforcing our commitment to sustainability, social equity, and leadership in
shaping a progressive future.”
The conference marks the
first time The Green Party has host its conference in Manchester, following
previous host locations such as Brighton (2023), Harrogate (2022), and
Birmingham (2021).
Mary Clegg, chief executive of the Green Party, said: "We are
delighted to be bringing our Autumn Conference to Manchester this September. As
a city with deep progressive roots, Manchester provides the perfect backdrop
for the Green Party’s message of ‘Real hope, real change’ which we will be
celebrating in September with our four new MPs and our rapidly growing
membership.”
Support from the
Manchester Accommodation BID helped secure the conference for
Manchester. The Accommodation BID receives and manages funds derived from the
£1 charge levied on guests visiting Manchester overnight, using the funds to
create and attract events and activities that bring more people to visit and
stay.
Kumar Mishra, chair of
the Manchester Accommodation BID, said: “Hosting the Green
Party Autumn Conference in Manchester is a testament to the strategic use of
Accommodation BID funds. Conferences like this are vital to our city, not only
for the immediate economic benefits they bring but also for the role they play
in attracting guests for overnight stays. These events boost our economy,
support jobs in the hospitality sector, and solidify Manchester’s reputation as
a vibrant, must-visit destination that has the infrastructure, attractions, and
hospitality that can support events of this scale.”
The Green Party Autumn
Conference will take place on 6-8 September 2024.
